NY Wild Turkey Records Book Project 2023

The Empire State Limb Hangers book project is coming to a hard stop for inclusion for the first edition. It has been a long time coming. Since significant life events this past late summer/fall, wrapping up large works and getting them to the finish line is a motivated focus. and will be released after the D.D Adams book. I have done what I can to gain interviews, including several state-wide tours. I can entertain a third interviewing tour this winter/spring.

An updated query of NWTF records is nearly done, and now looking at several turkey contests where the methods of measurement are known. I will entertain other contest data or personal data that can be verified, as apple-to-apples is the fairest way to compare.

Any new record entries are invited to be included, and if meeting the criteria listed, welcome to be interviewed. If you tag or have tagged a legally harvested gobbler in the past that meets the criteria listed at the end of this, 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 all rights to your photos and your story. Should you wish to have the story I write up be used for other uses, Copyright permissions would be normal and expected for personal uses, commercial use can be reviewed for consideration.

The deadline for interviewing for the first edition will be July 31, 2023. contact me- mjoyner@joyneroutdoormedia.com

The following folks are sought to interview from known records:

Book Release is slated for Fall, 2023.

The challenge with keeping it all legit for the project is typically weight as most of the common small scales that are used to weigh fish can vary +/- 1 lbs to 2 lbs or more. A weight coupon from a certified scale ensures accuracy and proof of measurement. Otherwise, it can be legitimately and reasonably challenged. The scale should be suitable for products or goods for sale that are taxed in the state.

Pictures with tape measurements 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 cannot be used to substantiate record book entries. 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 current 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. Please 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: https://www.nwtf.org/the-lifestyle/turkey-records-home

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

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. The book will not be published until each person reviews and provides feedback as to the accuracy and that no sensitive information that needs to be private remains as intended. Hunting location is often the consideration for discretion.

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. For those I attempted to include in prior attempts, should you desire to catch up and be included in the project, that would be welcomed for future editions. Some hunters have passed on, and should their families or hunting partners have an interest in including them, please contact me directly. The more turkey hunters that come on board that I originally sought to interview, the better. Records are made to be broken, eclipsed, and expected.

If you have harvested a legally tagged wild turkey with one or more of the following attributes in NY during the 2022-2023 spring/fall seasons, or years prior, registered or not registered with NWTF records, I would love to talk to you about being included/interviewed 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(s) 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 and Hens with beards or spurs are notable stories for inclusion.

-MJ

© 2023 Mike Joyner- Joyner Outdoor Media