Ripple Outdoors Hunting and Fishing Podcasts

Hunter’s Choice contest to recognize North America’s successful turkey hunters.

The U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance (USSA) has extended the deadline for the Hunter’s Choice contest to recognize North America’s successful turkey hunters.

To enter, submit a photo of your turkey taken during the 2010 spring turkey hunting season along with a $5.00 entry fee.

Entries must now be received by June 7, 2010 at 5 p.m. Eastern Time. See instructions below on how to enter.

Initial entries will be judged by USSA panel of experts on the quality of appearance, beard, spurs, and the photogenic quality. From all submissions 25 finalists will be selected. Finalists will be judged online by the public with a two week voting period. The top three vote getters will be the winners. Voting will be done on www.ussportsmen.org/hunterschoice.

Voting will begin on June 14, 2010 and will be closed on June 25, 2010 at 5 p.m. Eastern Time. Winners will be announced the week of June 28, 2010.

The top vote getter will be awarded first place and have their photo published in Fur-Fish-Game Magazine. Prizes will be awarded for the first, second and third highest vote-getters.

First prize

Mossberg 500 12 gauge pump turkey shotgun

Remington Fieldmaster gun cleaning system

Remington Sportsman Series 10.5 inch fixed blade knife

Picture in Fur, Fish Game Magazine

Second Prize

Remington Fieldmaster gun cleaning system

Remington Sportsman Series 10.5 inch fixed blade knife

Third prize

Remington Fieldmaster gun cleaning system

Trailblazer Mini Multi Tool from Cabela’s

All submissions must be of legally taken turkey, using a bow, firearm or primitive weapon.

How to Enter

Interested sportsmen and sportswomen may email entries to: contest@ussportsmen.org with payment made via credit card using the online form found at www.ussportsmen.org/hunterschoice. Please refer to the reference number located in the donation confirmation email when sending your submission by email. Entries can also be sent by postal service to:

Hunter’s Choice

U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance

801 Kingsmill Parkway

Columbus, OH 43229

Be sure to include your name, address, phone number and email address. Also, please provide when, where and how you took your turkey along with a check, money order (checks should be made out to the U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance) or credit card information. You may also send in the photo with above information and contact us by phone at (614) 888-4868 to give us your credit card payment over the phone.

All photos submitted must be in color. Photos submitted by mail can be printed from a standard printer or be a professionally developed photo. All entries become the property of U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance and will not be returned and may be used to promote future Hunters Choice contests. Your entry constitutes your permission to USSA to use the picture in promotional materials without restriction.

All winners will be notified by mail and phone. Unofficial results will be available the week of June 28, 2010.

For more information, contact the USSA at (614) 888-4868 or visit www.ussportsmen.org/hunterschoice. Thanks in advance for your entry and good luck!

Good hunting buddy Alfie gets his second gobbler in his second year of hunting wild turkeys.

That makes Alfie’s two gobblers in two years

Alfie carries his 18.8 pound Gobbler with a Turkey Tool from Avid Design.

of hunting them a pretty successful gobbler hunter.

What makes this a special hunt?

Alfie had a hip replacement operation just 17 days before heading out in the field!

Congratulations to Alfie!

He can’t wait to get out and check all those Wood Duck Boxes donated by the Dundas Long Beards Conservation Club later this week.

Wild turkey season opens today

Permission to access private property and safety are hunters’ top priorities

Every spring, thousands of hunters take to the outdoors to participate in
the spring wild turkey hunt. This year, the season opens on April 26 and
runs until May 31 in many parts of southern Ontario. The Ontario Federation
of Anglers and Hunters (O.F.A.H.) and the Ontario Conservation Officers
Association (OCOA) remind hunters heading out this spring to be safe and to
obtain permission to hunt on private property.

“Wild turkey season is eagerly anticipated by thousands of trained and
licensed men and women, and is growing in popularity, thanks in large part
to the generosity of landowners who grant hunters access to their private
property,” said O.F.A.H. Executive Director, Mike Reader. “The majority of
turkey hunting is done on private property, and responsible hunters seek
permission well in advance of the season, and while enjoying their time in
the field, hunt safely and respect the regulations.”

The eastern wild turkey, once completely removed from Ontario, has been
successfully reintroduced to the province thanks to the efforts of many
partners, including the O.F.A.H. and the Ministry of Natural Resources.
Southern Ontario wild turkey populations are now estimated to be between
70,000 and 100,000 birds and the numbers are increasing.

“Hunters require permission to hunt on private land, and in most of
southern Ontario it is illegal to shoot from or have a loaded firearm on
public roads or on the right-of-way,” said OCOA President, Dan VanExan.
“Our officers always investigate reports of trespassing and road hunting,
and we encourage those hunting responsibly to report illegal activity. This
will help keep everyone safe during the hunt.”

Anyone with information about a natural resources or public safety related
crime is encouraged to call the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources
violation reporting line at 1-877-TIPS-MNR (847-7667), contact their local
CO directly, or call Crime Stoppers at 1800-222-TIPS (8477).

For more information about natural resources regulations and enforcement,
please visit the OCOA website at www.ocoa.ca, or contact your local
Conservation Officer. To view or download the 2010 MNR wild turkey
regulations, visit www.ontario.ca/hunting.

With over 100,000 members, subscribers and supporters, and 660 member
clubs, the O.F.A.H. is the largest nonprofit, charitable, fishing, hunting
and conservation-based organization in Ontario, and the voice of anglers
and hunters. Visit www.ofah.org for more information.

Wandering Wild Turkeys in Ontario are in search of food during winter.

So what are these wild turkeys marching in single file for?

Wild Turkey close up photos can be difficult to capture at any time.

Being in the right place at the right time certainly helps. Of course having a population of wild birds close to my property is a bonus.

Check out these two Wild Turkey photos I snapped the other day.