Turkey hunting: Lets raise a little Heck

[greatwhite]

Although I was hoping to turkey hunt this year I won't be as sadly I have to many things to repair. Truck, cars, camping equipment etc. But I thought I would bring this question up again that I know will raise cause some arguments.

The question on Turkey hunting.

Shooting a Turkey off the roost.

I have heard many say it's unethical but I question that because I am a meat hunter and it is legal when I hunt and I would rather have a good tasting deer than some monster. So why is shooting a Turkey off a roost any different then shooting a deer over a bait pile. Yes I agree if you are looking for a challenge then trying to call them is a challenge but... that is not what I look for when deer hunting.

I thought I would bring up this question because there seems to be a few newbies on here and I am sure they would like to see what others have to say.

[fishhawk]

I personally think it’s cheating because it’s too easy. If someone knows the property well and the daily habits of the turkeys in that spot, it’s just a matter of walking in to the roost spot in the pitch black and waiting for legal light for an easy shot at a Tom that’s gobbling it’s head off.

[greatwhite]

Is it cheating? 100 years ago I suspect nobody would agree with that. As I said I am a meat hunter I don't care about Trophy's. I don't spend much money on gear for any type of hunting other than some goose decoys.

I personally think it’s cheating because it’s too easy. If someone knows the property well and the daily habits of the turkeys in that spot, it’s just a matter of walking in to the roost spot in the pitch black and waiting for legal light for an easy shot at a Tom that’s gobbling it’s head off.

[finsfurfeathers]

for me if its legal do it. However for myself a roost shot is a poor shot choice as for one hard to get a clear shot and second higher chance at putting pellets in the breast. Ground shot at a stretched out neck is my go to shot.

[MikePal]

I agree.....shot placement when killing game trumps making the easy shot. The best shot on a turkey is with the neck extended and make a clean head shot. Can't do that cleanly on a Tom that is roosting.

As a meat eater GW, you don't want a bird filled with lead shot...

[greatwhite]

Valid points that I never thought of the fact that it's head might not be extended? But if it was and you could get a clear head shot?

[finsfurfeathers]

Valid points that I never thought of the fact that it's head might not be extended? But if it was and you could get a clear head shot?

for me if its legal do it. .

Now lets consider the logistics you got to get under a bird with a cased gun. Than at legal time uncase your gun, load it and wait for a clean shot all the time hoping the bird doesn't hear or see you. Not as easy as you thought well at least legally.

[kickingfrog]

Another factor for some roost shots would be legal light. The law is the law, what limitations an individual choses to impose on themselves is their business, as is someone else's.

[tom gobble]

It's legal to do, so I don't hold anything against people harvesting a turkey that way. I'm not a trophy hunter but I do love the thrill of the hunt. So I do not shoot birds off the roost. Like others said, not as easy as you think to take a bird clean and legal that way.

[greatwhite]

I can completely agree with that. If I was turkey hunting and had all the time to put into it I probably would raise my bar. I think for me it would depend on the amount of time I had.

I think however when I do eventually go out I would probably take the first best legal shot I had and as I got better and had more time I would increase the pressure on myself.

I think sometimes pressuring people to do it a specific way that is harder might discourage new hunters to some degree. Bu than again as others have said shooting out of the roost might be harder than it looks.

Now lets consider the logistics you got to get under a bird with a cased gun. Than at legal time uncase your gun, load it and wait for a clean shot all the time hoping the bird doesn't hear or see you. Not as easy as you thought well at least legally.

Another factor for some roost shots would be legal light. The law is the law, what limitations an individual choses to impose on themselves is their business, as is someone else's.

It's legal to do, so I don't hold anything against people harvesting a turkey that way. I'm not a trophy hunter but I do love the thrill of the hunt. So I do not shoot birds off the roost. Like others said, not as easy as you think to take a bird clean and legal that way.