hunting
My Valentine is a Turkey Hunter
With the holiday of love and romance close at hand, I thought it appropriate to cover once again such a timely topic. Having returned to be among the living this past fall, each holiday, anniversary, and recognized celebration is a gift, not to be taken for granted, and Valentine’s is certainly worth such recognition. It is also a great topic, a reminder to up your game for pre-season spousal approval units. My favorite topic of course is anything and all things related to turkey hunting, with deer hunting a close second. How turkey hunting relates to Valentine’s Day is easily revealed as I reminisce about my own experiences over the past twenty five years
This year like many couples, Lee and I will celebrate the holiday with a special dinner at home. We live in a modern log home in a picturesque setting in the woods. It is a serene and private setting that lends itself to unwind from long days at work. Lee is a fabulous cook, and I can manage if I set my mind to it. Maybe we’ll cook together, or I create something worthy of the occasion. We’ll most likely open a nice bottle of wine to complement the meal.
As I think about it, this Valentine’s Day as those in the past is more akin to other days in the year. Hunting seasons as they come and go, are more days together than days apart. Much like Valentine’s Day, we celebrate and enjoy the time together, especially on opening days. Those opening days are always great experiences even though sometimes we return home with tags still in our pockets. When we first met back in 1997, Lee was not a hunter, nor all that interested in it. Over time, my passion for time spent in the turkey woods piqued her interest. The following year, Lee accompanied me on several hunts and came to learn what I enjoyed so much of my time spent there. Although I have been successful as my memories, serve me, the stories I am so fond to recall, I generally fill my tags each season. It is not the singular focus of the taking of game. It is one of the outcomes we expect from skillful strategy and accurate shooting. I am happy that I was able to convey that to her. Over time, she has become a passionate hunter in her own right.
I would submit to you to share your time in the woods with family, loved ones, and especially your spouses. There is much to be shared and learned in the forests and fields. The only downside I have yet to find is that your hunting budget might double, but I would suggest that is money well spent. I am a fortunate man to be able to share so many days that are much like Valentine’s Day or from another perspective to have Valentine’s Day be much like most other days of the year.
-MJ
© 2022 Mike Joyner- Joyner Outdoor Media
Typical Facebook Turkey Hunting group
Q: How to run a turkey call?
Responses:
One respondent describes in accurate concise detail how to run a turkey call, shows articulate form, and exquisite tone in accompanying video clip.
Original Poster says “thanks” and posts video of themselves running a turkey call.
46 Empathetic passive-aggressives post to share similar experiences of learning to run a turkey call and how running a turkey call could have been taught way better.
28 Camo Karen’s post to caution about the bad habits of running turkey calls.
431 Narcissistic purists post they use trumpet calls only and are offended by running other types of turkey calls discussions.
24 Post to argue over whether it’s ‘run a turkey call’ or “natural voice.”
392 to condemn those 24 as stupid.
220 Post to tell those 392 to stop being jackasses.
23 Industry professionals well practiced in customer fails post to inform the group that the proper term is “running a mouth diaphragm.”
37 Call makers post 542 pictures of their calls with accompanying self promotion.
531 Prostaffers from 37 call makers in corresponding call maker company logo caps and shirts chime in and bash the other 36 mobs of prostaff while posting selfies running their superior calls.
75 Know-it-alls who claim they were in the industry, and post that “run a turkey call” is perfectly correct.
249 Post meme’s and gif’s, laugh to themselves for hours.
6 Post that this page is not just about running turkey calls and to please take this discussion to a turkey calling only page.
11 Appeasing sympathizers post to defend the posting to this page saying that we all run turkey calls and therefore the posts are relevant here.
22 With anger issues, nothing useful to say, post GFYS.
8 clueless dolts to ask what GFYS means.
102 Voyeurs post “Following”
243 Elitists post to debate which method of running a turkey call is superior, where to buy the best turkey calls, what brand of turkey calls work best for this technique and what brands are junk.
214 to ask if the brands of turkey calls suggested are worth the money.
29 to tell them that if they like a turkey call, buy it.
1156 “Me to” people to post pics of their own turkey calls.
74 to post URL’s where one can see examples of different turkey calls.
