Turkey hunting forum for turkey hunting tips

I just have to vent. My buddy has hunted Ky the last 4 days and today went to a new area we found. That turned out to be a zoo. One of the landowners we hunt on got us permission on this new property. We thought, "Oh boy new ground". I think it's in an estate and so no one is watching it. When he pulls in there's a guy getting ready to go and my buddy talks to him and he does not have permission, but is going anyway, as everyone hunts here. That's a bad start, but they decide the property is  big enough to split and go opposite ways. My buddy sets up on a bird and it's working and then put put and silence. He hears 4-5 more and trys to work a couple, but no luck. They just shut up on him.  Suddenly he hears a buzzing and looks up to see a drone hovering over him. Now he is po'd and decides to leave. He runs into two kids combo mushroom hunting and carrying guns in case they see a turkey. When he gets back to the truck there's a guy setting by his car running the drone to spot turkeys to stalk. Then the other guy comes out and joins the conversation and he said he almost got three, but they all spooked from the fan. He was basically trying to reap them by just displaying a fan and walking at them full up right. He said one had an 11 inch beard and weighed 33 lbs, but it spooked. NOw that guys is good. The guy with the drone chimed in yeah he'd seen a couple 30 pounders on the drone camera. You got to be frigging kidding me! Needless to say my buddy baled and called me and said no way are we going back to that zoo. What in the living "H" get into people's heads. This is an good example of why I dislike the youtubers showing reaping and other "new" ways of hunting. Go ahead someone and call me an elitist and I'll gladly wear the tag if this is what we've come to. As I said Oh MY Gosh....

All I can say is WOW! That's too bad, a good spot like that and it was infiltrated with idiots. Well at least nobody got hurt, not going there again is probably the right thing to do......

Pretty sure the drone guy would be illegal in any state.  At least I hope so.

That place sounds like a zoo that has no keeper.  Yikes!

 The funny thing is, we are ALL elitist bc we all think the way we do it is right. The difference is, I KNOW I'm right. lol. Sorry it was a screwed up hunt. Maybe you can get exclusive access and boot the trespassers off?

I'd heard of drones being used for hunting, that's the epitome of laziness and taking technology use too far I think. It would have been tempting to dust that drone like a clay pigeon if I saw one out hunting

Sounds about right. 
It's always been a slippery slope .

Once they quit turkey hunting by the rules it opened the door for everything you mentioned. 

I don't consider it elitism. There are certain rules to the game. You don't shoot ducks on the water you don't shoot fawns or deer at night etc. There are rules to the Turkey hunting game. Anyone that says otherwise is not a true Turkey hunter but a wannabe. If you can't call him to the gun and too the gun means 40 yards are less you ain't much of a Turkey hunter to begin with. If you need some toy helicopter to find a gobbler, or use anything else to short cut finding a gobbler you a 2 bit hack. If that offends it's supposed to.

Im not a "rat", but stuff like this needs to be addressed. It sounds like it will be this way until someone puts an end to that circus. They will destroy that spot and the subsequent spots they" hunt ". Cage the clowns now, SMH. Z

Well i guess tss ain't so bad.

Maybe those drone guys were "adapting."

3 ring circus no doubt. Filled with clowns...

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are Drones in season, asking for a friend??

Sorry all of this happened, some people these days have no respect for property and others. As we know a lot of people could care less about the right way to hunt regardless of the game... 


I don't blame y'all for not going back to the clown / zoo show ...

But you are right this is what it has come to in some areas ...

Quote from: paboxcall on April 16, 2024, 03:10:47 PM
Maybe those drone guys were "adapting."

I like it!

Good-looking and Platinum level member of the Elitist club

I mean...I know why he didnt shoot the drone but in hindsight...he should've shot the drone

Keep hunting that spot and kill a bird. Then you can say you earned a hard one. Sounds like the National Forrest down here in Ms. Adapt and overcome. Just kidding... maybe.

Quote from: JeffC on April 16, 2024, 03:47:22 PM
are Drones in season, asking for a friend??

They are always in season my friend lol

A relative of the guy we hunt on, in another county, owns it. I am sure they have no clue it's being abused like this, but they are about to to get told. I will even volunteer to post it for them. They don't live close to it and have no caretaker, so it has become the wild wild west show. ATVs are trashing it as well. It's sad, because it's a nice property and it has birds on it. I am just hesitant to start a ruckus being an out of stater, but the guy we hunt on is a very good friend and I feel I have to tell him. Some of that stuff used to go on around here, but some of us banded together and shut it down. It took a couple people getting arrested, but when they discovered there would be consequences the crap stopped. At least it moved somewhere else. Idiots don't go away they just move.

