Why use shotguns on Turkeys?
 

I read two different articles this month that said a scope was the way to go on a turkey shotgun. Apparently, due to better loads, chokes, etc. turkey guns can kill out to 50 yards and beyond now and a scope works better. OK, I like to scope everything and eventually I might even scope my shotgun. But if you are going to bother to use a 3 1/2" 12 gauge with special turkey loads, super tight choke, and a scope, why not just use a rifle? It is strange because people only use shotguns on deer where they aren' t allowed to use rifles. And they say that rifles on turkeys aren' t sporting but Deer are bigger animals.. Is it because Turkeys are birds and so the first ones hunted were hunted with shotguns? I predict once shotguns get to the point where they knock you over when you shoot them so they will reach out to 70 yards, that people just say what the heck and use a rifle. .22 mag or .223 with almost no kick or 3.5 inch 12 guage with the kick of a mule, both scoped. Hmmmm... not a hard choice! Am I wrong about this?

RE: Why use shotguns on Turkeys?
 

Some states only alow shotgun for turkey,and Nebraska is one of them. Zeak

RE: Why use shotguns on Turkeys?
 

Ok. That makes sense. Anyone know which states allow rifles for Turkey? So far I know WV and Texas DO allow. NC and Nebraska do NOT allow rifles for turkey.

RE: Why use shotguns on Turkeys?
 

New Mexico did last time I lived there. But NY doesn' t!!

RE: Why use shotguns on Turkeys?
 

Isn' t it strange that some states let you kill a deer with any rifle you want, but not a turkey. Must have to do with the blaze orange. Still, I would hate to get shot with a shotgun also.

RE: Why use shotguns on Turkeys?
 

Virginia allows the use of rifles....a rule I wish they would change.

RE: Why use shotguns on Turkeys?
 

Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee, and I believe Arkansas, are shotgun only. Around here it would be real easy to get a turkey with a rifle, with a range of 250 or 300 yards, so by using a shotgun only law they are probably controlling the harvest.

Gordon

RE: Why use shotguns on Turkeys?
 

I always wondering the same thing. You never hear of people shooting a turkey with a .22. Must be because Michigan law says you can not. I think that it would be alot easier.

Jon Jackoviak
The Optic Zone
www.theopticzone.com

RE: Why use shotguns on Turkeys?
 

South Dakota allows rifles for turkey. They also allow road hunting so a lot of birds get shot at 300 yards with varmit rifles. I' m not apposed to rifles for turkeys. I use a bow but to each his own. I went hunting with a friend that took one on the prarie with a Thompson Contender at about 300 yards, that was fairly impressive.

RE: Why use shotguns on Turkeys?
 

That is impressive, for a handgun or a rifle. Where did he hit the bird ? Surely not in the head and neck. Why shoot a bird with a rifle-round and ruin so much ?

Let' s imagine a shotgun hunter has positioned himself within 100 yards of a big ol tom. He starts to call him in. Here he comes, 20 yards and all puffed up, strutting.
All the hunter needs is to get the tom to periscope for him , to lob that bunch of pellets at his red-white head.
Meanwhile a rifle hunter is 200 yards away, watching the tom in his scope. He doesn' t see the fully camo' ed shotgun hunter in line with his sight plane and squeezes the trigger.
I wonder if it is true that you never hear the one that kills you?

It has happened. I love calling them in close. [:' (]

RE: Why use shotguns on Turkeys?
 

........CHALLENGE....[8D]......

RE: Why use shotguns on Turkeys?
 

Oregon doesn' t allow turkey hunting with rifles. Just shotgun, bow, or hawk or falcon. Has anyone ever seen a hawk or falcon take a turkey?

RE: Why use shotguns on Turkeys?
 

Rifles are only legal in the fall turkey season here. I think that it is good to have one season that allows the use of rifles. I like that the spring season is only shotgun/archery.

RE: Why use shotguns on Turkeys?
 

Against the law here.

RE: Why use shotguns on Turkeys?
 

against the law here in ILL. besides I like to get up close and personal with that bird it' s more about the adrenaline and that thumping in your chest when that bird is that close and doesn' t even know your there that gets me goin anyway

RE: Why use shotguns on Turkeys?
 

Huntngirl,
I was drawn back on a tom when all of a sudden a Red Tail hawk flies in from behind me towards our mutual target. We both lost and the turkey won.
It was a four to five second scenario that is burned into my memory forever,
what a rush.

RE: Why use shotguns on Turkeys?
 

[:o] Shotguns only here in Ontario Canada! Brampton Mike [8D]

RE: Why use shotguns on Turkeys?
 

Wisconsin shotgun only.

slayer

RE: Why use shotguns on Turkeys?
 

One could argue there are a number of reasons for shotgun only on turkeys. Safety, harvest numbers, enforcing poaching, etc. I' m not opposed necessarily to a person taking one with a rifle. Not really much different than shooting a deer with a rifle.

Personnally I wouldn' t get any satisfaction out of it. I don' t expect everyone to feel the way I do but the enjoyment of the whole turkey experience for me is calling them in close. Although I do 99.9% of my hunting with a bow, I really enjoy hunting turkeys with a shotgun as they are coming to the call and in most cases a decoy. The entire hunt is just so much richer when they are close enough to hear their big feet crunching the leaves as they approach, and feel the echo of their gobbles in your chest when they sound off at twenty yards or less. Shooting them any other way and I am just cheating myself. :)