I have a friend who told me about the way he hunts turkeys and then I saw this video which is exactly the way he does it with his own homemade rig. He has tremendous results. My buddy is a small frame guy and can make it work, I told him I would need a decoy the size of VW to hide behind. LOL
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UOk36WSUqwY
All I can say is pathetic..Even if it is :deadhorse:
Well, I will never buy another thing that carries the Realtree brand.
Quote from: born2hunt on May 07, 2015, 08:37:10 PM
All I can say is pathetic..Even if it is :deadhorse:
X2!
Sent from my iPhone that I ain't smart enough to use with tapatalker
Opinions and assholes are very much alike. We all have one.
Quote from: Selluwud on May 08, 2015, 08:58:18 AM
Opinions and assholes are very much alike. We all have one.
And most of them stink.
I know it is partly for the footage, buy why do so many of the guys using this method let the birds get so close? For a lot of guns, a 25-30 yard shot is way easier than a 5 yard shot. Maybe they all have cylinder chokes in when hunting like this? ???
Quote from: kjnengr on May 08, 2015, 09:30:09 AM
Quote from: Selluwud on May 08, 2015, 08:58:18 AM
Opinions and assholes are very much alike. We all have one.
And most of them stink.
I know it is partly for the footage, buy why do so many of the guys using this method let the birds get so close? For a lot of guns, a 25-30 yard shot is way easier than a 5 yard shot. Maybe they all have cylinder chokes in when hunting like this? ???
Agree with you range assessment, too close in those pictures. When you drop your decoy to raise your gun, the bird is off to the races I guess. And yes, they all stink. LOL
Quote from: kjnengr on May 08, 2015, 09:30:09 AM
... For a lot of guns, a 25-30 yard shot is way easier than a 5 yard shot. Maybe they all have cylinder chokes in when hunting like this? ???
Yeah...definitely no reason to use a 40 yard gun in that instance.
That is a little harsh and shouldn't have been said
That's just wrong and evil. Great character exposure
If the day ever comes that I have to hunt that way, i'll quit.
Sent by this stupid phone
Quote from: BowBendr on May 10, 2015, 08:16:17 AM
If the day ever comes that I have to hunt that way, i'll quit.
Same here. I couldn't watch more than a few seconds of the video.
Get out of turkey hunting and go shoot some fish in a barrel, the amount of skill required is equal either way.
Even on private land that is SCARY!!!
Quote from: warrent423 on May 08, 2015, 03:22:34 PM
"pet" turkey hunting at its finest. Pathetic. When I come across one of these idiots, laying face down, dead, with their face blown off, still clutching a turkey fan, I will take their gun and wallet, along with anything else of value on them. I figure anyone this stupid didn't deserve to have what I took anyway ;)
More people are shot by just calling than hunting this way. No matter how you hunt there is a risk of getting shot even if you wear orange. So I guess all of us that hunt no matter what the way we choose to are idiots and don't deserve what we got according to you.
Just because all of you who are against it doesn't like this way does NOT mean you get to control the way everyone else hunts. It is stupid for you all to talk about something you have never done like you know the everything about it. Why can't you people learn to live and let live. Mind your own business and let them mind theirs. All of you who do not even do it this way has a chance of being shot just by walking in the woods. I don't see people bashing calling or using decoys or walking bacause of the off chance that someone will get shot. The old man who was shot in Maryland sure as hell was not reaping and he was shot twice for just walking.
Bottom line is if you are worried about shooting a reaper it is time for you to go back and review firearms rules. Identify your target! I do not know a single hunter that could not identify a turkey from a decoy(even a stuffer) given a little bit of time to actually evaluate it especially at 40 and closer in an open field.
Time for all you guys to get off the almighty horse(you do not get to tell others what they can and can't do) and stop fighting other hunters just because you do not like the way they hunt. Imagine where we would be if hunters chose to fight antis and not fight each other. Hell the antis could just sit back and let us self-destruct with all the damn bashing I keep seeing from every form of hunting.
Quote from: snapper1982 on May 11, 2015, 09:09:56 AM
Quote from: warrent423 on May 08, 2015, 03:22:34 PM
"pet" turkey hunting at its finest. Pathetic. When I come across one of these idiots, laying face down, dead, with their face blown off, still clutching a turkey fan, I will take their gun and wallet, along with anything else of value on them. I figure anyone this stupid didn't deserve to have what I took anyway ;)
More people are shot by just calling than hunting this way. No matter how you hunt there is a risk of getting shot even if you wear orange. So I guess all of us that hunt no matter what the way we choose to are idiots and don't deserve what we got according to you.
Just because all of you who are against it doesn't like this way does NOT mean you get to control the way everyone else hunts. It is stupid for you all to talk about something you have never done like you know the everything about it. Why can't you people learn to live and let live. Mind your own business and let them mind theirs. All of you who do not even do it this way has a chance of being shot just by walking in the woods. I don't see people bashing calling or using decoys or walking bacause of the off chance that someone will get shot. The old man who was shot in Maryland sure as hell was not reaping and he was shot twice for just walking.
Bottom line is if you are worried about shooting a reaper it is time for you to go back and review firearms rules. Identify your target! I do not know a single hunter that could not identify a turkey from a decoy(even a stuffer) given a little bit of time to actually evaluate it especially at 40 and closer in an open field.
Time for all you guys to get off the almighty horse(you do not get to tell others what they can and can't do) and stop fighting other hunters just because you do not like the way they hunt. Imagine where we would be if hunters chose to fight antis and not fight each other. Hell the antis could just sit back and let us self-destruct with all the damn bashing I keep seeing from every form of hunting.
Nonsense! There is no place for logic and reason in this post. Besides, I paid a lot of money for this tall horse. :TooFunny:
:TooFunny:
Doesn't really bother me...
I bet lots of folks crawl around and bushwhack birds, so not sure why a certain method of whacking would bother anyone...
Does anyone really think all the birds being posted were taken at 10 yards, after being call to once every 30 minutes, by a guy in old school camo, non-camo gun, with just a handful of granola in his pocket ??
Killing is killing...for the most part...bird is dead either way....
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Ive been turkey hunting almost 30 years, so I guess I would be considered ole school.. Ive crawled a few in my day that just wouldn't do right.. I ve even used a decoy a few times not much...And some little part of me thinks that would probably be an adrenaline rush to get charged by a big gobbler behind one of those things.. not that anybody cares but its just not for me, but im ole school
Dude...if it's legal and you enjoy it I say have at it. But it would still be SCARY!!
Correct me if I'm wrong, but don't antelope hunters do something similar to close the distance? I'm sure that I've seen a hunting show with a couple of guys huddled behind an antelope cutout...or maybe it was a cow cutout...as they made their way in close enough for a shot at the buck antelope. This method of turkey hunting seems to be the same deal to me. It's just another method of turkey hunting that some will try while other will not make the effort. It's something I'll certainly consider, especially if the gobbler is hung up and won't come any further. I once crawled a couple of hundred yards to close the deal on a gobbler hung up in the middle of a field. That was exciting! Adding another tail fan to carry with my decoys just gives me another option, like reloading my turkey shells, hunting with my flintlock fowler, using the wing feathers for my traditional arrows, using a black bucket to make a decoy, etc.
