PRATT – Big game and turkey hunters love to compare the animals they take. Most trophy-class animals are older and more difficult to hunt, presenting a unique challenge many hunters enjoy. Deer hunters, for example, use well-known scoring formulas to compare antlers based on size and symmetry. Hunters of turkeys are no different. If they catch a truly impressive bird, the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks, and Tourism (KDWPT) may give them a Trophy Turkey Award.
In the early 1980s, the National Wild Turkey Federation put out a scoring system that is still used for the KDWPT awards program. A score sheet and certificate application can be downloaded at www. ksoutdoors. com. Hunters score their own birds by following this formula and measuring to the eighth of an inch: First, weigh your bird on accurate scales in front of other people. Next, measure the beard (or beards) from the point it protrudes from the skin to the longest bristle. Then, measure each spur from the point where it protrudes from the scaled leg skin. Now you have the necessary measurements and are ready to calculate the score.
How long is the beard? (Or add up all the beard lengths if there are more than one)‹ Then add the length of the spurs together and multiply the sum by 10. Add the weight to these two figures for a total score. A bird that weighed 21 pounds, had a 10-inch beard, and spurs that were each 1 1/4 inches long would get a score of 66. (21 + 20 [10 x 2] + 25 [1 ¼ + 1 ¼ x 10] = 66).
The minimum score for a Trophy Turkey Award is 65. KDWPT keeps Top 20 lists in two categories: typical and nontypical. Birds with multiple beards would fall under the nontypical category. The biggest typical bird ever recorded was 88 4/8 inches long and was caught in 2007 in Franklin County by Bobby Robinson of Eupora, Miss. There were 17 ¼ inches of beard and 1 3/8 inches of spurs on that bird. It weighed 26 4/8 pounds. The largest nontypical ever awarded was taken in 2008 by Rick Pritchard of Little Rock, Ark. The bird Pritchard’s was also caught in Franklin County. It weighed 27 pounds and had spurs that were 1 1/8 inches long each. However, the bird sported eight beards that measured 54 5/8 inches in total. The official score was 158 6/8.
There’s still time to go on a fun spring turkey hunt because the season lasts until the end of May. If you’re lucky enough too take a big ole gobbler, weigh it and take some measurements. You might qualify for a Trophy Turkey Award.
Every spring, turkey hunters across the country head to the woods with dreams of bagging a trophy tom But how do you know if the bird you harvested is truly a trophy? While any turkey is a prize, there are official scoring systems in place to measure and rank the best of the best In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explain everything you need to know about scoring a wild turkey, from how the scoring system works to what constitutes a “good” score.
How Turkey Scoring Works
The National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF) maintains the official scoring system and records for wild turkeys harvested in the United States Their scoring system examines three factors
- Weight
- Spur Length
- Beard Length
Based on these three measurements, an overall score is calculated to rank and compare birds. Here’s a quick rundown of how each factor is measured and scored:
Weight
The total weight of the bird is measured in pounds and ounces. Each full pound earns 10 points, while ounces are converted to decimal pounds (e.g. .125 for 2 oz) and multiplied by 10 for partial points.
Spur Length
Each spur is measured in 1/16 inch increments along the outside curve and then totaled. The combined spur length is multiplied by 10 to get the spur points. For example, two 1 1/8 inch spurs would total 2.25 inches, multiplied by 10 for 22.5 spur points.
Beard Length
The beard (or beards for multiple) are measured in 1/16 inch increments from the center point of the skin protrusion to the tip. The total beard length is multiplied by two to get the beard points. For example, a 10 inch beard would score 20 beard points.
Total Score
The total score is calculated by simply adding up the points for weight, spurs, and beard(s). For turkeys with multiple beards, the lengths are added before multiplying by two to allow them to be scored as “non-typical” rather than competing against single-bearded toms.
- Weight in lbs x 10
- Combined Spur Length x 10
- Total Beard Length x 2
- Add All Three Totals
It may seem a bit complex at first, but with some practice it becomes second nature for seasoned turkey hunters. The NWTF website provides a handy online scoring calculator that does all the math for you once you plug in the measurements.
What is a Good Score?
