Why

[catman529]

Why is there such an elitist attitude among turkey hunters regarding how you hunt/kill turkeys? I'm merely a sophomore turkey hunter and it didn't take me long to realize a lot look down on you for things such as fall hunting, bushwhacking, hen killing, limb shooting, etc...

Sorry if I offend some people and I'm not trying to start a flame war, so don't get my thread locked....

Calling in a tom in the spring is probably the best way to hunt them as I think most would agree. If that's the only way you hunt them I completely understand. I prefer it that way too. If you say any other way of hunting them is not turkey hunting, that's what I don't get. Remember there are those who actually want the meat...

I am proud to be a "turkey killer," whatever the heck that is supposed to mean. I am also a turkey hunter... I do not shoot them over corn piles, I abide by the laws, and although I have shot one off the roost, that is not a trend of mine. I don't walk out of the car and go pop a turkey; that would be turkey killing. I put hours into hunting them and learning about their behavior and being busted by them. I may call one in, bushwhack one, or shoot a flock in the fall, but it's still hunting to me.

Also I noticed a lot who look down on fall hunting have never even tried it. Maybe you just don't care for turkey meat, I don't know.

Just wondering why there is this attitude and I hope nobody feels like this is a personal attack... it's not supposed to be, it's a reaction. also I am almost afraid to join OldGobbler.com because I don't want to be hit by the same elitist attitude...

You may say I should just keep hunting the way I hunt and don't worry about what others say. I guess I should, and maybe I will. But I love this forum and love to share my experiences and it kind of gets me down when certain things are said. Maybe I would be better off ignoring it... I probably would... Just have to vent this one time. Get some thoughts off my chest that have been piling up, you know?

And no matter what your views on the topic are, keep hunting the way you hunt, I have nothing against it.

 

[Setterman]

I honestly don't care what folks do with their time, as long as it doesn't impact me. Within the laws obviously.

I have been playing this game forever and been very fortunate, and anymore I want my hunts to satisfy certain things. I want to kill turkeys and a bunch of them, but am set on the tactics I enjoy.

Others can choose theirs, just don't affect me and we're good

 

[Atchman2]

Personally I'm happy if you are happy. I've never had one come in like they do on tv-never. If they did I'd have killed a bunch of them.

Sometiems I feel bad on the forum I moderate. I moderate the GTA Air Gun forum's Hunting Gate. I simply choose the right weapon for what I'm hunting. If it is an air gun that is cool, but I'm not an elitist and think that the "only" thing I can hunt with is an air gun because I'm a forum moderator. The good thing is those guys are great and if I'm happy they are happy. I cheer just as much for them getting a deer with a bow, shotgun, ML or bow.

Some states allow air gun hunting for turkeys! One of the guys over there got one with a headshot. I wonder how that would go over in TN?

 

[93civEJ1]

I understand your point man. I asked a question the other day that mentioned fall and you would have thought fall turkey hunting is wrong!!... answers to a question when does it usually start = dont know dont care....who cares, etc...

haha...I personally just enjoy hunting and the opportunity to be in the outdoors learning about the world around me.

 

[muddyboots]

They guys on my lease that only shoot if they come to calls dont kill many. See Below.

 

[RUGER]

Not just turkey hunters.
Deer hunters, fishermen, all of these groups have groups within the groups that hunt or fish the "only" right way and heaven forbid you differ from the perfect way and means.


Abide by the law and enjoy the outdoors, leave the rest by the wayside.

In time you will be like many more and forced into holding back on stories and / or pictures of your outdoor activities except to your true friends and hunting partners to escape the "holier than thou" redicule that is so prevelant these days.

As I have said many times and believe it more and more, the hunters worst enemy, is other hunters.

In honor of Buckwild,,,, YMMV.

 

[Lawrence]

I look at it like this
I dont worry about what everyone else thinks or how they hunt as long as its legal and I dont criticize someone for how they choose to hunt

 

[Gravey]

Catman...You can't worry about what other people think or say especially when you put it out their on the web for the world to see. Gotta have thick skin and let it roll off your back. I hunt the way I do because I enjoy it and I hope you do the same. I don't care for fall turkey hunting but that doesn't mean nobody else should not do it. Basically if it's within the laws and your internal moral / ethical boundaries then by all means go for it and have fun! Now go fill that last tag.

