Opinions on "Tree Shooting"

[hotspur]

I've had a hen hop from tree to tree  twice, I have seen gobblers hop into trees when alarmed . if its obvious he's not roosted I see no problem

[catdaddy]

I would not think twice about it--I'd kill him ( or "harvest for you PC types)

[Turkeyman]

He ain't roosted so he's gonna get roasted.

[tal]

He ain't roosted so he's gonna get roasted.

I can't put it better.

[Turkeytider]

I wouldn`t shoot a bird on the roost. This is different IMO.

[wvmntnhick]

Gently slide the safety off. Find his head in the scope. Squeeze the trigger.

I'm shooting him. Plain and simple. You worked him to the gun. He flew up.


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[LaLongbeard]

Only had this happen once in all my years of turkey hunting. I believe it was a sub dominant gobbler that flew up to get a look at the situation before committing. The area I was calling from was not overly thick so fear of a predator was unlikely the cause. He came in silent only thing I heard was him flying up he sat in the tree nervously searching the area in my direction. He was about 40 yards away so in  range but I did not shoot him. He sat for a long time then when he didn't see the hen and I didn't call again he pitched out of the tree in the direction he came from.
     I have doubts they do it because of coyote fear etc. if they hear a hen yelping in a spot I don't think they'd be expecting a coyote also.
     In La unfortunately there is no specific rule about roost or tree shooting, as long as legal shooting time is obeyed. A lot of turkeys are shot or shot at on the limb. I have had a couple fly up to roost well within range and also shooting time but I did not shoot them either.

[strum]

Last season I had one come off the roost .  I couldnt see him but I knew he was coming. Then I see him fly up in a tree about 80 yards away looking over the ridge trying to see . Finally he flew down toward me and stepped over the hill. I got him inside 20 yards.
this is one time Im sure my hen deke (which I dont use much) helped seal the deal for me.
So will they fly up for a better look ?. Yep  but thats the only time I ever saw a tom do it . I have seen hens do it more than once.

[TonyTurk]

Interesting discussion for sure.  What if you didn't call him in?  Say you are walking quietly through the woods at 3:00 pm to reach your afternoon set up, spook and flush a gobbler, and he lands on a limb within range?  Is it ok to shoot him then?

[1iagobblergetter]

If I knew he came in to my calling,felt like I won,and the law was on my side he'd get plugged.
One time I patterned a old tom and knew where he roosted. Tried getting him a couple mornings and failed. The last day of the season I sat within range of the roost tree and he showed up within a couple minutes of the end of season. I could have killed him,but just let him fly up. I didnt feel right about not calling and felt more like an opportunist.

[Greg Massey]

I'm not going to make my answer complicated , HE'S DEAD...

[eggshell]

I had this very thing happen in Ky last year after a miss and I let him pass. I have on other occasions killed birds that done this, but the old gobbler last year got a pass. I missed him clean at 10-12 yards and I just thought he earned another day. Even my buddy couldn't believe I didn't take him. I think the fact I would have been tagged out with two days left and my buddy hadn't filled his first tag mattered too. I was actually telling him to shoot it, but he couldn't see it good enough. I have had a lot of fall birds do this. In Ohio it's illegal to shoot one from a tree anytime.

[guesswho]

Interesting discussion for sure.  What if you didn't call him in?  Say you are walking quietly through the woods at 3:00 pm to reach your afternoon set up, spook and flush a gobbler, and he lands on a limb within range?  Is it ok to shoot him then?

Free pass from me.   I won't shoot what I consider a gift turkey.   But understand why some would.  I'd just scare the bejezzus out of him and kill him another day.  Hopefully I could hunt him next morning. 

[Spitten and drummen]

I have never been in that position so I really dont know. Probably depends on how my season is going. If it happens then I will decide.

[TravisB]

I don't have the ethical hang ups many people do. If it's a gobbler, he's getting shot at, I don't care what the situation. It's my reward for crawling out of bed.


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