I was watching the hunting channel yesterday trying to get a fix because I haven't been able to get to the woods in a while. Turkey hunting show came on, can't remember the name but it was a real tree show with Michael Waddell. Almost every hunt they showed they were hiding behind a turkey fan and going to the turkeys. I've never done it and honestly don't plan on it. But here's my question. Is it really that popular or is it just a product pitch? I only know one person who's ever even attempted it.
It's getting pretty popular. It looks rough on the ol' knees, though.
Yeah I've watched it on tv, it's pretty crazy.I might try it, when there out in the open, and won't move.
It looks like a young man's game. It just goes to show what I've always said about turkeys...that they are not very smart...but they are very, very wary and don't hang around if they sense something is not right. Why they don't figure out reaping is a mystery to me, just like why they don't seem to mind a pop-up blind set up in the middle of a wide-open field while deer would spook immediately. Just another example of knowing the animals that your are hunting.
It works, it's a rush the first time, then it's just an easy way to kill a turkey. Not a lot of challenge to it, kinda like hunting over a feeder.
I've done it a few time now with mixed results. Belly crawling is tough, but it is exciting when they charge you. All in all, it's like anything else - sometimes it works other times it doesn't. If you never tried it and have an area where you feel safe doing it, give it a try, if you decide it's not for you don't shoot. Either way I guarantee your heart rate will rise.
a good way to catch a rifle bullet
Quote from: surehuntsalot on March 31, 2017, 11:13:33 PM
a good way to catch a rifle bullet
That's what I'm thinking...
Not for me and not for anyone of the people I hunt with. I think it's popular because it easy and that it doesn't require any kind of game plan. Just grab a fan and crawl straight to them or let them run to you.
Not for me.
Im old school and that will never be an option for me personally. Its about like killing one over a feeder or walking up on one in a logging road and shooting it. I dont want to kill them that bad. I turkey hunt because i like playing the game with them. If I fool him and call him up , I will shoot him, any other way he wins and we do battle again another day. Just my 2 cents.
The thing that amuses me about these reaping/fanning discussion threads is that they will be right next to threads regarding what are the best decoys to use. Yet, seldom does anyone proclaim in those discussions that using decoys is unfair to the turkeys.
Why do hunters use decoys? It is to bring turkeys in close enough to the hunter to be shot. It all comes down to using visual aids to fool turkeys into coming closer to the hunter.
Why have we come to accept the use of hen/jake/strutter decoys in turkey hunting, but turn right around and condemn someone for using those very same visual tools in another manner? Frankly, it just doesn't make sense to me,...and to clarify, I am not a "reaper" trying to defend myself.
If you want to condemn "visual aids", then condemn them all,...and let's get rid of decoy use in turkey hunting altogether. If not, then we need to accept the fact that some folks are going to use them in manner that does not fit into our own personal ideologies of what is acceptable in turkey hunting. That does not make them wrong and us right.
Quote from: GobbleNut on April 01, 2017, 10:01:38 AM
The thing that amuses me about these reaping/fanning discussion threads is that they will be right next to threads regarding what are the best decoys to use. Yet, seldom does anyone proclaim in those discussions that using decoys is unfair to the turkeys.
Why do hunters use decoys? It is to bring turkeys in close enough to the hunter to be shot. It all comes down to using visual aids to fool turkeys into coming closer to the hunter.
Why have we come to accept the use of hen/jake/strutter decoys in turkey hunting, but turn right around and condemn someone for using those very same visual tools in another manner? Frankly, it just doesn't make sense to me,...and to clarify, I am not a "reaper" trying to defend myself.
If you want to condemn "visual aids", then condemn them all,...and let's get rid of decoy use in turkey hunting altogether. If not, then we need to accept the fact that some folks are going to use them in manner that does not fit into our own personal ideologies of what is acceptable in turkey hunting. That does not make them wrong and us right.
