New outdoors card. (No T on the front of the card)

[Gun Nut]

When Turkey hunting I would suspect you need to be aware of your surroundings watching for other hunters just the same. A safe hunter doesn't just toss out the safety book because he is turkey hunting.

Well greatwhite, I would like to believe that is the case, but experience has taught me otherwise. Bro and I were in our duck blind hunting in a treed crick way, when another hunter rowed in stalking our decoys, that were out in front of our blind, before we fully realized what he was about, he let go at our decoys. Fortunately the reed bundles we make the blind with, were thick enough to absorb the shot ricocheting up off the water. Now imagine the same thing happening to a turkey hunter who literally melts into the his background, sitting low to the ground, dress in camo, with thin camo fabric blind in front of him, if he sees the hunter stalking his decoys, he maybe able to warn him off by waving a patch of blaze orange fabric. However if he doesn’t pick him up as he stalks in, it’s possible that when the other hunter opens up on his decoy(s) he could become the recipient of a considerable shot spray. What idiot couldn’t tell the difference between a decoy and a real turkey you asked? You might be surprised.

You don't stop hunting because you grow old. You grow old because you stop hunting.
- Gun Nut

[Noseyarentcha]

For what it's worth I don't think duck id is covered by the course now either.

Can we have an answer to Kickingfrogs statement, please?

[Gun Nut]

Can we have an answer to Kickingfrogs statement, please?

The hunter safety course does cover wildlife identification, it take a general approach to duck species in terms of identifying the distinguishing characteristics that separate puddle duck species from diving duck species. It recommends the equipment (binoculars, field guides etc.) needed for field studies in order for you to get out and become familiar with the species of ducks found in the area you plan to hunt.

You don't stop hunting because you grow old. You grow old because you stop hunting.
- Gun Nut

[Snowwalker]

For what it's worth I don't think duck id is covered by the course now either.

No it is not...there is very little game id covered in the course...just don't shot a Caribou is about the biggest thing they push now

[redd foxx]

There is a lot that is not covered in the hunter safety course that can only then be learned from experience or mentorship. The onus is mostly on the hunter to educate themselves while engaging in the sport. Take moose hunting for example. The best way to determine a cow from a calf is to accompany experienced hunters and learn from them in my experience!!

[SaginMerusan]

I might also add, you never wear anything that's red, blue or white. Even a red emblem on your coat or hat can get you shot.
(...)
We all know you are supposed to identify your target before taking a shot but......like Trimmer, I question the decision to open the hunt up. My opinion is....it's all about the money !!
And a follow up to GunNuts post, I have shot several gobblers that have old shot in their breast or legs, from guys shooting them while out of effective range,

I am about to go for my Hunter's Ed in Jan, and so I would be one of those people who won't need that separate Turkey course. If my Ed doesn't cover any of the points brought up here then that would be troublesome for me. I guess the ethical thing to do here, at least as far as I am concerned, is to see if I can obtain that DVD, either new or used, if that's the case.

I am hoping that at least the Ed course at least shows the DVD or covers it in more detail - my course book doesn't really get into it and it's the newest one.

[rick_iles]

I am about to go for my Hunter's Ed in Jan, and so I would be one of those people who won't need that separate Turkey course. If my Ed doesn't cover any of the points brought up here then that would be troublesome for me. I guess the ethical thing to do here, at least as far as I am concerned, is to see if I can obtain that DVD, either new or used, if that's the case.

I am hoping that at least the Ed course at least shows the DVD or covers it in more detail - my course book doesn't really get into it and it's the newest one.

Good luck with your course. Please let us know what training you get specific to turkey hunting.

[SaginMerusan]

The hunter safety course does cover wildlife identification, it take a general approach to duck species in terms of identifying the distinguishing characteristics that separate puddle duck species from diving duck species. It recommends the equipment (binoculars, field guides etc.) needed for field studies in order for you to get out and become familiar with the species of ducks found in the area you plan to hunt.

I would just like to confirm here that this is indeed the case. The manual does cover this. But...

There is a lot that is not covered in the hunter safety course that can only then be learned from experience or mentorship. The onus is mostly on the hunter to educate themselves while engaging in the sport. Take moose hunting for example. The best way to determine a cow from a calf is to accompany experienced hunters and learn from them in my experience!!

This.

I plan on doing some bird watching, then. Take my binocs and watch and see if I can identify ducks and the like.

[SaginMerusan]

Please let us know what training you get specific to turkey hunting.

Will do.

[Gun Nut]

Will do.

If you are taking your course in early in January, the plans for the turkey portion proposed, may not be fully implement, by then. If you have any friends who have done the course by DVD and still have it, you might want to borrow it, and watch. Just a thought, that way you will have some grounds to evaluate if it has.

You don't stop hunting because you grow old. You grow old because you stop hunting.
- Gun Nut