6 to post that the URL’s were posted incorrectly and then post the corrected URL’s.
130 “Me too” people to comment “Me too”.
18 to post to the page that they will no longer post or are leaving because they cannot handle the $!%cking running a turkey call controversy.
16 Turn coat nannies to report the post or PM an admin because someone said “f÷×$”
42 to say “Didn’t we go through this already a short time ago?”.
30 to say “Do a search on running a turkey call before posting questions about running a turkey call”.
1642 to bring politics into the discussion by adding that (insert politician of choice) is closing down wood and call making material factories, not building new call making companies. Trump Sucks, Biden is brain dead.
17980 more to get into personal attacks over their political views.
6 admins to ban the running a turkey call posters who took it all too seriously.
10 late arrivals to comment on the original post 6 months later and start it all over again.
-MJ
© 2022 Mike Joyner- Joyner Outdoor Media
Update-Maine Woman Shot By Fall Turkey Hunter
Update From Sept. 27, 2021 Story- A fall turkey hunter from Leeds, Maine while hunting, now faces multiple felony charges and one misdemeanor stemming from last September’s shooting incident which left Katherine Brennan requiring medical services.
Brennan was transported to Central Maine Medical Center in Lewiston and later reported in stable condition. It is reported that on the day of the shooting, Jacobs called 911 and remained with her until emergency services arrived.
Timothy Jacobs, 61, Jacobs has been indicted for aggravated assault, reckless conduct with a firearm, both of which are felonies, and assault while hunting, a misdemeanor. If convicted, Jacobs faces up to a 10-year prison sentence and a possible maximum fine of $20,000.
source: https://www.argus-press.com/news/state_news/article_94f24485-684f-5ff8-971e-157684e02917.html
http://www.turkey-talk.com/tblog/?p=2180
Repeated from prior posts: We can do better as zero incidents is the only acceptable number by following the most basic safety protocols. Each time I go afield I know that I owe myself, each of you to clearly identify my target, what is in front and beyond the target, to be safe, to employ strict and safe firearm handling. I also owe each of you to pause if anything is not quite right, or by chance what is in front of me is not 100% as it appears. Take the time to be 100% sure…
I will update as more details are published. As with any incidents like this we pray for those injured, that have succumbed to their injuries and for their families. May they heal well Godspeed.
-MJ
© 2022 Mike Joyner- Joyner Outdoor Media
Rules to Live by for a Turkey Hunter
Never return to a place without the host that you were invited to as a guest.
Always be a graceful and grateful guest
Never leave a sit or a blind without a gun “just to take look, answer a call of nature.”
Always be observant and alert, as the action can change instantly.
Never stalk a turkey sound, shoot at sounds, or movement in the brush.
Always be 110% sure of your quarry. Always be safe in the turkey woods.
Never be late on an invite. Bring extra coffee and appropriate rations of Little Debbie’s.
Always arrive early at your hunting grounds. Have a plan B and C. Come back later after they leave.
Never knowingly intrude on another hunter’s setup.
Always first assume that turkey calls may be another hunter.
Never argue with an uncivil jackass in the turkey woods. You’re not the “Ass whisperer”
Always be the better person as the turkey woods are too magnificent not to enjoy.
Never think you are invisible. The best camo in the world is rendered useless by “can’t sit still.”
Always be still, Always be patient.
Never ask someone how many gobblers they kill.
Always, if asked, lie like a fisherman.
Never run turkey calls like you would hawking products at a sports show
Always use turkey calls as a tool in your hunting strategy
Never compromise your ethics or safety in your methods and actions.
Always respect your fellow hunters. You never know when you may need them.
Never be in a hurry in the turkey woods, There is far too much to enjoy,
Always slow it down a bit, it is not a race. Run and gun doesn’t always work.
Never rush a shot. Identify, acquire, clear foreground/background, and then squeeze.
Always get your head down on the stock. Make it count.
