An enthusiastic crowd at the Wild Turkey Center in Edgefield, S.C., welcomed Brenda Valentine during her official debut as NWTF Spokeswoman. |
EDGEFIELD, S.C. — Brenda Valentine, the outdoor industry’s “First Lady of HuntingTM,” has been named the official spokeswoman for the National Wild Turkey Federation. Valentine made her official debut as spokeswoman on Friday, Sept. 26, at the Wild Turkey Center in Edgefield, S.C., where more than 300 women had gathered for a weekend of fun, fellowship and learning at the Women in the Outdoors national event.
A lifelong hunter, Valentine grew up in rural western Tennessee and has traveled far and wide to pursue her passion of hunting. Her adventures have spanned from the southern tip of Africa to the Arctic Circle and every stop in between, and she is a proud advocate of introducing women and youth to the outdoors.
Valentine makes regular appearances on the new “Bass Pro Shops’ King of Bucks” program on Outdoor Channel, and is also a host of the “Bass Pro Shops’ Real Hunting” show that airs weekly on the Versus Network. Valentine says she typically spends 150 days each year in the field filming hunts. She is the first female inducted into the Legends of the Outdoors Hall of Fame, and her wide-ranging talents include that of an accomplished author, photographer, videographer and radio personality.
She noted that it was fitting to make her debut at the Women in the Outdoors national event, since women represent hunting’s fastest growing demographic. Women from across the country had gathered at the Wild Turkey Center to learn new outdoor hobbies in a relaxed and welcoming environment. During her speech to the crowd, Valentine expressed her desire to see even more women discover the fun and excitement that the outdoors has to offer, and help to continue turkey hunting’s surge in popularity.
“I am honored and excited to have been invited to serve as the first official spokeswoman,” said Valentine. “The NWTF has long set the standard for all conservation efforts through wild turkey restoration and habitat improvement. They’ve also been a leader in hunter recruitment and education though their numerous outreach programs. I have been a friend and supporter of the NWTF for many years and am now looking forward to a more active role in helping all staff and members to further enhance the future of the wild turkey and our hunting heritage.”
As spokeswoman, Valentine will make appearances on the NWTF’s television shows and contribute to the NWTF’s Women In The Outdoors Magazine. Valentine joins Michael Waddell, who was named the official NWTF spokesman in August, to further the cause of wild turkey conservation, good land stewardship and protecting America’s hunting traditions.
NWTF CEO George Thornton shared the enthusiasm of staff and volunteers in warmly welcoming Valentine to the flock.
“Brenda embodies the values that the NWTF holds dear in its mission,” said Thornton. “We are proud to have her stand beside us as we continue to work for the wild turkey, practice good land stewardship, provide more opportunities for hunters to go afield and pass on cherished outdoor traditions to new generations.”
