Was this posted? Hunters shot behind turkey fan!

[Setterman]

I fan on private land. But a few years ago, my friend and I moved on a gobbling bird and set in the thick, hoping to draw it over a hump into our laps, no fan involved. After 15 m, the bird had shut up, we think he's coming, and hear a click. Some googan had an 870 pointed at my friend's temple 10 yards away. "I heard clucking." Said the f'er. Scariest crap ever. I know why they'll probably end up banning it

Damn that's really scary glad it all worked out for you all

 

[Mike Belt]

In no way am I claiming to be any kind of a turkey expert but I have my theories why the population has declined... at least in areas I'm familiar with. I hunted areas with very few turkeys that gradually increased to some of them being loaded with turkeys. They all spiraled downward from that point. To my knowledge the use of decoys was always legal, at least from the time I began hunting turkeys. All the while turkey populations continued to grow. The only association I could possibly see with them and declining populations is that possibly more people are using them now. Even at that, hens aren't legal during spring hunts which allows them to nest, hatch and raise new broods, and to re-populate the birds that are killed during that season. The problem is that fewer and fewer nesting hens aren't able to keep up with replacing what's being taken. Why?

I surmise that because of several factors being:

1)Predators. They've always been around but there has been a drastic decline in trapping allowing for a saturation point in all major predators. At the same time there has been an increase in coyote populations and expansion areas.

2)Fall hunting allows for hens to be taken. Even a blind man can see that when populations decline you don't eliminate the female of the species capable of increasing that population. Any time you want to boost or improve the population you back off on the limits or the season lengths. Ours were increased.

3)Having suitable nesting areas are critical. Eliminating those areas has played a role although not near what #s 1 and 2 have played.

 

[FLTENNHUNTER1]

It seems to me that when all is said and done no matter which side of the fence you're on, the real problem here are the hunters doing the shooting. Know your target! That would apply to the use of dekes or not. To take a shot at something because it moves is a disaster waiting to happen. In addition to that if they're firing at a blob but not picking a spot (like a turkey's head) they aren't very ethical hunters.

^^^This^^^

Plus, I'd like to add, if we are going to take away all "crutches" during turkey hunting, let's eliminate all "crutches" used for hunting. Including satellite imagery, trail cameras, camouflage, hunting blinds, tree stands, magnified optics, modern muzzle loaders, thermacells, decoys, all game calls including rattling antlers, scent free clothes, cover scents, binoculars, wind indicators, hoists, weather forecasts, and all of the other things I haven't thought of in the last 30 seconds it took to type this. If you really want to be a hunter and go mano a mano against the game of your choice, do it naked carrying a club. Until then, let's quit criticizing everyone for their particular hunting methods.

 

[Hollar Hunter]

I can completely agree on the danger of fanning on public and small properties or amongst inexperienced hunters... To completely disrespect all hunters who don't do it "your way" no dekes, blinds, etc is just a shame... Same crap as flint lock, to percussion muzzleloader, to 209 or recurve, to compound, to now crossbows... Iron sight rifles, to now scopes killing game at a 800-1000 yds.Basicslly people should get off their high horse and hunt the way one wants to and appreciate their own effort. If someone cares to make the hunt more challenging I completely respect the work they put into it. If a less experienced fellow sets up a blind with dekes and kills congrats to him as well. After he gets some success under his belt he may won't to adapt to a more challenging way.Was it easier yes probably so but at the end of the day the great meal cooks the same. For the jack wagons just driving around blowing shock calls trying to limb shoot one it should be made illegal for the population sake and that of ruining others hunts... I'm not a great caller but have called in many to the barrel but I've used dekes at times as the season has progressed and the birds become more call shy. I give props to those who stick to their guns and their ways, but to look down on others who hunt legally, but may not be as great a hunter as you there should be no disrespect from one Hunter to another...

 

[Setterman]

When a product, device, etc makes it almost a guarantee of success that item should be eliminated. When it reduces the challenge to virtually zero it leaves the world of fair chase and enters into a realm of being an unfair advantage. Where you draw that line is up to you, for me that line is decoys, fans, etc. I'm perfectly entitled to feel how I feel just as you all are that approve of those tactics.