-MJ
© 2022 Mike Joyner- Joyner Outdoor Media
Maine Woman Shot By Fall Turkey Hunter
A woman was shot on 9/27 by a male fall turkey hunter near Walton’s Way in Leeds, Maine. It is not disclosed if she was also hunting, or particpating in other recreational activities. It is reported that the hunter called 911 and stayed with her until emergency personnel arrived. She was later reported in stable condition at Central Maine Medical Center. Warden service evidence response team, Warden Service K9 Team, Maine State Police and the Androscoggin Sheriff’s office. were onsite, and the investigation is ongoing.
https://www.argus-press.com/news/state_news/article_94f24485-684f-5ff8-971e-157684e02917.html
This brings the 2021 Spring/Fall turkey seasons up to eleven hunters, one woman, and one hiker shot. More details on prior reported incidents:
https://www.turkey-talk.com/tblog/?p=2139
http://www.turkey-talk.com/tblog/?p=2008
http://www.turkey-talk.com/tblog/?p=2051
Repeated from prior posts: We can do better as zero incidents is the only acceptable number by following the most basic safety protocols. Each time I go afield I know that I owe myself, each of you to clearly identify my target, what is in front and beyond the target, to be safe, to employ strict and safe firearm handling. I also owe each of you to pause if anything is not quite right, or by chance what is in front of me is not 100% as it appears. Take the time to be 100% sure…
I will update as more details are published. We continue to pray for those injured, that have succumbed to their injuries and for their families. May they heal well Godspeed.
-MJ
© 2021 Mike Joyner- Joyner Outdoor Media
Nobody Hates a Turkey Hunter More Than…
Nobody Hates a Turkey Hunter More Than…
If you asked me this back when I began chasing gobblers three decades ago I might have answered: Anti Hunters, Vegetarians, maybe Bow Hunters during overlapping weeks in the fall season. In recent months we now have our own version of wildly indignant “Camo Karen’s” among our ranks. Very much like the popularized stereotype of the loud, overbearing, self-serving, and self-entitled suburbanite soccer moms except in camo, and inclusive of men, not to discriminate of course.
To answer the titled question in real time: “Nobody hates a turkey hunter more than another turkey hunter in my spot, tagging my birds”
What is observed to be fueling this enhanced discourse is the bickering, blaming and finger pointing over the significant decline in wild turkey populations in many states in the USA. One can argue the exact years, but I’ll put a stake in the ground that the mid to late 1990’s were peak years in Central New York, and early 2000’s in Northern New York. As found in natural science, you can expect some period of peaks and valleys to oscillate after a major peak in wildlife populations. Rather than stabilize after a decade from a major uptick in population, a down trend in many areas is something that we can agree on. This did not go unnoticed by our NYSDEC wildlife biologists in New York, or the NY NWTF Chapter.
Research has been conducted and continues to be on going with NYSDEC, SUNY ESF and in part funded by the NWTF, funds raised thru licenses and other sources. New York is not alone in this as other states have similar efforts and collectively looking to solve the overall decline and provide more accurate tools to manage the wildlife resource, more tightly manage regulations, bag limits, and harvest goals.
Camo Karen’s have been blasting all over social media what is justified to disparage and blame in their view for declining wild turkey populations. Here are a few examples that are rich in selfism, and envy of others:
- Fall seasons should have been closed long ago (no discussion on how spring seasons were not a valid season a century ago, turkey hunting use to be done only in the fall. Before their time therefore did not exist.)
- Shooting hens or bearded hens should never have been allowed in fall seasons. (never mind what wildlife biologists say can be sustainable or not.)
- TSS, Hevi Shot and other heavier than lead loads used to promote long range shots are unfair advantage and decimating turkey flocks.
- Nonresident hunting should have been draw only or not allowed all together. Resident hunters are entitled to “their turkeys” We should double, even triple the cost of NR licenses and reduce their bag limit to one bird only, no matter how many tags residents are allowed.
- Grand Slams, Royal Slams, World Slams, 49 State Slams, Washington State Slams, Canadian Slams, Mexican Slams and so on are solely responsible for over harvesting declining populations (as expressed there must be 100K+ turkey hunters traveling and committing gobbler genocide each spring.)
- Despite declining numbers of hunters overall, States should not be promoting hunting tourism, or paying outdoor TV shows or outdoor writers to promote hunting to bolster future generations of hunters. Greedy capitalism is to blame.
