Trophy Turkey

The Ohio Trophy Pursuit Turkey Hunting Contest is open to hunters who legally harvest an Eastern Wild Turkey in Ohio during the 2025 season. Teams must register and pay the entry fee by April 11th, 2025 prior to the start of the season (April 19th-May 18th) and follow all state hunting laws. Turkey must be hunted fairly, without high fences or professional guides. Each team can submit one Turkey per person, with the required photos, measurements, and weight. Hunters must sign agreements and adhere to contest rules for eligibility.

A cookout style lunch will be held in Bainbridge, OH on Saturday, June 14th at 12pm at Iron Sides Social Riders Banquet Hall. Lunch and drinks will be provided for all contestants present. Alcohol and other beverages and additional food will be available for purchase from Iron Sides. Additional people are all eligible to come to the banquet and other festivities for a fee of $30 but are not eligible for door prizes.

1. Any person who is a Professional Hunter is ineligible for the Contest. For the purposes of this Contest, a Professional Hunter is defined as a person who receives any income from the act of hunting whitetail deer in Ohio or any other state.
2. Only one hunter per team may be under the age of 18. If under the age of 18, they must have a signed affidavit from a parent or guardian allowing them to participate in the contest.
3. Owners and employees and spouses of Ohio Trophy Pursuit are not eligible to participate in the contest.
4. The Hunter gives permission to Ohio Trophy Pursuit for any video or picture used or submitted for the purposes of the Contest to be used for purposes of promotion or advertisement for Ohio Trophy Pursuit and the contest. Ohio Trophy Pursuit agrees that they will not use the video or pictures for any other purpose for financial gain without permission from the hunter.
5. Each hunter or legal guardian must sign and date an agreement stating that they agree to the terms of the contest. If any of the terms are not followed and Ohio Trophy Pursuit becomes aware, the Hunter will be removed from the contest with no refund.
6. Ohio Trophy Pursuit shall have exclusive authority to interpret and enforce the terms of the Agreement. Ohio Trophy Pursuit reserves the right to amend and/or modify this Participation Agreement. It is the sole responsibility of each registered hunter to read and understand the Participation Agreement and the Complete Waiver and Release of Liability Agreement to Hold Harmless and Assumption of Risk (“Waiver”). The Participation Agreement and the Waiver, as well as all updates and changes thereto, shall be available at Ohio Trophy Pursuit.

1st Place $500. 2nd Place $250. 3rd Place $125. Guaranteed Minimum with at least 10 teams participating. Additional Prizes with be subject to the number of teams. Plan to award prizes to top 5 teams which could range from money to merchandise. 1 lucky winner every Saturday during the regular turkey season.

A. Weight: measure by hanging from digital scales

B. Length of longest beard multiplied by 2, plus length of any additional beard x1

1. Must be separation between multiple beards and not just split beard. Split beard counts as a single beard
2. Beard will be shaken and wiped gently with hand to prevent any loose hairs from extending beyond actual length of beard. Measured to 1/16”

Example for single beard

• 10” beard x2= 20” total

Example If multiple beards

• 1st beard 8” x2= 16”
• 2nd beard 3” x1= 3”
• 3rd beard 3” x1= 3”
• Total beard length 16+3+3= 22”

C. The sum of (each spur Length multiplied by 10)

1. Measurements of both spurs starting from cuticle at base extending around curve to point of spur. Measured to 1/16”.

Example

• 1” spur x10=(10) + 1 2/16” spur X10=(12.5)
• 10+12.5= 22.5” total spur length

Winner for contest will have the highest total combined score of measurements of 2 birds Weight + Beard + Spurs.

Turkey must be brought to McFadden Pharmacy (RX Archery) the day of the harvest for official weighting and measurement. If that is not possible then the following must occur:

1. Bird must be weighted on Digital Scale on video and submitted to Ohio Trophy Pursuit the day of the harvest. Bird must be hanging freely with no additional weight added by any means. (lead weights, shells, tugging, etc)
2. Measurement of both beard and spurs must be photographed and submitted to Ohio Trophy Pursuit the day of the harvest. Please remove any loose hairs prior to measurement of bread. Also measure spurs on top side taking into account curve starting at the cuticle.
3. The fresh spurs and beard and digital scales used by the hunter must be brought to McFadden Pharmacy (Rx Archery) with in 5 days for official measurement and Scale calibration. Spurs must still be attached to the leg.
4. The scale used with be calibrated based off the official scale at the Pharmacy and any addition or subtraction will be added to the weight of the bird for official scoring.
5. Scale must be digital and identifiable thru the video submitted and must be brought for calibration or bird will not qualify for the contest.