The organizational meeting for your local NWTF Chapter, Sumter County Longbeards, was held on Sept 12, 2006.  The first banquet was held in October 2006 with great success. In 2007, we held the first annual turkey shoot and our 2nd Hunting Heritage Banquet was in October 2007.

In 2008, Sumter County Longbeard’s President Stoney Maddox along with committee members Lamar & Shirley Parker, Jerry & Kathy Brannen, and Greg Furlong attended the 32nd Annual NWTF Convention and Sport Show in Atlanta, GA. During this show, the NWTF gave L.A.Dixon Memorial awards to the local, state and provincial chapters that set a standard of excellence for fund-raising to conserve the wild turkey & other wildlife and preserve our hunting heritage. Out of 2,330 chapters in the nation, your local chapter received third place in the Best Local Chapter classification. This was a great accomplishment!  We want to say thank you to all of our supporters and committee members.  Without hard working volunteers, corporate and regular sponsors, banquet attendees, and the donations and support from local businesses, this achievement would not have been possible. You and your support are greatly appreciated!

In February 2009, Greg, Furlong, President along with committee members attended the 33rd Annual NWTF Convention & Sport Show in Nashville, TN.  The NWTF presented the Sumter County Longbeards with the L.A.Dixon Memorial award for 2nd Best Local Chapter in the nation.  This is truly a great accomplishment and we thank all our volunteers, corporate and regular sponsors, banquet attendees and donations fand support rom our local businesses.  This award is truly a reflection of the joint efforts of this Chapter and its volunteers and supporters for setting the standard of excellence in fund-raising toward preserving our hunting heritage and conversation of the wild turkey and other wildlife.