Just saw an add for the new G&H motion decoys...
I still wished we had never allowed motorized decoys for duck hunting, but I have come to accept the fact that they are here to stay...
Seems like for turkey hunting, that these could to some degree take the "hunt" out of hunting... Gotta' say, I am NOT a fan.
http://ghdecoys.com/product/d-turk-hen-deceiver/
Got to make so deer hunters can kill one too!
:camohat: The essence of turkey hunting is finding a tree to sit against, and using a call, call the tom to you, up close and personal. That is the epitome of turkey hunting. I'm sorry but that is the way I hunt. If you use blinds and moving decoys and fans and the like, fine but you won't hunt with me. The old ways are the best I don't care what people think. I won;t look down my nose, just won't associate. Just my :z-twocents: worth.
Im with you. Im old school and its getting more and more about killing a gobbler than the hunt itself. I turkey hunt because i like the challenge. Its almost like playing chess with someone. To each his own , but i guarantee you that i will never fan one nor use a motorized decoy. Im not gonna judge someone else who decides to use them. When will we draw a line on whats really overboard. I think we have passed it in my opinion, but obviously others dont agree.
I have enjoyed turkey hunting for over 33 years and i see no reason now to have one of these decoy's . But again that's up to you if you want to use one...Just not my cup of tea...
I even seen one of these decoys mounted on a 4x4 remote controlled truck so you can drive it out in a field and the back in to you... and $300
Not Legal in Wisconsin
https://youtu.be/o9lwfsvZEBE
I do use some decoys and they do help with the kids hunts and for video, but mine are just staked in the field, if there is enough wind to move them around the have motion.
MK M GOBL
I don't think motorized decoys are legal in KY for turkeys?
I'll use my dsd hen on these old field birds every now and then, but I'm not a fan of motorized anything.
At some point it seems like it stops being about woodamanship and hunting and just becomes about killing. I think motorized decoys cross that line.
With that said I bet they sell a boat load of these things. I won't buy one though.
Quote from: greencop01 on February 17, 2017, 09:49:23 PM
:camohat: The essence of turkey hunting is finding a tree to sit against, and using a call, call the tom to you, up close and personal. That is the epitome of turkey hunting. I'm sorry but that is the way I hunt. If you use blinds and moving decoys and fans and the like, fine but you won't hunt with me. The old ways are the best I don't care what people think. I won;t look down my nose, just won't associate. Just my :z-twocents: worth.
I couldn't agree with you more! I was at the outdoor show in Harrisburg PA this month and it's amazing how much different hunting gear is out there for every species. I'm part of the younger generation but was taught to hunt the "old ways". That's my preference for sure... to each his own.
They work well but they ain't legal here in Alabama
Quote from: dirt road ninja on February 17, 2017, 09:45:01 PM
Got to make so deer hunters can kill one too!
Yeah, and in my neck of the woods they couldn't kill a deer without a corn pile.
Gods of Thunder
Not legal in IL....but robo duck and dove are.
$300 Mobo gobbler? They should upgrade to a delux version that carries a shotgun and video camera, so the "hunter" doesn't have to leave their truck - or house.
:TrainWreck1: :gobble:
Greencop pretty well summed it up for me. Well said
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It's called dumbing down. And nothing is safe from t, not even turkey hunting. It started years ago and as hard as it is for some of us to believe, it continues to get even dumber.
Quote from: guesswho on February 18, 2017, 07:41:43 AM
It's called dumbing down. And nothing is safe from t, not even turkey hunting. It started years ago and as hard as it is for some of us to believe, it continues to get even dumber.
Right on...another small step towards the dumbing of America. This kind of thing is everywhere once you start looking around. Technology inspired by greed I'd say in most cases and the line was crossed a long time ago.
Badonkadeke don't need no stinking batteries, you tell em who ever the heck you are ::)
The hunting shows will be all over this promoting the heck out of it .
Just not needed for success .
I just watched the video. Not what I expected. There was one years ago that was far ahead of this one. I don't know if anyone remembers it but it was by Ace In The Hole Decoys. It's movement was really close to a real turkey. It even had interchangeable heads, a hen and a gobbler. I saw a guy in Ohio that had one.
On the face of it, most people would never guess that there are so many moral/ethical dilemmas involved in turkey hunting. Hunting with decoys or without, hunting from a blind or not, fanning, turkey reaping, and now motorized decoys.
The two methods or means that obviously cross the line in my opinion are turkey reaping and electronics (whether calls or decoys)... (I cannot speak to fanning, as I know very little about it or the effectiveness of it). Gott'a admit, legal or not, I do look down my nose at these two issues.
I won't use them, each year I use decoys all together less and less with increased results, but if a state is dumb enough to allow electronic calls/decoys I cannot fault someone for using them.
Quote from: guesswho on February 18, 2017, 07:41:43 AM
It's called dumbing down. And nothing is safe from t, not even turkey hunting. It started years ago and as hard as it is for some of us to believe, it continues to get even dumber.
