In 1980 when I started turkey hunting, Knight & Hale had a cassette tape for beginners. It went over how to use a mouth call (put in your mouth, bent to conform to the roof, say the word chalk). All the sudden, a yelp came out. They also went over ethical shooting range, 25 yards. My old 1100 3 inch mag Remington with a fixed full choke and Duck Pheasant high brass #4's was my baby. 2 beads, I used it for years, shot turkeys. I play a lot of golf, so yardage judgement comes easy. The guns now a days with these new shells and chokes can reach out and touch someone. Optics have centered our patterns, 12 gauges that are as lethal as 10 gauges has changed the look of our sport. I sight all my guns in at 25 yards and occasionally pattern at 30, 35. I feel this is my ethical Max, even though I see peppered paper at longer distances. Turkey hunting always hit me as an up close and personal battle with these wilderness kings. When they strut and gobble inside 30 yards, the ground shakes like an LA earthquake. I will never tell anyone how far is too far, but in my world close is not close enough. Yes, I have let a lot of killable birds walk, only to hope the following season their gobble shakes my world before I pulled the trigger, and slung him over my shoulder. Great forum, great family. I am proud to be a part of it. Thank you.