I understand your view about the fairness/unfairness factor. Not gonna discuss that but being turkey hunting is one of the more dangerous hunt sports why would anyone camouflage themselves so they can't be seen than put a turkey right next to their brain pan? Makes no sense. Darwinism can help!
Quote from: Spitten and drummen on April 01, 2017, 06:13:13 AM
Im old school and that will never be an option for me personally. Its about like killing one over a feeder or walking up on one in a logging road and shooting it. I dont want to kill them that bad. I turkey hunt because i like playing the game with them. If I fool him and call him up , I will shoot him, any other way he wins and we do battle again another day. Just my 2 cents.
:agreed: :agreed:
This reaping stuff comes up about every other week.
I'll put it this way, I'd you aren't much for calling, and aren't much for sitting over decoys and don't mind the added safety risk it's a very effective method at killing birds.
Where legal it's up to the hunter to decide.
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For a lot of us, it has nothing to do with how we "feel" about it.
It is about how we "learned" to hunt them.
For some of us older guys there was no such thing back when we started. It was not a personal opinion, it just did not exist as a mainstream tactic. Heck, when I started turkey, hunting mouth calls were just really getting started en mass. There was no store to go to peruse the wide selection of diaphragm callers you see today. No loungers, no therma-cells, no pop up blinds.....nothing.
To me it is not about my opinion, although I do have one.....it was about me learning to do it without these items. I simply do not need them to kill turkeys....bunches of turkeys.
I thought I could never hunt like that but now I want to try it, I would only do it after I shot mine by calling it in then I'd use a fan and try it but without killing the bird.
Stalking is illegal here in PA, not to mention a good way to get shot.
At least a decoy would make a good pillow or seat cushion.
Quote from: GobbleNut on April 01, 2017, 10:01:38 AM
The thing that amuses me about these reaping/fanning discussion threads is that they will be right next to threads regarding what are the best decoys to use. Yet, seldom does anyone proclaim in those discussions that using decoys is unfair to the turkeys.
Why do hunters use decoys? It is to bring turkeys in close enough to the hunter to be shot. It all comes down to using visual aids to fool turkeys into coming closer to the hunter.
Why have we come to accept the use of hen/jake/strutter decoys in turkey hunting, but turn right around and condemn someone for using those very same visual tools in another manner? Frankly, it just doesn't make sense to me,...and to clarify, I am not a "reaper" trying to defend myself.
If you want to condemn "visual aids", then condemn them all,...and let's get rid of decoy use in turkey hunting altogether. If not, then we need to accept the fact that some folks are going to use them in manner that does not fit into our own personal ideologies of what is acceptable in turkey hunting. That does not make them wrong and us right.
:icon_thumright: :icon_thumright: :icon_thumright:
Quote from: beagler on April 01, 2017, 02:42:24 PM
Stalking is illegal here in PA, not to mention a good way to get shot.
More people get shot using calls or walking than do/have by reaping so if that is your reasoning then you have the wrong hobby.
Quote from: Bowguy on April 01, 2017, 10:29:11 AM
Quote from: GobbleNut on April 01, 2017, 10:01:38 AM
The thing that amuses me about these reaping/fanning discussion threads is that they will be right next to threads regarding what are the best decoys to use. Yet, seldom does anyone proclaim in those discussions that using decoys is unfair to the turkeys.
Why do hunters use decoys? It is to bring turkeys in close enough to the hunter to be shot. It all comes down to using visual aids to fool turkeys into coming closer to the hunter.
Why have we come to accept the use of hen/jake/strutter decoys in turkey hunting, but turn right around and condemn someone for using those very same visual tools in another manner? Frankly, it just doesn't make sense to me,...and to clarify, I am not a "reaper" trying to defend myself.
If you want to condemn "visual aids", then condemn them all,...and let's get rid of decoy use in turkey hunting altogether. If not, then we need to accept the fact that some folks are going to use them in manner that does not fit into our own personal ideologies of what is acceptable in turkey hunting. That does not make them wrong and us right.
