Regarding the field turkey debate etc...

[Setterman]

Setterman, say it ain't so!!! You hunting with a SBE topped with a FF dot thingy!!! I figured you would be using an Anson & Deely boxlock, dressed in butternut dyed linsey woolsey, and rode to your hunting spot on a old mare mule named Sallee with a tow sack for a saddle. Well I've never-how can you use all that cutting edge high tech gear in good conscience? Lol- Seriously everyone is comfortable with the gear they use and the technique they use or they wouldn't be using it. The problem with your posts for me was the 'if you don't do it my way you are doing it the wrong way' tone that bled through. You probably didn't mean for that attitude to be displayed but that is how it sounded to me. I'm confident you are a good guy, good hunter, and a bit bull headed like most of us. Took guts to admit you are a mere mortal after the Maggie's drawers with the SBE. what sort of shells were you using? Not high tech stuff surely! Just ribbing you a bit!

You know better than me using high tech shells I shoot 3.5 Winchester #5 lead. I repatterned the beast today and it certainly wasn't its fault this morning. The blame belongs to the idiot behind the trigger. The dang fast fire came as a result of the steady grip causing me issues, wish I just shot beads to be honest

I assure you in reality I'm not a my way or the highway person. I have a diverse group of other hunters I interact with and congratulate them sincerely on every bird they kill no matter how they did it.

 

[bogger]

A written statement can and will be taken in so many ways. We have to understand the person behind it to get it, I don't know many of you guys and gals but I would bet you're a good people. Setter man go bust one to get that one out of your head and catman congrats on your bird. Keep the opinions coming, I love the debates. It gives us all a different view!

 

[Jcalder]

Honestly I don't want anything to change, especially if it meant more regulations. I like that the rules allow folks to hunt how they like within reason.

I do believe that many newcomers would become better hunters long term if they began without the aid of blinds and decoys. It would teach them to really learn how turkeys communicate, travel, and interact with each other. Just my opinion but I feel the hunter who takes up this sport and spends all their time in a blind or using decoys misses out on some of the really rewarding aspects of the sport. Not knocking anyone, or running down the decoy/blind thing at all, just stating an opinion

With that said, I again like the fact we are free to hunt how we like within reason.

I think there will always be people who like to run and gun, and the blinds and dekes should help getting the new hunters into the sport, which is pretty important too isn't it?

Sure, but like probably a ton of others I didn't need the instant kill to keep me going. I decided from the beginning that I relished the challenge and getting beaten down routinely made me a better hunter. I learned from the 8 million mistakes I made. Dekes were illegal in Bama so it wasn't even an option for us. Again, this is just me, I don't get discouraged easily and was dead set on becoming competent enough to kill bunches of birds each year

Do you feel people must have instant success to take up the sport? Do you think embracing the challenges head on can make a person a better hunter in the long run?

As I said I've softened on the decoy stuff in the last few weeks after seeing why some enjoy this approach, but I do think that there is value in learning the traditional way first.

It does seen in society as a whole that people feel they need an instant award. For example everyone getting trophies in youth sports and no grades given to kids in some schools, everyone wins in other words.

I believe valuable life lessons are learned by getting your butt kicked before learning the proper way to do something whether that's in the woods or real life.

I started turkey hunting when I was 15. Used a remington 1100. #6 shot high brass 2 3/4 shells. Killed my first and only bird when I was 22. I'm 27 now. Don't put me in the category of having to have instant success to keep doing it. I've chased birds over some of the steepest hollers and some of the nastiest cover around. I've seen my buddies kill birds year after year. Have I been discouraged? Sure. But what keeps me going back is trying to figure out what I've done wrong. I've listened to birds and heard them come off the roost and go the opposite way. I've listened to birds on the other side of the lake and heard them get shot. I don't have the patience, area to hunt, nor the time to run everywhere looking for birds. If I can use a decoy or blind to my advantage I will. My 5 year old, God, and mother in law matter more than a bird or deer.