I have run into similar situations dove hunting...

A call to the owner is worth while...

In one case a buddy offered to put up a lock/gate, and was given authority to run off "trespassors" in return for hunting priviledges.

And, if OK with the landowner, invite out a lawenforcement buddy to run these idiots off.....

Facts like these makes me accept my diabetic feet a little better.  There are so many positive experiences  out there when appropriatey approached and applied.  There are rules although too many ignore them.  We hunt to kill, but there is so much there to take in.  An occasionally kill is nice but it is overwhelmed by the experience.  I hate the methods of the New Breed.

Eggshell, you seem to have found about every malady associated with spring gobbler hunting that exists in a single location, my friend. ...Makes me feel better about some of the crap we have to endure around here anymore on our public stuff.  I offer my condolences and hopes for better days ahead...for both of us...   :)

Quote from: Swamp_870 on April 16, 2024, 04:10:06 PM
I mean...I know why he didnt shoot the drone but in hindsight...he should've shot the drone

Depending on where I was at I'd probably shoot the drone.

There is an awfully good chance I would have tested my turkey loads out on that drone....  Especially if I knew they did NOT have permission to be there.

I wonder what it would be like to slap a drone down with a load of #5 / 3 inch. I bet it is exhilarating lol.. I would probably imagine I was a GI in WW2 shooting down a Stuka with an anti aircraft round

I am sorry to hear about that eggshell. That type of behavior is absolutely disgusting. I hope you can get in touch with the owners, and an end is put to it. I figure a call to the owners and then a call to the local dnr would kick the party off right.

Good-looking and Platinum level member of the Elitist club

Your friend is an easy going guy is all I can say. That sounds like some of the same kind of people have around here. Minus the drone fellas, SMH.... That's a grade a goof troop. And I would have tested the drone's durability.

Quote from: paboxcall on April 16, 2024, 03:10:47 PM
Maybe those drone guys were "adapting."

Hey thats what we gotta do now days is just adapting and keep on keeping !!!

We need more turkey hunters right!!!

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Clowns on the left - jokers on the right - you know the rest......

? if a drone is flying over land you own can you shoot it down!

Well most of what I read had nothing to do with turkey hunting problems. If they didn't have permission to be there, that's trespassing no matter how you slice it. They doubled down by flying a drone, not illegal by itself, but then hunting that same day in the same area is poaching in every state I've ever known. I guess I don't know if the kids mushroom hunting had permission, I see nothing wrong with woods walking for fun. Obviously reaping isn't that great, and it has zero effect on you, so I guess I don't see the big deal.

No, you aren't an elitist. You are just another frustrated hunter who had a bad day surrounded by poachers and trespassers.

Quote from: Sanders153 on April 16, 2024, 02:28:01 PM
I'd heard of drones being used for hunting, that's the epitome of laziness and taking technology use too far I think. It would have been tempting to dust that drone like a clay pigeon if I saw one out hunting

All I could think of was Magnum P.I. when Higgin's was flying his RC war plane replicas.

This was a terrible experience but may become a wonderful opportunity if the landowners care about their investment.  I would work this one hard. 

Keep hunting there and get you a bird!  Let the landowner know about whats going on, and offer up some help.  A lot better to offer up a problem and solution, rather than just the problem

My buddy knew he was on camera and shooting the drone would have just led to a confrontation. He wasn't in the mood for it and decided just to leave. There is a deep disdain among the locals for the game wardens in that area, so I doubt they want him involved, but posting it and running the clowns off might be doable. This is deep rural Appalachia, moonshine country, there's a different code involved. Most of the people we have come to know are super friendly, but not beyond stretching the law a bit. Most of them want no part of the idiots either, I think with a little encouraging we can get this self policed. As an outsider, we have spent 4 years building trust in the area, so we're going to tread lightly. I don't want to come back to a burnt out truck. The landowner that we regularly hunt on doesn't put up with any clowns, and he's related to the other landowner. He's the one we will go through. I imagine once he knows they are trashing the property he'll get involved.

Quote from: JeffC on April 16, 2024, 03:47:22 PM
are Drones in season, asking for a friend??

Exactly.

Quote from: eggshell on April 17, 2024, 06:37:02 AM
My buddy knew he was on camera and shooting the drone would have just led to a confrontation. He wasn't in the mood for it and decided just to leave. There is a deep disdain among the locals for the game wardens in that area, so I doubt they want him involved, but posting it and running the clowns off might be doable. This is deep rural Appalachia, moonshine country, there's a different code involved. Most of the people we have come to know are super friendly, but not beyond stretching the law a bit. Most of them want no part of the idiots either, I think with a little encouraging we can get this self policed. As an outsider, we have spent 4 years building trust in the area, so we're going to tread lightly. I don't want to come back to a burnt out truck. The landowner that we regularly hunt on doesn't put up with any clowns, and he's related to the other landowner. He's the one we will go through. I imagine once he knows they are trashing the property he'll get involved.

