I really did know better . . . .

[Rio Fan]

What an absolute idiot.  Guys like that shouldn't be allowed to hunt.  Glad you and your friend didn't get hurt.

[jblackburn]

Not a strutting jake.  The terrain was pine woods that are fairly open and the decoys were in a mowed path that the LDWF keeps up.  The trail is probably 5-7 yards wide

Yeah, a Pretty Boy Jr. (painted head or not) is probably not a decoy that should fool a hunter close enough to take a shot...  The fact that he was too far to do real damage to the decoy makes me wonder how many turkeys are shot at long ranges that are not recovered, but do not survive?

As I stated earlier there is no good excuse for taking the shot...  The vast surplus of stupidity of people in general, and hunters in particular will never cease to amaze me...

The lack of common sense and common courtesy, is one of the biggest reasons it is so darned difficult to get access on private property in my state...  Stories like this are prime examples of why no reasonable person would let someone they do not know hunt on their land..

It saddens and disturbs me to hear these stories...

I had the same thought, I'm guessing he was at least 50 yards, but probably more like 60.  There were two pellets rolling around in the body cavity and one stuck in the head. 

What did really tick me off is when I got home I realized there are a couple pellets in my DSD hen that I got for Christmas last year! 

[turkey harvester]

Dang man glad you guys weren't hurt. The lenghts people will go just to kill a turkey, no matter where they are or whats around them. Your a better guy than me, somebody probably would have bled a little. Hope your friend still wants to hunt after dealing with idiots like that.

[eggshell]

I am glad your Ok and your story literally makes me sick at my stomach and want to cry. You see it did not turn out as well for me and a turkey hunt nearly cost me my life. It is the most horrible feeling in the world to be sitting on the ground dieing and thinking you'll never see or hug your wife again, you'll never see your kids grow up, you'll never walk your daughters down the isle, you'll never know your grandchildren and more. By God's grace I made it, but it took over a year for the open wounds to completely heal closed. I still suffer some effects 6 years later.......There is no DAMN TURKEY WORTH KILLING SOMONE OVER

[jblackburn]

I am glad your Ok and your story literally makes me sick at my stomach and want to cry. You see it did not turn out as well for me and a turkey hunt nearly cost me my life. It is the most horrible feeling in the world to be sitting on the ground dieing and thinking you'll never see or hug your wife again, you'll never see your kids grow up, you'll never walk your daughters down the isle, you'll never know your grandchildren and more. By God's grace I made it, but it took over a year for the open wounds to completely heal closed. I still suffer some effects 6 years later.......There is no DAMN TURKEY WORTH KILLING SOMONE OVER

Oh my gosh!  I'm so sorry that happened, but I'm glad you're still here!  After the initial shock, I certainly thought about all the "what if's"  you are correct, no turkey is worth that!

[Ihuntoldschool]

I don't like decoys at all but I like them even less on public land.    The same thing is apt to happen on private land as well though.   Decoys look like real turkeys.
Scary.     

[Ross R]

Had a guy down here setting up on the trail along the fence and he was using a fan decoy in some tall grass.  He was really asking for it set up like that on the trail. Luckily I knew he was using it and stayed away from.   Glad no one was hurt.  Hopefully this teaches him a lesson.

[Cutt]

Hate to hear that, bottom line is hunters shouldn't stalk turkeys. I realize they were dekes, and he shouldn't have shot to begin with, but inexperienced and trigger happy hunters will shoot anything. And I say stalking, as he obviously walked in range of shooting, or atleast what he thought was in range, and thought were real turkeys? I know here in PA it's right in the handbook"By calling only" which is to prevent incidents like this. If you can't call it in you don't shoot, but many stalk here too, down right dangerous.