I used this method last year to harvest my biggest Indiana gobbler to date 27 1/2 pounds. I was hunting a friend's northern Indiana lease that is just a field. The woods that connects to the field they don't have permission. I walked on my knees for around 300 yds. There was a total of 5 toms and six hens in the middle of the field and it was the only way that I could think of getting close to them. I shot my bird at 25 yds and it was an adrenaline rush. Not the way I would want to hunt gobblers every year but some circumstances it may be the only way.
And yes safety is the biggest issue with this method.
Looks like a rush for sure. It may not be the way I want to hunt or can for that matter since I hunt public land.
However I also dont like to bash other hunters for the way they hunt.
as long as the means of hunting are legal have at it. We have to many battles with anti's and such that we need not fight amongst ourselves. And if it means more people enjoying our sport all the better for us.
I have experienced reaping/fanning once and I personally felt like it was an empty hunt, but I won't say it is wrong for everyone . I do think you have to keep the place and situation in mind for safety. I would not want to try this in brushy public land, as I think that would be asking for trouble. So it's a matter of context.
As for me, I do not even own a decoy. It has been a long time since I have not tagged out in the first week or two of hunting with just me, my gun and a call. This is my choice and the way i like it, but someone else has a different way. Neither is wrong if they are legal. In my 43 years i have tried about everything and killed gobblers by all means i deemed necessary.
Most of the comments are just expression of personal choice and self imposed principles, with a couple exceptions. Warrent, I can't agree with you nor am I impressed with Snapper's rebuttal, but that too is my opinion and means very little in the grand game of life. May peace and safe hunting be with you all.
No turkey hunter deserves to get shot. However, no turkey hunter wants to make the mistake of shooting another hunter either. Identify your target has always been the most important aspect as far as safety. This new technique is an invitation for a hunting accident (s). It is bad for our sport, whether legal or not. With this technique, a hunter could easily identify their target and still shoot a man.
I have no desire to fight with reapers, I just choose not to associate with them.
id try it but i would use a spear instead of a gun. dont have any fields in the area i hunt so i guess ill never be able to
Watch out if this catches on. You guys are gonna make birds "fan shy" ;D ;D
Quote from: jakesdad on May 12, 2015, 02:39:45 PM
Watch out if this catches on. You guys are gonna make birds "fan shy" ;D ;D
It will be interesting, over time, to see how this tactic will change turkey behavior. I have no doubt that it will.
I would have to agree with the posts above that toms....and hens in areas where fanning is used fairly regularly may become fan-shy over time. This is similar to call-shy bull elk, decoy shy geese....and decoy shy turkeys. From what I've seen turkeys are a lot smarter than a lot of guys give them credit for!
I don't believe turkeys get "decoy shy". I believe they get "turkey shy" because they have had their butt whipped and they think decoy is a turkey and another possible butt-whipping they shy away from.
This whole thing sends shivers up my spine! Don't really have anything against it except for the fact that you're making yourself a target. Man, I do everything I can to NOT get shot and these guys are doing everything they can to invite getting a load of hevi in 'em!
There is a lot of study and evidence that people see what they want/expect to see. This stuff just begs exercising that flaw in human perception!
Knock yourselves out fellas but you wouldn't catch me dead (literally or figuratively) doing anything that, dare I say, stupid!
I've done it but I used what God put between my ears and shot him at 30yds. But I think of this story every time I see one of these videos. A local guy here that is now deceased and didn't turkey hunt. About the time the New England single shot .223 got popular he decides to get one and the first day of turkey season he pulled into a gate that overlooked a bottom that he deer hunts at and there is a strutting gobbler and a bunch of hens out there. He says it is a long ways out there so he takes a high hold and shoots and he said he knocked some tail feathers out of him. He said as soon as he shot a guy got up and took off running and said he looked like he was within shotgun range of the turkeys!!! He told that story to everyone that would listen how he could of shot the guy. That was before the tail fan craze but I think of that story every year, that old guy that couldn't see good could of gut shot somebody crawling around with a fan.
I was in on a fanned bird hunt 3 times in Nebraska this year, you still need to make a stalk, which takes some skill and luck to have a bird where the terrain allows an approach, we just used a fan, now I guess that big umbrella thing they are selling can make it pretty easy.
Two of the three hunts were a success the 3rd the birds did not come to the fan at all, the first successful hunt was a bail out really, we were walking into a set up and saw some birds a couple hundred yards up, they did not spot us, we crawled up a ditch another 100 yards and came up with the fan behind a dead fall, 2 toms locked on us and my buddy killed one at 20 yards.
The second successful hunt I spotted a Tom way out in a pasture, after sneaking around and fanning him multiple times he finally offered a shot on the third set up, this took place over a couple hundred yards and much stalking/sneaking was involved, it was really a cool hunt and we would have likely killed the bird at that spot by just being in his travel route.
I much prefer to call birds in, however henned up birds in large fields this tactic is deadly and damn fun, I want to kill one with a bow next season using the tactic.
All these hunts were on large private land and I see no way that it was dangerous, if I thought it was I would not have been involved!
It seems distance is a trigger, now what that distance is I am sure varies from bird to bird, but one of those birds just before being shot turned and walked back to his hens leading to all the sneaking and stalking.
To each his own and be safe however you decide to hunt!
I laughed out loud when he called her a "turkey reaper" and not a turkey hunter, in the video. I guess that's a new cool name to be associated with. I am hearing the term more and more the last year or so.
:TrainWreck1: This is a train wreck waiting to happen. This is like yelling out shoot me !!!!!!!!!! Besides being being unsporting this is turkey killing not turkey hunting. Killers that use this method need to read "Old Pro Turkey Hunter" by Gene Nunnery or read "America, Wild Turkeys and Mongrel Dogs," you would be considered a mongrel dog by Ken Morgan, again read the book.This culture of ours is here for a reason and these old turkey men loved it and wrote about it. To take on his majesty the Wild Turkey with only a caller and some camo and a shotgun, from a set-up and then sitting there speaking with a Wild tom calling him all the way to the gun over the time span of an hour or hour and a half draining you of emotion and adrenelin, and then taking him at 15 yds well there ain't nothing like it. And like Tom Kelly says at the end of "Tenth Legion", "The last one that ever does come to me will call forth the same that the second one did. I will sit there waiting , gun up and heart thundering and say to myself what I said on every single occasion since the second one, 'I'm glad I lived to see it-one more time'." Forgive me for pontificating but this hunting of Mr. Tom is so much more than killing a turkey, it is part of my life that I hold dear and means so very much to me and I respect these early morning 'Gabriels'. Well sorry for getting carried away but try this ritual we pursue in the way of those before us who played the same ritual try it you'll like it! Norm :smiley-patriotic-flagwaver-an
Oh, what the heck. We're in the middle of the summer doldrums right now, so perhaps this is a good time to explore the "turkey reaping" phenomenon in more detail.
