Here are the basic question and answers about the program:

1. Who can be included in the NWTF Wild Turkey Records? Any NWTF member in good standing, either Regular or Jakes.
2. How can one enter a wild turkey? An official NWTF Wild Turkey Registration Form can be obtained by calling NWTF – 1-803-637-3106  Ext. 3184
3. How much does it cost to list a turkey in NWTF Wild Turkey Records? Ten ($10) dollars, which will be used to defray the cost of administering the program.
4. What do I get for my money? Recognition for having bagged a trophy, an 8 x 10 certificate for framing, a distinctive wild turkey pin, and your name and trophy information listed in the permanent records system.
5. What will constitute and acceptable entry? A completed registration from bearing your signature and the signature of a current NWTF member, to verify information given, and $10 to cover processing of the registration. See special requirements on form for birds of exceptional weight, 1 ½” spurs, or birds with multiple beards.
6. What information will be required? The hunter’s name, address and state, county and date of harvest; kind of turkey; weight in pounds and ounces (specify live or field dressed weight) beard length to the nearest 16th of an inch; length of both spurs to the nearest 16th of an inch; and any unusual characteristics, such as multiple beards, double spurs, odd coloration of plumage, bearded hen.
 

For more information, call the NWTF at 1-800-THE-NWTF and ask for Karen Cavender.

SEND COMPLETED APPLICATION TO:
NWTF Turkey Records Program
PO Box 530
Edgefield, SC 29824-0530
 

WILD TURKEY RECORDS
HOW TO ENTER

To record your trophy in the official NWTF records system, you must first be a member of the NWTF. All Records receive will be compiled, maintained, and disseminated, by category, within the United States, Mexico, Guatemala, Canada, Germany, or anywhere the wild turkey is hunted. The top records will be published annually by the National Wild Turkey Federation.

How to Measure Your Trophy
 

Spurs must be measured along the center line of the longest dimension.

Beard length is measured from the central point of protrusion from the skin to the end of the longest bristle.

Weight. All turkey must be weighted to the nearest ounce, on scales inspected and certified as accurate for trade by the state or province department or agriculture or on an accurate scale by a licensed guide or outfitter, or on the official scales of a governmental agency. Beard and spur length measurements must be made with a measuring device which is accurate to 1/16 inch. To standardize measurement, all measurements are to be recorded in sixteenths.

Total Score. The formula for overall score is: weight (lbs. And oz.) plus 10 times spur length (r & l) plus 2 times beard length. If more than one beard, add all beards lengths together and then multiply that total by 2.

Beard. Each beard must be measured from the center point of the protrusion from the skin to the end of the longest bristle.

Spurs. Spurs must be measured along the outside center, from the point at which the spur protrudes from the scales leg skin to the tip of the spur.

NORTH AMERCIAN WILD TURKEY DISTRIBUTION BY SUBSPECIES
Layman’s Guide

Code: E – Eastern F – Florida R – Rio Grande M – Merriam’s D – Domestic Feral H – Hybrid G – Gould’s O – Ocellated Other hybrid populations may occur where ranges of any subspecies overlap, or as a result of mixed transplants. · See exception on regulation form for measurement of birds over 22 lbs., 12” beards, & 1 8 1/6” (1.5”) spurs.

Eastern wild turkeys also have been introduced in Germany and Ontario. Merriam’s wild turkeys can be found in Alberta and British Columbia. The ocellated turkey is found in Yucatan and along the neighboring Guatemala border.

Entries and Documenation

Person submitting record, as well as the first witness, must be a current member of the NWTF. Parties may join when record is submitted. Hunters must enter each turkey on an official entry application form, including certification that the turkey was taken by legal means, in the spirit of fair chase, and that the confined within any artificial barrier. NWTF reserves the right to refuse any and all entries.  All entries must be signed, witnessed and mailed to:

NWTF Turkey Records Program
PO Box 530
Edgefield, SC 29824-0530

Maintenance, Publication and Dissemination of Records.

