Spring gobbler hunting with rifles? not me.

[patdoyle]

Although in my home state of va. turkey hunting with rifles is within the law, I just can't see the point of it all. I mean for me, it's all about making contact with the tom and using your stealth and skill to call the bird in close. I believe that is more important than the kill shot by far. I'm not downing anybody that chooses to use a rifle, (believe me,I know plenty who do)it's just that I could'nt shoot a tom from one or two hundred yards out and ever feel the sense of accomplishment that I get when I call him up to the 12 and jellyhead him at twenty yards. And there's allways the safety issue. That's just my two cents I could be wrong. Hope I didn't offend anyone, that wasn't my intention. Let me know what you think about it.Your comments and opinions are allways appreciated. See ya and good hunting to all!!!!

[4pointer]

We can't use rifle's here,,But if we could I'd stick with the ole shotgun,,, up close & personal, To me is the Safety Factor.
Get that bird in range Spit & Drum, Heart Poundin,Blood Pumpin...
And than hear that Big Tom Gobble.........
thats my 2~Cents... but each to there own..

[michihunter]

Rifle would sure do a number on a bird at long range I'd think. Here the rule is nothing larger than #4 shot on them Gobblers.

[bigskyscott]

Here is my opinion on this topic.
Back in the old days(late1800's early 1900's) , there was nothing wrong with folks "sniping "a turkey at a long distance. Times were different; less people, wilder country, in some parts more game and less laws. Not to mention the state of the economy during those times. Folks had to eat . In those days you hunted with whatever you brought with you that day. A person may be hunting deer with his rifle , but if he's lucky enough to ambush a flock of turkeys at 100 yards, he will go for them . .Also, you could load your scatter gun with buckshot and you would be good to go for both too.

I would assume that in some states because of this traditional style of turkey hunting when hunting and game laws were enacted, this wasn't an issue.

Times have changed. we all know that. Turkey hunting in the U.S. is at an all -time high,especially in states where deer hunting has decreased due to a lack of huntable deer. A lot of large property owners won't allow deer hunters on their property due to saftey issues, but do not have a problem with turkey hunters using shotguns on the same property.

The NWTF has spent millions of dollars and thousands of volunteer man-hours in the promotion of habitat improvment, trap and transfering of birds from one state to another and the general promotion and education of the Great Sport itself.This puts more hunters in the woods both Spring and Fall.

I have no issues with long-range shooters . However, they have no place in the woods hunting turkeys in 2007. It's all about SAFETY.

We have enough needless turkey hunting accidents in shotgun only States as it is. I personaly know two people in Pa. who were shot in separate accidents during the Spring seasons.Both while in full view of the "hunter"who was stalking them while they were stationary, up against a tree and imitating a HEN ! luckily, both folks survived to tell their side of the story. Both also are members of very high standing in the NWTF.

Montana is shotgun only for both seasons. When I used to live in Pa., it was shotgun only in the Spring and both were allowed in the fall season. Don't know if that has changed or not.

Must admit, when I was living in Pa. back in the 80's and 90's , I was awfully tempted to buy a TIKA over and under shotgun/rifle combo.They are sweet for fall turkey hunting where its safe to shoot a rifle.

This is just my 2 cents .

[bigskyscott]

One other thing ..... Yea, I have to agree with you Larry, up close and personal is what gobbler hunting is all about !