First and foremost, I absolutely despise the term "turkey reaping". Whoever came up with that term should be taken out and summarily shot. It is a horrible term to be used to describe anything associated with hunting. It implies an impersonal, lack-of-connection between hunter and prey that portrays an indifference on the part of the hunter to the fact that he is taking a life. The term needs to go.
As far as the method is concerned, there are many variables to be considered as to how it is defined, and when and where it might be considered fair and ethical,... or not. Having started spring gobbler hunting in the mid-1960's, I have seen the full evolution of the sport to a large degree. We have gone from hunters using equipment and calls that could only be described as "rudimentary" in those early days to a boggling array of devices,...guns, calls, decoys, clothing, and technology,...that have completely changed the face of turkey hunting.
With those changes has also come a new perception of what turkey hunting is all about,...especially from the newer generation. Everything is further complicated by the fact that we have hundreds of thousands of more turkey hunters,...and millions more turkeys,...than we had fifty years ago. Let's face it, turkeys are getting hammered every year in most places by those armies of turkey hunters. ...And the turkeys that are out there, regardless of the denials of some folks that should know better, are getting smarter because of their interactions with that army of hunters. By and large, the average turkey hunter, hunting the average, heavily-hunted land, has a lot harder time just using a turkey call to get a gobbler within range nowadays than we did just a few years ago.
Not everybody can just grab a call and go out and regularly call in a gobbler in the places they have to hunt. And conversely, I would suspect there are also plenty of folks that believe they are really good turkey hunters that make that claim only because they have access to places that pretty much guarantee their success no matter what their skill level might be. Because of all of that, I am reluctant to condemn a guy that turns to tactics that rely on visual aids rather than calling to help them succeed. I don't know their situation, so who am I say whether they are right or wrong in using a certain (legal) tactic?
Safety concerns are another matter. Using any tactic, including turkey calling, that puts you in an unsafe position is unwise,....and frankly, idiotic. However, with the use of a little bit of common sense and discretion, there is no real reason that holding something that looks like a turkey should result in being shot by another hunter. Of course, it probably isn't much consolation to the guy who gets shot in knowing that the guy that shot him was too friggin' stupid to be able to tell the difference between a real, live turkey and a guy holding a turkey decoy or fan.
The bottom line is that however you want to hunt, do it safely. If you want to go around waving a fan or carrying a gobbler decoy, just don't be an imbecile about it when you do. You might eventually run into one those freakin' morons that can't tell a real turkey from a fake one with a hunter behind it.
Quote from: GobbleNut on September 02, 2015, 02:33:53 PM
And the turkeys that are out there, regardless of the denials of some folks that should know better, are getting smarter because of their interactions with that army of hunters
Care to mention any names? Name just one. ;D
Quote from: guesswho on September 02, 2015, 08:11:58 PM
Quote from: GobbleNut on September 02, 2015, 02:33:53 PM
And the turkeys that are out there, regardless of the denials of some folks that should know better, are getting smarter because of their interactions with that army of hunters
Care to mention any names? Name just one. ;D
:TooFunny: I certainly wasn't thinking about YOU, Ronnie! I am a bit surprised, however, to see that you made it that far into my rant. ...Just goes to show that there are a few,...very few, I suspect,...that actually read my ramblings. Thanks for having the patience! :D
I had to pace myself. Read a paragraph, mow the yard, read a paragraph wash my truck etc. etc. Took most of the day but I'm proud to say I read every bit of it. Don't know what you said but I read it.
I think the term is an apt description.
Same guys should try this in another month or so.
(http://www.learnnc.org/lp/media/uploads/2007/09/stalking_deer_detail.jpg)
:TooFunny:
It's coming. Just a matter of time
Quote from: THattaway on September 03, 2015, 05:01:29 PM
Same guys should try this in another month or so.
(http://www.learnnc.org/lp/media/uploads/2007/09/stalking_deer_detail.jpg)
Now that is decoying :TooFunny: Works well as cover scent too. Hey where is the food plot and where did the wheels go on his bow :lol:
:OGturkeyhead: Just to clarify I hunt in Mass. on heavily hunted public land and the tom I got this year my friend and I were after for two years. It can be done but you got to be consistent and patient. Some of the birds I've taken over the years came in silent and from every direction except the direction I was watching! So I don't hunt private land as much as I would like but pay attention and do my homework. If I had to use a fan I think I would stop turkey hunting. But I know calling works, that and good woodsmanship. I don't look down my nose at the hunters who use these tactics, I feel sorry for them at what they're missing from using their wits against the bird's. A bird whose brain is smaller than the meat in a walnut. It says in the Good Book that humbleness brings one closer to God and is a prerequisite to walk with God, I believe the book and Tom turkeys definitely makes me humble so they help me get closer to my Maker, 'nough said. :TooFunny:
Quote from: GobbleNut on September 02, 2015, 02:33:53 PM
Oh, what the heck. We're in the middle of the summer doldrums right now, so perhaps this is a good time to explore the "turkey reaping" phenomenon in more detail.
First and foremost, I absolutely despise the term "turkey reaping". Whoever came up with that term should be taken out and summarily shot. It is a horrible term to be used to describe anything associated with hunting. It implies an impersonal, lack-of-connection between hunter and prey that portrays an indifference on the part of the hunter to the fact that he is taking a life. The term needs to go.
As far as the method is concerned, there are many variables to be considered as to how it is defined, and when and where it might be considered fair and ethical,... or not. Having started spring gobbler hunting in the mid-1960's, I have seen the full evolution of the sport to a large degree. We have gone from hunters using equipment and calls that could only be described as "rudimentary" in those early days to a boggling array of devices,...guns, calls, decoys, clothing, and technology,...that have completely changed the face of turkey hunting.
With those changes has also come a new perception of what turkey hunting is all about,...especially from the newer generation. Everything is further complicated by the fact that we have hundreds of thousands of more turkey hunters,...and millions more turkeys,...than we had fifty years ago. Let's face it, turkeys are getting hammered every year in most places by those armies of turkey hunters. ...And the turkeys that are out there, regardless of the denials of some folks that should know better, are getting smarter because of their interactions with that army of hunters. By and large, the average turkey hunter, hunting the average, heavily-hunted land, has a lot harder time just using a turkey call to get a gobbler within range nowadays than we did just a few years ago.