 

[easy45]

You can't worry about that, personally I'm gonna try to kill one by any legal means I have to use.

 

[FARMTOFIELD]

Im like you I kill em when i can... within legal means

 

[sure shot]

pure jealousy...from my experience is all i can say. sometimes you have to be able to shift on the fly,and take any opportunity that presents itself..legal of course.

 

[Goshen Valley Boy]

I am bothered by this attitude as well. In my opinion, the two most challenging turkeys I have every killed were birds I saw from a distance and was able to stalk up to and kill them.

A lot of folks don't consider that real turkey hunting.

I have killed birds about every way you can, traditional locate/set up/call in, from a ground blind mid day just sitting and waiting, in the fall with a bow from my deer stand, and spot/stalk/belly crawl style.

The two that I stalked were definetly the most challenging. So I don't get the elitist attitude either. Some people just think their way to do things is pure and they are closed minded to all other tactics, but the way I see it, any legal way to harvest your game is a good way.

 

[Hollar Hunter]

I agree with you. People who want to hunt certain ways only is great but just because somebody else doesn't want to do it your way gives you NO right to bash them. Those people are generally miserable people anyway. I mean do they only shoot deer if they call them in on a string? I doubt it or they don't kill much that's for sure. as long as your legal keep on hunting!

 

[WRbowhunter]

I'll bite. Its because we all have a passion for what we do. Sometimes people get carried away and believe everyone should have the same type of passion as them. I think you will find out that you will get caught up in it to. do you beleive because you are hunting on public land that somehow its harder than private land? Its just different. Yes maybe more pressure or maybe not. I thought it was a great hunt and happy for you. Most are just giving an opinion so don't get to caught up on the idiots

 

[TeamMainStreet]

I am not in the business of pleasing everybody else. Ill do it my way(legal BTW) and go on about my rat killin. Dont let the TnDeer Fifes get to ya man. Keep whackin em.

 

[CBU93]

In answer to your original question catman, it all goes back to history and tradition.

The history is that the comeback from near extinction level of the wild turkey to huntable populations to the near nuisance level they can be today is lost on many (and I mean those that have recently taken up the sport in the last 20 years or so). I can still remember the days where there were no birds and very few deer in Maury County. I can still remeber when just hearing a bird gobble made your entire season worhtwhile in West TN.

For those that have historically had populations of birds in areas that legal hunting was possible, very few turkey hunters were successful in killing birds...and those who did consistently kill birds did so with remarkably similiar tactics...therefore the traditional tactics were born in order to breed success amongst less successful turkey hunters. As populations grew, more successful tactics were developed which flew in the face traditionalists causing an elitism among certain factions. Basically those who were taught by traditionalist seem elitist...those who have recently learned on their own are much more open minded.

As for fall turkey hunting, Archibal Rutledge said it best when he claimed the toughest trophy in North America is calling a mature tom to the gun in the fall. Anybody can do it in the spring.

 

[Trevor2]

Don't worry bout what they have to say man. And come on over to OG there are plenty over there that fall huntturkeys I wish Morgan county had a fall season I would love to try it.

 

[booth]

You left decoys off your list.

 

[stik]

Don't worry bout what they have to say man. And come on over to OG there are plenty over there that fall huntturkeys I wish Morgan county had a fall season I would love to try it.

morgan county has had a fall season for the last several years.

 

[Trevor2]

Don't worry bout what they have to say man. And come on over to OG there are plenty over there that fall huntturkeys I wish Morgan county had a fall season I would love to try it.

morgan county has had a fall season for the last several years.

I haven't seen it on the list in the book? Maybe I overlooked it.

 

[REN]

You do see the irony in commenting about people that say you should hunt a certain way and then saying how peoPle should hunt?

I know what your saying though and every group has them, to be honest I think the turkey world has the fewest though. Most folks I know believe you kill them how you can as long as its in line with ethics and legal

 

[SEC]

In answer to your original question catman, it all goes back to history and tradition.