I understand your view about the fairness/unfairness factor. Not gonna discuss that but being turkey hunting is one of the more dangerous hunt sports why would anyone camouflage themselves so they can't be seen than put a turkey right next to their brain pan? Makes no sense. Darwinism can help!
In Montana, there are lots of illegal scum, driving around with 22's, looking to poach turkeys from the Road, by shooting from inside of vehicles. These idiots are out there, and I wouldn't want to be out in a field, with a fan.
Ive never fanned a turkey but if the situation is right i would love to. Turkey hunting is all about the adrenaline rush. And to me there would be no greater rish than having a strutter comin running at u within feet. Anyone who uses a gobbler decoy and in turn frowns against fanning is a hypocrite in my opinion.
Quote from: GobbleNut on April 01, 2017, 10:01:38 AM
The thing that amuses me about these reaping/fanning discussion threads is that they will be right next to threads regarding what are the best decoys to use. Yet, seldom does anyone proclaim in those discussions that using decoys is unfair to the turkeys.
Why do hunters use decoys? It is to bring turkeys in close enough to the hunter to be shot. It all comes down to using visual aids to fool turkeys into coming closer to the hunter.
Why have we come to accept the use of hen/jake/strutter decoys in turkey hunting, but turn right around and condemn someone for using those very same visual tools in another manner? Frankly, it just doesn't make sense to me,...and to clarify, I am not a "reaper" trying to defend myself.
If you want to condemn "visual aids", then condemn them all,...and let's get rid of decoy use in turkey hunting altogether. If not, then we need to accept the fact that some folks are going to use them in manner that does not fit into our own personal ideologies of what is acceptable in turkey hunting. That does not make them wrong and us right.
As far as reaping/fanning, I do not know enough about it to really comment on the ethics of it... How much skill does it require, and how often is it successful?
But, if a means or method is overly successful, I would say we need to visit the idea of whether or not it should be legal to use said method...
When spinning wing duck decoys first came out, they were extremely effective... To the point that many hunters wanted them banned. Some states succeeded, some did not. Luckily, waterfowl are migratory, and as they migrate down, they seem to learn rather quickly to avoid these things (that was not the case the first couple years in use though).
Obviously, we all have our own personal ethics as to how we enjoy, and how we feel game should be hunted... But, at some point just cause it is legal does not make it right... I think all of us here would agree that shooting a bird out of a morning roost would simply be wrong (whether legal or not)... I put electronic decoys in a similar category.
Quote from: snapper1982 on April 01, 2017, 05:04:55 PM
Quote from: beagler on April 01, 2017, 02:42:24 PM
Stalking is illegal here in PA, not to mention a good way to get shot.
More people get shot using calls or walking than do/have by reaping so if that is your reasoning then you have the wrong hobby.
That's a half truth, yes more ppl get shot calling but that's more driven due to the simple fact vastly more people are calling far more time afield than reaping not that it's inharently a more risky endeavor.
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So from someone who does at times use decoys, the only reasoning I see the difference I see between the "reaping" tactic and decoying is the "Safety" aspect. Now that is coming from me as a Hunter's Ed Instructor. I could never imagine taking a "Target" placing it in front of my head or chest and sneaking in to a situation where one could be shot. Now not to say people don't sneak up on decoys, just as people will sneak up on a "Call"... all hunting situations carry some risk with them and some "Hunter's" do not follow the 4 Rules of Firearm Safety. But IMO there is inherently more risk involved in the reaping tactic than other forms of turkey hunting, just like the old rule of not wearing or having anything red, white or blue on you while turkey hunting. Now down to the store we sell a number of these reaping decoys and even though I use DSD decoys which have amazing detail and likeness, Now I would never crawl through a field with a "decoy" in front of me.