 

[REN]

hahah I guess I'm in the minority, i don't want more people into the sport i want less lol. Land is hard enough to find as is, would be nice if me and my son were the only ones that even liked it in wilson county

 

[PalsPal]

hahah I guess I'm in the minority, i don't want more people into the sport i want less lol. Land is hard enough to find as is, would be nice if me and my son were the only ones that even liked it in wilson county

Forget that brother.

My dad & I made the hour and a half trek over there Wed. It's a turkey mecca !

We should have brought two home with us, but ended up empty handed.

We will be back Saturday!

 

[bogger]

No turkeys over here!! Right REN? I heard Stewart county is full of them..

 

[REN]

yup, Wilson and Trousdale counties SUCK for turkeys. Just friendly advice.

 

[deerhunter10]

hunt however you want. I don't like blinds because I cannot hear or see out of them that good. but I have use them before. just not my style if that is how you like it by all means go for it. same with decoys I don't hunt with them because ive seen more birds turn and run from decoys then come in. but if it works go for it. just not into limb shooting them. but it is within the law so by all means if it is legal shooting light and its alright with you then go for it. like I said there are a billion and two ways to hunt turkeys no way is set in stone. just go out and hunt safe and have fun. if your having fun that's all that matters no sense in getting worked up on what other people think. I agree its a new era of hunters but that's in everything. every generation is a little different. I would say im in the middle old school and new school. as I would suspect more people are the middle of the road then people think. deer hunters have disagreements as does turkey hunters. imo I think its a good thing in a way because it shows the passion in people that truly care for turkeys. what ever floats your boat is what you should do.

 

[VolHunter22]

Honestly I don't want anything to change, especially if it meant more regulations. I like that the rules allow folks to hunt how they like within reason.

I do believe that many newcomers would become better hunters long term if they began without the aid of blinds and decoys. It would teach them to really learn how turkeys communicate, travel, and interact with each other. Just my opinion but I feel the hunter who takes up this sport and spends all their time in a blind or using decoys misses out on some of the really rewarding aspects of the sport. Not knocking anyone, or running down the decoy/blind thing at all, just stating an opinion

With that said, I again like the fact we are free to hunt how we like within reason.

I think there will always be people who like to run and gun, and the blinds and dekes should help getting the new hunters into the sport, which is pretty important too isn't it?

Sure, but like probably a ton of others I didn't need the instant kill to keep me going. I decided from the beginning that I relished the challenge and getting beaten down routinely made me a better hunter. I learned from the 8 million mistakes I made. Dekes were illegal in Bama so it wasn't even an option for us. Again, this is just me, I don't get discouraged easily and was dead set on becoming competent enough to kill bunches of birds each year

Do you feel people must have instant success to take up the sport? Do you think embracing the challenges head on can make a person a better hunter in the long run?

As I said I've softened on the decoy stuff in the last few weeks after seeing why some enjoy this approach, but I do think that there is value in learning the traditional way first.

It does seen in society as a whole that people feel they need an instant award. For example everyone getting trophies in youth sports and no grades given to kids in some schools, everyone wins in other words.

I believe valuable life lessons are learned by getting your butt kicked before learning the proper way to do something whether that's in the woods or real life.

Wasn't involved in the debate, or really get a chance to read the last thread. However, I want to speak on these "new generation" hunters you're talking about.

I just started hunting last fall for deer, and the spring was my first turkey season. I was shutout last fall/winter, spring, and this fall/winter. I've only hunted land my family owns in East TN, but I can say that for me personally not filling a tag yet is what is keeping me motivated to keep trying. Maybe that has to do with who I've had teaching me how to hunt.

So, I completely agree with you. I think it's the challenge of getting stumped that keeps me coming back. That, and going out to hunt deer for the first time (alone), falling asleep, and waking up to watch a big buck (and to date, the only I've seen hunting) walk away from me .

So, I don't think new generation hunters are as prevalent as you think. I think hunting shows are the way they are because most people wouldn't ever watch them if there wasn't at least one kill somewhere in the show.

 

[Uncle Jesse]

Hope that works Rockhound I never have any luck with them I try them from time to time hoping to say it worked for me lol

Same here