Turkey hunting forum for turkey hunting tips
General Discussion => LEARNING TO TURKEY HUNT => Topic started by: Brillo on March 24, 2022, 11:32:50 AM
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Legally in Michigan a gun cannot be loaded until legal shooting hours. I know that has been enforced for deer but I have not heard of it being enforced for turkey where it would make hunting roosted birds nearly impossible. I always load before I leave the truck. Anybody else deal with this?
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To my knowledge, we do not have that law in Tennessee. I load my gun at the truck before heading into the woods. I can take my time and I know the gun is loaded safely and properly. I make sure the safety is on and begin my walk. From a safety perspective, I don't want to be rushed and trying to load my gun in the dark; that seems far less safe than practicing basic gun safety with a loaded gun. From a hunting perspective, I don't want to be creating metallic noise in the woods. JMO.
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Normally I load my gun after I get out of the truck and unload before I get back in.
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At the truck.
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Right before I enter the woods
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Mine stays loaded unless someone gets in my truck.
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I think my deer rifle is still loaded in it’s case. My turkey gun gets loaded when I park the truck at the first spot in the woods and gets unloaded when I get in the truck to leave the woods.
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Normally not til I get to the blind or a little before it, I am in all honesty clumsy because of the car accidents I have been in. Last year or the year before we had a rabid skunk on the property (Out in daylight, charging vehicles, foaming at the mouth) so I was loading as soon as I was a couple steps from the truck.
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I hunt in mountain lion country, and head into the woods to sound like one of their favorite meals... I load my gun as I leave the truck...
I have actually seen lions on two occasions while turkey hunting... The last one, I was peaking in an old abandoned mobile home that has been there for years (that I habitually check out for fun when walking by). Late morning, I peek in, and there is a lion on the floor right in front of me...
He gets up, skids across the floor, and jumps out a window fixture... I almost unloaded my gun and my pants... And that is why I currently insist on wearing brown pants when turkey hunting...
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Idk guys walking in the dark with a loaded gun isn’t necessary or safe imo. I hunt roosted birds all the time, especially with kids. Never do we load til at the tree or set a blind.
Bear in mind all the setting of a blind if it’s used, is within sight of the bird in tree and obviously morning of the hunt .
We go very early and take our time. Nearer daylight we load guns. Most are pumps, imo they’re safer with kids but occasionally it’s a semi. Pumps are easy. Very easy painfully slow closing makes minimal sound. With semis holding the bolt and easing it closed is easy. Putting shells in magazine equally slow, easy, quiet. I don’t see an issue and never have. I’m very surprised guys are loading at the truck. Now if an accident would happen even if minimal and hopefully that the case and you’ve broken a law you could assume personal liability in some areas.
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Load it first day of season unload last day of season.
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First question: Define "loaded"? To me, there is a big difference between having rounds in the magazine and having a round in the chamber. "Loaded" to me is having a round in the chamber. I do not put a round in the chamber until I reach a point where I am close enough to a gobbler that I think he might hear the sound and perhaps alert him. If I am hunting with someone, I want them to do the same.
It only takes one misstep for what is supposed to be a joyous time to turn into an irreversible tragedy. I personally know two individuals who were involved in hunting accidents that resulted in the deaths of their friends. I will do everything I can to make sure that does not happen under my watch with the people I hunt with. Shells in the magazine cannot inadvertently kill someone,...shells in the chamber when it is not necessary most certainly can.
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First question: Define "loaded"? To me, there is a big difference between having rounds in the magazine and having a round in the chamber. "Loaded" to me is having a round in the chamber. I do not put a round in the chamber until I reach a point where I am close enough to a gobbler that I think he might hear the sound and perhaps alert him. If I am hunting with someone, I want them to do the same.
It only takes one misstep for what is supposed to be a joyous time to turn into an irreversible tragedy. I personally know two individuals who were involved in hunting accidents that resulted in the deaths of their friends. I will do everything I can to make sure that does not happen under my watch with the people I hunt with. Shells in the magazine cannot inadvertently kill someone,...shells in the chamber when it is not necessary most certainly can.