So what constitutes a “good” score when it comes to trophy turkeys? Well, that depends somewhat on who you ask and where you hunt. A 60-inch whitetail may not turn heads in Iowa or Illinois, but it’s a giant in Georgia or Alabama. The same goes for turkeys in different parts of the country.
That said, according to the NWTF, any turkey scoring over 60 points is considered a trophy. The minimum scores needed to make their all-time record books are:
- Eastern Wild Turkey: 65 points (typical), 70 points (non-typical)
- Osceola Wild Turkey: 55 points (typical), 60 points (non-typical)
- Rio Grande Wild Turkey: 50 points (typical), 55 points (non-typical)
- Merriam’s Wild Turkey: 40 points (typical), 45 points (non-typical)
- Gould’s Wild Turkey: 35 points (typical), 40 points (non-typical)
As you can see, standards are higher for Eastern turkeys, while lower minimums account for generally smaller body size in Western subspecies like Merriam’s and Gould’s.
Within those thresholds, the top turkey scoring states tend to be Texas, Florida, Alabama and the rest of the Southeast region where large Eastern birds are common. The current NWTF world record typical Eastern gobbler scored 96.25 points and was bagged in Alabama. Non-typical top scores range from 100-120 points for freakish multi-bearded and multi-spurred specimens.
But scoring often comes secondary to the sheer thrill of the hunt. As one turkey expert notes, “Any turkey taken is trophy as not everyone is skilled enough to take one.” In the end, a mature tom scoring 50 points is still an accomplishment to be proud of.
Tips for Scoring Your Bird
If you do down a gobbler you suspect might be a new personal best, here are some tips for making sure it gets scored accurately:
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Weigh the turkey as soon as possible on a certified scale before it loses moisture. Many hunting supply and feed stores have scales available.
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Measure spurs and beards with a cloth measuring tape. Avoid stretching and don’t round up!
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Record all measurements in 1/16 increments and convert to decimal format before calculating score.
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For non-typical multiple beards, add all lengths before multiplying by 2 for points.
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Take good quality photos showing all beards fanned out with a measuring tape.
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Register your harvest online or by mail with the NWTF to make it “official”.
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Consider getting a shoulder mount or reproduction to memorialize a trophy bird.
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Even if you don’t officially score it, keeping detailed records and photos adds to the memories.
Scoring your turkey is completely optional, but it adds an extra element of fun and friendly competition with other hunters. While every successful turkey hunt is a triumph, taking the time to score that special mature tom can cement it as a hunt of a lifetime.
Scoring Your Turkey (NWTF)
FAQ
What score is a trophy turkey?
What is considered a big gobbler?
What is considered a good turkey?
What are considered big spurs on a turkey?
How do you score a turkey beard?
The turkey should have two spurs so measure each in 1/16 increments and add together then multiply by 10. This will give you the number of point to use in scoring the spurs on your turkey. Now measure the beard length and again and convert it to decimal form and multiply by two to get the score for the beard.
Is there a scoring system for the wild turkey?
Heck, some folks don’t even know there is a scoring system for the wild turkey. But there is. And thanks to a handy chart from our friends at the NWTF, we’ll share exactly how to score your turkey. The info below can be found at www.nwtf.org, as well as tons of other great info on hunting the wild turkey, conservation, NWTF events, and resources.
Where are the largest wild turkeys on record?
The county that’s currently in the No. 1 spot for harvesting the largest wild turkeys on record is Lyon County, Kentucky. This achievement was made by hunter David Cody Guess with a 37.61 pound bird.
Which states harvest the most turkeys?
You can also tally your score by using the Scoring Calculator. If you search the Top 20 Counties with the most record birds harvested, you’ll see Florida and Nebraska lead the way. * Data as of 2019 records. Box calls are a great options for beginner turkey callers.
How many Slams are there in turkey hunting?
Find highest scoring birds, see your own records and more in our searchable database of more than 27,000 records. A slam is considered one of the biggest feats in turkey hunting. The NWTF currently recognizes six different slams.
Where can I find wild turkey Records?
The NWTF’s Wild Turkey Records Program began in the fall of 1982 and has amassed more than 34,000 registered birds. Click the above image to view the interactive turkey records map. View our interactive map to search our wild turkey records and discover where to find the largest birds in the country.