Walmart sells a fish scale with a tape measure for less than $5..congrats on awesome birds but i dont think estimated weights will be allowed..

Awesome bird Southernstrut, Congrats!

I missed a nice bird a couple days ago..maybe 6yards from my blind. With the close shot and down angle, my arrow clipped the bottom of my blind window...oops! Lol

Not an estimate. Weighed on floor scales with me holding it, took difference without. Sorry no pictures of that process. Believe me if I wanted to estimate I'd say he was 24 lbs. I guess if he wasn't a mountain bird that has had his exercise this spring he would've scored 70. I don't care enough about an online turkey contest to cheat. I have real world problems to deal with. Not being a smart butt, just being real and letting you know there's no cheating going on. Good luck the rest of the season.

you are mistaken,
i never said i thought you were cheating,
i never said you were estimating weight,
That post of mine you are quoting is simply telling everyone about an economical scale.
it is uncle nicky who gave an estimated weight..which will most likely not be allowed.
I dont make the rules nor am i the one who enforces them.
I actually said "Congrats to you on an awesome bird"

I do have one of the Walmart scales, but it was a hot day in Georgia when I shot the bird, and was more worried about getting him in the freezer than searching for the scale. Plenty of season left, if the bird I killed based on an estimated weight isn't legit, I'll shoot another 2 or 3 this year, no worries. :D

I am just happy that our team members are scoring some feathers.
Congratulations to the team members bagging feathers.
Lets all bag some.

I wonder if there's a base weight that can be applied in the event of no weight...like 15# or 14# or whatnot. That way there's a score, it just might be a bit dinged. Unless it's a jake or an Osceola, I would expect it to be >16#

Understood zmax, I really wasn't meaning to come off defensive. I must have misinterpreted your comment. Apologies and thank you for the congrats. Good luck and safe hunting.

Ok I have asked the contest committee for a ruling on Uncle Nickys bird.

I am on that committee of 3.
We did have a Claus at one time stating if you did not have a wt score but pictures you did receive a general NWTF score.
But now I don't see it listed.

So I asked for a ruling.

I'll get back to you....

My Learn to Hunt was very rewarding. 3 brand new hunters scored birds. And I got taught a great lesson by my student which was my own grandson.
Finally I have a grandchild interested in hunting. For this LTH you must attend a half day class all about hunting and this time turkeys.
Presentations on wild turkey biology, the current hunting regulations, firearm safety, and then hunting strategies are are presented.
I taught 3 segments and a dnr biologist taught what a turkey is.
I am a certified hunter ed instrucror.

so after that I took my grandson out.
I did get a 2 yr old in at 15 yards. My grandson did get the birds head in the scope. But he never took the shot.
So after the bird ran off and the whole flock moved on I asked what he saw through the scope on that youth 20 ga he used. I mean he had fired that shotgun several times at turkey head spate targets with great success. I was at a loss.
But then he says....Poppa... I saw lots of turkeys facing me in your pictures you showed on the big screen. I did not see any of the back of the head. I had the scope on the bird as it ran away from me. I clearly could see the back if the head and my cross hairs centered where the neck skin starts....But could I shoot the back of the head?
Whoa!!!!! SON...YES...not your fault. You should have had a better teacher!
Wow....did I learn something there.
And then we talked about not taking the shot and why.
Was a successful hunt. The boy has the start to some very fine Ethics! To which I am helping with.
and he wants to come back......
I have helped many students over the years. Very proud of over 1200 hunter ed graduates.
But was never prouder of my own.
Well done Bryant!

Signed
Proud Poppa

Really, it's no big deal. Plenty of season left and I'm hunting multiple states. I'll make sure & weight the bird next time and take pictures. Sorry if I caused any hassle.

You didn't cause any hassle at all. We did have that in the rules at one point. I have been doing this contest close to 10 years I think and part of the committee the last 7?

Am old and can't remember.
And all lthe other guys can say is No....and we move on. But my thinking it can help in the overrall grand total of all birds taken.....Be nice to win this thing as I might have jinxed this team.....seem to always wind up in second place LOL
DAve,,,,JW

Ps was out scouting this morning - found a new 200 acre plot with loads of birds and am conducting my ole internet search to find the owners phone number....I am hopin!

Oh data thirty and my young hunter is back. I roosted 7 toms. Think I'm more pumped than he is as I awoke 3 hrs early.

JW

Good luck!! Sounds like you have an exciting hunt laid out

Well my plan worked. My hunter NOT. For some reason he did not take the shot. 3 strutting toms in at 15 yards. I kept caching him till they walked out of range.
in fact I know I could have emptied the gun and whacked 3 long beards, one was huge and both jakes.
So frustrating and hard to keep my patience.
But maybe he is not ready. He did ask to hunt another spot but I am reluctant to booger up another bird.
I will wait until my grandson asks.

Bird 2
 

Did you get my score submitted on my 2nd bird?

I killed a 67.125 point bird today, its a great story..i will get him posted soon..going for a bowkill in the morning, good luck to all still hunting.

Awesome, that's a heck of a bird!