Tread lightly. Smart move. The drone deal would most likely escalate problems and invite confrontation as you mentioned.
Stay smart. I pray it works out for you. Good day.

Quote from: Sir-diealot on April 17, 2024, 01:24:32 AM

Quote from: Sanders153 on April 16, 2024, 02:28:01 PM
I'd heard of drones being used for hunting, that's the epitome of laziness and taking technology use too far I think. It would have been tempting to dust that drone like a clay pigeon if I saw one out hunting

All I could think of was Magnum P.I. when Higgin's was flying his RC war plane replicas.

Lol, the old Magnum P.I. was a pretty good show.. Not a fan of the new one though

Two thumbs down  :smiley-char092:

Turkey stalking reapers and drones, OhhMy.   There's a lot of em out there! We are slowly becoming the minority. I know I'd pay extra for a drone tag.

Quote from: Sanders153 on April 17, 2024, 11:39:00 AM

Quote from: Sir-diealot on April 17, 2024, 01:24:32 AM

Quote from: Sanders153 on April 16, 2024, 02:28:01 PM
I'd heard of drones being used for hunting, that's the epitome of laziness and taking technology use too far I think. It would have been tempting to dust that drone like a clay pigeon if I saw one out hunting

All I could think of was Magnum P.I. when Higgin's was flying his RC war plane replicas.

Lol, the old Magnum P.I. was a pretty good show.. Not a fan of the new one though

I have not had TV since sports started to disrespect the flag/military/anthem/country so I will have to take your word for it. I only kept TV for sports and now that that is gone I have a couple hundred extra a month or two grand a year to spend on whatever.

  Wonder how many guys here on oldgobbler  would have Shot that Invader Drone Down??!

Quote from: quavers59 on April 17, 2024, 10:26:17 PM
  Wonder how many guys here on oldgobbler  would have Shot that Invader Drone Down??!

I would have to think before wasting a TSS shell on it.  But if I had time to load up a heavy 6 pheasant load that I carry for snakes...BOOM!

I'm pretty sure shooting a drone is illegal. I think they are classified as an aircraft. I would think the local DNR would be very interested in knowing about it. Also from what you described, I think your buddy could file hunter harassments charges against the drone operator.

Drones have been illegal in Michigan since 2015 for hunting or fishing. Fine plus possible 90 days in jail. States need to pass no drone laws and forget on infringing a person's right to do whatever!

Took a look at KY's hunting regs.  In late 2022 they tabled regulations regarding drones for further study.

Hopefully it will be addressed in the near future along with the other issues that appear to be present.

Good luck.

And this is why drones need banned - period. I don't care about deer recovery, ban it all. If we don't get ahead of stuff like this, we may never be able to turn the tides.

Well felt brave and went back today and talked to the landowner we always hunt on and I think things are going to change. Anyway there was only one hunter on the property and he had permission. We stayed on our usual ground and we had birds working all morning but hens were all over us and them. Every time we got a bird going a hen would lead him away. We saw gobblers and nearly sealed the deal a couple times, but no clear close shots. The funny part was I stopped on the farm road and heard a bird down the road and decided to drive closer tom  get a location. As I rounded the bend to the gate we see this big gobbler strutting right in the road. He doesn't budge, but keeps right on his way down  the road following a hen. MInd you this is 40 yards at most from the truck. He is so lucky it was not one of the local idiots or he would have been dead. Instead we let him get around the bend then circle and set up. Yelp Yelp cluck cluck, purrr the boss hen cusses us out and we watch her lead old Tom down over the hill. We palyed this same cat and mouse game for 4.5 hrs solid with three different gobblers. We'll give them a few days and go back. This is mostly behind locked gates, so shouldn't be any idiots.

Quote from: capecodmike on April 18, 2024, 12:42:29 PM
Took a look at KY's hunting regs.  In late 2022 they tabled regulations regarding drones for further study.

Hopefully it will be addressed in the near future along with the other issues that appear to be present.

Good luck.

What is there to study. Anyone knows that drones are'nt fair chase in hunting or fishing! I thought Michigan was slow. They have Kentucky beat by 7+ years. That should be an easy law to enact. No need to study!

I'm surprised to hear the opinions on the drones. I always look at the same way as if you flew any aircraft. If you were in the air, you are not allowed to hunt for 24 hours, no exceptions. Seems pretty straight forward and reasonable to me. That's the standard for pretty much anywhere.