Not everybody can just grab a call and go out and regularly call in a gobbler in the places they have to hunt. And conversely, I would suspect there are also plenty of folks that believe they are really good turkey hunters that make that claim only because they have access to places that pretty much guarantee their success no matter what their skill level might be. Because of all of that, I am reluctant to condemn a guy that turns to tactics that rely on visual aids rather than calling to help them succeed. I don't know their situation, so who am I say whether they are right or wrong in using a certain (legal) tactic?
Safety concerns are another matter. Using any tactic, including turkey calling, that puts you in an unsafe position is unwise,....and frankly, idiotic. However, with the use of a little bit of common sense and discretion, there is no real reason that holding something that looks like a turkey should result in being shot by another hunter. Of course, it probably isn't much consolation to the guy who gets shot in knowing that the guy that shot him was too friggin' stupid to be able to tell the difference between a real, live turkey and a guy holding a turkey decoy or fan.
The bottom line is that however you want to hunt, do it safely. If you want to go around waving a fan or carrying a gobbler decoy, just don't be an imbecile about it when you do. You might eventually run into one those freakin' morons that can't tell a real turkey from a fake one with a hunter behind it.
Well said! I agree wholeheartedly with most of this.
Quote from: owlhoot on September 05, 2015, 02:02:17 PM
Quote from: THattaway on September 03, 2015, 05:01:29 PM
Same guys should try this in another month or so.
(http://www.learnnc.org/lp/media/uploads/2007/09/stalking_deer_detail.jpg)
Now that is decoying :TooFunny: Works well as cover scent too. Hey where is the food plot and where did the wheels go on his bow :lol:
No food plots here but I sure do have wheels on my bow. They don't rank badly on my sliding ethics scale. :)
Maybe the real reason I wouldn't like turkey reaping (when it works) is because it makes turkey hunting look too easy. I'm thinking that if toms ran straight in on most every hunt I probably wouldn't get nearly as excited, have anywhere near the satisfaction level or find as much enjoyment in it as I do now. The satisfaction level is usually proportionate to the effort expended, at least that's the way it seems to me. I started hunting turkeys 30+ as a 12 year old kid with no mentor. They were ghosts and haints in the big woods for some years, took me some time to become an accomplished hunter. These days for me it's more about fooling them than killing them...but I sure like toting one out on a long walk too.
Guess I am gonna throw my hat in the ring on this one. First off if someone wants to hunt any manner that is legal then that is their right and I am not going to interfere. Now personally I would get no satisfaction what so ever hunting turkeys in this manner. In in West Virginia where rifles are legal I really wouldn't recommend it. I taught myself to hunt and have never killed a turkey with anything other than a shotgun. I have never used a ground blind sometimes I use a hen decoy or two but I am just as comfortable without them.I have never tried a strutter or Jake just cause I don't like the idea of it for some reason. I have no problem taking a whopping from these birds when they hand them out. That only makes my success sweeter. That's how we learn. I truly love and respect these birds as much as I hate them. It is a battle against a mortal enemy that I have the utmost respect for. I will fight that battle on terms that I deem to be fair and noble. I don't believe that the newer generations of hunters have picked that up. It's now about instant success instead of self improvement and skill. Unfortunately television and marketing have caught up with this and I honestly believe that's why you see the Walter Parrots, Harold Knights, Chris Parishes and dozens of other accomplished hunters fade into the background. Marketing has realized that they don't make money off of skill. So now the scheme is let's give this nimrod a 60 yard shotgun, a strutter decoy with movable tail, a ground blind, the latest new idiot proof call that sounds like death and let's plop this simple fellow out in a field full of turkeys that have hardly been hunted and prove that anyone can do it and watch the money roll in. I am not out to offend anyone and if this is your idea of a good hunt then have at it. As long as it's legal and it satisfied your code of fair chase than that is all that matters. As for me though, I am out.
I wonder how many of those that are against fanning turkeys use strutter decoys? And I also wonder how many of those against fanning of turkeys regularly hunt areas like Nebraska/ Kansas/ western Oklahoma. I also wonder of those that are against fanning of turkeys dislike it because it is physically "inconvenient" for them. These are just some of the things I "wonder" when I read discussions such as these.
And while it's my favorite places to hunt, some must stop and realize not everyone hunts in those "deep forests," at least not all the time. And also there are those of us who desire to not end our season and chat about THE turkey we killed last year, there's more. :z-twocents:
I've hunted open ground before. You don't have to hide behind a fan to be successful there either.
Quote from: THattaway on September 26, 2015, 09:07:00 PM
I've hunted open ground before. You don't have to hide behind a fan to be successful there either.
. Have never used a fan , but have used a strutted with one and had fun and exciting hunts with them watching toms beating them up and damaging the fan I spent hours putting together . I even used blinds too and took 7 year olds to get their first birds . Really enjoyed doing that . Had only done this on private or leased ground which was mainly fields and pasture and used caution and commons sense when setting up,even had used the orange band on a tree behind us that the Missouri Conservation gave me for a study in the early 80's . All in had a lot of fun taking turkey in this manner and using the more traditional style too in all terrains . My sliding ethics scale (like that one ) :icon_thumright: even include muzzle loading shotguns and bows without wheels :blob10: Do we need all this extra stuff? No . But if your having fun with it , why not ? Be careful , used your head and have fun. Enjoy your hunt your way ! Off subject a bit but I text and asked a good friend how his Wyoming elk hunt was going, he text back and said he got charged by a griZzer bear! So I asked how much he charged him? He replied back . A good pair of drawers! Ya know I believe him.
Quote from: THattaway on September 26, 2015, 09:07:00 PM
I've hunted open ground before. You don't have to hide behind a fan to be successful there either.
Hunting open ground "before" is kinda like sharing the story of THE turkey one may have killed last season.
Well I'll tell ya Cove, you might just be surprised. If you want a pissing contest then you won't find it here with me. But I will tell you this, if you want to go crawling across a field with a fan in front of your face then by all means do it if that's what gets your kicks....Just don't come here with some lame arse excuse about how that's what you gotta do in open country!
It's pretty hard to surprise me. But I invite anyone to take a swing at it if they wish. . . . :toothy9:
I just find it very unfortunate when someone that doesn't have the experience with every type of terrain and situation to pass judgement on anothers methods. When if the accusers were faced with having to overcome the same obstacles routinely they would realize what they once looked down on to be very helpful and useful strategy. Hunting the open ground "before" is different than hunting open ground every season. An adaptable hunter in my opinion will always be the most successful. I dislike when things (decoys in particular) begin to be used as a crutch instead of a tool. And in many situations with fanning, this is also taking place, but there is a place for it in a hunters arsenal therefore I think it's petty that it's shunned by many who simply don't have the experience to pass judgement. As long as it's used as a tool and the hunters aren't loosing the true 'art' that turkey hunting is then I don't see why this is looked at so negatively. I will say. . . in the video shared above, it is being used as a crutch. . .not a tool.