No problem believing it here. I've been trapped in a classroom with it for 12 years. Won't believe the stuff getting shoved down our throats. In fact, was told earlier this year to just pass them along regardless of skill level. Holding them back had a direct relationship to a child dropping out and that hurts graduation rates. Can't have that. That being the case, I'm not surprised it's made its way into turkey hunting. I've got no problem with a decoy. Someone wants to fan one, go for it. If your state says you can use a motorized decoy, great. I won't be buying one but won't condemn those that use them either. Couple more years it won't matter anyway. They'll make hunting a push button game. Kids will be able to shoot animals from the safety of their bedroom with the click of a mouse. Afterwards a drone will drop it at the front door already processed and wrapped for the freezer, assuming that they don't already have a way to drop it there to begin with.
If I wanted to use or didnt I wouldn't care if someone wanted to associate with me or not,but it's not my cup of tea...if someone wants to use them I'll still associate with ya...
If you have to have a decoy to kill a turkey maybe you should take up golf ,because you are a turkey shooter not a true turkey hunter in my opinion.
Quote from: turkeykiller41 on February 18, 2017, 10:35:03 PM
If you have to have a decoy to kill a turkey maybe you should take up golf ,because you are a turkey shooter not a true turkey hunter in my opinion.
I'll assume you hunt with a spear as well then.
Quote from: wvmntnhick on February 19, 2017, 08:00:48 AM
Quote from: turkeykiller41 on February 18, 2017, 10:35:03 PM
If you have to have a decoy to kill a turkey maybe you should take up golf ,because you are a turkey shooter not a true turkey hunter in my opinion.
I'll assume you hunt with a spear as well then.
Wouldn't it be an unfair advantage to drive to your hunting spot also that's not fair chase,what kind of call are you using,should be natural voice or a homemade wingbone,if your not walking to your hunting spot from your house,chasing them down with a club or I'll even say calling with a wingbone, you might as well be golfing.....we've been down this road..I look down my nose at people that judge others... Different strokes for different folks..Maybe a newbie wants one,crippled person,etc.....
Quote from: 1iagobblergetter on February 19, 2017, 05:24:33 PM
Quote from: wvmntnhick on February 19, 2017, 08:00:48 AM
Quote from: turkeykiller41 on February 18, 2017, 10:35:03 PM
If you have to have a decoy to kill a turkey maybe you should take up golf ,because you are a turkey shooter not a true turkey hunter in my opinion.
I'll assume you hunt with a spear as well then.
Wouldn't it be an unfair advantage to drive to your hunting spot also that's not fair chase,what kind of call are you using,should be natural voice or a homemade wingbone,if your not walking to your hunting spot from your house,chasing them down with a club or I'll even say calling with a wingbone, you might as well be golfing.....we've been down this road..I look down my nose at people that judge others... Different strokes for different folks..Maybe a newbie wants one,crippled person,etc.....
Going to a golf course and getting a perfect score by hand dropping the ball in each hole would take away some of the fun of the activity ( or at least it should for most of us.).
I do believe that hunting should have some aspect of Fair chase and some degree of interaction with the game that we are chasing. If one needs batteries to go hunting, perhaps it is time to take up a different activity.
Unethical
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Quote from: Marc on February 19, 2017, 06:05:35 PM
Quote from: 1iagobblergetter on February 19, 2017, 05:24:33 PM
Quote from: wvmntnhick on February 19, 2017, 08:00:48 AM
Quote from: turkeykiller41 on February 18, 2017, 10:35:03 PM
If you have to have a decoy to kill a turkey maybe you should take up golf ,because you are a turkey shooter not a true turkey hunter in my opinion.
I'll assume you hunt with a spear as well then.
Wouldn't it be an unfair advantage to drive to your hunting spot also that's not fair chase,what kind of call are you using,should be natural voice or a homemade wingbone,if your not walking to your hunting spot from your house,chasing them down with a club or I'll even say calling with a wingbone, you might as well be golfing.....we've been down this road..I look down my nose at people that judge others... Different strokes for different folks..Maybe a newbie wants one,crippled person,etc.....
Going to a golf course and getting a perfect score by hand dropping the ball in each hole would take away some of the fun of the activity ( or at least it should for most of us.).
I do believe that hunting should have some aspect of Fair chase and some degree of interaction with the game that we are chasing. If one needs batteries to go hunting, perhaps it is time to take up a different activity.
But it's your money if you wanted to who cares???? Believe me it ain't my cup of tea,but if someone needs or wants to who should care....do you use decoys for duck hunting or pass shoot? Shouldn't matter....I'm not condoning battery operated decoys for turkey hunting,but if we're talking fair chase it's club and running after them or even natural voice or wingbone,with longbow or spear....
Quote from: 1iagobblergetter on February 19, 2017, 06:24:04 PM
Quote from: Marc on February 19, 2017, 06:05:35 PM
Quote from: 1iagobblergetter on February 19, 2017, 05:24:33 PM
Quote from: wvmntnhick on February 19, 2017, 08:00:48 AM
Quote from: turkeykiller41 on February 18, 2017, 10:35:03 PM
If you have to have a decoy to kill a turkey maybe you should take up golf ,because you are a turkey shooter not a true turkey hunter in my opinion.
