Possible New State Record Wild Turkey Shot In Texas
I just got this via my North American Hunt Club Newsletter. Thought I'd pass it on here to some folks who may not receive the letter.
NEW BOSTON, TX—An eastern wild turkey shot by Cody May of New Boston, Texas, earlier this month could soon become a new state record.
The only problem, however, is that a portion of bird’s reported 22½-inch beard broke off before a second set of official measurements could be taken, which some say might bring the bird’s final score into question.
May, a real estate appraiser, says he shot the bird after it flew from its roost and into the field he was set up in. He says the bird went straight for his decoy after landing in the field and gave him a 25-yard shot.
After walking up to the bird and seeing its beard, May says he knew it was something special so he took the bird to a local check station where the owner measured the bird’s weight at 20 pounds, the left spur at 1½ inches, the right spur at 1¼ inches and the beard at 22½ inches.
Since the Texas Department of Wildlife does not keep official records for wild turkeys, a local conservation officer suggested that May register the bird with the National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF), which does have an official records program.
According to NWTF’s Web site, Texas’ current state record Eastern is a bird with an overall score of 80¾ inches and a beard that measures 11.875 inches. Under the NWTF’s scoring system, May’s bird would have an unofficial score of 92½ inches, which would make it a new Texas state record once the measurements are officially verified by the NWTF.
The only obstacle standing in the way of that happening is that 5 inches of the bird’s beard broke off while May was in transit to have the bird measured a second time. However, the NWTF says the bird could still be recognized as a new state record if the initial measurements were recorded at the first check station and if May can provide original photographs of the bird along with a signed affidavit from the check station confirming the bird’s original measurements.
For more information, visit Lone Star OutDoor News
NEW BOSTON, TX—An eastern wild turkey shot by Cody May of New Boston, Texas, earlier this month could soon become a new state record.
The only problem, however, is that a portion of bird’s reported 22½-inch beard broke off before a second set of official measurements could be taken, which some say might bring the bird’s final score into question.
May, a real estate appraiser, says he shot the bird after it flew from its roost and into the field he was set up in. He says the bird went straight for his decoy after landing in the field and gave him a 25-yard shot.
After walking up to the bird and seeing its beard, May says he knew it was something special so he took the bird to a local check station where the owner measured the bird’s weight at 20 pounds, the left spur at 1½ inches, the right spur at 1¼ inches and the beard at 22½ inches.
Since the Texas Department of Wildlife does not keep official records for wild turkeys, a local conservation officer suggested that May register the bird with the National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF), which does have an official records program.
According to NWTF’s Web site, Texas’ current state record Eastern is a bird with an overall score of 80¾ inches and a beard that measures 11.875 inches. Under the NWTF’s scoring system, May’s bird would have an unofficial score of 92½ inches, which would make it a new Texas state record once the measurements are officially verified by the NWTF.
The only obstacle standing in the way of that happening is that 5 inches of the bird’s beard broke off while May was in transit to have the bird measured a second time. However, the NWTF says the bird could still be recognized as a new state record if the initial measurements were recorded at the first check station and if May can provide original photographs of the bird along with a signed affidavit from the check station confirming the bird’s original measurements.
For more information, visit Lone Star OutDoor News
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