All Wild Turkey Records listings will be maintained by computer located at the National Wild Turkey Federation headquarters in Edgefield, SC, and updated at least quarterly. Annually, a listing of top entries will be published by the National Wild Turkey Federation.

The name of the hunter, the place harvested and measurements of scores will be included in the publication, ranked by top measurement or overall scores.

To be considered for publication, entries must have been received at NWTF headquarters not later than December 1 annually.

Awards

Entries in NWTF Wild Turkey Records will be acknowledged, and each hunter will receive a lapel pin and a certificate suitable for framing. All entrants are guaranteed that their trophy will be recorded in the official records program and listed, with its measurements or scores.

NATIONAL WILD TURKEY FEDERATION
WORK SHEET FOR SCROING TURKEYS

WEIGHT

_______________ POUNDS _____________ OUNCES = _______________

SPUR LENGTHS

LEFT    - ________________ X   10                                     = ______________
RIGHT - ________________ X   10                                     = ______________

BEARD LENGTH

__________ INCHES _______ X   2                                     = ______________
 

1. Category of turkey Entered: Gobbler or Hen.
Check one (or, if known Hybrid, write “H” in category which turkey most resembles):
Eastern wild turkey, Florida wild turkey, Rio Grande wild turkey, Merriam’s wild turkey, Gould’s wild turkey, Ocellated turkey

2. Weight (weight of turkey, in pounds and ounces)      lbs.     Oz.

3. Beard length (total length of beard to nearest 1/16 inch.) Beard
For multiple beards, use same listing: Beard 2       Beard 3      Beard 4      Beard 5    , etc. Total Length.

4. Spur Length (length of spur should be measured to nearest 1/16 inch.) Left spur       Right spur

5. Nontypical: Unusual characteristics. Check here       if turkey has characteristics such as multiple beards or spurs, or unique coloring. Also, please include any additional information describing the oddity. Attach additional sheet, if necessary.

6. Date and time that turkey was taken. Date           Approximate time.

7. Location where turkey was harvested.  Country           State/Province

8. Type of call used: box, slate, mouth diaphragm, wingbone, tube, gobbling device, other.

9. Weapon used to harvest bird: modern firearm, bow, muzzleloader, crossbow

10. Hunting License #                          Tag #

11. Certification by hunter – I hereby certify that the information above is correct, and that I took this wild turkey in the spirit of fair chase and in compliance with all applicable game laws.  I further certify that this turkey was a wild and free-ranging bird, was not confined by an artificial barrier, and was not release for the purpose of commercial hunting.
IMPORTANT: Entries not meeting below criteria will not be accepted.

All Easterns, Rio Grandes, Merriam’s Gould’s subspecies birds weighing more than 22 pounds, or Florida subspecies over 20 pounds, or Ocellated turkeys over 10 pounds must be weighted to the nearest ounce on scales inspected and certified as accurate for trade by the state or province department or agriculture, and weight coupon or signed document presented for proof.  An additional witness is also required. Beards measuring over 12 inches must have additional witnessing, and application must include photograph showing measurement. Spurs measuring over 1 8/16 inches (1.5”) must have additional witnessing, and application must include photographs showing measurement. Please include picture if your bird has multiple beards.

My $10 check or money order is enclosed to cover processing cost.

Signature of Hunter, Printed Name, Date
Hunter’s address, city, state, zip, phone number
Membership Number and Expiration
Hunter is Male or Female
Hunter is Adult or Child

12. Certification by primary witness (required for all turkey entered) – I hereby certify that I am an active member of the National Wild Turkey Federation and that all of the information recorded in Sections 2 through 10 of this application form is true and correct.

Signature of Witness, Printed Name, Date
Witness’s address, city, state, zip, phone number
Membership Number and Expiration

13. Certification by secondary witness (required for all turkey with exceptional measurements as indicated.)
Signature of Witness, Printed Name, Date
Witness’s address, city, state, zip, phone number
 
 
 

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