- TV outdoor shows filming hunts as nonresident hunters is a level up offense and single handedly responsible for population declines and causes resident hunters to put up with others shooting “their turkeys.” You Tubers are the scourge of the turkey hunting fraternity and cause of declining turkey populations
- Advertising of great public land locales through tourism practices, social media has single handedly ruined the sport and decimated these hunting grounds. Odd that I can recall hunting guide articles that came out every year that gave advice on where to hunt on WMA’s with the best odds of success since I started hunting in 1985. I recall reading similar articles in very old hunting magazines in hunting camp.
- Any and all modern use of decoys, GPS, google earth, TSS, reaping, fanning, rifles, etc. have made turkey hunting easy, unfair, and decimated the populations wherever used.
As a disclaimer, the claims, opinions are posted repeatedly in social media, not my own opinion. I do take issue with fanning, reaping, stalking as safety concerns, and long range shots for an ethical viewpoint. None of which I would consider responsible for mass decimation of turkey populations.
In perusing through so many of these utterances, one can reasonably conclude that the self-serving “Nobody Hates a Turkey Hunter More Than Another Turkey Hunter Within Eyesight Of Their Hunting Spot” is the probable motivation.
The current situation with declining numbers did not happen overnight, and as far back as I got into it and long before I started, wildlife research evolves, and especially so with the advancement of data collection technologies and methods. The predictive weather modeling tool for influences on brooding success came out in the late 1990’s as biologists were concerned how it might impact flocks after successful trap and transfer programs were winding down. Similar research on using satellite imaging data for modeling land use types was identified as a significant influence on turkey populations. Research continues on gobbling activity, predator impacts, how far turkeys move due to hunting pressure, causals of avian diseases, and more recently what percentage of all these factors are impacting the declines as a sort of super storm.
Hunting licenses, bag limits, length of seasons, legal hours, legal implements, and methods are all under the direct control of wildlife agencies. They require vetted data, and practical modeling tools to set hunting season particulars, not the anecdotal arm chair bravado that we hear or read so much of. There are some cases of politics dictating policy. We are much better off when that does not happen. The loss of quality sustainable habitat, disease, poor brooding conditions are significant detractors of wildlife populations that we have limited or no control over.
It is my opinion that it is human arrogance to think we have the ability to compete with Mother Nature in a managed and regulated hunting construct when it comes to the massive effects of cold wet spring weather, disease, and predation. Market hunting was abolished over a century ago. The past decade, my stomping grounds saw only a few decent brooding seasons, and we now have more avian predators, a never ending supply of coyotes, and fishers which recently have taken hold. Folks that I have given permission to trap our place no longer engage in the activity. In the end if we continue to witness years of cold wet springs causing second and third nestings and having no significant impact on predators, no hunting seasons changes we can come up with are going to revitalize turkey flocks.
We can directly improve micro habitats. A lot of that is going on, can agree that much more could go on? As hunters we can also take up trapping or invite, give permission for trappers to come in and reduce predator numbers, mitigate nest predation, and improve survivability of prey species in general as well as our beloved wild turkey.
How many of us tolerate known poaching, rationalize taking more than our limit for a variety of entitled reasons? Sure, we cannot control what others do, but it starts with each of us. Public lands in my county are under hunted, yet flocks are shrinking there. I travel much farther than I like to in the spring, and have not taken a fall bird in NY in years. I still check on the fall flocks, but refrain from filling a tag. Spots that would hold 50-80 birds in the past now have 5-15 maybe, some spots none at all. That is my personal choice. You may decide differently.