 

[gobblinfool]

What this guy said FLTENNHUNTER1 Xs 1 million.....I actually think that the demise of the hunter will be the hunter....because we judge each other....50 different states and different rules in each in how to hunt a particular creature. TN you can hunt all day while many states only hunt till noon or one....wonder what they think of us? We can nit pick each other all we want....as the anti's salivate.

This negligent shooting was just that, negligence, primarily on the shooter, he pulled the trigger. There clearly was a lack of communication....or at least that is what is relayed in the story.

Hunt the way that you want within the letter of the law. Eat what you kill. Share with someone younger the skills that you have.

 

[Scud]

Hahaha. At least we made it three weeks into the season before the I'm better than you thread got going this year :lol:

 

[Spurhunter]

I've posted several times about my buddy catching a poacher with a scoped 22 Magnum on his 600 acre lease during turkey season. But, by all means, keep fanning on private land as long as it's not a "smaller tract". I'm sure Fakebook needs that post worse than your kids need a daddy. Sad as it is you have NO IDEA who is on your property at any given time. Whether it's 50 acres or 5000.

 

[catman529]

When a product, device, etc makes it almost a guarantee of success that item should be eliminated. When it reduces the challenge to virtually zero it leaves the world of fair chase and enters into a realm of being an unfair advantage. Where you draw that line is up to you, for me that line is decoys, fans, etc. I'm perfectly entitled to feel how I feel just as you all are that approve of those tactics.

decoys are far from a guarantee of success. A lot of people have mixed or even bad results with them. Has to do with the birds, the property, the way the hunter sets up the decoys, and even the realism of the decoys themselves. This is just what I have gathered from discussions among turkey hunters who use them.

Now a tail fan on a henned up strutter has a far higher success rate for sure. They get hypnotized by it and they actually have receptive hens to fight for. It's a great trick to use sometimes, but I definitely don't agree with people tagging out with a fan or using it as the primary means...yes that would be a crutch, if you have the field birds to hunt. To me it would get old very quick. For the populations sake it may have to be outlawed if it becomes too popular. If the fad dies off, I don't see why it shouldn't stay legal.


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[catman529]

I've posted several times about my buddy catching a poacher with a scoped 22 Magnum on his 600 acre lease during turkey season. But, by all means, keep fanning on private land as long as it's not a "smaller tract". I'm sure Fakebook needs that post worse than your kids need a daddy. Sad as it is you have NO IDEA who is on your property at any given time. Whether it's 50 acres or 5000.

not to say the grass is red again, but I really think that fanning in my own backyard is a LOT safer than slipping through the bushes on a WMA to set up on a gobbling bird. Far more people can legally hunt the WMA, including the most stupid ones. My backyard on the other hand rarely sees a trespasser...last time I saw anyone it was some kids cutting through. Yes there could possibly be a poacher with a scoped rifle, but the odds are very low. I'm safer fanning on most private fields I have access to than I am setting up on a gobbler on public land...and I don't mind the risk, I just always keep an eye and and ear out, and use common sense..


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[Spurhunter]

I just always keep an eye and and ear out, and use common sense

You said "use common sense" while talking about crawling around behind a turkey fan during turkey season and didn't even catch the oxymoron! [emoji23] [emoji23] [emoji23]
Like others have said, it's natural selection. At least you don't have a wife and kids depending on you. I suppose I was being presumptuous thinking people would value their lives over killing a turkey. I should only speak for myself. MY life is worth more than killing a turkey.

 

[catman529]

I just always keep an eye and and ear out, and use common sense

You said "use common sense" while talking about crawling around behind a turkey fan during turkey season and didn't even catch the oxymoron! [emoji23] [emoji23] [emoji23]
Like others have said, it's natural selection. At least you don't have a wife and kids depending on you. I suppose I was being presumptuous thinking people would value their lives over killing a turkey. I should only speak for myself. MY life is worth more than killing a turkey.

you missed my point...I'm at a higher risk hunting the old school way on public land than I am behind a fan in my backyard. Holding a turkey fan in front of you does not automatically attract people who shoot at headless turkeys. There has to be someone there in the first place who can't identify a target. Which there are a lot more of on public land than there are in my dang back yard hay field.


