How bad do you "need" to kill a turkey?
 

The question was posed in here the other day about whether or not a deer hunter could go a season and not kill a deer ......and still feel like he had a successful season.

LOTS of people said the kill wasn't what the hunt was about......... Said they didn't need to kill a deer to enjoy the hunt.

No comment.

So.....I'll ask.....If you're a bowhunter.......and if the above is true (related to turkey hunting).....why would you EVER take a shotgun turkey hunting?

No wrong answer.

RE: How bad do you "need" to kill a turkey?
 

I won't.

I take bowhunting turkeys more seriously then bowhunting whitetail.

RE: How bad do you "need" to kill a turkey?
 

Well im a recent convert from the Shot gun to the bow side of hunting birds, I found out taking my first bird with archery gear that the RUSH was imense, and like starting over again, I find in turkey hunting that i run myself ragid if i have to trying to score a bird. Ill be hard pressed to drag out the gun again. Dont get me wrong i totally loved gun hunting them but the new twist and style of hunting with archery means so much more to ME right. its the challenge for me!!

RE: How bad do you "need" to kill a turkey?
 

I won't say that I "need" to kill a turkey, but I would "love":) to get one this year, as it would be my first with a bow. I will use a shotgun some, because i have hunted them that way, and still love to tote a shotgun around in the woods as much as I love to carry the bow.

RE: How bad do you "need" to kill a turkey?
 

Dan....this mirrors my outlook.

Like I said....NO WRONG ANSWERS. While thinking about this....."run and gun" turkey hunting is "better" suited for gun hunting w/o a blind. I know many enjoy this style (and many also do this with a bow!).

Just wondering what everyone's views are..........that is all.

RE: How bad do you "need" to kill a turkey?
 

Ilove to hunt turkeys,but I employ very different tactics depending on which weapon I'm using. If I don't have a good sit and wait it out type of location, and the birds are dictating a run and gun style, and I've got an itchy trigger finger.........the mossberg goes with me [8D]. When they start getting hung up, and not committing andforcing me to move a lot, I'm bringing the gun. If I'm feeling patient and I know I've got active birds in an area that are likely to commit, and I feel I can wait out and ambush with a blind/decoy setup.......I'll bring the bow. Either way, I'm in the woods so I can't lose.

This year my hunting in PA will likely be mostly spent trying to get others on birds. I'll most likely bring the gun for this.I bet I'll have the bow out in NY though. ;)

RE: How bad do you "need" to kill a turkey?
 

I'll take what ever weapon I feel like for that day. This spring I'm looking to leave the compound at home and take the Longbow and Shotgun. I don't like pop up blinds, run and gun, spot and stalk anything but a blind! I don't need to kill anything, there's more to it than that for me, thats the same reason it doesn't matter what weapon I hunt with, as long as I can hunt! I'm pretty open minded!

RE: How bad do you "need" to kill a turkey?
 

Ditto ...:)

RE: How bad do you "need" to kill a turkey?
 

Uh......because I like to hunt Turkeyswith a shotgun?:eek: Don't get me wrong I like to bow hunt to get the game closer, but with turkey hunting they are usually within 35 yards anyway.

With the use of a ground blind what's the difference really?

RE: How bad do you "need" to kill a turkey?
 

Absolutely fair, Gus. I know you can hutn pheasants with a bow, too....lol....but I like shootin' 'em with a scatter gun!

RE: How bad do you "need" to kill a turkey?
 

I wasn't out hunting yesterday but I almost killed about 5-6 turkeys as they were right in the middle of the snowmobile trail as I came over a hill...

RE: How bad do you "need" to kill a turkey?
 

It's bow or bust for me:D

RE: How bad do you "need" to kill a turkey?
 

I not ashamed to say it.............I just want a gobbler DEAD.:D

I don't care if I need grenades, trained eagles, an Air Force airstrike, or rocket nets.....I'll draw the line at thermo-nuclear weapons if it makes everyone happy;).

RE: How bad do you "need" to kill a turkey?
 

BHO for me. 23 long beards with a junk Switchback.

RE: How bad do you "need" to kill a turkey?
 

Jeff, I have the same way of thinking on this subject. Im at the point where Its not the end of the world if I dont fill my tags on 2 gobblers. So I might as well challenge myself and do what I enjoy in bowhunting.

RE: How bad do you "need" to kill a turkey?
 

