Looking ahead to the 50th NWTF Convention & Sport Show in Nashville
- Justin Campbell
- Jan 28
- 4 min read
The milestone gathering that marks the shift from offseason talk to season-ready focus
By Justin Campbell | Equalized Outdoors Newsroom
For turkey hunters, the NWTF Convention & Sport Show in Nashville has always meant more than just another date on the calendar.
It’s a signal.
A reminder that winter is running out of road. That mornings will soon smell like damp leaves and warming earth. That calls won’t stay in the silent much longer. That scouting, patterning birds, and setting alarms for early mornings are no longer abstract ideas — they’re right around the corner.
For many, the NWTF Convention & Sport Show feels like the two-minute warning before the spring season. The dreaming stage is almost over. What comes next is real.
This year carries added weight. The 50th NWTF Convention & Sport Show isn’t just a milestone for the organization — it’s a reminder of how long this community has been showing up for the bird, the habitat, and the traditions tied to both. It’s also arriving during a season of reflection for many within the community, adding another layer of meaning to the gathering.
As NWTF describes the event:
Anyone who has spent time at this show knows that description isn’t marketing language. It’s simply accurate.
What the NWTF Convention & Sport Show Actually Feels Like
The NWTF Convention & Sport Show isn’t just booths and banners. It’s a gathering of people who genuinely care about the resource and the culture built around it.
It’s:
Conversations between strangers that turn into friendships
Hunters swapping stories in line like they’ve known each other for years
Small businesses are getting real face time with the community they serve
Callmakers, vest builders, and artisans standing behind their own work
People showing up not just to buy things, but to support one another
The floor is filled with family-run brands, independent builders, and people who poured
real time and sacrifice into what they’re offering. Supporting those booths isn’t just commerce. It’s a community.
Calling Competitions, Craft, and Culture
There are no other places where turkey culture is on full display like it is at the NWTF Convention & Sport Show.
The calling competitions aren’t gimmicks. They’re a reminder that calling is an art form. They showcase discipline, ear training, and respect for the bird itself. Watching skilled callers compete is equal parts education, inspiration, and tradition playing out in real time.
Beyond that, there’s no shortage of ways to stay engaged:
Seminars centered on conservation and habitat
Fundraising events that directly support NWTF’s work
Youth involvement that shows the next generation is paying attention
Informal conversations that often teach more than formal sessions
You can spend all day on the floor and still feel like you only scratched the surface.
Why the NWTF Convention Still Matters
People return to the NWTF Convention & Sport Show every year for different reasons, but the foundation is usually the same.
There are people who hunt turkeys, and there are turkey hunters. For the latter, the answer is simple: it’s a way of life.
It’s also practical.
The convention is a chance to:
Grab new gear before the season
Ask real questions to people who actually know their craft
Attend seminars and listen to experienced voices
Soak in knowledge that doesn’t always come from videos or comment sections
Spend time around others who take the pursuit seriously
It’s also one of the more accessible events in the space. Becoming an NWTF member directly supports their conservation work, and membership includes free access to the convention. For many people, that benefit alone offsets the cost of joining. At the time of writing, individual memberships are commonly priced around $35, making it one of the simplest ways to both support the mission and take part in the event.
With the spring season close behind, the timing couldn’t be more fitting. This is the point in the year where preparation turns into anticipation, and anticipation turns into action.
The woods are coming back to life. The conversations in Nashville are simply part of the build-up.
If You’re Attending the NWTF Convention
If you’ll be in Nashville between February 12 and 16, take your time with it. Walk slowly. Listen more than you talk. Support the small booths. Shake hands. Ask questions. Watch the competitions. Sit in on the conversations.
That’s where the value really lives.
And if you happen to see Equalized Outdoors on a hat or hoodie, feel free to say hello. We’ll be there for the same reason most people are — because this season, this bird, and this community matter.
Honoring Mr. Fox Haas
It would be difficult to talk about community, stewardship, and tradition without acknowledging the recent passing of Mr. Fox Haas.
Those who knew him describe a man grounded in faith, family, humility, and a sincere love for the outdoors. His life reflected the values that sit at the heart of gatherings like the NWTF Convention & Sport Show: respect for the resource, responsibility to the land, and a commitment to passing on something meaningful.
The 50th milestone convention is, at its core, about honoring legacy and remembering individuals like Mr. Haas, whose life embodied the best of this community.
Our thoughts are with both the Haas and Mossy Oak families, and we send our heartfelt condolences.
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