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Shooting turkey off roost?

BigSatt said:
Setterman, I admire your knowledge and experience as a turkey hunter. But, do you really think it matters to the turkeys HOW they meet their maker? :D

Just saying...
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Honestly, no. I have thought about this a little more, and although I wouldn't do it, that doesn't really make it wrong. Dead is dead, right. I guess it goes back to whatever makes someone happy.

I personally would never forgive myself for doing it, but that is just me.
 
BILLBENDER said:
BTW the bird Waddell shot had not come off the roost yet but was tree hopping. I have seen several birds do this in the early morning after daybreak. Never touch the ground just limb hop. Yes shooting one off the limb may not be as enjoyable but I have never been able to tell the difference in taste from one that I shot off the limb or on the ground.
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He is still a tool. "Bonecollector" gimme a break. I love the cheesy add with him on a motorcycle looking like Ghostrider, complete and utter dork.
 
I do agree it is kinda cheesy. But I will have to say I got drunk with him and a few of the realtree guys one night and they are all pretty good guys.
 
I dont shoot them off the roost. I have had plenty chances to do so but have chose to pass because I enjoy matching wits with them to much. I will not criticize anyone who chooses to do so because it is a challenge to even get close enough to one on roost to shoot it. I also do not stalk turkeys in a field that are unresponsive to calls and try to cut them off at their travel route. I know lots of people that limit out every year doing this tactic and never touch a call. Its each to his own but in my opnion it is more of a challenge to get close to a roosted bird than it is to just cut one off at the gap on the other end of the field. With this being said I will not criticize anyone for any legal hunting tactic but if you want a suspense filled, gobbling, strutting, drumming, and sometimes a big let down then go with the calling tactic.
 
I've shot several off the roost when I was much younger & was trying to get turkey kills under my belt, then I learned what turkey hunting is really about. I can't give ya many details to them birds that I shot off the roost, cause it just wasn't that memorable. I could tell ya about others that I called in that I remember every detail to. Slipping, stalking, sneaking, finding a gobbler, then calling him into gun range is turkey hunting. Honestly, I think sometimes the only reason I shoot em when I got em there is because that is the final part of the game. The HIGH part of the game for me is when they get to gun range. To each his own & them birds that I shot off the roost didn't taste 1 bit different than the ones I called in & killed. It's your hunt, make the most of it. Good Luck & God Bless!!
 
A couple of falls ago and after a lot of coxing, I convinced my girlfriend to try turkey hunting with me. We spotted some turkeys on the last day of turkey season in a field. We made our way to the corner of the field to try to get a shot at one. I kept purring and they kept coming right towards us, I even got one to puff up. After half an hour or so they got close enough for a shot. I told my girlfriend to get her gun up, i really wanted her to get one. She shot the first tom, while i didnt have a shot, but the tom behind him flew over our heads and into a tree, I shot him. Before this i would say i would never shoot a turkey out of the roost, but i called them in....Oh and I couldnt let my girlfriend get a turkey that fall and not me lol
 
No sport,I really would'nt want to take one that way. You can walk right up to him in the dark. Now, on up in the day, after the Sun is up, might be different, but your chances are slim when he can see. The sport is calling him. But,that's just me, to each his own. It is legal,so its up to whom ever. Good luck to all
 
It all depends on how many birds you have killed IMO. Would I do it? Probably not. Would I let my son? Probably. JM2C
 
I would shoot him off the roost in a heart beat. Ive done it and its not as easy to get under a bird as some might think. The name of the game to me is killing and I enjoy it.
 
I think its ok, but personally don't shoot them off the roost. I remember when I was younger on my first ever hunt, my dad and I had walked up on some roosted turkeys going in that morning. He could see some where jakes. He wouldn't let me shoot them, so we just slipped on by them undisturbed. Guess that personal rule kind of stuck.
 
Great points by everyone.

Again- noone is wrong, its a matter of opinion.

Good luck Sat.

Ruger- please try to get out of your truck this year before you SHOOT!
 

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