I'll assume you hunt with a spear as well then.
Wouldn't it be an unfair advantage to drive to your hunting spot also that's not fair chase,what kind of call are you using,should be natural voice or a homemade wingbone,if your not walking to your hunting spot from your house,chasing them down with a club or I'll even say calling with a wingbone, you might as well be golfing.....we've been down this road..I look down my nose at people that judge others... Different strokes for different folks..Maybe a newbie wants one,crippled person,etc.....
Going to a golf course and getting a perfect score by hand dropping the ball in each hole would take away some of the fun of the activity ( or at least it should for most of us.).
I do believe that hunting should have some aspect of Fair chase and some degree of interaction with the game that we are chasing. If one needs batteries to go hunting, perhaps it is time to take up a different activity.
But it's your money if you wanted to who cares???? Believe me it ain't my cup of tea,but if someone needs or wants to who should care....do you use decoys for duck hunting or pass shoot? Shouldn't matter....I'm not condoning battery operated decoys for turkey hunting,but if we're talking fair chase it's club and running after them or even natural voice or wingbone,with longbow or spear....
And that sums it up. Someone hunts a little different so we look down on them. If I want to hunt deer over bait, I'll do it. Not now because it's no longer legal in the regions I hunt but previously it was and I did. I've killed deer both ways. Can't necessarily say I prefer one to the other as both come with a different dynamic. If I want to use a blind and decoys, I will. If in your eyes that makes me less of a hunter, so be it. I didn't get into the game to impress anyone. Just wanted to have fun on my terms. Not concerned with others opinions on the matter.
Quote from: wvmntnhick on February 19, 2017, 07:07:12 PM
Quote from: 1iagobblergetter on February 19, 2017, 06:24:04 PM
Quote from: Marc on February 19, 2017, 06:05:35 PM
Quote from: 1iagobblergetter on February 19, 2017, 05:24:33 PM
Quote from: wvmntnhick on February 19, 2017, 08:00:48 AM
Quote from: turkeykiller41 on February 18, 2017, 10:35:03 PM
If you have to have a decoy to kill a turkey maybe you should take up golf ,because you are a turkey shooter not a true turkey hunter in my opinion.
I'll assume you hunt with a spear as well then.
Wouldn't it be an unfair advantage to drive to your hunting spot also that's not fair chase,what kind of call are you using,should be natural voice or a homemade wingbone,if your not walking to your hunting spot from your house,chasing them down with a club or I'll even say calling with a wingbone, you might as well be golfing.....we've been down this road..I look down my nose at people that judge others... Different strokes for different folks..Maybe a newbie wants one,crippled person,etc.....
Going to a golf course and getting a perfect score by hand dropping the ball in each hole would take away some of the fun of the activity ( or at least it should for most of us.).
I do believe that hunting should have some aspect of Fair chase and some degree of interaction with the game that we are chasing. If one needs batteries to go hunting, perhaps it is time to take up a different activity.
But it's your money if you wanted to who cares???? Believe me it ain't my cup of tea,but if someone needs or wants to who should care....do you use decoys for duck hunting or pass shoot? Shouldn't matter....I'm not condoning battery operated decoys for turkey hunting,but if we're talking fair chase it's club and running after them or even natural voice or wingbone,with longbow or spear....
And that sums it up. Someone hunts a little different so we look down on them. If I want to hunt deer over bait, I'll do it. Not now because it's no longer legal in the regions I hunt but previously it was and I did. I've killed deer both ways. Can't necessarily say I prefer one to the other as both come with a different dynamic. If I want to use a blind and decoys, I will. If in your eyes that makes me less of a hunter, so be it. I didn't get into the game to impress anyone. Just wanted to have fun on my terms. Not concerned with others opinions on the matter.
I think a bunch of guys should change careers and go back to school and write game laws for a living...
Wouldn't matter. Many of the laws are vague enough that a good English teacher could defend you in a court of law anyway.
Quote from: 1iagobblergetter on February 19, 2017, 06:24:04 PM
But it's your money if you wanted to who cares???? Believe me it ain't my cup of tea,but if someone needs or wants to who should care....do you use decoys for duck hunting or pass shoot? Shouldn't matter....I'm not condoning battery operated decoys for turkey hunting,but if we're talking fair chase it's club and running after them or even natural voice or wingbone,with longbow or spear....
Game laws are written and based on to some degree the level of Hunter success and Hunter take on certain species.
If we create products that allow more hunters far easier success on taking game, it would make sense that we would see reductions in both season link and harvest limits.
It is always been my feeling that hunters are and should be the biggest conservationalist, and the most adamant stewards of the game that we take.
When spinning wing duck decoys initially came out, they were so effective that it was a bit startling to me. However what was more startling is that hunters not only condoned them, but created a market for them.
Thankfully due to the fact that these birds migrate, and experience some degree of hunting pressure before they get to us, we have seen a great reduction in the effectiveness of these decoys. But, initially I certainly did write a letter to my own fishing game department as to my disapproval of these decoys and their use in hunting.
