Would you shoot if you didn't call him in?

[High plains drifter]

I have ambushed a few gobblers,but it isn't ethical.

[Spurs]

Man, there are some strange debates on here, but I'll bite.

You are dang right I will shoot one if he falls in my lap, because I work hard for them every time my boots hit the ground and have walked away empty handed on 15 mile days.  Those are the ones that I call "Make Up Toms".  Now, it isn't nearly as exciting, but I feel like if I am in the woods, I am hunting.  My goal for the day is to walk out with a Tom over my shoulder.

As far as the guys who call in a turkey and just let it walk away, you must be from somewhere different or have some amazing property.  So far this year, I have yet to hear a turkey on areas I can hunt openly without a permit or something of that nature and our season opens in a couple of weeks.  Now, I have some last minute places that are almost a guarantee to hold birds, but use that plural "BIRDS" loosely.  I would say that I may have 2-3 spots on the opener where there was a bird...but I will have company on those spots.

If I am out there, I am hunting.

[Joneshunter]

If my buddy called him in and he didn't have a shot no. Anywhere that im hunting with anybody im not shooting unless there's two birds. I feel like some of my buddies might and I'd be fighting mad so I know I would never do that to them.

[Spurs]

If my buddy called him in and he didn't have a shot no. Anywhere that im hunting with anybody im not shooting unless there's two birds. I feel like some of my buddies might and I'd be fighting mad so I know I would never do that to them.

If I am allowed to carry a gun, we will have that conversation prior to going out.  I have a pretty small hunting friend group, so I pretty much know if I am allowed (if on their camp or something) or if I am allowed, they will let me know if they cannot make the shot. 

It would kinda be situational to me, but for the most part, the guys I hunt with are happy either way.  I just about enjoy watching someone else shooting a bird more than myself pulling the trigger.  But I get kinda upset watching one walk away, as opportunities in my area are pretty scarce.

[Marc]

As far as the guys who call in a turkey and just let it walk away, you must be from somewhere different or have some amazing property. 

Some truth to that statement...

To some degree our preferences are dictated by our access and availability of birds...

But, the thread did not ask if you should shoot a bird you did not call in, it asked if you would.  I really enjoy calling them in, or tricking them...  I will shoot a bird over a hen I called in...  In other words, I called in a hen, and a tom followed...  Still exciting stuff for me...

I have let birds walk as well...  One season, I had a tom in particular I wanted...  Filled my other tags with one left, and ended the season with an unfilled tag...  Had fun and frustration hunting him, and he outsmarted me.  Probably more birds that season than I have seen since...

Last season I saw and heard fewer birds than normal, and took every long-beard that came into range when he came into range.  In some ways, I took more pleasure on filling those tags under more difficult circumstances.

Yes...  Often how particular we are and our preferences are to some degree dictated by the options and opportunity afforded us.  If you are turkey hunting in Alaska, I imagine you will be a lot less particular than you would on a good ranch in Texas...

[Uncle Tom]

You have arrived as a turkey hunter when you have 2 big Toms heading your way....have both of them in your sights....you take the smaller bird and hunt the bigger one another day.

[Prospector]

So when you hunt with a partner and he calls but you don't, will you still shoot the gobbler? For those that hunt with decoys: you place them and go sit. You have to get arranged, snip a briar, condition a slate etc and a gobbler appears running to the "flock" without you making a call- does he get shot?

[WildTigerTrout]

The only time I killed a gobbler I did not call in was years ago when a friend and I were tag teaming them and it was my turn to sit and shoot.

[Tom007]

I have to honestly say that a few years back, I heard a gobble about 150 yards away from me. I quick ran up about 30 yards, cleared the leaves under a tree (as I was doing that, he triple gobbled) and sat down. I put my gun up on my knee, a minute later here he comes fast. He stopped 35 yards away, looked around, Boom! Big Old Gobbler, heard the leaf clearing and came in quick.  Never touched a call. Yes, I was proud as I walked out toting him over my shoulder. Sometimes the best call tactic is "stay quiet".

[Yoder409]

As far as the guys who call in a turkey and just let it walk away, you must be from somewhere different or have some amazing property. 

Getting WAY off the OP, but.............

I've done it MANY times.  As recently as the first morning of season last spring.  Had been watching two birds that roosted together.  Both 10-ish inch beards, but one WAY thicker than the other.  Heard two heavy birds fly down.  First bird comes to my calling.  Thin bearded one.  I know the other one has to be close behind so I let thin beard walk.  Thick beard never showed.  Still filled both tags by the end of the week.

I pass ALL mature toms called in during the fall season........except for a case of mistaken identity a few years back.  Still upsets me.

There are a bunch of other stories.  But, you are likely right.  I may be "from "somewhere different" in the journey of my progression as a turkey hunter.

[dzsmith]

No questions asked . Boom. Hate to be that way , but encounters are fewer and far between as time goes on. If I'm in the woods , and a swinging beard walks into shotgun range . He's had it.

[joey46]

Still the funniest and most "elitist" thread ever on Old Gobbler.  That's really saying something.  Some season's endings some just starting.  Good luck to all that hunt legally and don't give a rat's rear end if other's approve of the way you hunt.

[Bottomland OG]

I have to honestly say that a few years back, I heard a gobble about 150 yards away from me. I quick ran up about 30 yards, cleared the leaves under a tree (as I was doing that, he triple gobbled) and sat down. I put my gun up on my knee, a minute later here he comes fast. He stopped 35 yards away, looked around, Boom! Big Old Gobbler, heard the leaf clearing and came in quick.  Never touched a call. Yes, I was proud as I walked out toting him over my shoulder. Sometimes the best call tactic is "stay quiet".

And you should have been proud of him walking out....shooting a bird that you didn't call too doesn't make anyone less of a hunter. Patience has killed way more turkeys than calls have. At least in the south that is.

[357MAGNOLE]

Still the funniest and most "elitist" thread ever on Old Gobbler.  That's really saying something.  Some season's endings some just starting.  Good luck to all that hunt legally and don't give a rat's rear end if other's approve of the way you hunt.

That's what I'm saying. I've spent weeks in the field not seeing anything im sure not passing up a gifted bird. I love chasing these birds, I respect them.... But I love being able to fill a tag early and spend the day with my family as well. When I go out it's typically from 0500-1600. I've never gone home before 0930. I've called all of mine in but I'm not passing up on one if we just happen to cross paths. They are far and few between in the south east to do that.

[Tom007]

I have to honestly say that a few years back, I heard a gobble about 150 yards away from me. I quick ran up about 30 yards, cleared the leaves under a tree (as I was doing that, he triple gobbled) and sat down. I put my gun up on my knee, a minute later here he comes fast. He stopped 35 yards away, looked around, Boom! Big Old Gobbler, heard the leaf clearing and came in quick.  Never touched a call. Yes, I was proud as I walked out toting him over my shoulder. Sometimes the best call tactic is "stay quiet".

And you should have been proud of him walking out....shooting a bird that you didn't call too doesn't make anyone less of a hunter. Patience has killed way more turkeys than calls have. At least in the south that is.

Thank you.......