What makes someone a “good” turkey hunter?

[guesswho]

It's someone who has fun and makes sure anyone around him has a fun and memorable hunt.  And if a turkey dies in the process that's a bonus.

[idratherb]

time and access to multiple spots

[bobk]

Someone that shares his knowledge of hunting with others. Someone that does not judge  a day in the field by the kill.

[GobbleNut]

It's someone who has fun and makes sure anyone around him has a fun and memorable hunt.  And if a turkey dies in the process that's a bonus.

Dammit,...I hate to have to keep agreeing with Gobbler Goober, but he just keeps sayin' stuff I agree with!   
...Learn the basics of turkey hunting and calling,...throw in an understanding of hunting ethics and good sportsmanship,...and go have FUN chasing these magnificent birds.  Do that enough, and any of us will eventually find one or two of them that wants to get "harvested".

[Gooserbat]

Someone who hunts in an area that doesn't hold a lot of birds but they are consistant about killing a bird anualy.

[guesswho]

Dammit,...I hate to have to keep agreeing with Gobbler Goober, but he just keeps sayin' stuff I agree with!   

One of us must be going through the change

[GobbleNut]

A good hunter is a combination of multiple aspects that involve turkey hunting...

*A good understanding of the biology of turkeys and breeding to better understand the behavior of
the game being sought. 

*Ability to learn and adapt.  Understanding that from place to place, bird to bird, and year to year
  can change, and being able to learn and adapt to changing situations, birds, and locations.  Also
  being able to implement what is learned to multiple situations with success.

*Woodsmanship, and the ability to read sign and to understand what the woods are telling us.  The
  ability to utilize the woods to our advantage.

*Calling ability.  The ability to use calls and sound like a turkey.  The ability to read birds &
  knowing when to call, and  when  not to call (and being able to utilize self-control when we
  should not call).

*Tenacity...  Sticking with it.  Not only as far as staying in the field, but continuing to learn and
  adapt.  Never give up...

*Patience...  Not only to stay in one spot long enough to kill a bird, but to remain quiet and still
  while waiting.

*Proficiency with the means of take.  Being proficient with the weapon of choice, and being able to 
  judge range, and make the easy, as well as more challenging (but still ethical) shots.

A really good summary, Marc.  I would add another point.  That is, a good turkey hunter is one who recognizes there are lots of other good turkey hunters out there, and can learn from them if he takes the time to listen and observe. 

[kjnengr]

It's someone who has fun and makes sure anyone around him has a fun and memorable hunt.  And if a turkey dies in the process that's a bonus.

Well dang, I am an awesome turkey hunter then.  I have that first part down... the part about a turkey dying is where I fall short.

[tha bugman]

A good wife....

[Hooksfan]

Someone who, after hunting with them once, you would do it again given the opportunity.

[BrowningGuy88]

Marc has it dead on, especially in my opinion on woodsmanship.  Woodsmanship kills turkeys, and what he calls tenacity I call persistence.  I say persistence where most say patience, because sometimes you need to be persistently patient.  But persistence can describe all types of actions in the turkey woods.  I would say some of the deadliest men out there have only killed one sub species, just never went elsewhere to hunt them.  Lonnie Mabry told me any man that can kill Easterns regularly can kill the others with ease, I believe him though I've only tested the Osceola.  I always think this...can a man be dropped out of a truck and kill in places he's never been?  I know many that can, and many that have killed all sub species that couldn't.

I find it rare with the people I've seen, clients I have taken and just others I hear talk that you can drop someone off in a new place and they can kill birds. I imagine those of us on this site are definitely in the minority when it comes to that. There are more straight up killers on here than not.

I say a good hunter is many things, but you have to define good. I could kill 20 birds a year illegaly, but we all know that doesn't make you "good". I can and know people who can call in and kill birds regularly, but I don't always shoot just because I call one in and neither do they.

I will say this, to me, a good hunter is one who cares more about the game being sought and the ones they share the moments with and most importantly the Creator of this magnificent bird than any number of kills. I enjoy hunting and part of hunting is killing, but if I never pull the trigger again and still could spend time in the turkey woods mentoring others and simply watching the world wake up that would be ok with me.

[dublelung]

Good turkey hunters eat fried turkey breast. Less than good turkey hunters eat Mor Chikn.

[tha bugman]

 

Good turkey hunters eat fried turkey breast. Less than good turkey hunters eat Mor Chikn.

[Will]

A good turkey hunter cares about the sport and not just the harvest. The sport being the process in which you kill him. Fair Chase! 

[Marc]

A good hunter is a combination of multiple aspects that involve turkey hunting...

*A good understanding of the biology of turkeys and breeding to better understand the behavior of
the game being sought. 

*Ability to learn and adapt.  Understanding that from place to place, bird to bird, and year to year
  can change, and being able to learn and adapt to changing situations, birds, and locations.  Also
  being able to implement what is learned to multiple situations with success.

*Woodsmanship, and the ability to read sign and to understand what the woods are telling us.  The
  ability to utilize the woods to our advantage.

*Calling ability.  The ability to use calls and sound like a turkey.  The ability to read birds &
  knowing when to call, and  when  not to call (and being able to utilize self-control when we
  should not call).

*Tenacity...  Sticking with it.  Not only as far as staying in the field, but continuing to learn and
  adapt.  Never give up...

*Patience...  Not only to stay in one spot long enough to kill a bird, but to remain quiet and still
  while waiting.

*Proficiency with the means of take.  Being proficient with the weapon of choice, and being able to 
  judge range, and make the easy, as well as more challenging (but still ethical) shots.

A really good summary, Marc.  I would add another point.  That is, a good turkey hunter is one who recognizes there are lots of other good turkey hunters out there, and can learn from them if he takes the time to listen and observe.

Learning and observing is why I joined the forums...  I am far from a good turkey hunter...  I am all too often scratching my head at a bird that will not come in.

Perhaps one of the greatest appealing aspects of turkey hunting to me, is that I am still learning and trying to figure it out...  One thing I did learn this year (and last) is that it is far easier to be a "good" turkey hunter with lots of turkeys around....