Not only do I not see issue with questioning methods and means that seem unfair, I believe it is the responsibility of ethical hunters and conservationalists to evaluate and consider some of the means and methods used to take the game that we so enjoy.
I hear ya and wonder where it stops,but I'm not going to judge anyone how they hunt. If someone came into your store and started grabbing glasses off your shelves on a continuing basis you'd call the law to get them out of your store before you went broke. What if a farmer just buys a license and motorized decoy to hunt behind so he has less turkeys scratching his seed out as fast as he plants it? My question is unless a person hunts them like our early ancestors were all cheating aren't we? Just some a little less than others....
should not be allowed, there is a BIG difference between a turkey hunter and a turkey shooter, if you are using bait, all the latest electronic gadgets, and trying to set a world record for the longest shot on a wild turkey then you are a turkey shooter. The word "hunter" should not even be used around this.
It doesn't take a motorized decoy to kill a turkey.
This is just a marketing ploy that will steal your $
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Quote from: surehuntsalot on February 19, 2017, 10:30:15 PM
should not be allowed, there is a BIG difference between a turkey hunter and a turkey shooter, if you are using bait, all the latest electronic gadgets, and trying to set a world record for the longest shot on a wild turkey then you are a turkey shooter. The word "hunter" should not even be used around this.
I have to agree,but all I'm saying is everyone has a different opinion of ethical. Some bowhunters think it's unethical to use a shotgun, I like to shoot my turkeys under 20 yds,but don't fault someone for shooting 40yds. Some guys hate decoys and think it's cheating others think nothing of it..etc. I wouldn't ever use a motorized decoy. Don't need to,but I'm not going to lose sleep over someone that does. I just think it's beating a dead horse. Hunt the way you want and let others hunt the way they want as long as the person believes it's ETHICAL....also shooting ethically,and it's within the law. It boils down to how much of a challenge does a person want in my opinion.
As usual, we tend to become our own worst enemies. I have no doubt that a decoy with realistic motion would be more effective, I've always thought decoys were a hit or miss endeavor since they DON'T move unless the wind is blowing (and if the wind is too fast, they blow over). But I have no plan on buying one, at least right now. But if someone wants to hunt with one, knock yourself out. :z-guntootsmiley:
These debates always surface when change is introduced into the hunting world, whether it's seasons, bag limits, equipment, etc. We as stakeholders naturally have an opinion on all of it.
I appreciate the adage of "if you want to hunt that way, and its legal - go for it"... BUT it is up to us collectively to have input on what regulations and laws govern our sport. We all have our own personal line of ethics concerning legal methods of hunting that we choose to follow. To blindly accept "new" is not always best - even if you don't think it will effect you personally.
My opinion (since it was asked): motorized decoys have crossed the line. I truly believe they are a profit motivated manipulation of hunters. Especially those seeking instant gratification, or "guaranteed" results. I can only hope these types of 'innovations" meet enough resistance that they fail to produce the expected profit margins, and disappear.
I totally get that we are no longer living in old school times. I look at my darn phone to see a satellite image of the property I'm hunting on for goodness sakes! My personal line of ethics allows me to do that...lol.
Improved shotgun ammo for cleaner kills? GOOD
Improved shotgun ammo for longer kills? Not so much
Improved clothing for my comfort? Very GOOD
Planting food plots for turkey and wildlife? GOOD
Hunting turkeys over a pile of bait? Not so much
Etc, etc, etc...
Quote from: SteelerFan on February 20, 2017, 10:47:54 AM
These debates always surface when change is introduced into the hunting world, whether it's seasons, bag limits, equipment, etc. We as stakeholders naturally have an opinion on all of it.
I appreciate the adage of "if you want to hunt that way, and its legal - go for it"... BUT it is up to us collectively to have input on what regulations and laws govern our sport. We all have our own personal line of ethics concerning legal methods of hunting that we choose to follow. To blindly accept "new" is not always best - even if you don't think it will effect you personally.
My opinion (since it was asked): motorized decoys have crossed the line. I truly believe they are a profit motivated manipulation of hunters. Especially those seeking instant gratification, or "guaranteed" results. I can only hope these types of 'innovations" meet enough resistance that they fail to produce the expected profit margins, and disappear.
I totally get that we are no longer living in old school times. I look at my darn phone to see a satellite image of the property I'm hunting on for goodness sakes! My personal line of ethics allows me to do that...lol.
Improved shotgun ammo for cleaner kills? GOOD
Improved shotgun ammo for longer kills? Not so much
Improved clothing for my comfort? Very GOOD
Planting food plots for turkey and wildlife? GOOD
Hunting turkeys over a pile of bait? Not so much
Etc, etc, etc...
Well said.
Quote from: SteelerFan on February 20, 2017, 10:47:54 AM
These debates always surface when change is introduced into the hunting world, whether it's seasons, bag limits, equipment, etc. We as stakeholders naturally have an opinion on all of it.