Baiting and roost shooting could be easily embraced by your assessment. Still a lame excuse but I understand, it's all about the kill for some folks. Why not just employ rifles? Thanks for the explanation but I think I understand perfectly well why some folks hunting open ground "EVERY" season need other "tool" options. I mostly just hunt turkeys the same way in wooded or in "OPEN GROUND" every year. Figure out what they are doing and call them to where the want to go.
I believe everyone has the right to hunt however they choose within the legal limits of the law. However I see a trend to all hunting heading towards easier instant success and away from skill and hard work. Heck I think it's very possible for a corn pile to be the acceptable way to get your gobbler ten years from now. I hunt for a challenge not to kill as much as I can as fast as I can. It means more to me how I hunt than whether or not I am successful. I am not judging or condemning those that want to hunt in other manners but the boys that do it tells hard way get my respect. And yes I hunt with wit a hen decoy occasionally. Twenty years ago that would have been a eyebrow raiser.
I do not understand how my assessment would embrace roost shooting or baiting?
I'm simply stating that in my experience, it's easy to look down on a technique that you have limited experience with. . . . If the only place I spent most of my springs were the steep forested mountains of North Georgia it would be hard to imagine a situation where fanning would be useful. And I believe this is the reason most look down on this tactic, because an over whelming majority hunt turkeys in wooded settings. Is it necessary in every situation in open terrain? absolutely not. But what is necessary in every situation?
I think I've been doing it wrong. :(
(http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b209/stinkpickle/tfanning_zpsetzkuuln.jpg)
And I apologize, but it's really difficult to stand your ground against fanning when you're hauling around these type of "tools". It goes to prove a point, that what some people may see as helpful/ useful others may view as unnecessary/ lazy or even unethical. Luckily, we don't all have to pursue our prey with the same methods. :icon_thumright:
http://oldgobbler.com/Forum/index.php/topic,56979.msg563571.html#msg563571
I don't believe anyone should have to apologize for having an opinion. Everyone has their preferences. I have just noticed a trend in hunting in general to where skill and effort are taking a backseat to technology and laziness. I will be the first to admit that I am a bit old fashioned in my hunting style. Heck I don't even use trail cameras for deer. Yet I shoot a compound. The point is that we hunt for a challenge and to connect with nature and our primitive background. I love quality and organic meat. However we all know that it is far cheeper to buy meat from the store. If all a person is after is a kill then I really don't buy into the assessment that that person is a hunter. I love a good conversation like this and you can throw many different variables in and every side can score a point here and there. I don't buy the idea that there is only one way to do it.But I do question the motives of many hunters that I see today
Quote from: Happy on September 29, 2015, 01:16:46 PM
I don't believe anyone should have to apologize for having an opinion. Everyone has their preferences. I have just noticed a trend in hunting in general to where skill and effort are taking a backseat to technology and laziness. I will be the first to admit that I am a bit old fashioned in my hunting style. Heck I don't even use trail cameras for deer. Yet I shoot a compound. The point is that we hunt for a challenge and to connect with nature and our primitive background. I love quality and organic meat. However we all know that it is far cheeper to buy meat from the store. If all a person is after is a kill then I really don't buy into the assessment that that person is a hunter. I love a good conversation like this and you can throw many different variables in and every side can score a point here and there. I don't buy the idea that there is only one way to do it.But I do question the motives of many hunters that I see today
Couldn't have said it better myself. :z-winnersmiley:
Quote from: Cove on September 29, 2015, 10:58:31 AM
And I apologize, but it's really difficult to stand your ground against fanning when you're hauling around these type of "tools". It goes to prove a point, that what some people may see as helpful/ useful others may view as unnecessary/ lazy or even unethical. Luckily, we don't all have to pursue our prey with the same methods. :icon_thumright:
http://oldgobbler.com/Forum/index.php/topic,56979.msg563571.html#msg563571
You assume.
I made some comments about fanning that were straight forward, truthful and even mentioned having a sliding ethics scale.
You, in a nut shell, said many folks were commenting based on "THE" turkey they killed last year and open ground hunting basically justifies "other tools".
Well I'll tell you. The repeated "THE" comment smacks of a guy who thinks he knows better on everything based on his kill numbers. There I said it. When I commented on having hunted open ground before and have been successful you threw me in the same boat with the "THE" crowd.
Quote from: Cove on September 27, 2015, 06:36:46 PM
Quote from: THattaway on September 26, 2015, 09:07:00 PM
I've hunted open ground before. You don't have to hide behind a fan to be successful there either.
Hunting open ground "before" is kinda like sharing the story of THE turkey one may have killed last season.
The open ground justification is still a lame excuse. Plenty of hunters all across this great country have whacked open ground turkeys for MANY years without the aid of a fan, or a strutting decoy for that matter.
If you want to fan or be ok with someone fanning then have at it. Just don't preach to me how it's required on open ground or that I should accept it.
And to your link to my decoy paint thread angle,
Well I'll tell you fella. I've killed exactly one turkey over a gobbler decoy. I was sitting on a stool with a compound bow against a cedar tree and had a jake and hen decoy out in front at 20 yards. Arrowed one of two toms that came in to stomp it AFTER I called them into sight. Great fun. That was one killed over a tom deke out of well over 100 kills, since numbers mean something to you. I've got a young Son and a 76 year old nearly deaf Dad that I have no problem sticking a jake in front, sort of helps them have the gun pointed in the right direction. That's where those Primos walmart discounted dekes are going into the plan. If that classifies me as a hypocrite with you then I am perfectly fine living with it.
I can see where you thought you had this all figured out. :icon_thumright:
Numbers mean little to nothing to me. It's experience that speaks volumes. And when one speaks of hunting open terrain "before" it has to be assumed that their experience with that type of environment is limited, otherwise it would have been stated differently. Limited experience is exactly what I was pointing toward in what I believe is the overwhelming negative opinions about fanning gobblers. I won't give my opinion on decoying antelope. . . why? because my experience is very very limited. Therefore, it just isn't worth it's salt. Unfortunately this decision isn't shared by many and they like to give an opinion regardless. I know people who decoy antelope but I also know people that have killed them in more traditional methods for many years. So sure, not using one of the before mentioned "nontraditional techniques" is possible, but I'm not going to look down on those other methods simply because I don't have the experience to formulate an unbiased opinion.
Many of these negative opinions i believe are fueled by the videos showing fanning (actually, the overpowering majority are using an entire strutting decoy) being used as a crutch and not as a tool, as I mentioned earlier. Most videos available show the technique being abused, again, my opinion. Question their ethics all you wish, but I think it's wrong to comment on the ethics of everyone who may employ the tactic.
Example: Here is a hunt of mine several years ago where "true" fanning was used, in my opinion, tastefully, ethically and obviously successfully. And mind you, this was before the whole "reaping" craze started. And might I add, I agree that "reaping" is completely disgusting, unflattering and down right disrespectful term.
https://youtu.be/3JEjXB-Tzdo
I have my own opinions and have learned to more or less leave them out of most conversations. Based on your opinion your usually labeled an elitist who thinks he is superior, or as a wannabe who shouldn't be allowed to hunt the same ground as the elitist.
