Gatekeeper

[AT Hiker]

To some degree don't game laws serve this purpose? No more punt guns for waterfowl, spotlighting/killing deer at night is illegal, there's bag limits for any given critter, well-defined methods of taking game, established season length and on and on. To me, hunting regs are the State's way of serving as the gatekeeper you mention.

Fly fish for trout? Great. Zebco 33 Classic with a red/white bobber and mealworms? That works too. I don't see any unfair advantage with either of these options...not so with those mentioned above.

AZ, in addition to hunters education, has a ethics course.
My day job requires a license and part of that is a required ethics course every two years. I'm of the opinion that you either have ethics or not. Sure, some of us can be taught a thing or two but at the end of the day you either got em or not. So, I think it's ok for hunters to hold fellow hunters to higher degree. We shouldn't be extreme with it but we shouldn't turn a blind eye to it either.

 

[Buzzard Breath]

It'd be a lot cheaper then just to go buy ~4 pounds of chicken breast than to try to kill a turkey. Especially with gas and ammo prices being so high. Unless you are shooting them off your back doorstep. Just saying.

Blasphemy!!! There is no acceptable comparison between a chicken and a majestic bird like a wild turkey.

 

[uncle_loue]

It'd be a lot cheaper then just to go buy ~4 pounds of chicken breast than to try to kill a turkey. Especially with gas and ammo prices being so high. Unless you are shooting them off your back doorstep. Just saying.

that's true if im relying solely on turkey to fill the freezer. in my case turkey are part of a year round hunting/fishing strategy to procure meat. im a family of 4 which google tells me consumes on average 700 lbs of meat per year. lets say organic meat from the grocery (averaging steaks, ground beef, whole turkeys and wild caught fish) averages out to $4/lb (likely a lowball number). im spending far less than $2800 per year on hunting and fishing thanks to public lands all within 30 min drive of my home, shooting my hunting ammo only to check zeros/patterns and take game, and processing all the meat myself. in the turkey example im plucking, smoking the bird whole, using the meat for various recipes and using the carcass to make stock.

like many activities, hunting can be expensive or it can be economically advantageous when approached with the right strategy.

 

[Boll Weevil]

Agree regarding ethics and holding our own to some ethical standard AT. I'm one who believes they can indeed be taught...it's all about the willingness of an individual to learn and adopt said ethics.

You may have noticed I mentioned "unfair advantage" in my response. Even though you mentioned exactly none of these in your original post it's interesting that within just a few responses decoys, reaping, bait, rifles, and blinds entered the dialogue. Every individual holds their own system of values and as some have recognized, "likes" on social media are far more valuable to some than the method employed to connect on a successful hunt.

I'm simply not gonna berate another hunter because they hunt differently than I do but I will offer an opinion if asked. Especially on sites like this one we seem to have mostly healthy debate. What I have always found curious is the thin-skinned folks that will pose a question or seek to solicit opinions...and then turn right around and not like the answers given.

 

[uncle_loue]

Agree regarding ethics and holding our own to some ethical standard AT. I'm one who believes they can indeed be taught...it's all about the willingness of an individual to learn and adopt said ethics.

You may have noticed I mentioned "unfair advantage" in my response. Even though you mentioned exactly none of these in your original post it's interesting that within just a few responses decoys, reaping, bait, rifles, and blinds entered the dialogue. Every individual holds their own system of values and as some have recognized, "likes" on social media are far more valuable to some than the method employed to connect on a successful hunt.

I'm simply not gonna berate another hunter because they hunt differently than I do but I will offer an opinion if asked. Especially on sites like this one we seem to have mostly healthy debate. What I have always found curious is the thin-skinned folks that will pose a question or seek to solicit opinions...and then turn right around and not like the answers given.

^ this is spot on. the op spoke about a "gatekeeper" that in my view would affect every hunter in the field and i think its important to remember that folks hunt for varying reasons and their reasons inform their tactics. when im going after a turkey im not doing it as an artform or a time honored tradition (though i respect and appreciate those that do). im doing it as a means to an end in my kitchen.

 

[cowhunter71]

that's true if im relying solely on turkey to fill the freezer. in my case turkey are part of a year round hunting/fishing strategy to procure meat. im a family of 4 which google tells me consumes on average 700 lbs of meat per year. lets say organic meat from the grocery (averaging steaks, ground beef, whole turkeys and wild caught fish) averages out to $4/lb (likely a lowball number). im spending far less than $2800 per year on hunting and fishing thanks to public lands all within 30 min drive of my home, shooting my hunting ammo only to check zeros/patterns and take game, and processing all the meat myself. in the turkey example im plucking, smoking the bird whole, using the meat for various recipes and using the carcass to make stock.

like many activities, hunting can be expensive or it can be economically advantageous when approached with the

that's true if im relying solely on turkey to fill the freezer. in my case turkey are part of a year round hunting/fishing strategy to procure meat. im a family of 4 which google tells me consumes on average 700 lbs of meat per year. lets say organic meat from the grocery (averaging steaks, ground beef, whole turkeys and wild caught fish) averages out to $4/lb (likely a lowball number). im spending far less than $2800 per year on hunting and fishing thanks to public lands all within 30 min drive of my home, shooting my hunting ammo only to check zeros/patterns and take game, and processing all the meat myself. in the turkey example im plucking, smoking the bird whole, using the meat for various recipes and using the carcass to make stock.

like many activities, hunting can be expensive or it can be economically advantageous when approached with the right strategy.

