2025 Battle of the Beards

Turkey Fest is not only a competition for the professional hunters, but for anyone wanting to have a shot against the local competition. The open competition has both an Adult and Youth division. Winner goes home with bragging rights, cash prize, and more!  

• Youth is considered – 16 years or younger before the beginning of the current contest.

     RULES & REGULATIONS

1. All hunters must have a valid hunting license.

2. The contest will have the following divisions:

· Adult Division: Any turkey legally harvested in Texas.

· Youth Division: Any turkey legally harvested in Texas by a youth who does not reach the age of 17 years on or before the beginning of the current contest.

Prizes: Adult Division: Single Beard- $1000, Buckle, Heaviest Weight- Plaque . Youth Division: A buckle. Winners will be announced at the Full Strut Dinner & Awards Ceremony on Saturday, April 12, 2025.

3. Adult hunters must sign up and have the $50 entry fee paid prior to submitting any qualifying bird into the contest. The entry form and fee will make a hunter eligible to enter the contest from Thursday, April 10th through 1 p.m. on Saturday, April 12th, 2025. All hunters must sign the release of liability and registration form for eligibility.  Each entry that brings in a bird will be given 1 ticket to the Full Strut Dinner & Awards Ceremony. 

4. Youth hunters must sign up and have the $25 entry fee paid prior to submitting any qualifying bird into the contest. The entry form and fee will make the youth hunter eligible to harvest and enter a turkey in the contest from Thursday, April 10th through 1 p.m. on Saturday, April 12th, 2025. All hunters must sign the release of liability and registration form for eligibility.  Each entry that brings in a bird will be given 1 ticket to the Full Strut Dinner & Dance. 

5. Eligible turkey must be harvested in Texas on your private property, lease, or land from landowner whom you have permission from Wednesday, April9th through 1 p.m. on Saturday, April 12th, 2025.

6. Turkeys will be scored during the following hours:

Thursday, April 10th – 11-2 pm and 6 pm-8 pm at The Caboose - 202 W. Omega, Henrietta

Friday, April 11th – 11-2 pm and 6 pm- 8 pm at The Caboose - 202 W. Omega, Henrietta

Saturday, April 12th - up to 1 pm Pioneer Hall, 1302 N Bridge St,  during the festival

7. Winner will be decided by the total score according to the National Wild Turkey Federation Scoring System:

a. Weight of Bird (pounds and ounces, convert to decimal)

b. Length of Spur (convert to decimal, add both measurements and multiply by 10)

c. Length of Beard (convert to decimal and multiply by 2)

d. Add total points for final score

Other: All measurements taken to the nearest 1/16 of an inch.

All scoring is final after leaving the scoring table.

8. Turkey must be legally harvested and properly tagged according to the most recent Texas or Oklahoma Hunting Guide when brought in for measurement. Game Wardens will be on site during judging to check hunting license. All invalid entries will be automatically eliminated from the competition.

9. By entering the contest, you have agreed to comply with all rules and all decisions of the Battle of the Beards contest and have paid your entry fee in full. All scoring is final after leaving the scoring table.

10. Entry forms can be delivered, mailed or submitted to the Henrietta & Clay County Chamber of Commerce. Must be registered no later than Tuesday, April 8th at 5:00 pm.