I also see some difference between what I know as "Fanning" and "Reaping"... Fanning is the tactic where you hold up a fan from your calling position and show a bird the fan without moving towards the bird. Reaping is the tactic to where you move in on a bird with a fan/decoy and close the distance between you and the bird until the point you shoot.
MK M GOBL
I want a pop-up blind shaped like a giant fan...big enough for lots of women & children to fit inside...
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Quote from: mudhen on April 02, 2017, 02:53:56 AM
I want a pop-up blind shaped like a giant fan...big enough for lots of women & children to fit inside...
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[/quote
Gave me an idea. Beach umbrella painted like a turkey tail mounted on the front of my 4 wheeler! I could just ride up and grab 'em by the neck. Don't need no stinking shotgun! :toothy9:
Quote from: TauntoHawk on April 01, 2017, 11:12:24 PM
Quote from: snapper1982 on April 01, 2017, 05:04:55 PM
Quote from: beagler on April 01, 2017, 02:42:24 PM
Stalking is illegal here in PA, not to mention a good way to get shot.
More people get shot using calls or walking than do/have by reaping so if that is your reasoning then you have the wrong hobby.
That's a half truth, yes more ppl get shot calling but that's more driven due to the simple fact vastly more people are calling far more time afield than reaping not that it's inharently a more risky endeavor.
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Not a half truth at all. It is facts. What you state is also fact that there is more people calling but if there are that many idiots that will shoot someone walking or calling then those same idiots would shoot a reaper right. Yet even though people keep saying it is more dangerous it has not resulted in an increase in shootings.
Quote from: Spitten and drummen on April 01, 2017, 06:13:13 AM
Im old school and that will never be an option for me personally. Its about like killing one over a feeder or walking up on one in a logging road and shooting it. I dont want to kill them that bad. I turkey hunt because i like playing the game with them. If I fool him and call him up , I will shoot him, any other way he wins and we do battle again another day. Just my 2 cents.
I agree, I would personally like to see it outlawed everywhere, just not very sporting. As you stated like walking up on one in a logging road and shooting it, my guess is many hunters of today would shoot? Not that it's illegal, but it's these type of hunters who just don't understand what turkey hunting is about, where the kill is more important to them.
The stance on reaping is a very interesting thing to me.
Keep in mind being born and raised in Iowa, my generation's fathers and grandfathers did not grow up turkey hunting. Also keep in mind decoys have never been illegal here, nor has stalking (reaping wasn't a thing when stalk vs no stalk was up for debate). We don't have nearly the turkey hunting legend, lore, and culture that a lot of you southern and eastern boys do.
This forum is the first time I have ever talked turkey hunting with non-Iowans.
I hardly know ANY turkey hunters here that don't use a decoy(s). Like zero percent of the time. I know a few guys that if they have really patterned a roost and a strutting area and they will intercept and use a call. But those same guys when the birds get wiley they don't think twice about throwing out decoys.
Pretty much what guys were TAUGHT (yes you had to sit through a seminar to learn how not to get killed/kill someone by mistake) was to get dekes, find a field edge and call for a while. I could count the guys I know here on one hand that purposely hunt in deep timber. Part of it is our landscape, what timber we do have is in long draws and narrow fingers, we don't have many areas of vast uninterrupted forest. Mostly just drainages, riverbottoms etc. Not saying you can't kill one without decoys and staying put but man, it is like a different world and different language coming on this site hearing about guys going without decoys and doing the whole run and gun thing in deep timber. There are very few who employ that method here. Prior to joining this site I wouldn't have ever even thought to consider them non sporting.
Personally I don't see the real draw with reaping but it is getting to be a big deal here. Our sporting good stores can barely keep reaping fans and dekes on the shelves the last couple of years. I don't knock it as non-sporting, heck I don't knock it at all really, I just don't have any desire to do it. I also think if you try to reap one on public ground you better be single without kids, and you MUST be pretty stupid...
Just real interesting to see the regional variations on opinion when it comes to reaping or decoys.