I myself shared the same opinion that I would never hunt a turkey with a rifle. However, on my first trip to the Black Hills in SD I continually had coyotes responding to my calls. The coyotes were too far out to shoot with a shotgun, but plenty close for my .223. So now I take my .223 or 22-250 with me every year and shoot coyotes and a turkey. I still call the turkey in within shotgun range most of the time when doing this so it has the same effect and challenge. I also hunt turkeys in the spring here in Indiana with a shotgun so I kinda get the best of both worlds.

On days when the turkeys are not responding to calls it's actually fun to spot and stalk turkeys in the Black Hills. The elevation out there is around 5000-6000 ft where we hunt so it is not an easy jaunt through the woods as it is in the Midwest. How is it any different than a spot and stalk hunt for deer or other big game? (it's usually more difficult)