I appreciate the adage of "if you want to hunt that way, and its legal - go for it"... BUT it is up to us collectively to have input on what regulations and laws govern our sport. We all have our own personal line of ethics concerning legal methods of hunting that we choose to follow. To blindly accept "new" is not always best - even if you don't think it will effect you personally.
My opinion (since it was asked): motorized decoys have crossed the line. I truly believe they are a profit motivated manipulation of hunters. Especially those seeking instant gratification, or "guaranteed" results. I can only hope these types of 'innovations" meet enough resistance that they fail to produce the expected profit margins, and disappear.
I totally get that we are no longer living in old school times. I look at my darn phone to see a satellite image of the property I'm hunting on for goodness sakes! My personal line of ethics allows me to do that...lol.
Improved shotgun ammo for cleaner kills? GOOD
Improved shotgun ammo for longer kills? Not so much
Improved clothing for my comfort? Very GOOD
Planting food plots for turkey and wildlife? GOOD
Hunting turkeys over a pile of bait? Not so much
Etc, etc, etc...
Agree 100% but it is very hard to provide resistance these days when you are constantly battered with the " lets all hold hands and get along" mantra.
It is my personal opinion that the "go for it if it is legal" crowd is starting to really hurt the outdoor/shooting sports as a whole.
One emerging trend that I see on hunting forums is the actual loss of our very own opinions. We are constantly being told that to stay strong as a collective whole we must value each others opinions, make no waves and dont step on anybodys toes, while at the same time being struck down for an opinion.
Example: make a simple post about not using dekes or blinds and you will be told that you are out of touch and not respecting others privilege to hunt in their own way......while being told that your opinion doesnt matter. Think about that for a bit.......
Cant have it both ways.......now excuse me as I have decided to start smoking the reefer weed today, screw my ethics, right ? Hey, its legal........
Gods of Thunder
Humans have been judging one another since the dawn of man. So it has been, so it shall remain.
Bowbender has it right imo. To each his own but we are sportsman. We sport hunt so it's gotta be sporting. Making things easier isn't making them more sporting. It's only an opinion but the harder it is the more rewarding.
I'm not against all technology, we all use some.,
One word, three syllables- DAN-GER-OUS! Why don't you just tote domestic bird with you and tether it to a tree and let it do all the calling for you too. Geez!
I know some people it would be fun to use to mess with. I would not pay 300 for it but I think I could get a couple good laughs from it and a real fan placed on it.
Quote from: BowBendr on February 20, 2017, 12:09:49 PM
Quote from: SteelerFan on February 20, 2017, 10:47:54 AM
These debates always surface when change is introduced into the hunting world, whether it's seasons, bag limits, equipment, etc. We as stakeholders naturally have an opinion on all of it.
I appreciate the adage of "if you want to hunt that way, and its legal - go for it"... BUT it is up to us collectively to have input on what regulations and laws govern our sport. We all have our own personal line of ethics concerning legal methods of hunting that we choose to follow. To blindly accept "new" is not always best - even if you don't think it will effect you personally.
My opinion (since it was asked): motorized decoys have crossed the line. I truly believe they are a profit motivated manipulation of hunters. Especially those seeking instant gratification, or "guaranteed" results. I can only hope these types of 'innovations" meet enough resistance that they fail to produce the expected profit margins, and disappear.
I totally get that we are no longer living in old school times. I look at my darn phone to see a satellite image of the property I'm hunting on for goodness sakes! My personal line of ethics allows me to do that...lol.
Improved shotgun ammo for cleaner kills? GOOD
Improved shotgun ammo for longer kills? Not so much
Improved clothing for my comfort? Very GOOD
Planting food plots for turkey and wildlife? GOOD
Hunting turkeys over a pile of bait? Not so much
Etc, etc, etc...
Agree 100% but it is very hard to provide resistance these days when you are constantly battered with the " lets all hold hands and get along" mantra.
It is my personal opinion that the "go for it if it is legal" crowd is starting to really hurt the outdoor/shooting sports as a whole.
One emerging trend that I see on hunting forums is the actual loss of our very own opinions. We are constantly being told that to stay strong as a collective whole we must value each others opinions, make no waves and dont step on anybodys toes, while at the same time being struck down for an opinion.
Example: make a simple post about not using dekes or blinds and you will be told that you are out of touch and not respecting others privilege to hunt in their own way......while being told that your opinion doesnt matter. Think about that for a bit.......
Cant have it both ways.......now excuse me as I have decided to start smoking the reefer weed today, screw my ethics, right ? Hey, its legal........
Gods of Thunder
Lol..that's a good one.....If it's legal smoke er up just don't blow it in anyone's face that doesn't want some... :funnyturkey:
In my opinion they need to outlaw them in all states! To me the sport and thrill is being able to call the turkey :turkey2: to the gun.
Quote from: silvestris on February 20, 2017, 12:51:25 PM
Humans have been judging one another since the dawn of man. So it has been, so it shall remain.
Preach it Socrates
Pearls before swine
I'm gonna pass on this model and keep waiting for the turkey on a string kite that allows flydowns too
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I am just gonna spend $300 on rifle shells and get to the point.