I have a round in the chamber walking out, and the gun could be fired. There are lion prints at one of the places I will be hunting this year, as I am sure that is of some concern where you hunt as well.
I have upland hunted all my life (which necessitates walking with a loaded gun, hoping to shoot flushing game), but, it is not the same as turkey hunting with a loaded gun in the dark. Honestly though, it is not the walking out, that I feel is most dangerous; most of us have a sling on the gun, and I would assume the gun is pointed in a safe direction while slung.
It is setting up... Removing our gear to get set up, we have to set the gun down somewhere, and that is where I feel the greatest risk is... (where the gun can be knocked down, stepped on, etc.) I generally remove the shell from the chamber at this time (and insert it sideways). I still lean the gun against a tree that is stable, until I am set up, and sitting down.
I can put a shell in the chamber of my gun more quietly than I can get my butt settled on the ground. Most guns can be loaded quietly (outside of a Benelli), if we are careful... I have busted a few birds on my set-up, but never by loading my gun; and while there might be some reasons to walk out with a loaded gun, scaring turkeys is not high on the list.
But, when setting up, laying the gun on the ground is a horrible idea, as is leaning it against anything that the gun might fall over with. Add multiple people, and the risk increases.
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I load up when I leave my vehicle and the safety is on. Unload when I get back to my vehicle.
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I find it funny that some have an issue with walking in the woods with a loaded shotgun and the safety on.
But I guess that's the same guys who don't keep one in the pipe if they conceal carry.
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I GET EVERY THING REDDY THE NIGHT BEFORE AND LOAD MY GUN THAT WAY WHEN I GET OUT OF THE TRUCK I'AM READDY TO GO ...
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I GET EVERY THING REDDY THE NIGHT BEFORE AND LOAD MY GUN THAT WAY WHEN I GET OUT OF THE TRUCK I'AM READDY TO GO ...
You would get arrested here in NY for having a loaded firearm (That is not a handgun) in the vehicle. I do not leave gun in vehicle anyway, not judging, just not my practice.
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I once had a hog charge me in the dark walking in to deer hunt. Heard him coming and it was foggy so I could only see about ten or twelve feet. Aimed my headlamp as far as I could see. Fired as he came into the light. That to say, I ain’t walking anywhere I hunt without a round chambered. That goes for shotgun or rifle. Can’t understand why in the world there would be a law against it, or why anyone would have hesitation if it wasn’t required by law. No more dangerous than carrying the gun loaded at any other time and either you shoot before legal light or you don’t. A loaded gun isn’t a fired gun.
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I load my Benelli SBE at the truck. I can't wait until I am in the woods or at my tree because you have to allow the mag to slam shut on a Benelli and that makes too much noise.
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I find it funny that some have an issue with walking in the woods with a loaded shotgun and the safety on.
But I guess that's the same guys who don't keep one in the pipe if they conceal carry.
:z-winnersmiley:
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But I guess that's the same guys who don't keep one in the pipe if they conceal carry.
And are sticklers about making sure that when posing with a harvested deer, the action is visibly open.
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If I am on a trip, it is unloaded until we get there, but otherwise if I am by myself (90% of the time), it is loaded until either shot, end of the year or I am on a trip with someone.
Same with the 1911 that hangs on my steering column. Cocked and locked at all times.
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Gets loaded opening morning when I leave the truck, usually stays that way. Just slide the action back and take the shell out of the chamber if I feel it neccessary (using an 870). There's most always two rounds in the magazine until season closes or I tag out.
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First question: Define "loaded"? To me, there is a big difference between having rounds in the magazine and having a round in the chamber. "Loaded" to me is having a round in the chamber. I do not put a round in the chamber until I reach a point where I am close enough to a gobbler that I think he might hear the sound and perhaps alert him. If I am hunting with someone, I want them to do the same.