But I do have a question concerning the terms crutch and tool. What determines if a decoy or a fan is being used as a crutch or a tool? Just trying to make sense of some previous replies.
COVE,after watching and hearing your calling on video for a few years now,your a turkey killing pro to me!!!
Quote from: guesswho on September 30, 2015, 07:56:26 PM
I have my own opinions and have learned to more or less leave them out of most conversations. Based on your opinion your usually labeled an elitist who thinks he is superior, or as a wannabe who shouldn't be allowed to hunt the same ground as the elitist.
But I do have a question concerning the terms crutch and tool. What determines if a decoy or a fan is being used as a crutch or a tool? Just trying to make sense of some previous replies.
A valid question and one which I think is the root of the whole issue. Where is the line?
For me, something is used as a tool if it is a tactic/ technique employed to complete the drill instead of make up for short comings or more specifically laziness and a lack of desire. The very last thing I ever want is for the art of turkey hunting to fade. Which is why I would be the first on a band wagon to outlaw all decoys permanently. End of story. Would it effect the way I hunt, very very minimally. I may use a fan or decoy 4/5 times in my 60 day season. I would gladly sacrifice that in order to make certain newcomers learn and aren't deprived from the ritual that is turkey hunting.
These "reaping" videos show guys ignoring woodsmanship, calling and the ritual. It's disgusting to me. They're leaning on this "crutch" to bypass the most common, necessary components of becoming successful on a turkey hunt. That being said, what they are shown doing is completely different than my visualizations when I think of/ remember fanning gobblers. I've never found a gobbler in a field and my first response be to roll out and begin crawling with a decoy. Never will be. . .
And maybe this is further illustrating what I have been attempting to explain the entire time. What I have participated in and label "fanning" compared to what I suppose is labeled "reaping" and shown at the beginning of this post is comparing apples to oranges. But I have "fanned" a couple gobblers before, featured them on my youtube channel and think it's unfair and undeserving to be labeled as being less ethical. Also, as I discussed earlier I think it's easier for one to make those type comments when their experiences are for the most part in terrain that is not receptive to fanning.
Quote from: Cove on September 30, 2015, 09:20:49 PM
For me, something is used as a tool if it is a tactic/ technique employed to complete the drill instead of make up for short comings or more specifically laziness and a lack of desire.
Thanks for the reply. I can understand your train of thought and reasoning, but can also see where it may sound contradictory to others. The line in the sand between tactical and laziness is a hard one to define, at least when applying it to others.
And I have to say that most of your video's are among the few that I can actually watch from beginning to end. And from what I know of Mr. THattaway, I wish a video camera followed him around too. It would make for some fine viewing and a good learning tool for many. At least I think it would be a tool and not a crutch, I still get confused with that whole deal.
So how much effort do you have to put into a gobbler before you fan him to make the fan a tool rather than a crutch?
There has been some really good discussion here among well-respected turkey hunters. Ultimately, each individual has to choose whether to employ "visual aids" (fans, decoys, etc.) in their hunting,...or not. Our collective or individual assessments as to whether they are "tools" or "crutches" matters not as long as regulations permit their use.
True confessions time: For me, personally, I do not use decoys,...either hen or gobbler,....but, like Cove and others, I have "experimented" with fans and fanning techniques over the last several years, using a fan on occasion in conjunction with calling when I thought the conditions called for it,...and safety was not a factor.
I can say without hesitation that I now never hunt without that folded gobbler tail in the side pocket of my pants. It fits there inconspicuously and conveniently,...and it comes out in an instant if I think I need to use it.
I have no qualms in admitting that there are times that I am not capable of calling a gobbler to me. It happens more than I would like to admit. In recent years, some of those gobblers have died anyway because I have learned when and where to flash that tail fan at them. Others have put on quite a show for me at very close range, and then I let them walk (killing is not always the fitting end to a hunt). If that leads some to declare that I need a crutch to kill some gobblers, so be it. In my opinion, it is a tool,...to be used in conjunction with calling,...and it is a mighty effective tool.
Finally, a major part of the thrill of turkey hunting for me has always been about the "up close and personal" nature of the sport. The judicious use of a fan, when called for, just magnifies that thrill. When you are sitting with nothing but a turkey tail between you and a fighting-mad gobbler, spitting, drumming, and gobbling five yards away, you will understand why.
But as always, I will end this with the admonishment of..."safety first and foremost".
Alright i's a little cornfused. I am not trying to ruffle feathers but using the whole crutch/tool distinction is baffling me somewhat. I can see the potential for many things to be thrown into the "tool" category. I will admit it is a fine line we tread between between fair and sporting and legal. Personally if a gobbler woops my best efforts I walk away from him and try to extract my revenge at a later day. But that's me. My "tools" never change. My aproach or style may but that's it. I could see very easily where the " I couldn't call him any closer so I used a rifle" as being an example. That's a whole other can of worms but it still leads to the root of the issue. Unfortunately I don't believe there is a hard answer to that. I know what I feel is fair and sporting. That is not going to apply to the next guy. As long as I get to hunt in the manner I enjoy I guess I really don't have any room to complain. I just worry about where we are heading in general. I will always congratulate a man's success as long as it is legal but that doesn't necessarily mean that I approve of the method. Really enjoy these conversations. They adress issues that I believe are the core of hunting. Thanks
There are hunters on both sides of the argument that I have respect for. I can definitely see Cove's point of a fan being used as a tool and not as a crutch, but as David pointed out when is the distinction made? Also, when does a hunter make the distinction in when to realize that the gobbler has beat him fair and square? When does it go from the integrity of the art of turkey hunting to just making sure you get a kill?
Sent from the Strut Zone
Quote from: Happy on October 01, 2015, 10:19:46 AM
Alright i's a little cornfused. I am not trying to ruffle feathers but using the whole crutch/tool distinction is baffling me somewhat. I can see the potential for many things to be thrown into the "tool" category. I will admit it is a fine line we tread between between fair and sporting and legal. Personally if a gobbler woops my best efforts I walk away from him and try to extract my revenge at a later day. But that's me. My "tools" never change. My aproach or style may but that's it. I could see very easily where the " I couldn't call him any closer so I used a rifle" as being an example. That's a whole other can of worms but it still leads to the root of the issue. Unfortunately I don't believe there is a hard answer to that. I know what I feel is fair and sporting. That is not going to apply to the next guy. As long as I get to hunt in the manner I enjoy I guess I really don't have any room to complain. I just worry about where we are heading in general. I will always congratulate a man's success as long as it is legal but that doesn't necessarily mean that I approve of the method. Really enjoy these conversations. They adress issues that I believe are the core of hunting. Thanks
Great post!