I think it's quite narrow minded to say we should outright ban them completely. How would that even work? You aren't allowed to fly them  at all ever, even just some kid having fun not hunting? If anything we should be encouraging their use for animal recovery. They can be effective on finding lost animals, sometimes better than trained tracking dogs. Obviously if you put it in the air to locate an animal, you are no longer allowed to hunt for 24 hours.

A lot of duds turkey hunting these days, even some that advertise their skills on YouTube.  Ridiculous social media driven culture right now. 

Is the drone not illegal for their intended use?  I'd have called a LEO.  All of that is just ridiculous and sad.

How far away does a drone have to be for TSS not to take it out. Asking for a friend.

Quote from: Turkeyman on May 10, 2024, 11:36:04 AMHow far away does a drone have to be for TSS not to take it out. Asking for a friend.

Lead 2's used to be deadly on geese at 80 or more in 10 Gauge.  I would think 80-90 is possible.  Hold a little high I mean tell your friend to.

Good riddance to those things.

I wonder how many of you guys run trail cams.

Quote from: ruination on May 11, 2024, 10:27:43 PMI wonder how many of you guys run trail cams.

not me

Quote from: ruination on May 11, 2024, 10:27:43 PMI wonder how many of you guys run trail cams.

Not me

I do run multiple trail cams but no drones.  For all the done "killers" it might be a good idea to make sure the drone you are shooting at is really illegal and your vigilantly action is legal under you state's statutes.  A good drone will probably have already sent your picture or a picture of your truck in a parking area to it's home base/phone whatever.  You could easily be looking at a felony and then your future drone hunting would be done with a bow or muzzleloader since you could no longer own a firearm.  I love this forum. 

I know from personal experience that a federal 3.5", #5 will take down a remote controlled airplane.

Good-looking and Platinum level member of the Elitist club

Quote from: Old Swamper on May 12, 2024, 10:43:42 AMThere are very, very few anymore, who abide by the self imposed, rules of engagement, myself and the old men who taught me have set. Could care less about anyone who does it any other way, no matter how many they kill. Proud to be "old school" and one of the "elite" ;)

+1

Quote from: Old Swamper on May 12, 2024, 10:43:42 AMThere are very, very few anymore, who abide by the self imposed, rules of engagement, myself and the old men who taught me have set. Could care less about anyone who does it any other way, no matter how many they kill. Proud to be "old school" and one of the "elite" ;)

I'm self taught when it comes to most all hunting and fishing and I've done my best to keep my efforts as old school as possible.

To me killing a turkey is secondary to the pursuit and its process.

I just don't know what these types are getting out of the experience. I don't understand the motivation. I don't understand what is accomplished. The longer I go the more I cherish the ones that whoop me, and I will not cheapen the game.


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Found out it is very much illegal to shoot down a drone, FAA can even get involved in the case as many have to be registered depending on how high they go. Something like a $10,000.00 fine and possible jail time. Also the are banned in all national parks and many state lands.

Quote from: Sir-diealot on June 03, 2024, 08:58:30 AMFound out it is very much illegal to shoot down a drone, FAA can even get involved in the case as many have to be registered depending on how high they go. Something like a $10,000.00 fine and possible jail time. Also the are banned in all national parks and many state lands.

That doesn't surprise me that there are ridiculous stipulations attached to them.. So many things have red tape all around them these days it seems

Looked like a crow  :fud:  Z

Quote from: zelmo1 on June 03, 2024, 02:49:37 PMLooked like a crow  :fud:  Z

 :TooFunny:

Quote from: ruination on May 11, 2024, 10:27:43 PMI wonder how many of you guys run trail cams.

Zero for me.I like the element of surprise.

No trail cams here
I scout by boots on the ground ....

Quote from: ruination on May 11, 2024, 10:27:43 PMI wonder how many of you guys run trail cams.

I run a few on a couple farms. More so to let me know if I have trespasser/ poacher issues. I do get pictures of turkeys too. It sure is easy now to send the picture to my law enforcement buddy and him to swing by and confront them instead of me having to do it.

Quote from: Sanders153 on June 03, 2024, 09:48:10 AM

Quote from: Sir-diealot on June 03, 2024, 08:58:30 AMFound out it is very much illegal to shoot down a drone, FAA can even get involved in the case as many have to be registered depending on how high they go. Something like a $10,000.00 fine and possible jail time. Also the are banned in all national parks and many state lands.