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Quote from: Happy on February 20, 2017, 06:04:11 PM
I am just gonna spend $300 on rifle shells and get to the point.
:TooFunny: :TooFunny: :TooFunny:
Would I use one? Heck no. For one thing they would be way too bulky. For another they are illegal in PA. And really I don't think they'd help me anyway. Are they ethical? That's for the individual to decide. Ethics are a personal matter. Will they lead to shorter seasons and smaller bag limits because they are so effective? Now that is just laughable! There have been lots of much better, much more effective, and much deadlier innovations to come along in the past 20 years than an rc car with a decoy on it. Those products didn't affect matters and neither will this.
:camohat: What I was trying to say is found in Gene Nunnery's book 'Old Pro Turkey Hunter', Ken Morgan's books, 'Turkey Hunting a One Man Game', 'America, Wild Turkeys and Mongrel Dogs ' and last but not least Tom Kelly's 'Tenth Legion'. What I'm trying to say is read what the GIANTS of our sport say about tradition and that our sport is MORE THAN KILLING A TURKEY. There are more Dwain Bland, Archibald Rutledge, Lovett Williams, Doug Camp, John McDaniel. When I said I wouldn't associate with people that use such things and aids, I won't hunt with them, if they want to do it and its legal fine but you won't do it with me. When we thumb our noses at tradition and the way its done long ago we lose part of ourselves. A sport like turkey hunting when we leave tradition at the back door it diminishes us. Its all about choices. If you haven't read the books I mentioned, read them they are a lot more persuasive than I'll ever be. I'll leave you you with a quote from Tom Kelly in 'Tenth Legion', 'I don't hunt turkeys because I want to, I hunt turkeys because I have to', and ', '...I'm glad I lived long enough to see it one more time'. (calling a turkey to the gun the old fashioned way) Turkey hunting is bigger than ourselves and don't forget that. My :z-twocents: worth. Peace and love brothers and sisters.
Looks like I hurt some feelings on the decoy subject, I am not sorry for what I believe If you do not have the skills to sit dowm at the base of a tree and call a turkey up close enough to shoot it with a shotgun without the aid of a fake turkey for him to look at then I feel sorry for you.
Didn't hurt mine. I'll use whatever I want and could care less what you think. You might think your skilled but you aint skilled unless your sitting at the base of a tree like some guys do with a longbow. That's skilled.. I'll give ya skilled at stirring the pot though and that's all I'll give ya..Oh and I feel even more sorry for you...
Quote from: 1iagobblergetter on February 20, 2017, 10:54:10 PM
Didn't hurt mine. I'll use whatever I want and could care less what you think. You might think your skilled but you aint skilled unless your sitting at the base of a tree like some guys do with a longbow. That's skilled.. I'll give ya skilled at stirring the pot though and that's all I'll give ya..Oh and I feel even more sorry for you...
And there's some truth.
If we are talking the heritage of turkey hunting then this should be the only way you can hunt them right, nothing but a bow and some woodland skill.
MK M GOBL
Quote from: BowBendr on February 20, 2017, 12:09:49 PM
Quote from: SteelerFan on February 20, 2017, 10:47:54 AM
These debates always surface when change is introduced into the hunting world, whether it's seasons, bag limits, equipment, etc. We as stakeholders naturally have an opinion on all of it.
I appreciate the adage of "if you want to hunt that way, and its legal - go for it"... BUT it is up to us collectively to have input on what regulations and laws govern our sport. We all have our own personal line of ethics concerning legal methods of hunting that we choose to follow. To blindly accept "new" is not always best - even if you don't think it will effect you personally.
My opinion (since it was asked): motorized decoys have crossed the line. I truly believe they are a profit motivated manipulation of hunters. Especially those seeking instant gratification, or "guaranteed" results. I can only hope these types of 'innovations" meet enough resistance that they fail to produce the expected profit margins, and disappear.
I totally get that we are no longer living in old school times. I look at my darn phone to see a satellite image of the property I'm hunting on for goodness sakes! My personal line of ethics allows me to do that...lol.
Improved shotgun ammo for cleaner kills? GOOD
Improved shotgun ammo for longer kills? Not so much
Improved clothing for my comfort? Very GOOD
Planting food plots for turkey and wildlife? GOOD
Hunting turkeys over a pile of bait? Not so much
Etc, etc, etc...
Agree 100% but it is very hard to provide resistance these days when you are constantly battered with the " lets all hold hands and get along" mantra.
It is my personal opinion that the "go for it if it is legal" crowd is starting to really hurt the outdoor/shooting sports as a whole.
One emerging trend that I see on hunting forums is the actual loss of our very own opinions. We are constantly being told that to stay strong as a collective whole we must value each others opinions, make no waves and dont step on anybodys toes, while at the same time being struck down for an opinion.
Example: make a simple post about not using dekes or blinds and you will be told that you are out of touch and not respecting others privilege to hunt in their own way......while being told that your opinion doesnt matter. Think about that for a bit.......
Cant have it both ways.......now excuse me as I have decided to start smoking the reefer weed today, screw my ethics, right ? Hey, its legal........