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[RUGER]

There is a law already in place in Tennessee that would prevent this. It's the one that says it has to have a visible beard.

Exactly, the only "law" we need.

 

[Spurhunter]

I just always keep an eye and and ear out, and use common sense

You said "use common sense" while talking about crawling around behind a turkey fan during turkey season and didn't even catch the oxymoron! [emoji23] [emoji23] [emoji23]
Like others have said, it's natural selection. At least you don't have a wife and kids depending on you. I suppose I was being presumptuous thinking people would value their lives over killing a turkey. I should only speak for myself. MY life is worth more than killing a turkey.

you missed my point...I'm at a higher risk hunting the old school way on public land than I am behind a fan in my backyard. Holding a turkey fan in front of you does not automatically attract people who shoot at headless turkeys. There has to be someone there in the first place who can't identify a target. Which there are a lot more of on public land than there are in my dang back yard hay field.


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I get the point. I just don't see the need to EVER crawl around behind a fan. But, I'm 45 years old. I remember when I was young and invincible. I did incredibly stupid things because nothing would ever happen to me. Thankfully the good Lord saw fit to protect me from my stupidity. I think in time you'll look back and realize this fanning is incredibly stupid. I bet those guys in the Kansas hospital already think so.

 

[catman529]

I get the point. I just don't see the need to EVER crawl around behind a fan. But, I'm 45 years old. I remember when I was young and invincible. I did incredibly stupid things because nothing would ever happen to me. Thankfully the good Lord saw fit to protect me from my stupidity. I think in time you'll look back and realize this fanning is incredibly stupid. I bet those guys in the Kansas hospital already think so.

I think I am more likely to look back on the birds I stalked on public land and realize how stupid that was...trust me it is far more risky sharing a WMA with whoever the heck has a gun and a license than it is holding up a fan in a hay field that rarely sees a trespasser much less a poacher who can't identify a tom turkey.

And no there is no NEED to crawl behind a fan. I did it for fun, because that's why I turkey hunt, because it's fun.


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[TLRanger]

There is a law already in place in Tennessee that would prevent this. It's the one that says it has to have a visible beard.

Exactly, the only "law" we need.

Disagree.......Need one more.......Lower limit to two.

That way we could have many more "Tagged out" people on here! :mrgreen:

 

[RUGER]

There is a law already in place in Tennessee that would prevent this. It's the one that says it has to have a visible beard.

Exactly, the only "law" we need.

Disagree.......Need one more.......Lower limit to two.

That way we could have many more "Tagged out" people on here! :mrgreen:

I concur 100%

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[catman529]

There is a law already in place in Tennessee that would prevent this. It's the one that says it has to have a visible beard.

Exactly, the only "law" we need.

Disagree.......Need one more.......Lower limit to two.

That way we could have many more "Tagged out" people on here! :mrgreen:

personally I'd rather see fanning, roost shooting and jakes outlawed before a bag limit decrease. Maybe I'm just greedy and like my 4 birds. Keep the opportunity the same but decrease the ease of killing so people who want to tag out actually have to hunt them.

All this only if we do have an actual decline statewide. Which I'm not yet convinced it's a statewide problem.


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[backstraps]

Sad. I know fanning had something to do with it, but my gosh why would anyone just aim at a fan and pull the trigger? That's on the shooter more than the guys using the fan. I still don't condone using a fan but people need to have some self-control or stop engaging in an activity that involves firearms.


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100% agree!!

 

[elknturkey]

There is a law already in place in Tennessee that would prevent this. It's the one that says it has to have a visible beard.

Exactly, the only "law" we need.

Disagree.......Need one more.......Lower limit to two.

That way we could have many more "Tagged out" people on here! :mrgreen:

personally I'd rather see fanning, roost shooting and jakes outlawed before a bag limit decrease. Maybe I'm just greedy and like my 4 birds. Keep the opportunity the same but decrease the ease of killing so people who want to tag out actually have to hunt them.

All this only if we do have an actual decline statewide. Which I'm not yet convinced it's a statewide problem.


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I'm curious what percent of people tag out

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