That doesn't surprise me that there are ridiculous stipulations attached to them.. So many things have red tape all around them these days it seems

I am all for it in national/state and county parks or anywhere the public can be put in danger by them, they are a danger to those not using them, I have seen people get hit with them before on a few occasions. I will be honest, as a photographer I am interested in getting one but I choose not to because simply put I do not have good enough eyesight or hand coordination to run one and I would hate to hurt or kill anybody with one of them so I don't bother.

Also who wants to go to a park and hear a thousand drones whirling around them when they are trying to enjoy the sights and sounds of nature?

Quote from: lalongbeard75 on April 16, 2024, 02:41:42 PMI don't consider it elitism. There are certain rules to the game. You don't shoot ducks on the water you don't shoot fawns or deer at night etc. There are rules to the Turkey hunting game. Anyone that says otherwise is not a true Turkey hunter but a wannabe. If you can't call him to the gun and too the gun means 40 yards are less you ain't much of a Turkey hunter to begin with. If you need some toy helicopter to find a gobbler, or use anything else to short cut finding a gobbler you a 2 bit hack. If that offends it's supposed to.

yep I agree.goid one.

Reaping? Thumbs down...

Quote from: Sir-diealot on June 03, 2024, 08:58:30 AMFound out it is very much illegal to shoot down a drone, FAA can even get involved in the case as many have to be registered depending on how high they go. Something like a $10,000.00 fine and possible jail time. Also the are banned in all national parks and many state lands.

Interesting...

But, I have to wonder how easy it would be to find a shooter in full camo with a face-mask who shoots down a drone with a shotgun that cannot be ballistically traced?

I also have to wonder how authorities would even find that that a drone was shot down, if the drone was being flown illegally?  Is the illegal drone pilot going to turn himself in to have the shooter (who likely cannot be identified) punished?

Is it more illegal to shoot down a drone being illegally flown, or is it more illegal to fly the drone illegally in the first place?

Me...  Honestly, I would not risk either...  But I also would NOT turn someone in for shooting down a drone...  I'd sure as heck call in a drone flying illegally over land I was legally hunting though.

Quote from: Marc on February 25, 2025, 02:15:34 AM

Quote from: Sir-diealot on June 03, 2024, 08:58:30 AMFound out it is very much illegal to shoot down a drone, FAA can even get involved in the case as many have to be registered depending on how high they go. Something like a $10,000.00 fine and possible jail time. Also the are banned in all national parks and many state lands.

Interesting...

But, I have to wonder how easy it would be to find a shooter in full camo with a face-mask who shoots down a drone with a shotgun that cannot be ballistically traced?

I also have to wonder how authorities would even find that that a drone was shot down, if the drone was being flown illegally?  Is the illegal drone pilot going to turn himself in to have the shooter (who likely cannot be identified) punished?

Is it more illegal to shoot down a drone being illegally flown, or is it more illegal to fly the drone illegally in the first place?

Me...  Honestly, I would not risk either...  But I also would NOT turn someone in for shooting down a drone...  I'd sure as heck call in a drone flying illegally over land I was legally hunting though.

Bud I knew somebody who called the cops on his girlfriend for stealing his bag of weed once and that was in the 80's when it was not legal anywhere, so would I would not put it past the drone pilot to call? No!!!

Quote from: Sir-diealot on February 25, 2025, 02:48:23 AMBud I knew somebody who called the cops on his girlfriend for stealing his bag of weed once and that was in the 80's when it was not legal anywhere, so would I would not put it past the drone pilot to call? No!!!

Yes...  I have worked in the prison system, and understand that all too often, criminals are not caught due to their intelligence...

But, most are smart enough not to call on their own illegal activities (most).  And catching someone wearing a facemask in full camo will likely not be the top priority of most DA's or law enforcement...  Especially for someone flying the drone illegally in the first place...  (or so I would think)

For me... NOT worth the risk.  I'll call in the drone.  Heck, with my luck, if I ever shot one down, it would probably be flown by law-enforcement. :bike2:

Not sure why this old tread bumped up?  Locally here in S/W Fl guy shot down neighborhood flying drone he claimed was spying on him.  Arrested and charged with a felony.  Settled for a plea bargain and $5000 fine.  Oops!

Joey brings up a good point, in that property damage can be based on the value of the item damaged. So shooting down a drone would be vandalism, may be called by a different name in other states, but here the degree of offense would depend on the value. So a $100 drone may only be a misdemeanor whereas a $2000 drone may be a felony. I have not looked at a penal code in years so I do not know what the elements for vandalism is currently.

I read this post last night and began to think about how tech has influenced the outdoors.

I'll be the first to admit I can't find a turkey to save my life so the drone idea, well....

