Connor Merritt

The Eastern wild turkey is one of North America’s most prized game birds, with hunters across the country striving to bag the biggest turkey records. Over the years, a select few have harvested turkeys so extraordinary that they secured a place in the history books. Here are the top five Eastern turkey records by total score. 

Biggest Turkey Records

Justin Lucas – Candler, GA (2014) – 203.9375 Total Score

Justin Lucas’s 2014 turkey remains the biggest Eastern turkey on record. With ten beards measuring up to 10.5 inches, this Georgia gobbler stands at the top of the list. Though it didn’t boast the longest beard or spurs, its sheer number of beards and overall score secured its place in history. Lucas used a slate and diaphragm call to lure this remarkable bird before taking it down with a firearm.

Travis Roth – St. Genevieve, MO (2010) – 199.9000 Total Score

Coming in second, Travis Roth’s Missouri turkey earned its impressive total score with an 11.625-inch beard and a solid 1.5-inch spur. This bird had eight beards and weighed a respectable 21.4 pounds. Using slate and diaphragm calls, Roth was able to outwit the tom and secure his place in the record books.

SUBSCRIBE TO THE iSPORTSMANUSA NEWSLETTER FOR MORE STORIES LIKE THIS

Tyler Blake Mumpower – Adams, PA (2017) – 199.2500 Total Score

With an astonishing 13 beards, Tyler Blake Mumpower’s Pennsylvania turkey is one of the most unique on this list. Though its longest beard was only 10 inches, the sheer number of beards helped boost its score. A weight of 22 pounds and spurs just under an inch made it one of the most impressive turkeys ever taken.

James Hunter Casteel – Hardin, KY (2012) – 196.1250 Total Score

James Hunter Casteel’s Kentucky gobbler had nine beards and an 11.0625-inch longest beard. Though its spurs were slightly shorter at just over an inch, its solid weight of 21.5 pounds helped secure its ranking. Casteel used a slate call to bring in this record-breaking bird.

Joseph Fuller – Edgecombe, NC (2008) – 195.5000 Total Score

Rounding out the top five, Joseph Fuller’s North Carolina turkey sported eight beards, the longest measuring 11.125 inches. Weighing in at 23.5 pounds, this turkey also had impressive 1.25-inch spurs. Fuller, like many on this list, relied on a slate and diaphragm call combination to claim his trophy bird. 

Biggest Turkey Records Review

These five record-breaking gobblers represent the best of Eastern turkey hunting. With each season, hunters strive to surpass these legendary scores, but for now, these turkeys remain the biggest Eastern turkeys ever recorded. 

Read more about the biggest turkey records on iSportsmanUSA.