It only takes one misstep for what is supposed to be a joyous time to turn into an irreversible tragedy. I personally know two individuals who were involved in hunting accidents that resulted in the deaths of their friends. I will do everything I can to make sure that does not happen under my watch with the people I hunt with. Shells in the magazine cannot inadvertently kill someone,...shells in the chamber when it is not necessary most certainly can.
I appreciate your safe minded approach. For me, if a young person is on the trip, I am pretty much for keeping the barrel clean until we are close to prime time. Also, if a large hunting party is along, these days (not so much years ago when more folks were excellent woodsmen/gun oriented), I am big on keeping the barrels cleared as long as possible.
But - if I am hunting by myself, my gun is loaded from the truck. If I am with someone who I fully trust to handle their firearm properly, I don't have an issue with going ahead and loading up pretty soon after leaving the truck. For me, no matter when folks load up it is about barrel safety. My Dad beat it into my head many moons ago to never point the barrel at anything you don't intend to kill. If I am in the woods with someone, my attention is always centered on making sure my barrel is pointed away from anyone with me. I don't make a big deal or say anything, but that never leaves my mind if I am hunting with someone. That said, the areas I hunt are pretty steep and rough and I am usually by myself more times than not as most don't like to climb all day long to kill a turkey.
But here is the point that we all have to consider, if we are in the woods and we find that a member of our party tends to wind up with his barrel in our direction at times throughout the day, that has to be addressed and quickly. I unfortunately tend to cease to hunt with that type individual. I can still be their friend in a dozen other ways without hunting with them. It is just not worth it and even though I am a very patient person most times, when it comes to barrel control with others in the woods I just don't have much patience. Just not worth it.
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I never knew that carrying a loaded gun in the dark, or setting a loaded
gun on the ground was a problem until now.
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I load as soon as I'm ready to head out from my vehicle. That goes for deer and turkey. Pheasants as soon as we're stepping in the field.
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I load as soon as I shut the vehicle door even if it won't be light for a couple hours. Two reasons. 1. Less noise where I actually want to hunt. 2. I'm not afraid of the dark at all, actually prefer it, but it's always a little comforting knowing my gun is loaded.
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Load my gun at the cabin before leaving or load it before i leave the truck... i always follow the rules of treating your gun as loaded all the time regardless if it is or not...
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I once had a hog charge me in the dark walking in to deer hunt. Heard him coming and it was foggy so I could only see about ten or twelve feet. Aimed my headlamp as far as I could see. Fired as he came into the light. That to say, I ain’t walking anywhere I hunt without a round chambered. That goes for shotgun or rifle. Can’t understand why in the world there would be a law against it, or why anyone would have hesitation if it wasn’t required by law. No more dangerous than carrying the gun loaded at any other time and either you shoot before legal light or you don’t. A loaded gun isn’t a fired gun.
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Amen big man. If I am by myself my gun is loaded before I leave the truck. I had to shoot my way out of a pack of wild dogs years ago one morning about an hour before daylight. Got really hairy for a moment and had I not have a gun, I am not sure I would be here today. Went back after daylight and found two of the approximately 6-8 (not fully sure as it was still black dark) laying dead, and I did not know there were dogs that looked that bad. Almost like something out of Mad Max and the Thunderdome. It was so dark, all I could do was put them in the center of my Leupold and pull the trigger. But I got two and the rest decided to forego their plan to take me out and fled. That said, I don't go into the woods even in the off season without a gun. At the least, I will have a 9mm or something in tow with me.
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Can’t understand why in the world there would be a law against it, or why anyone would have hesitation if it wasn’t required by law. No more dangerous than carrying the gun loaded at any other time and either you shoot before legal light or you don’t. A loaded gun isn’t a fired gun.
While I think it can be safe, I also think that walking out in the dark to a turkey hunting spot is more dangerous than daytime hunting...
Many hunters are carrying gear (some probably too much), and often over uneven terrain or through brush with poor (or no) lighting in the dark. Gun gets bumped the wrong way, or goes through brush, a fall allows something to jar the trigger... While unlikely, any of these situations could cause the gun to accidentally fire.