No, daddy would not agree and my pappy would probably break his foot off in my rear as that's cheating and the spring game is a sacred game. Or use to be and how I still play it.

But... drones to locate turkeys and deer. Cell cameras, or trail cameras in general, front facing sonar (fish), mapping software, reaping, tss, super full chokes, red dots, and and and

It's not about the sport anymore, all about the glory of the kill. Immediate success you could say.

Kind of sucks. But, it's legal and some tactics that are being used rape the resources. Tech has changed the game and the new game is what's being played, sadly.


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"Tech" has been going on for a long time. Last year I read the book Lord of the Flies about a bunch of rich guys chasing the world record tarpon on a fly rod down in Hommasassa, Fl. The center character they chronicled is a stock broker from Connecticut. He was using his private plane to locate pods of fish. The chase started in 1977.

Nice thing about this forum is the differing opinions.  Hunt legally and follow the bag limits is usually good enough for most.  My exception is E Bikes which I consider the spawn of the devil. LOL. Hope everyone has an enjoyable season. 

The biggest problem i see is the encroachment on your friends space.  And id maybe shot at the drone but im a bad shot so it would probably crashed on its owne.

If you feel the need to use a drone to help you shoot a turkey,  you are a LOSER and not a turkey hunter. Period, end of story, case closed.

Not sure how other states deal with the drone issue, but it has been illegal here to use a drone to aid in hunting or locating game during any season for which you have a tag. In some instances, the use of drones also falls under our game harassment laws. If other states don't have those kinds of regulations, they obviously should.

Here's another curiosity in the "rules for thee but not for me" saga in our society. Here in the west, the corner crossing debate rages on and on. The entire argument landowners have used for stopping folks from getting to public land is that they own the "air space" above these corners for 300 feet above their property...and hence, people crossing at corners are illegally crossing because of their "air space" ownership.

Yet, when it comes to drones flying over OUR properties, we have no such rights. Shoot down a drone that invades your "air space" over your property and you will most likely be in trouble. ...Sometimes (no, often) I wonder about "human intelligence"...   ;D  ::)  ???

Just need a drone that can fly you over the corner crossing.

Quote from: Missed mallards on February 25, 2025, 03:48:30 PMI read this post last night and began to think about how tech has influenced the outdoors.

I'll be the first to admit I can't find a turkey to save my life so the drone idea, well....

No, daddy would not agree and my pappy would probably break his foot off in my rear as that's cheating and the spring game is a sacred game. Or use to be and how I still play it.

But... drones to locate turkeys and deer. Cell cameras, or trail cameras in general, front facing sonar (fish), mapping software, reaping, tss, super full chokes, red dots, and and and

It's not about the sport anymore, all about the glory of the kill. Immediate success you could say.

Kind of sucks. But, it's legal and some tactics that are being used rape the resources. Tech has changed the game and the new game is what's being played, sadly.

Personally, I feel that all electronics for the take of game should be banned from hunting (excluding clothing such as electric socks)...  No motorized decoys or electronic calls...  Game cameras removed a week before season.  No drone flights during the season AT ALL (also relegated to the week before season starts).

It would be difficult to enforce much of that, as Bob who does not hunt, flies his drone, and then lets JimmyTurkeyHunter view the footage...

I will most likely utilize a drone at some point...  Get a birds-eye view of the duck club, and allow us to make changes to the habitat and blinds...  Get a better idea of the landscape being hunted for upland and turkey prior to the season, and on private property make changes to improve habitat and wildlife movement into the area, etc...

I am admittedly very thankful for technology in the improvement of hunting clothing...  Lighter weight, less bulky, more warm, MORE DRY, compact blind heaters in the blind (duck hunting), etc...  Being comfortable in the field allows for a more enjoyable experience, and I would argue also allows for more success in the field.  I take ZERO issue with advancements in clothing...

I am also not opposed to improvements in vehicle use (such as E-bikes, electric carts, etc.) especially on private land, or even gated public land with expansive areas...  Use of vehicle use will ultimately create the need for updated regulation, and likely more limited use on some areas though.  A 600 acre are of public land should probably not allow E-bikes or carts.  A 5,000 acre unit with one gate should probably allow such use to a limited degree.

Sad stuff.

Quote from: Zobo on February 25, 2025, 07:07:34 PMIf you feel the need to use a drone to help you shoot a turkey,  you are a LOSER and not a turkey hunter. Period, end of story, case closed.

I agree! Im not a fan myself of trail cams deer or turkey hunting either!
Isn't it ok to just be surprised at what you end up with or don't!
It seems like people are always looking for instant success!