In closing, adjustments, corrections to hunting seasons, methods, bag limits etc, will be acted upon based on the work of wildlife biologists and the evolving science that comes from ongoing research. The Camo Karen’s will not be a positive voice among the influencers that they envy so much. It is a bad look for us as hunters and only serves to be consistent with the hostile division we see across our country in far too many aspects of our daily lives. I submit that we ought to avoid all that in our refuge in the turkey woods…
-MJ
© 2021 Mike Joyner- Joyner Outdoor Media
Turkey Hunters Shot in Two Separate Events
Two unfortunate events that were being tracked have been reported by reliable sources. This brings the 2021 Spring turkey season up to nine hunters and one hiker shot. More details on prior reported incidents: http://www.turkey-talk.com/tblog/?p=2008 http://www.turkey-talk.com/tblog/?p=2051
It should be noted that the first incident reported below is single sourced from a local town police department facebook page. No search conducted thus far show the event picked up by local/regional/state/national news outlets. The second incident appeared in two legitimate news sources. Should you come across additional relevant sources and would like to share, send an email to mjoyner@joyneroutdoormedia.com It is also important to note that several anti-hunting blogs that I come across also scan and search the internet for any fodder that supports their agenda to abolish hunting. It is an observation that they search daily as coverage of hunting mishaps often appear there before showing up in resources I routinely use. I will have commentary on that in a future post.
It is initially reported that a male hunter was shot in the face in Sterling State Forest Park. Tuxedo Police Detective Stefan Christian’s initial investigation also reports that a second hunter was also shot in the leg, by a hunting partner. The incident is being further investigated by NYSDEC Police. https://www.facebook.com/TuxedoPolice/posts/1652794211776262
Chad Steven Henneman, 45, from Las Cruces, New Mexico died on April 25, 2021, while turkey hunting with friends in the Lincoln National Forest. Henneman, along with his fiancée, Marcena Flynn, and a friend were hunting in the national forest near New Mexico Highway 37 when the incident occurred. The hunting trip was his time away of service as active-duty with Department of Homeland Security Customs and as a Border Protection agent. From Leah Romero @ Las Cruces Sun News- “According to documents released by the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office June 21, Flynn said the couple returned to their truck while the other friend remained on a mountain to hunt, but Henneman reportedly started back toward his friend. Flynn heard a turkey gobble, followed soon after by a gunshot. She told authorities that when she walked back to the pair, Henneman was on the ground receiving chest compressions from the friend.” As of this post, there are no further details nor any charges have been filed…
Obituary: https://www.gazette-tribune.com/obituaries/chad-steven-henneman/81238/
We can do better as zero incidents is the only acceptable number by following the most basic safety protocols. Each time I go afield I know that I owe myself, each of you to clearly identify my target, what is in front and beyond the target, to be be safe, to employ strict and safe firearm handling. I also owe each of you to pause if anything is not quite right, or by chance what is in front of me is not 100% as it appears. Take the time to be 100% sure…
I will update as more details are published. We continue to pray for those injured, that have succumbed to their injuries and for their families. May they heal well Godspeed.
-MJ
© 2021 Mike Joyner- Joyner Outdoor Media
Turkey Hunting Viral Neurosis
With several weeks of reprieve, most of us should now be on the mend! I dare say most of us that spend more than a weekend or two chasing pea brain sized fowl suffer some level of this viral affliction. Like many of you, I can pin point with military GPS precision when, where, and how the infection took hold. On a very cold late deer season hunt in December 1992, I became witness to a flock of gobblers being busted off the roost by incoming deer hunters below the property I was hunting. Hunting at the edge of a very large bowl on a pristine and very quiet morning, at day break, I was blown away by the voracious gobbling that ensued from the break. As it echoed out through the bowl below my position, it was larger than life and in an instant I was infected, mesmerized beyond recovery…
Each season we willing violate most tenets of healthy living with the exception of daily moderate exercise. Caffeine consumption increases dramatically. Nominal six to eight hour sleep reduces to three or four hours on a good night. The consumption of Debbie’s Oatmeal Cream Pies is enough to propel the company to have their best months of sales from March thru May. Damn fool for not buying their stock years ago. I will put it out there that we give fishermen a run for their money in boosting the local economy at the small town diners, bars, and last but not least for the consumption of gas station food.
As a member of the infamous Tenth Legion, I pamper my affliction with no intention of ever being cured of it. As I age, I may slow in my movements, fight the girth that aims to overtake my idea of how long it takes to go from point ‘A’ to point ‘B’. Yet, I’ll get there come hell or high water. We are all familiar with the quote by author Tom Kelly that captures the adrenaline, the beating of our hearts so loudly the gobbler should hear it. My experience of that peaks just before the gobbler appears. Once in sight my response is more absolute with checklists of shot mechanics. I fully agree that the day that ceases to happen, I will have concluded my time in the turkey woods. May that be well past my final days.