Sounds like "google" has it all figured out for you Have you actually put anything in the freezer yet or are you still in the "researching" phase of the whole organic meat movement. 700lbs of meat off public ground. You better become one hell of an accomplished hunter or fisherman. Just having fun with you bud. For those I have met like you, the final outcome has become far too predictable. Good luck in your journey though.

 

[Shanman]

Think I had $900 in my first bird, way back when.

 

[megalomaniac]

that's true if im relying solely on turkey to fill the freezer. in my case turkey are part of a year round hunting/fishing strategy to procure meat. im a family of 4 which google tells me consumes on average 700 lbs of meat per year. lets say organic meat from the grocery (averaging steaks, ground beef, whole turkeys and wild caught fish) averages out to $4/lb (likely a lowball number). im spending far less than $2800 per year on hunting and fishing thanks to public lands all within 30 min drive of my home, shooting my hunting ammo only to check zeros/patterns and take game, and processing all the meat myself. in the turkey example im plucking, smoking the bird whole, using the meat for various recipes and using the carcass to make stock.

like many activities, hunting can be expensive or it can be economically advantageous when approached with the right strategy.

Unless you have figured out something I haven't, 3 spring turkeys and 1 fall turkey a year gives around 40lbs of organic meat. Unless you family are mostly vegetarians, that won't sustain a family of 4 more much more than a week. Hard to use the meat for sustenance argument when it comes to turkeys if following game limits.

 

[Setterman]

As all know I'm super specific in my views of this sport. I won't go in depth but any turkey hunter who doesn't experience true turkey hunting with a call, gun, and a tree to lean against is completely missing what this sport is all about. Killing is great, but honestly it's the game that makes this so much fun. If I could I'd gladly release them after I touched them and let them know I won.

We all can afford food, hell we spend more per bird than we would just buying one. with a seasons limit it might feed a family for a week or two max.

This isn't about food, although they are tasty. It's about the chess match, the game, and out maneuvering a bird.

so many these days have no idea what they're missing and only care about the kill. It's sad

 

[PalsPal]

If I could I'd gladly release them after I touched them and let them know I won.

Why not just take a camera or video ?

Just messin' with you. But this reminded me that every year I make the claim that I just want to play the game, and pulling the trigger is actually anticlimactic.

But, once I've filled my tags, I could still go and take a video camera, but I never do. So, I guess I'm hypocritical.

 

[Hduke86]

I understand the discussion and the differences in people's views. Now if I was living in some remote off grid place that didn't have a grocery store anywhere around I'd sure as heck go for the quickest and easiest way to kill. I can't say I post for glamour shots cause honestly I'm probably one of the world's worse turkey hunters. I can't sit still for very long for it. I enjoy the game of hearing a bird and then making a game plan to get towards it. Most of the time it ends with me hearing it fly off or me hearing putting and never seeing the birds. I do enjoy gun hunting but this year I'm going strictly bow. Not that I think I'm that good lol but cause if it means I only get one turkey on the ground by the way I've decided to do it then I'll consider it a success and if I don't. Well I'm accustomed to tag soup in turkey season so it's nothing new to me but I just enjoy trying to talk their language and fool one hard of hearing bird blind bird into range.

 

[Longbow2240]

I just hunt. I worry about how I hunt and let everyone else do it the way they want.

 

[PalsPal]

I just hunt. I worry about how I hunt and let everyone else do it the way they want.

Seems pretty simple, doesn't it?

 

[atnvol]

It was a major thrill when I called in and took my first gobbler with a shotgun many many years ago. Later on, I wanted a bit more challenge and migrated to stick and string and started hunting and taking gobblers out of a blind in most instances but a few without a blind. I don't turkey hunt as much as I did, but I am happy for others to hunt them in any legal way that they would like. There will always be rogues who operate outside of the law, so always try to do the "right thing" and help with conservation organizations or projects when you can. And above all, mentor someone on hunting with fair chase principals in mind. There will be a day when everyone has to answer for every idle word and deed.

 

[Gravey]

Over the years I've killed em anyway I could as long as it was legal but at this point it's me, a gun, and a few calls. Playing the game is what gets my adrenaline pumping. To put a kill tag on him is icing on the cake.

 

[Longbow2240]

Seems pretty simple, doesn't it?

One would think.

 

[Dennis]

I have to admit I get a little lost when people talk about hunting turkeys like it's a chess match. I have spent a lot of time around turkeys, and I understand it's fun to hunt them and all, but they have to be one of the dumbest critters in the woods.

 

[catman529]

I have to admit I get a little lost when people talk about hunting turkeys like it's a chess match. I have spent a lot of time around turkeys, and I understand it's fun to hunt them and all, but they have to be one of the dumbest critters in the woods.

They are dumb. Calling them in to the gun can be difficult because they're not always in the mood. Gotta find that "hot" bird that wants to play. When a gobbler wants to play it's the most fun you can have in the woods.

 

[PalsPal]

I have to admit I get a little lost when people talk about hunting turkeys like it's a chess match. I have spent a lot of time around turkeys, and I understand it's fun to hunt them and all, but they have to be one of the dumbest critters in the woods.

Keep in mind that if you are in an area with a lot of birds, the odds increase a lot that A gobbler might come to your call.

Now, go to an area with one dominant gobbler and few other birds and try to pull him from his hens. That's where the chess match is played.

 

[AT Hiker]

I have to admit I get a little lost when people talk about hunting turkeys like it's a chess match. I have spent a lot of time around turkeys, and I understand it's fun to hunt them and all, but they have to be one of the dumbest critters in the woods.

They are extremely dumb (gullible) when it comes to baiting, roost shooting, fanning and decoying them.