Re-reading my previous post...  To be clear, I am not opposed to utilizing a drone to get a view/perspective of the area to be hunting, as long as it is NOT DURING THE SEASON.

For our duck club, it is a great way to evaluate areas that should be disked, and to view productive, as well as unproductive habitat...

Drones should NOT be allowed during the hunting season at all in my opinion...  I would argue the same for game cameras.  Others will disagree...

I feel that apps such as OnX have probably opened more areas to more hunters, while also creating for more issues for hunting than any other technology.  The benefit being, that you can now find large areas of potential hunting from home...  The downside being that other people can now easily find those hidden away spots that previously took time and leg-work to find...

For me, apps such as OnX have been a net negative...  Lots of areas I hunted previously with no pressure, are now full of hunters (to a point that most are no longer huntable for me).

Quote from: eggshell on April 16, 2024, 01:13:30 PMI just have to vent. My buddy has hunted Ky the last 4 days and today went to a new area we found. That turned out to be a zoo. One of the landowners we hunt on got us permission on this new property. We thought, "Oh boy new ground". I think it's in an estate and so no one is watching it. When he pulls in there's a guy getting ready to go and my buddy talks to him and he does not have permission, but is going anyway, as everyone hunts here. That's a bad start, but they decide the property is  big enough to split and go opposite ways. My buddy sets up on a bird and it's working and then put put and silence. He hears 4-5 more and trys to work a couple, but no luck. They just shut up on him.  Suddenly he hears a buzzing and looks up to see a drone hovering over him. Now he is po'd and decides to leave. He runs into two kids combo mushroom hunting and carrying guns in case they see a turkey. When he gets back to the truck there's a guy setting by his car running the drone to spot turkeys to stalk. Then the other guy comes out and joins the conversation and he said he almost got three, but they all spooked from the fan. He was basically trying to reap them by just displaying a fan and walking at them full up right. He said one had an 11 inch beard and weighed 33 lbs, but it spooked. NOw that guys is good. The guy with the drone chimed in yeah he'd seen a couple 30 pounders on the drone camera. You got to be frigging kidding me! Needless to say my buddy baled and called me and said no way are we going back to that zoo. What in the living "H" get into people's heads. This is an good example of why I dislike the youtubers showing reaping and other "new" ways of hunting. Go ahead someone and call me an elitist and I'll gladly wear the tag if this is what we've come to. As I said Oh MY Gosh....

that's crazy!

Dang that is crazy, I bet in the near future they would be laws against using drones. Here in MN they all ready did, thank the lord.

Quote from: lalongbeard75 on April 16, 2024, 02:41:42 PMI don't consider it elitism. There are certain rules to the game. You don't shoot ducks on the water you don't shoot fawns or deer at night etc. There are rules to the Turkey hunting game. Anyone that says otherwise is not a true Turkey hunter but a wannabe. If you can't call him to the gun and too the gun means 40 yards are less you ain't much of a Turkey hunter to begin with. If you need some toy helicopter to find a gobbler, or use anything else to short cut finding a gobbler you a 2 bit hack. If that offends it's supposed to.

yep.agree

Technology is ruining the outdoors. Drones in turkey hunting reminds me of forward facing sonar in bass fishing.

 What a Zoo indeed!

I often wonder how many of todays hotshots would have faired in the 60's when I started out......No 3 1/2" shells, not turkey choke tubes, no threaded barrels, no camo guns or clothing! I still hunt the old ways on my land! Ima all for progress but drones is going to far!

Quote from: onegunhunter on March 16, 2025, 02:33:34 PMI often wonder how many of todays hotshots would have faired in the 60's when I started out......No 3 1/2" shells, not turkey choke tubes, no threaded barrels, no camo guns or clothing! I still hunt the old ways on my land! Ima all for progress but drones is going to far!

I started the same way and you are correct, many birds that are killed today would have walked away back in those early days. I remember hunting with my standard full choke 20 ga and my max range was 25 to 30 yards. I learned a very hard lesson that any bird beyond 25 yards was a hard kill with 2 3/4 regular magnum #4 shot shells (basically high brass pheasant loads today). I know I let many birds walk away that would be dead today. It's funny that today we discuss the pros and cons of extended range shells and guns, using new techniques as unfair. Go back 50 years and the same would be true for just our average gun and gear today. We didn't even have mouth calls until the mid 70s. The one difference I see is that back then everyone embraced new gear and tech more. When your stuck with limited resources you actually are happy with new tools to make you more efficient. I was beyond thrilled when I got my first turkey gun with screw in choke tubes, a 3" chamber and double X copper plated shot. Suddenly a whole lot more birds started dying. Maybe that actually makes a point.