As our neurosis peaks each spring, and fall I wish each of my brethren in solidarity, and in common ailment a recuperative summer, and that your best scheming and planning come to fruition in your obligations to return to the turkey woods next season.
MJ
© 2021 Mike Joyner- Joyner Outdoor Media
Final Days 2021 Spring Turkey Season in NY
With three days left, the fat lady is suiting up for the final curtain call. Whatever the strategy you plan to roll out for the end of the 31 day war may be, I’ll throw in what experience has taught me to some measure of success. Over many seasons you can assume I learn the hard way first. Eventually I regroup and come around to getting it done.
What you have observed during the past 28 days is essential information as to locations to try, changes in strutting areas, what hens have left the playing field to sit on their nests. In any late season advice, and one that I have adopted; I will generally play it old school. We do want to send the fat lady packing before show time. With exceptions noted, late season is about conservative tactics, having very recent sightings, and locations of birds willing to talk or at least show themselves.
Gobblers here in Upstate New York are acting like mid May birds as full green up takes place. There are pockets of hens reported still tagging along with gobblers,. In the stomping grounds I check on frequently in Cortland County, I am seeing gobblers alone or with a few hens, and single hens out and about later morning grabbing a quick meal before returning to their nests. As green out is in full swing, gobbling in many places is painfully nonexistent. As learned over many seasons, if you get within a gobbler’s comfort zone, his “bubble” you can get a welcomed response.
Running and gunning has in my opinion schooled a lot of the birds. The tactic has been less fruitful for the past several decades as the population has undeniably declined to a mere fraction of the past decade, and alarmingly so compared to the peak in the 1990’s. It has been a quiet season in Cortland and many hunters get antsy and move often, when a little patience would make for less wary birds. If you follow my musings you know I like my gobblers without an advanced education. If I can locate the dumbest gobbler in the county, I am all over it. The blessings of a kamikaze bird is a stroke of luck we seldom get to enjoy. With the reduced populations such encounters are even more rare.
I’ll repeat most of this advice from prior posts- Confidence calling, feeding purrs, whips and whistles, light clucks, and very soft yelping if any. If you get a gobble in response to your calling, get ready as they may not gobble again and come in silent. It is good advice to assume a silent approach. Late season encounters often conclude in minutes not hours. Both of the two birds I won over last season started and finished this way with minimalist calling. The only clues I had one coming for my first tag this year on the 19th in NY was a series of light yelps from a hen twenty eight minutes prior, and a deep cluck moments before the gobbler appeared at thirty yards. After chasing him for three mornings, he gave me some hard lessons but also left invaluable clues for me to act upon. I cashed them in just before noon on the third morning.
Woodsmanship plays a big roll in late season success, the scouting you did last June may yield the clue that puts you in close to where bachelor groups hang. When chasing hens no longer overrides their need to eat and replenish their fat reserves you’ll find them at likely food sources. All the scouting you did in March and April gives you a database of choice roosting trees, dusting bowls, and strutting areas. Most of the seasoned hunters I know actively scout as they hunt through May. Weeks old Intel has limited use as they are either moving to find receptive hens or hanging with other gobblers. If you can sight a gobbler going to roost you have a crucial clue for the morning. I normally would say listen for gobbling on the evening roost. Although others report some roosting success, I have experienced none of that this season. I learned to roost birds decades ago,and still do, but it has been very poor in producing clues unless I manage to lay eyes on them before they roost.
If you do get a hen that challenges you, match her and if she goes all in, add one more note, it either escalates quickly or whimpers out. Girlfriend mouthing off gets the boyfriend in trouble far more often than not.
Turkeys have been chased for four weeks and any mistake you make will in most cases result in a hasty exit. Attention to details on anything you wear or carry that makes an unnatural sound, the way you walk through the woods, calling too loudly, snapping twigs underfoot, are all subject to the scrutiny of a very wary bird. It is this scrutiny that amplifies what you can employ to your advantage. Using your fingers to imitate scratching for food in the leaves, using the brim of your hat to imitate a hen stretching her wings and scratching it on the tree bark is a far more effective call than you might first think.
