National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF) staff and event shooters watched the 12-gauge Hunter Division record get broken three times this past weekend at the 21st annual NWTF World Still Target Championships. By the end of competition on Saturday, Bobby Sears had shot a 54 in qualifying rounds to set the new world record and also won the division finals.
Sears, who won the 12-gauge Hunter Division in 2011, used Winchester Longbeard XR ammunition and JEB’S Custom Chokes for the record-breaking shot.
“The weather conditions were not ideal and I had not shot the Winchester Longbeard XR shells until a week prior to the event,” said Sears. “However, we knew the possibility to break records existed shooting the Winchester shells. It’s still pretty unreal to now hold the title.”
Scott Kirsh, the winner of the 12-gauge Open Division, also used Winchester’s new shells. Kirsh used an Indian Creek choke to win his title.
The Still Target Championships began as a way for hunters and the turkey hunting industry to showcase new technology and define best practices for patterning a shotgun and achieving ethical turkey hunting conditions.
“While titles are given in six divisions, the entire turkey hunting community benefits from the results of the shoot,” said George Thornton, NWTF CEO. “New and experienced hunters can take what was learned and are then more likely to have quick, clean kills in the field.”
The NWTF Save the Habitat. Save the Hunt. initiative is a charge that mobilizes science, fundraising and devoted volunteers to give the NWTF more energy and purpose than ever. Through this national initiative, NWTF has committed to raising $1.2 billion to conserve or enhance more than 4 million acres of essential upland wildlife habitat, create at least 1.5 million hunters and open access to 500,000 acres for hunting, shooting and outdoor enjoyment. Without hunters, there will be no wildlife or habitat. The NWTF is determined to Save the Habitat. Save the Hunt.
To learn more about the NWTF Save the Habitat. Save the Hunt. initiative, visit www.nwtf.org. For full event results, visit the NWTF Still Target page.