Gods of Thunder
The issue isn't so much people saying they don't use blinds or decoys. Personally, I could care less if someone chose to or not. Where the issue stems from, like a statement above, is that they simply look down on those that do. If you choose to hunt one way and someone else chooses to hunt another, so be it. One doesn't have to like it but they need not run it into the ground or complain about it every time they get a chance.
It seems like the root of the issue for a lot of people is that it just simply makes it easier to kill a turkey. Easier than it was back when I was coming up learning to hunt the way I consider being the way to hunt turkeys. People entering the sport now, this will be the way they come up learning to hunt turkeys, and then in 30 years, they will have this same discussion about how it used to take more skill to kill a gobbler 30 years ago. It's the way of the world. Technological growth brings a seemingly downside to it as well which is summarized by the way most of us feel about using an electronic decoy. This is just our version of what our parents felt 30 years ago when we started hunting with some better "this or that" that made it easier for us to kill game. I love the thrill of the hunt, and I've regressed to kill things with recurve bows, hunted barefoot, etc in my younger years to satisify that desire. For me now, I'm a gun hunter and while it rubs me the wrong way the way the world his headed to make everything easier, I think in reality it's just me getting older with more experience and a mature perspective based on my own personal history.
Quote from: MK M GOBL on February 21, 2017, 12:30:12 AM
Quote from: 1iagobblergetter on February 20, 2017, 10:54:10 PM
Didn't hurt mine. I'll use whatever I want and could care less what you think. You might think your skilled but you aint skilled unless your sitting at the base of a tree like some guys do with a longbow. That's skilled.. I'll give ya skilled at stirring the pot though and that's all I'll give ya..Oh and I feel even more sorry for you...
And there's some truth.
If we are talking the heritage of turkey hunting then this should be the only way you can hunt them right, nothing but a bow and some woodland skill.
MK M GOBL
buh buh buh butttt.... ha ha I love it. While we are at it anyone that carries a thermacell is cheating.. In order to be a skilled turkey hunter you must sit still with 1000 mosquitoes biting you as you work the bird into range of your long bow without a mask, gloves or a shirt on.
Now..that's funny...Lol...that would definitely give you one less skill level point according to some
Not allowed in Michigan and wouldn't use if they were.
I almost got ran over by a motorized gobbler mounted on a radio controlled truck at the convention...almost drop kicked it, but that would not have been :mycross: I am not against decoys, but this kind of thing in my opinion is really marketed to someone sitting in a blind 99% of the time, again to each his own. I am covering too much ground in a morning to be toting around a gobbler on a pod. I will confess that I could really pull some stunts on my buddies with that gobbler truck decoy...sup that thing up where it would run about 80 mph... :TooFunny:
I think they're stupid. I won't tell anyone not to use one though unless they actually asked for my advice.
One thing that gets on my nerves is the good turkey hunters who say someone is not a real hunter because they don't hunt the old fashioned way. We are all turkey hunters, we're on the same team. If you want to encourage someone to try hunting the traditional way, don't just come out and tell them they aren't a real hunter. Then they'll never listen to you.
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Well, of course you are going to have the purists that are against any kind of decoy, period. Personally, I use dekes regularly, but not always. I have taken about 1/3 of my gobblers without a decoy.
My personal opinion is that any legal method is fine by me, even if it's not my style and I don't do it. Yes, I know that legal is not the same thing as ethical. Personally, I think ethics is a matter of personal opinion. It depends on who taught you to hunt, what their beliefs were, and what they instilled into you. Might not be the same as was taught to me, so we might disagree.
With all that said, I think decoys are fine, calling is fine, and even stalking a bird up (if you have that skill) is fine. But, I don't like the motion dekes for duck hunting, and I especially don't like it for turkey hunting. I hope the motion turk dekes don't catch on or become legal all over. I think you should have woodsmanship skills, calling skills, hunting skills, and if you feel the need, use decoys. I don't see the need for motion dekes for turkeys, because I think it provides an unfair advantage. Turkeys hang up on some decoys, often due to them being statue still. I don't like the motion decoys for that reason, even though some dekes move in the wind, and others have strings attached to provide motion. I don't like the string ones, or the electronic ones.
Just my opinion, which is no better than anyone else's opinion. So as long as it is legal, I'll support your right to use a legal method to harvest a bird.
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Quote from: catman529 on February 21, 2017, 08:41:00 PM
I think they're stupid. I won't tell anyone not to use one though unless they actually asked for my advice.
One thing that gets on my nerves is the good turkey hunters who say someone is not a real hunter because they don't hunt the old fashioned way. We are all turkey hunters, we're on the same team. If you want to encourage someone to try hunting the traditional way, don't just come out and tell them they aren't a real hunter. Then they'll never listen to you.
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:icon_thumright: :icon_thumright: :icon_thumright:
Quote from: tha bugman on February 21, 2017, 04:43:26 PMI am not against decoys, but this kind of thing in my opinion is really marketed to someone sitting in a blind 99% of the time, again to each his own. I am covering too much ground in a morning to be toting around a gobbler on a pod.