Gotta love the #doitforthegram crowd getting into hunting


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Quote from: onegunhunter on March 16, 2025, 02:33:34 PMI often wonder how many of todays hotshots would have faired in the 60's when I started out......No 3 1/2" shells, not turkey choke tubes, no threaded barrels, no camo guns or clothing! I still hunt the old ways on my land! Ima all for progress but drones is going to far!

Quote from: eggshell on March 17, 2025, 08:07:09 AMI started the same way and you are correct, many birds that are killed today would have walked away back in those early days. I remember hunting with my standard full choke 20 ga and my max range was 25 to 30 yards. I learned a very hard lesson that any bird beyond 25 yards was a hard kill with 2 3/4 regular magnum #4 shot shells (basically high brass pheasant loads today). I know I let many birds walk away that would be dead today. It's funny that today we discuss the pros and cons of extended range shells and guns, using new techniques as unfair. Go back 50 years and the same would be true for just our average gun and gear today. We didn't even have mouth calls until the mid 70s. The one difference I see is that back then everyone embraced new gear and tech more. When your stuck with limited resources you actually are happy with new tools to make you more efficient. I was beyond thrilled when I got my first turkey gun with screw in choke tubes, a 3" chamber and double X copper plated shot. Suddenly a whole lot more birds started dying. Maybe that actually makes a point.

It ain't gonna'get better from here...

We are raising an increasingly entitled society who more and more feel entitled to instantaneous success with little to no effort with constant stimulation.  If tech was developed that could show them the exact location of every turkey in the state, they would use it...  As would many others.  Success without achievement.

Shells and chokes with optics capable killing further than I can see, extremely realistic decoys, fans, etc...  Camouflage shooting tents &  Apps that show us every inch of huntable ground...  Who then post everything (including an 80 yard shot)...

Granted, I am using some of this myself... So I cannot throw too many stones...

But a couple years ago, there was a poll for duck hunting in California.  Keep electronic spinning wing decoys, and lose 1/3 of the season with smaller bag limits, or eliminate the decoys and keep season lenght and bag limits...  I was shocked that most hunters opted to keep the electronics over more birds and more time in the field???

But a couple years ago, there was a poll for duck hunting in California.  Keep electronic spinning wing decoys, and lose 1/3 of the season with smaller bag limits, or eliminate the decoys and keep season lenght and bag limits...  I was shocked that most hunters opted to keep the electronics over more birds and more time in the field???
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That is just insane that people would choose easy success over MORE opportunity


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Quote from: sasquatch1 on March 17, 2025, 08:17:00 PMBut a couple years ago, there was a poll for duck hunting in California.  Keep electronic spinning wing decoys, and lose 1/3 of the season with smaller bag limits, or eliminate the decoys and keep season lenght and bag limits...  I was shocked that most hunters opted to keep the electronics over more birds and more time in the field???

That is just insane that people would choose easy success over MORE opportunity


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Seems exactly like I'd expect from California.

What the OP said happen, sounds like where we hunt in Missouri. It has been bad the last 6-8
years.

Quote from: eggshell on April 16, 2024, 04:49:34 PMA relative of the guy we hunt on, in another county, owns it. I am sure they have no clue it's being abused like this, but they are about to to get told. I will even volunteer to post it for them. They don't live close to it and have no caretaker, so it has become the wild wild west show. ATVs are trashing it as well. It's sad, because it's a nice property and it has birds on it. I am just hesitant to start a ruckus being an out of stater, but the guy we hunt on is a very good friend and I feel I have to tell him. Some of that stuff used to go on around here, but some of us banded together and shut it down. It took a couple people getting arrested, but when they discovered there would be consequences the crap stopped. At least it moved somewhere else. Idiots don't go away they just move.

Kentucky is the epitome of trespassers , thieves and poachers. Especially on the public archery properties. I dont hunt Kentucky anymore. I filled my walls with their bucks from 2001-2022. Then I let them have it back after the last trip. lol. Just wasnt worth it anymore.

KHNC it depends on what area your in, but that is a true statement in a lot of areas, especially areas that are predominately private....it's a lawless state in many of those areas

Quote from: Penguin907 on March 10, 2025, 08:55:04 PMTechnology is ruining the outdoors. Drones in turkey hunting reminds me of forward facing sonar in bass fishing.

l look . Yeah I've seen out-of-state people in some really remote places that I go to, and it's technology that's putting them there. Thumbs down.

Very sad.  There are plenty of people now days that don't have respect for people, property, or the animals they hunt.  I just purchased land and I'll be policing it like Area 51! 

  Since 2020 and the Chinese Virus- the Public Lands from what,I have seen are just drawing many more people.