Sent from the Strut Zone
Quote from: davisd9 on October 01, 2015, 10:20:55 AM
When does it go from the integrity of the art of turkey hunting to just making sure you get a kill?
Sent from the Strut Zone
I wish there was a definitive answer to this one. . . .
I just don't see what all the fuss was about using decoys or strutting decoys or tail fans while turkey hunting? After using decoys and blinds with kids to bring the birds and close while they used .410 or 2 3/4 inch 20 gauge shotgun I enjoyed The 25 yard and in encounters and felt no ethical problems doing so. After those hunts I have had some hunts with friends or by myself and enjoyed the strutter decoy being beat on by the gobblers . Also when some only have half a day or so to hunt or maybe just a few more mornings using these tools may be the only chance to get a tom. For those who get to hunt many many days of 4 week or more week season , if not near all the days I can see where they would not deem these tools necessary .
I have killed gobblers without using these tools and some with and felt satisfied on every hunt having hard hunts and easy ones too.
Have never fanned but I would expect a strutter decoy to be comparable success , which is some toms go away and some come in. The anti decoy is still puzzling from this forum.
Quote from: davisd9 on October 01, 2015, 10:20:55 AM
...When does it go from the integrity of the art of turkey hunting to just making sure you get a kill?
Once that sumbeech gobbles at me! :z-guntootsmiley:
Cove you are so busy talking you don't hear a thing I am saying. Digging up old posts and assuming shows an extreme lack of experience on your part.
Quote from: THattaway on October 03, 2015, 06:03:00 PM
Cove you are so busy talking you don't hear a thing I am saying. Digging up old posts and assuming shows an extreme lack of experience on your part.
...It appears somebody is getting a bit cranky.... ;D
I guess I'm with Cove on this one. I'm not quite sure what you are trying to say either, but my impression, whether correct or not, is that you are implying that the only "legitimate" method for killing spring gobblers is to do nothing more than call to them. If that is how you feel, then more power to you,...but I would question the rationale to state that anybody that does something different than that is somehow less of a turkey hunter.
I will also state without hesitation that it is my opinion that there are field birds in this country that you never kill by doing nothing but calling to them,...regardless of how good a caller or "woodsman" you think you are.
In addition, perhaps it was a bit embarrassing to have Cove post the link showing your string of decoys. I'm sure we are not the only ones here that made the assumption that the picture of the decoy herd indicated that you used, or at least "condoned", them. Might be a good idea to go back to that thread and add a line with a disclaimer stating that although you had gone to the trouble of repainting those decoys to be more realistic, you really do not use them, or condone their use.
I have only been turkey hunting for fifty years and I guess my "extreme lack of experience" was showing when I assumed you were one who hunted over a decoy herd. I suspect there are others here like me.... :toothy12:
Quote from: THattaway on October 03, 2015, 06:03:00 PM
Cove you are so busy talking you don't hear a thing I am saying. Digging up old posts and assuming shows an extreme lack of experience on your part.
No sir. I'm never one to be "too busy talking" . . . I do a great deal of listening. I was merely pointing out the fact that with just a little search, you're concrete stance on being against a visual aid during the hunt melted. If you choose to roll out a flock of decoys on your hunts, then by all means do so . . . but I believe it's wrong to then hop on board the "purist" train and begin questioning other hunters ethics because they may put a turkey fan in their pocket and have success with it.
*and btw, the post I brought to the thread is only a few months old and since the last turkey season. I'm not certain that would qualify as an "old" post. If one wants to dig, I'm sure I have some video links to hunts 5/7 years ago that would show all of the above negatives. . . I'm glad I've matured as a turkey hunter.
Quote from: GobbleNut on October 04, 2015, 02:18:00 PM
Quote from: THattaway on October 03, 2015, 06:03:00 PM
Cove you are so busy talking you don't hear a thing I am saying. Digging up old posts and assuming shows an extreme lack of experience on your part.
...It appears somebody is getting a bit cranky.... ;D
I guess I'm with Cove on this one. I'm not quite sure what you are trying to say either, but my impression, whether correct or not, is that you are implying that the only "legitimate" method for killing spring gobblers is to do nothing more than call to them. If that is how you feel, then more power to you,...but I would question the rationale to state that anybody that does something different than that is somehow less of a turkey hunter.
I will also state without hesitation that it is my opinion that there are field birds in this country that you never kill by doing nothing but calling to them,...regardless of how good a caller or "woodsman" you think you are.
In addition, perhaps it was a bit embarrassing to have Cove post the link showing your string of decoys. I'm sure we are not the only ones here that made the assumption that the picture of the decoy herd indicated that you used, or at least "condoned", them. Might be a good idea to go back to that thread and add a line with a disclaimer stating that although you had gone to the trouble of repainting those decoys to be more realistic, you really do not use them, or condone their use.
I have only been turkey hunting for fifty years and I guess my "extreme lack of experience" was showing when I assumed you were one who hunted over a decoy herd. I suspect there are others here like me.... :toothy12:
Gobblenut,
I am not cranky. I admit I'm a bit frustrated arguing with a brick wall, Cove that is. I've always had great respect for you and your truly unbiased opinion on turkey hunting, at least in my eyes you usually come far closer to that than most folks here. I am in no way embarrassed about what I have posted here but there have been assumptions made and false accusations. Please let me set the record straight here:
I pointed out that the idea that you HAD to have a fan to be successful on open ground was a LAME excuse.
Feel free to quote me where I ever said I was against visual aids in turkey hunting. Please do read my posts for reference on what I said instead of what Cove
said I said. LOL!
Since you mention those decoys again I'll gladly give you full disclosure.
4 dekes pictured. Two are mine I picked up at Walmart for $25 on clearance after turkey season this year. I painted them up. A friend liked them so much he asked me to paint his. As an afterthought I took pictures of the whole crew as "before and after" shots so I could post them online as a brag on the good deal and paint job. I've never owned a strutting tom but may one of these days, who knows. After making some duck decoys last fall I decided to make a hen to use this spring. Sort of a new challenge level, to take a turkey over a decoy I made myself. I carved and painted and succeeded with killing three of the five public land toms over it this spring. It's the most I've ever killed in a season over a deke. I posted that here too to brag as it's an accomplishment for me. Plenty proud of it too. I say all that to show that I like a new challenge, am somewhat open to new ideas and try to do something new every spring to bring turkey hunting to a new level for myself. I might even use a fan eventually but I sure as heck will NEVER say it or ANY visual aid is REQUIRED!
Believe I have stated that idea repeatedly. Plenty of irony here from my viewpoint on what has been stated in this thread. I believe my comments have been pretty straight forward and to the point.
That's about all I got to say on this subject anymore. I am sure someone will chime in and speak for me as it's been happening all along. I'll get back to my crutches now and "THE" turkey I killed last spring stories.
You have a great day Sir.