Jeff i dont know about you, but i have got the itch something bad right now :DDeer #'s were the worst i have ever seen this season, but the # of turkeys was the best i have ever seen, it seems like they are two fold this year.
ps> im bumbed right now, there are 8 gobblers headed for the feeder right now, i looked out the window and the gama cam has fallen over [:o]The ground was frozen when i staked it, it has since began to thaw [&o]no pics today.

RE: How bad do you "need" to kill a turkey?
 

That's exactly how I feel. My first few birds were with a bow...then I moved to the gun, because I moved to a different part of the state with fewer birds.

RE: How bad do you "need" to kill a turkey?
 

I 'need' to kill a turkey to eat it, therefor lately I have hunted with a shotgun although the truth is I would rather with a bow....I am just not good enough[&:]. Yet.

RE: How bad do you "need" to kill a turkey?
 

ive never taken my bow spring gobbler hunting.

out of the 3 ive killed in the spring, and others in the fall, without a blind, i would never been able to get a bow shot at any of them.

easy fix, get a blind right?? one day....right now it doesnt fit my style of hunting. a 2 mile walk at 430am is the norm for my spring gobbler hunting...then, if the birds i hunt off the roost dont cooperate, i run n gun and usually end up walking a couple more trying to locate a hot bird. just my style of hunting.

i havent taken any spring birds past 30yds, just dont get them TV like bow shots, and avoid fields like a bad habit for the most part...dont carry decoys and dont sit around and "wait" i like to make somethin happen...thats what makes spring gobbler season in my eyes...

but, i dont NEED to kill a turkey. pulling the trigger on the shotgun is just....closing my season...and icing on the cake. ive past more birds than i care to admit, that i could have killed with my shotgun...i was just usually enjoying the show and never took the shot..or could have taken and made the shot, but was waiting for a better shot that i didnt get...this will be my 10th season...ive only killed 3 spring birds. but every year i could pulled the trigger and tagged a bird for sure atleast once...and alot of it comes back to not wanting to tag out...i enjoy spring gobbler hunting and enjoy learning the ropes. the seasons i ate my tag, i learned more than the seasons i pulled the trigger...last year, i pulled the trigger the first chance i got, mainly because a couple more days and my season was over regaurdless due to work...same thing this year...i can go for some more marinaded wild turkey chunks on the grill and another fan, beard and spurs for the wall

RE: How bad do you "need" to kill a turkey?
 

I think getting a turkey with a shotgun from the ground without a blind is one of the toughest things to do in the hunting world. In fact you might even make the argument that getting one with a bow in a blind might be a little easier (not saying that it is because i haven't done it, but an argument can be made). Besides i kind of like to run and gun, and a shotgun makes that a little easier. As far as needing to get a turkey to have a successful season, i think working the birds and calling to them is by far the best part of it, my favorite hunt was prob the time i called in my kid brother's first turkey a couple years ago.

RE: How bad do you "need" to kill a turkey?
 

While I don't HAVE to kill a turkey, I am not good enough to repeatedly call them in to keep giving myself chances to take them with a bow. I tried it a few times without a blind. Called some in but couldn't get any shots. I'm back to the shotgun, because even with that, it is FAR from a given that I will get one. Especially now that my turkey time is going to be SEVERELY shortened [:@][:@][:@]

RE: How bad do you "need" to kill a turkey?
 

I tried taking a turkey with a bow and W/O a blind for several years and never got it done. However with a Double Bull, it is fairly easy so long as you are at the right spot.

I agree with others that bow and blind vs run and gun are about the same in level of difficulty, and maybe the bow is a little easier in not getting busted as easy, but you still have to get a little closer and not as mobile as compared to run and gun, hence less opportunities.

But aymore I only hunt turkeyswith a bow but alwayswith a blind. I enjoy photography in the Spring and the blind helps with that immensely whether it be turkey, deer,songbirds or whatever I am photographing.

So do I have to shoot a turkey? No, but if that big tom comes by or can be called in..........

RE: How bad do you "need" to kill a turkey?
 

Thats what I tried...and tried.... I can call them in all day long but w/o a blind, getting drawn and making a good shot....thats HARD.

RE: How bad do you "need" to kill a turkey?
 

This is going to be my first season using my bow to go after a turkey and I am pumped about it....that being said, i grew up carrying a shotgun into the woods and have taken many birds that way

I love bowhunting, true, but sometimes i also like havinga gun in my hands...ill be using both this year:D

RE: How bad do you "need" to kill a turkey?
 

I was actually more disapointed that I didn't stick a turkey last season than I was that I didn't stick a deer. [&:]

RE: How bad do you "need" to kill a turkey?
 

