Cheating?

[sbraham]

Camo, chokes, turkey loads, decoys etc.........all cheating? I'm sure the first native to take a turkey with a bow was frowned upon because he didn't use the traditional atlatl. Times change and it's time to move on

[deerbasshunter3]

If it is legal, go for it.

To me, decoys are in the same category as every other piece of equipment that we use. Yes, they may make it easier for some, but that is probably what makes it enjoyable for some as well.

If I had to use a stick and a rock, or my hands, to kill a deer or a turkey, I would not hunt.

[guesswho]

WHEN DID TURKEY HUNTING BECOME ABOUT SOMETHING OTHER THAN KILLING TURKEYS???

For me it was the first time I experienced a hunt that required interaction between my Dad, myself and a turkey.

Keep in mind I'm pro decoy.  I wish everyone was required to carry and use at least one except me.

[g8rvet]

If it is legal, go for it.

To me, decoys are in the same category as every other piece of equipment that we use. Yes, they may make it easier for some, but that is probably what makes it enjoyable for some as well.

If I had to use a stick and a rock, or my hands, to kill a deer or a turkey, I would not hunt.

Anytime you can work the word atlatl into a sentence, you have done well! 

[Ihuntoldschool]

I agree with silvestris, cheapens would be the more politically correct term given the strong feelings. I can go with that cheapens instead of cheating.

This debate appears to show a division here between hunting/killing given some of the responses. I guess you have to decide if you are a hunter or a killer.

[Rwgrobe]

I like the challenge of calling in a tom to a non- existing hen. In my opinion watching decoys would be boring more likely fall asleep. I would rather cover a lot of ground for a constant change of scenery. But to each thier own type of enjoyment.

[owlhoot]

  :TrainWreck1:The seasons need to get underway fast
In the meantime dont use the cheatin 3 1/2" longbeardshells, auto 12 gauge shoootnsticks but keep them goobler loungers for the mid morning naps.

[turkey_slayer]

So for the guys saying it's legal can i use a rifle? It's legal here so I'm assuming I would get a congrats if I posted a kill pic with rifle? I would get strung up, clothes ripped off, scrubbed with a wool brush, gas poured on me then set on fire

[silvestris]

The rifle is a fine turkey gun with the right load and if not used past 40 yards.  It is illegal in most states because many chose to ride around in vehicles and pot shoot gobblers strutting in other peoples fields and then go to town to brag about their calling ability.

[taylorjones20]

OMG... This is the reason I avoid so many other forums... smh

[the Ward]

So for the guys saying it's legal can i use a rifle? It's legal here so I'm assuming I would get a congrats if I posted a kill pic with rifle? I would get strung up, clothes ripped off, scrubbed with a wool brush, gas poured on me then set on fire

A rifle was the traditional way in America to take turkeys. This calling them in to short range and dispatching them with a scattergun is a fairly recent development in the grand scheme of things. I truly feel sad for those that think they are superior to others because they choose to hunt a certain way. I can assure them they are not. This whole thread has been an exercise in silliness. The use of decoys for game dates back at least several thousand years that we know of. Can't get much more "old school" than that. How do ya think those Native Americans got all of those eagle feathers? Do you think that "cheapened" them? I really don't use turkey decoys but every once in awhile. I don't like carrying one around and I'm afraid I'll get shot at. The few times I  did use it the turkeys spooked away from it anyways! But if guys want to use them have at it. Well, I got to go now and get all those duck and goose dekes put in the garbage.   

[Gobble!]

So for the guys saying it's legal can i use a rifle? It's legal here so I'm assuming I would get a congrats if I posted a kill pic with rifle? I would get strung up, clothes ripped off, scrubbed with a wool brush, gas poured on me then set on fire

If its legal that sounds good to me. Just don't shoot anyone or you will get strung up, clothes ripped off, scrubbed with a wool brush, gas poured on you then set on fire
Why any hunter would give another grief just because they legally do something different then them blows my mind. Guess its just hard headed people who think its their way or the highway. Probably the same type of people who sit in their trucks on youth day guarding birds in public areas they have hunted their entire lives.

[howl]

I used to use decoys. I even tried sitting in one of those pop up blinds a time or two. I gravitated away from it because it just didn't fit in with learning to understand turkeys and how to get close by being part of what goes on in the woods. If that is hard to swallow, then at least consider this: You can buy dekes, blinds and time on a bait plot loaded with turkeys. You cannot buy old school on public ground. You have to learn it and earn it by hunting; not shopping. It is a further level of immersion in hunting turkeys.

I don't think it's cheating because for it to be cheating, there'd have to be a direct sense of competition. Watching dekes in a bait plot from a blind isn't even the same sport as using woodsmanship and calls in the woods. Kill 'em however you like, but recognize that your trophy may have no appeal to someone who defines his trophy differently.

[Ihuntoldschool]

Nice post howl.   We all have different standards on what is fair play and what is not, and what level of respect we choose to show for the bird.  For many of us the hunt is more important than the kill.   

[KY LONGBEARD]

Who cares whatever body thinks. If you go through life thinking what somebody else is gonna think well that won't get YA no where. If it's legal do it. We are all human no one is gonna think same way. Hunt the way you want to, CAUSE I DO.  . Good luck.