The history is that the comeback from near extinction level of the wild turkey to huntable populations to the near nuisance level they can be today is lost on many (and I mean those that have recently taken up the sport in the last 20 years or so). I can still remember the days where there were no birds and very few deer in Maury County. I can still remeber when just hearing a bird gobble made your entire season worhtwhile in West TN.

For those that have historically had populations of birds in areas that legal hunting was possible, very few turkey hunters were successful in killing birds...and those who did consistently kill birds did so with remarkably similiar tactics...therefore the traditional tactics were born in order to breed success amongst less successful turkey hunters. As populations grew, more successful tactics were developed which flew in the face traditionalists causing an elitism among certain factions. Basically those who were taught by traditionalist seem elitist...those who have recently learned on their own are much more open minded.

As for fall turkey hunting, Archibal Rutledge said it best when he claimed the toughest trophy in North America is calling a mature tom to the gun in the fall. Anybody can do it in the spring.

Nice post.

 

[Boll Weevil]

Like someone already mentioned, it's not just within turkey hunting circles that elitest attitudes exist. It's plain old human nature.
Stay within legal bounds, practice sound ethics, and HUNT.

 

[Trevor2]

Like someone already mentioned, it's not just within turkey hunting circles that elitest attitudes exist. It's plain old human nature.
Stay within ethical and legal bounds, practice sound ethics, and HUNT.

Spot on! BEST post I have seen. Stay true to you the hell with everyone else!

 

[catman529]

Personally I'm happy if you are happy. I've never had one come in like they do on tv-never. If they did I'd have killed a bunch of them.

Sometiems I feel bad on the forum I moderate. I moderate the GTA Air Gun forum's Hunting Gate. I simply choose the right weapon for what I'm hunting. If it is an air gun that is cool, but I'm not an elitist and think that the "only" thing I can hunt with is an air gun because I'm a forum moderator. The good thing is those guys are great and if I'm happy they are happy. I cheer just as much for them getting a deer with a bow, shotgun, ML or bow.

Some states allow air gun hunting for turkeys! One of the guys over there got one with a headshot. I wonder how that would go over in TN?

What states allow airgun turkey hunting? I have always wanted to kill one with an air rifle.

Not just turkey hunters.
Deer hunters, fishermen, all of these groups have groups within the groups that hunt or fish the "only" right way and heaven forbid you differ from the perfect way and means.


Abide by the law and enjoy the outdoors, leave the rest by the wayside.

In time you will be like many more and forced into holding back on stories and / or pictures of your outdoor activities except to your true friends and hunting partners to escape the "holier than thou" redicule that is so prevelant these days.

As I have said many times and believe it more and more, the hunters worst enemy, is other hunters.

In honor of Buckwild,,,, YMMV.

Aint that right... lot of bickering among deer hunters, and I also don't care much for the typical bass fisherman attitude either. I love bass fishing, know people who love bass fishing, and have nothing against it... just there are those who ride a $20,000 bass boat around big lakes and consider other fish to be low life trash fish that don't deserve the same respect that bass do.

I am bothered by this attitude as well. In my opinion, the two most challenging turkeys I have every killed were birds I saw from a distance and was able to stalk up to and kill them.

A lot of folks don't consider that real turkey hunting.

I have killed birds about every way you can, traditional locate/set up/call in, from a ground blind mid day just sitting and waiting, in the fall with a bow from my deer stand, and spot/stalk/belly crawl style.

The two that I stalked were definetly the most challenging. So I don't get the elitist attitude either. Some people just think their way to do things is pure and they are closed minded to all other tactics, but the way I see it, any legal way to harvest your game is a good way.

Stalking is a lot of fun and very rewarding to me. Yeah sometimes a gobbler will get hung up when you call to him, but people so often get a bird fired up and call him in easily. When you stalk you are relying on pure hunting skills, like a real predator, and must avoid being detected as you close the distance instead of getting the bird to close the distance.

You do see the irony in commenting about people that say you should hunt a certain way and then saying how peoPle should hunt?