Killed another yesterday, 54pt bird, im done for the season..no plans to travel...
So far, ive watched 10 birds take a dirt nap this season, not quite finished yet..

number 1 of 8
 

Eastern
Upper PENINSULA of Michigan
4/24/17. 10:02 AM
18 LBS 12 OZ
RIGHT 3/4 IN
LEFT 3/4 IN
Bd 7 1/8 TH

Horny 2 yr old
Only 363 days till my next birthday.


Dave.......J







[

NWTF score 48

OK guys, this time it's official (I think:cool:). North Carolina swamp gobbler, sat in the rain for 3 days before I finally got one close enough, looked like a drowned rat, tail feathers ripped, thick beard broken off with only a few long strands hanging, and breast area rubbed to the muscles, I think he was mating hard :happy0157: . 3/4" spurs, 9" beard, weighed 17lbs. NWTF score-50

Congrats everyone..still need to enter my birds..busy busy..have seen 16 birds tagged..with 4 hunters to go..2 starting tomorrow

WTG Guys! Looks like y'all are having a lot of exciting hunts!

Our season in FL is done for, had two more close calls last week of the season on non-gobbling drummers.

Going to be in VT for the end of their season but will probably not be hunting...just watching wildlife w/ the family and fishing

#3 today
 

Got another good one today. Pics and score to come. That's all for me this year

18 lbs
9.5" beard
1" spurs on both legs
Score of 57

Got good pics on my phone, will get them on here tonight.

Things just wouldn't work out for me this year.
Today was the last day of the season in NC
I hope everyone else had better luck than me.
Maybe next year.

You and me both man. Had one crazy hunt with a huge gobbler but he hung up at 80 yards. Chased him around for 3 hours never got a shot

Whats worse is have one gobbling 75 yards or so, and have him follow the hens in the other dirrection.
And all you hear is yelp yelp yelp, gobble gobble gobble.
When you know they are saying so long looser. lol :action-smiley-099:

Hey guys how's it going? Looks like some of us have been putting some birds down. Sorry I haven't been in here much to give an update of my season. My computer crapped out so all I have is my phone and I've just been really busy. I've hunted in 4 states this year and killed 4 birds, 1 in each state. I have one tag left for Iowa and one week left of season. Like I said, really sorry I haven't done more posting, just been a crazy year. So tomorrow when I get to work I will post pictures and score of my biggest bird this year, which happens to be my biggest ever! Unless I figure out how to post pics from my phone

Shemp

We had a rule just for that but I see it has been dropped. So I aksed the committee why and have not gotten an answer.

Was something like 30 points for a tom and 15 points for a jake.

I'll go back thru my historical data.
I know I have a copy somewhere on some machine i use.

Dave......JW

Thanks JW;

Jepcho, can you email from your phone? [email protected], I can help w/ post

FlaBoy, where were you hunting this year? See your 20 as Pasco...close to where I go

Bird 2
 

Man I've been really struggling. 11 days without a gobble. ...I've been hunting a huge area. Takes over an hr of driving time from one end to another. And my 30 yr hunting partner is experiencing the same. And in a different area.
But finally birds are acting semi normal.
22.4
3/4 & 7/8
9 3/4 Bd

NWTF Score 58

I ticked his only hen off.
Warning to all hens. Don't talk to me I WILL GET THE LAST CLUCK.
EVERYTIME!

I have more tags and till May 31 st to hunt.

I also forgot my thermocell. In fact it's bad going to carry 2.
and I hate hot weather.
it plain sucks
JW

Bird 3 down
 

And last 2 weeks kicked my butt!
Saw this group last night in the rain.
We did battle early as again I was the aggressor.
2 yr old I think as I haven't crawled out of my blind yet. Correction a 3 yr old!
I'll melt it's pouring.
Less than 15 yards.








BD 9 3/4"
Sp Rt 1.0" Lft 1.1875
wt 20.8 oz

NWTF 61.875

Another bird down A 20 dollar investment for my 10 yr old grandson. And his 5 yr old brother called it in and didn't know it.
The state of Michigan has a 21 dollar tag to mentor 9.10 or 11 yr old new turkey hunters. That was his Non Resident cost.
A very good deal.
19 lbs 14 Oz
9 7/8s Bd spurs 7/8s
A very healthy 2 yr old.
Jw

Was quite a hunt - one I will never forget



These two boys actually called the bird in as each was trying to outdo the other on my box calls. If they got too agressive in calling or far too squeaky I stopped them and instructed what I wanted to hear.
I sat back and was really pleased with the tones and turkey talk these two youngsters could do.
Only to look out the back of the blind to see a very nice tom standing there 20 yards away.
The rest was history!
JW

Uncle Nicky on the board...late season NJ bird. Weight-17#, 10.25" beard, 3/4" spurs, certified at the check station, 52.5 NWTF score. I worked hard for this rascal, shot him at 7:00 PM, looks like he's been having a good time with the ladies. I'm done for the spring season, looking foward to fall turkey hunting with my dog. :)

Well boys it was fun but I think we are a few birds short. Was a far tougher season for me this yr than last. I went 15 days without killing a tom. 3 hunters -seven tags. Wow!
And then we hit 5th season in Wisconsin and I was part of 8 kills in 7 days.
First 2 days back home and in bed by 7 AM. Was just that easy.
So it was fun. But all things come to an end.
Glad to be on a team with you guys....maybe next yr.

JW

WTG Guys, glad everyone had a fun and safe season