As I mentioned, I generally load the gun when I leave the truck... Even if I fall, it would be awfully tough to shoot myself with a shotgun strapped to my back... But... If I am hunting with a partner, I will often wait until we are to the spot before "we" load.
And... While I am sure you are safe, I would not make the assumption about everyone else. I have seen my share of accidental firings, and I was present when my father was shot quail hunting... Two biggest factors of gun safety I can think of, are make no assumptions, and muzzle control.
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At gobble time, I'll load up at the truck before slipping into the woods. If I'm making a major hike to a new area, sometimes I will unload (usually just when terrain is tough or woods are thick) until I am at the new location and plan to start hunting.
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When I walk into the woods
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I usually load up at the truck and carry my gun without a sling. If i am going with kids guns are loaded when we sit down just as an extra precaution. I’ll unload when back in sight of the truck or walking back. When i say unload i mean i take the shell out of the chamber and keep the tube full. My father was attacked by a group of pitbulls while walking from the truck in the dark and says if he hadn’t of been loaded he probably wouldn’t still be here.
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I load up last thing before I leave the truck and start walking to wherever it is I'm going.
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I load my shotgun opening morning of Turkey Season at the truck. I hunt everyday of my Spring and Fall Seasons, on Public Ground close to the house. It stays loaded between my center console and passenger seat until my last walk out on the last day of season. Shells are added as needed to always keep the count at 3.
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On my walk in.
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Right before I enter the woods.
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At the truck in the dark. Unload when I’m back at the truck.
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Mine stays loaded unless someone gets in my truck.
I like that one buddy Lol. I load mine as soon as I exit the vehicle, or the house given no traveling is involved. I don't always chamber a round though, just kind of a how I feel thing honestly.
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I load my gun at the truck but don't chamber a round until I set up.
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A sidebar to this discussion is knowing the regulations/laws of the state you are hunting in. Some states you can carry an uncased and loaded (chambered round) firearm in your vehicle, but there are states where your gun must not only not have any shells in the chamber or magazine, but it also must be cased while the vehicle is being driven.
I wonder how many folks actually check these types of regulations in the states they visit?...
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I don't load until I am walking into the woods, and I unload it before I case it and put it in the truck. Too many morons are running around shooting from vehicles for me to be associated with that bunch. Plus it's illegal. I also unload and case my gun when on my 4 wheeler. I have taught my kids the same.
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Load it shortly after leaving the truck. Unload as soon as I arrive back at the truck. Besides meeting legal and safety requirements, it has to do with using an autoloader. I don't want to be making any noise once in the woods.
When I do load my gun I turn away from the woods and use one hand to press the bolt release while the other hand slowly guides the bolt forward to minimize that noise.
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Uncase and load it before heading into woods. Never lean it on a tree, I lay it on the ground if needed when setting up. All my turkey guns have slings. Unload and case when I am leaving the woods. Not a law here, I just do it.
A good tip that a buddy of mine gave me for those of us that hunt public land is to fold the soft case in your truck so that it is obviously empty as you leave. Makes it less tempting for some scumbag to break into your truck as they already know there is no gun in the case.
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A good tip that a buddy of mine gave me for those of us that hunt public land is to fold the soft case in your truck so that it is obviously empty as you leave. Makes it less tempting for some scumbag to break into your truck as they already know there is no gun in the case.
Seeing that folded case, it might also make them think that there is someone watching them nearby with a loaded gun in their possession... ;D :angel9:
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I load as I’m leaving the truck. I unload before I get back in the truck.
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I load up at my Jeep after I am all ready to go. It is the last thing I do before entering the woods. The first thing I do upon returning is unloading my shotgun.
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I load right before going into the woods and unload when I get back to the truck or house
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I load up at my Jeep after I am all ready to go. It is the last thing I do before entering the woods. The first thing I do upon returning is unloading my shotgun.
This ^^ (only, not a Jeep..lol)
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