If you're referring to my original post, let me just point out one thing... I was careful not to say how people should hunt. I said hunt how you want, it's fine with me. Just don't pick on me for hunting a different way. And none of it was directed at you of course, you have been very understanding even though you don't hunt some of the ways I do.

 

[MossyOakLandman]

In answer to your original question catman, it all goes back to history and tradition.

The history is that the comeback from near extinction level of the wild turkey to huntable populations to the near nuisance level they can be today is lost on many (and I mean those that have recently taken up the sport in the last 20 years or so). I can still remember the days where there were no birds and very few deer in Maury County. I can still remeber when just hearing a bird gobble made your entire season worhtwhile in West TN.
For those that have historically had populations of birds in areas that legal hunting was possible, very few turkey hunters were successful in killing birds...and those who did consistently kill birds did so with remarkably similiar tactics...therefore the traditional tactics were born in order to breed success amongst less successful turkey hunters. As populations grew, more successful tactics were developed which flew in the face traditionalists causing an elitism among certain factions. Basically those who were taught by traditionalist seem elitist...those who have recently learned on their own are much more open minded.

As for fall turkey hunting, Archibal Rutledge said it best when he claimed the toughest trophy in North America is calling a mature tom to the gun in the fall. Anybody can do it in the spring.

Good assessment...you are correct

 

[REN]

hahah im just saying bud.....

i will try and see if i can make this make sense.

It has nothing to do with how or what i feel it SHOULD be done or I do it right and you do it wrong. I feel that you should always give the game full respect AND give it as much of a fair chase chance as you can. This is not geared toward just turkeys i feel this way for all game.

I have no issues with stalking, however lets be honest...depending on the terrain stalking can be pretty easy to kill birds. Now if you are belly crawling across an open field whithout getting caught then good deal. If you are running down a creek bed to pop up and kill one then not much skill was used there.

again i dont care how you kill them but IMO a turkey HUNTER is one that gives the animal as much a fair chase as you can. Same way i dont agree with Dogs for deer or hogs or shooting anything from a vehicle. Being able to just KILL one doesnt take much skill or effort to me, its all in the things you did leading up to it.

I want to be able to go up against the games best defenses and come away a winner. However there is nothing wrong if you dont feel the same way. Find people that believe in the same hunting styles you do and forget what others say that have issues with it. I want to call at them and them be vocal, if that is not happening its not as fun to me. I am not above stalking them or ambushing them, but it is not a preferred method of hunting to me.


not sure this all came out making sense but hope it did to a degree.

 

[catman529]

Yep that makes sense to me.

 

[timberjack86]

In answer to your original question catman, it all goes back to history and tradition.

The history is that the comeback from near extinction level of the wild turkey to huntable populations to the near nuisance level they can be today is lost on many (and I mean those that have recently taken up the sport in the last 20 years or so). I can still remember the days where there were no birds and very few deer in Maury County. I can still remeber when just hearing a bird gobble made your entire season worhtwhile in West TN.

For those that have historically had populations of birds in areas that legal hunting was possible, very few turkey hunters were successful in killing birds...and those who did consistently kill birds did so with remarkably similiar tactics...therefore the traditional tactics were born in order to breed success amongst less successful turkey hunters. As populations grew, more successful tactics were developed which flew in the face traditionalists causing an elitism among certain factions. Basically those who were taught by traditionalist seem elitist...those who have recently learned on their own are much more open minded.

As for fall turkey hunting, Archibal Rutledge said it best when he claimed the toughest trophy in North America is calling a mature tom to the gun in the fall. Anybody can do it in the spring.

Nice post.

Yep,They also thought it sporting to shoot them off the roost!Most guys who throw a hissy about the way people hunt turkeys have no clue how turkey hunting began in this country.So dont worry about it.

 

[eweisner]

I'm still stuck at the bushwhacking statement. Snipers have been doing it for years. If I spend as much time learning the birds habits to get a go idea as to where he goes and when, then sneak into a spot that puts him in range, I don't see an issue. Maybe just my opinion but either way you do it you are ambushing the bird. I mean geez he's coming to gun fight with just his spurs on right?