Should you get a bird to gobble it should be noted that what you thought was two hundred yards in the woods three weeks ago is well under a hundred yards and closing. They often won’t gobble until very close, nearly in range the last week of the season, and if you aren’t focused and ready you may miss the opportunity.
If you can get out and roost each night, it may be the final and most useful clue for the Memorial weekend. With the foliage fully out you can get in close but you’ll have to be there very early tomorrow morning. Hunt all the way to your spot, and all the way back to the truck, the entire hunt can turn around in seconds and the action can be fast and furious. Stay sharp, safe, and alert.
Best of luck the final remaining mornings of the season.
-MJ
© 2021 Mike Joyner- Joyner Outdoor Media
2021 NY Wild Turkey Records
The Empire State Limb Hangers book project has been a long time coming and is still an ongoing/active project. I have done what I can to gain interviews. Should you desire to be included I am more than happy to do so. Any new record entries would be invited to jump in. It’s that time of year here in New York as the season concludes. If you tag a gobbler that meets the criteria listed below near the end of this posting, I would love to interview you for inclusion in the project. Although your stories and photos will be captured for the book, you will retain rights to your photo’s and your story. Should you wish to have the story I write up used for other uses. Copyright permissions can be granted as needed.
The main issue with keeping it all legit for the project is typically weight as most of the small scales that are used to weigh fish can vary +/- 1 to 2 lbs or more. A weight coupon from a certified scale ensures accuracy and proof of measurement. Otherwise, it can be legitimately challenged. The scale should be suitable for products or goods for sale that are taxed in the state.
Pics with tape measurement in the pics are best to show scale for beards and spurs. There are several handy products to help measure spurs (including the curved outside edge) but as of this writing, none cover the spur measurements that have been described going back decades as published by the NWTF http://turkey-talk.com/scoresbpmeasure.html#spus
Anecdotal evidence unfortunately cannot be used to substantiate record book entries no matter how good the stories are. Best bet if you think you have one for the books: weigh the gobbler on a certified scale and be sure to get a weight coupon. Take plenty of photos. NWTF requires witness signatures that also have to be an NWTF member if you wish to participate in their records program. Safari Club also has a program but is not viewable unless a member. I may include them if details can be worked out in the future. I am accepting record entries not included in the NWTF system. You will note that the NWTF requires verifications that I have mentioned and will accept their determinations for the project. I do support their system and would encourage you to enter your submission with the NWTF as well. NWTF submissions are now accepted online: www.nwtf.org/hunt/records.
Scoring tabulations for the project will include the NWTF system, and the SBP weighted system. for more info on SBP http://turkey-talk.com/scoresbp.html
The book project has been on hiatus for a long period. Some things are getting normalized and now getting back to original efforts. For those that I have contacted or attempted to contact at the beginning of the project: Your stories will be available to review as I complete them.
If you haven’t been interviewed and would like to be included, please contact me, I would love to include as many as possible that met the original score criteria.
There will be future editions as records are broken and those I attempted to include, catch up with the project. The more hunters that come on board that I originally sought to interview, the better. Records are made to be broken, eclipsed, and is expected.
If you have harvested a legally tagged wild turkey with one or more of the following attributes in NY during the 2020-2021 spring/fall seasons, or years prior, registered or not registered w/NWTF records, We would love to talk to you about being included in the book!
Please contact mjoyner@joyneroutdoormedia.com
Note: Non registered birds- measurable attributes must be verified for consideration.
Typical score greater than 75.000 (weight x1 + beard x 2 + L & R spur x 10)
Non-Typical score greater than 105.000 (weight x1 + beard(s) x 2 + L & R spur x 10)
Weight greater than 26.5 lbs. (verifiable certified weight)
Beard Length greater than 12″ (verifiable length)
Spur Length greater than 1.625″ (verifiable length)
Color phase variations, Hens with spurs
http://empirestatelimbhangers.com/
© 2021 Mike Joyner- Joyner Outdoor Media
. #turkeyhunting #nywildturkeyrecords #wildturkey #nyturkeyrecords #recordbookgobblers
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