I've honestly never had the opportunity to seriously turkey hunt. I'd love to do it, but I just don't have a very good spot to do so.

RE: How bad do you "need" to kill a turkey?
 

When that big old gobbler puts on a show just out of range and won't come any farther. Then I NEED to kill THAT turkey. I am going to seriously try to take one with my bow this year. But ifhe make it a personal battle, HE MUST DIE ONE WAY OR ANOTHER!!!:D:D:D

RE: How bad do you "need" to kill a turkey?
 

I feel the same way!:D And can relate, both are fun!

RE: How bad do you "need" to kill a turkey?
 

Always heard the only thing dumber than a turkey was a turkey hunter [8D]

RE: How bad do you "need" to kill a turkey?
 

I still like hunting with a shotgun and it does require less movement. Many places I hunt I tend to do a lot of running and gunning. I just dont see it being practical to move a ground blind every time I have to move. I do get more out of just being there than having to kill a bird. Last year was fantastic for me, I called in a bunch of long beards even though the only bird I put down was a jake on opening morning. Also, I know that I shouldn't think this way, but in CT it costs me $100 for an archery license that comes with deer tags. It will cost me a bunch more for the turkey tags. I have a pretty good idea that I will be able to hunt deer in CT in the fall, but if for some reason the land I hunt deer is unavailable to me in the fall, the cost of the archery permit is a little excessive for the opportunity to maybe take a bird...

RE: How bad do you "need" to kill a turkey?
 

With deer, I feel alot of pressure to get at least one because my family relies on me to put meat in the freezer. We haven't bought red meat in 4 years (except for a nice steak for the grill) and I want to keep that going. So with deer, I need to get one to feel successful.

Turkeys are totally different. I hunt them for the pure enjoyment of the experience. I only eat the breast, so we're talking about one meal. With turkeys, as long as I have fun and see some birds strutting I'm happy. Of course, I'd rather arrow a huge Tom, but I don't feel like I "have to" in order to have a good season.

RE: How bad do you "need" to kill a turkey?
 

I don't need to, but i really love how they taste and will be bummed if i don't kill atleast one

RE: How bad do you "need" to kill a turkey?
 

My turkey hunting weapon depends on how and where I am going after them. I don't enjoy it less or more either way.

RE: How bad do you "need" to kill a turkey?
 

To drive off the coyotes I keep calling in.[8D] I grew up gun hunting many many years ago. Uncle Sam refined my skills with a gun.[&:] Sometimes the best therapy is the jolt of recoil and the smell of gun powder. In the spring, the sooner you can get the job done the sooner you can get on the golf course.:D:D:D That said, I really don't care if I shoot a turkey or not. When I do I have to find someone to give him too.[&:] I usually don't carry a gun or a bow. I usually just call for my buddy.

RE: How bad do you "need" to kill a turkey?
 

Didn't read the thread..but who's brainchild is the above statement?..oh, nevermind I rememeber who the thread starter was..probably don't have to go much farther to find the origin. :eek:

RE: How bad do you "need" to kill a turkey?
 

That's obvious. In context it's a fair question.

RE: How bad do you "need" to kill a turkey?
 

Well siilly rabbit..you know I went back and read it to make sure it was indeed you ;)Even though in my heart, I already knew!

I dunno, I agree with Davidmil, with turkey it's less the pursuit and more get it down and get on with spring. I don't see the weapon being the issue. With Turkey it's calling and having one come in. The rest so what? I remember Rob saying if the distance is the same what does the weapon have to do with it. (I think that was a traditional v Compound thread) Shotgun range = bow range?

I'm sure some people are ate up with turkey as most of us are with deer. To each their own. It's woods time but it's not as much fun (to me).

RE: How bad do you "need" to kill a turkey?
 

Not hardly (In my case).:D I'm solid with a bow (most times) to about 20 yds. I know guys who'll take shots 3x that long at a turkey in the right circumstances (shotgun).

"If" I chose to hunt turkeys with a shotgun.....I'd have tagged out in the first week of the '07 season. That is simply the truth.

Inside 20yds....While I still like my odds better with the shotgun.....I tend to agree with Rob.

RE: How bad do you "need" to kill a turkey?
 

I'm a bowhunter first. But when it comes to turkeys I'm blowing there heads off with my 12 gauge!

Darrall

RE: How bad do you "need" to kill a turkey?
 

This'll be my third spring and so far no bird. I guess I need it bad!