In answer to your original question catman, it all goes back to history and tradition.

The history is that the comeback from near extinction level of the wild turkey to huntable populations to the near nuisance level they can be today is lost on many (and I mean those that have recently taken up the sport in the last 20 years or so).  I can still remember the days where there were no birds and very few deer in Maury County.  I can still remeber when just hearing a bird gobble made your entire season worhtwhile in West TN.

For those that have historically had populations of birds in areas that legal hunting was possible, very few turkey hunters were successful in killing birds...and those who did consistently kill birds did so with remarkably similiar tactics...therefore the traditional tactics were born in order to breed success amongst less successful turkey hunters.  As populations grew, more successful tactics were developed which flew in the face traditionalists causing an elitism among certain factions.  Basically those who were taught by traditionalist seem elitist...those who have recently learned on their own are much more open minded.

As for fall turkey hunting, Archibal Rutledge said it best when he claimed the toughest trophy in North America is calling a mature tom to the gun in the fall.  Anybody can do it in the spring.