Good enough explanation, THattaway. I think this is a case of the written word being misunderstood, misrepresented, or misinterpreted to be something other than what we often want to convey. Sometimes, it seems, we all make comments that are probably better left unsaid. I know I have been as guilty of that as anybody on occasion,...and this was a good example.
We should all make it a point to give each other the benefit of the doubt in these discussions and keep our comments respectful and friendly. All is good. Carry on, friends.
I am the first to say that hunting this way is dangerous. However, I would find it hard to believe that a reasonable person could not see that there is a human behind the decoy. Of course, REASONABLE is the key word here... I still say not a safe way to hunt.
Quote from: Cove on October 01, 2015, 02:37:24 PM
Quote from: davisd9 on October 01, 2015, 10:20:55 AM
When does it go from the integrity of the art of turkey hunting to just making sure you get a kill?
Sent from the Strut Zone
I wish there was a definitive answer to this one. . . .
There is. But many don't want to recognize it.
There are a lot of "purist" out there that only hunt with long bow vs compound, patch and ball vs inline w/sabots, flyrod vs spinning rod, etc. The same thing can likely be said for purist turkey hunters that believe calls plus decoys are the only way to go. Antelope hunters often use a decoy to hide behind to get within archery distance of antelope. The same is true with elk and moose decoys. I don't know any state that has outlawed the use of decoys, tailfeathers, or anything else for stalking closer to game species...not sure why this would change with turkeys?
I have actually turkey reaped on private ranches the past few years. I haven't had to worry about other turkey hunters and it is definitely an adrenaline rush! It usually took a number of tries before I got within range...and most attempts ended in frustration! I have yet to get one this way with bow....even though I've tried for several weeks. Similar to trying to convince rutting bull elk away from his with cows...the toms often take their hens and head the opposite direction!
With that said, there is no way I'll ever convince a purist fly fisherman to use a spinning rod....and I'm sure the same thing is true with purist turkey hunters! I've hunted everything from dall sheep in Alaska to moose in Wyoming and having success turkey reaping is one of the biggest adrenaline rushes I have ever experienced! Safety is obviously the biggest issue to contend with...if it's not a safe place to turkey reap...by-gingleberries....don't turkey reap!
I wouldn't use a fan personally. I hunt fields a lot, as well as the woods. We have a crazy amount of "hunters" that drive our road from first light til noon, trying to shoot birds in the fields from their vehicle window (illegal) with rifles (also illegal). I doubt I'd live til 9:00 am on opening day.
From the videos I've seen of this, and some of you will probably think I'm crazy, but it seems to me to be taking unfair advantage. It appears to work too well. It wouldn't take long for hunting to lose It's charm with me, if I killed a bird every time out. I have no experience with them, so maybe they don't work as well as they're portrayed on the net, I don't know. And no, you wouldn't have to shoot every bird that came in either.
If you use them and you're happy, I'm happy for you, but they're not for me. Please be careful, and here's hoping that everybody else out there with you is too. :z-twocents:
Bob
Its legal so I have have no problem with someone doing it. Its cute some of you get upset when someone does not turkey hunt exactly like you.
I guess we all have some kind of a problem with the way others hunt. I SURE DO! and people have a problem with the way I hunt too. Fanning.... Reaping... Whatever its called... decoys...ground tent blinds.... crossbows...shooting at birds at long ranges 50-70 yards yards..... I can make an argument for all the above.... but who am I to judge you. I just choose not to hunt with others that don't share my common hunting ethics... it doesn't mean my way Is right and you're way is wrong. but since I'm on my soap box I hate reaping, crossbows and tent turkey hunting. :TooFunny: :fud: :gobble:
First off I hate the term "Reaping", and hunters have been "fanning" for birds a long time before this came along. And as with most things posted to YouTube and the like bringing things to the "extreme" is the thing. I know we can see descent among the ranks when we don't agree on certain aspects of how "we" hunt and as this leads how we are perceived as hunters. With that said I am a firm believer that if it is legal within the state you hunt you have the option to pursue game in that fashion, I guess it is one of the freedoms we are fortunate to have. As we all know we are judged pretty hard by the non-hunting public, not that is my main concern but it is out there. I will also admit that I have "snuck" into position (close) on birds and called and killed them in the field and timber. I do also use blinds and decoys at times whether it's a youth hunt, new hunter or a bow hunt, pretty much a mix of everything and all legal where I hunt. Do I plan to "Reap" a bird... Nope, just not my style of hunting, should I tell you that you can't hunt that way because I do not approve, nope that is your decision. Do I think this can be a dangerous way to hunt? I believe it does add to the chance of an accident happening and to me is an issue as I help teach Hunters Ed classes. I also do a lot of teaching about turkey hunting, seminars and video work as well, I will not be adding this tactic of turkey hunting to my venue in any form, I have been questioned about it a lot in my job and leave that final decision to each hunter to make.
I will also say that in the last dozen years (been turkey hunting for many more) my challenge has been getting a bird to come in close and personal, I guess I am just at that stage with my hunts, I would have a hard time thinking of a bird that with the shotgun has been out of the 15-17 yard range and our bow hunts are at 10-12 yards or closer!
MK M GOBL
I've done a bunch of fanning, turkey reaping, and decoying the past few years. I would say fanning/reaping is everything but a slam dunk as some have mentioned above. Similar to trying to "reap" antelope, elk, or moose with a decoy it is just as difficult to get toms to commit and approach fans/reaping decoys as any other game...especially when toms are henned up or in larger groups. Unless you have tried it you have no idea how easy or difficult it is! I'm sure the guys that produced the videos have gobs of unsuccessful stalks. They likely only show most of the successful footage. I also would venture a guess that once toms get wise to fanning, reaper, or regular decoys the wise old toms are nearly impossible to coax into lethal range. I've yet to harvest a tom while turkey reaping with a bow...and have tried it for days upon days! Similar to sitting in a blind with decoys...if you hit a tom in the right mood it will likely work but it may take many hours of trying to have success!
Never tried it and very concerned about my safety from a poacher with a rifle. No thanks! :fud:
Quote from: mlisandro on February 24, 2016, 01:40:15 PM
Never tried it and very concerned about my safety from a poacher with a rifle. No thanks! :fud:
Agreed. The land that I hunt is adjacent to public swamp. I have too much to lose to even take the slightest minute bit of a chance that somebody may be hunting the edge of the swamp and mistake me for a bird. Aside from that, whatever happened to calling a bird to you, not you trying to go to it? Everybody is always wanting to improve what already works. Seems to me like some people will do whatever it takes to not eat a tag, even for one day.
Turkey hunting with a bow is all I like to do both spring and fall. Blind,no blind,decoy and no decoy. Been there done that. So after my 1st 100 plus turkeys with a bow I started using a gun more. Just a different challenge. Killed a jake last year with a .410. This spring I'm going to bowhunt more without a blind and try "reaping". I'm sure it will be a rush with a bow.