Excellent point. I use dekes fairly often because running and gunning doesn't work as well in the heart of Dixie as it does in my experiences up north and out west. But if where I hunted was conducive to the run and gun approach, I would leave the dekes in the truck also. It is a much more fun style of hunting than sitting over dekes is.
Quote from: RutnNStrutn on February 21, 2017, 10:43:49 PM
Well, of course you are going to have the purists that are against any kind of decoy, period. Personally, I use dekes regularly, but not always. I have taken about 1/3 of my gobblers without a decoy.
My personal opinion is that any legal method is fine by me, even if it's not my style and I don't do it. Yes, I know that legal is not the same thing as ethical. Personally, I think ethics is a matter of personal opinion. It depends on who taught you to hunt, what their beliefs were, and what they instilled into you. Might not be the same as was taught to me, so we might disagree.
With all that said, I think decoys are fine, calling is fine, and even stalking a bird up (if you have that skill) is fine. But, I don't like the motion dekes for duck hunting, and I especially don't like it for turkey hunting. I hope the motion turk dekes don't catch on or become legal all over. I think you should have woodsmanship skills, calling skills, hunting skills, and if you feel the need, use decoys. I don't see the need for motion dekes for turkeys, because I think it provides an unfair advantage. Turkeys hang up on some decoys, often due to them being statue still. I don't like the motion decoys for that reason, even though some dekes move in the wind, and others have strings attached to provide motion. I don't like the string ones, or the electronic ones.
Just my opinion, which is no better than anyone else's opinion. So as long as it is legal, I'll support your right to use a legal method to harvest a bird.
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+1
Personally, I love 'em. I wish everybody would get themselves one, plop their behinds down on the ground somewhere, and drive one of these dekes around in front of them all day long. It'll keep them out of my way and they will never get back to the areas that I would be hunting anyway.
Besides that, if I see someone with one of them, I will know where I can go later to get some shooting practice at a moving target! :toothy12: ;D
On a more serious note, I don't think you will see these take off. I for one don't know or hunt with anyone that would consider using one and dragging that thing in and out would be a pain. I will use a decoy about 20% of the time and that is if I am taking a youngster that can't sit still and I need something to draw attention away from a kiddo moving a little bit as I don't use a blind either. That being said I don't see anything wrong with someone using a decoy.
The motorized decoy is taking it a little to far in my opinion, but unfortunately that is what hunting shows and hunting companies have done. They have to put something new out every year and the shows have to market and advertise what their sponsors are wanting to push. I am sure many of the guys on TV using some of this stuff would much rather not but in order to make it in their careers they have to and that is where I think many have gone wrong. The shows have gone from trying to be educational to 30 minutes of pushing product down our throats. I would be more interested in a hunting show filmed on public land actually showing real hunting, both the good and the bad. Explaining and giving advice on hunting pressured birds, dealing with the rest of the general public that hunts public land etc. That would be something I would be interested in watching.
Outside of motion decoys in and of itself, another aspect to consider is the self-monitoring of hunting and hunting regulations...
Although there are a growing number of hunters, the number of hunters as a percentage of the population is falling...
We will never win over the anti-hunting population, and any efforts to do so are a wasted effort. However, one of the goals of the hunting community should be to win over the non-hunters, or at the very least not push them over to the anti-hunting population.
I would much rather the hunting community self-impose regulation, rather than offend the public and have regulation imposed upon us... Eventually that regulation will likely extend to the end of hunting.
As a hunter, I do not see the use of mechanical decoys as fair-chase... Having shown the videos to non-hunters, the first thing they say is "that is not fair."
Hunters demanding or requesting more "ethical" hunting regulations is at the very least, good PR for the hunting community.
I agree with a lot of what you say is this post Marc. The problem with self regulation is that every time those that are concerned with fair chase and looking after the well being of the wildlife speak up, those that are only concerned with killing things get butt hurt and start the "same team" "we have to stick together" bs. "Hunters" wiped out the Buffalo and didn't think twice about it. They also darned near did the same with turkeys and deer. Hunting is supposed to be a challenging for a reason. We want to continue to have a healthy population. Now that those who make the rules are more serious about making dollars than being conservationists you are seeing the result. And you are right. Most of the non-hunting people I know are disgusted by the behavior of the modern "hunter." And I dont blame them a bit. It turns my stomach as well.
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One thing that gets on my nerves is when these new breed hunters get on here and try to silence the old school hunters who understand how turkeys were intended to be hunted in the Spring and have respect for their quarry. The ones that play the game by the rules and understand that there is more to hunting than the kill. You know the ones who are concerned for the future of hunting and where our sport is headed.
And that same team stuff is a bunch of BS because its way past being long overdue that true hunters and conservationists make their voices heard out of concern for where this new breed of so called hunter is taking the sport, to its demise.
I have about as much problem with motorized decoys as people have with me for making fun of anyone using them. I already poke fun at people for using regular decoys. This is gonna get good!
I'm looking forward to the first story about the one that got away because the batteries ran out before it worked all the way in.