I knew I should not have commented- don't matter what I try to explain here - both sides where in the wrong.

Still a matter of ethics so i went and got the Turkey's Hunters code of ethics - yes mistakes happen!
[*]As a responsible turkey hunter, I will[*]not let peer pressure or the excitement of the hunt cloud my judgment;[*]learn and practice safe hunting techniques;[*]hunt the wild turkey fairly;[*]know the capabilities and limitations of my gun or bow and use it safely;[*]obey and support all wildlife laws and report all violations[*]respect the land and the landowner and always obtain permission before hunting;[*]avoid knowingly interfering with another hunter and respect the right of others to lawfully share the out-of-doors;[*]value the hunting experience and appreciate the beauty of the wild turkey;[*]positively identify my target as a legal bird and insist on a good shot; and share responsible turkey hunting with others and work for wild turkey conservation.[*]JW

Somebody needs to take their smarty pill today because the guy wasnt mad because i was early because he wqas mad because he thought i was late. Thats is the point i am trying to make because yu might think you are early but then some clown that beat you by 10 minutes is gonna call you a slob for being late. I walk to my spot in the dark sos not to scare game with a light and so i didnt see him or his damn decoys. It was a simple mistake but he felt obliged to call me a mother F and i doint take that from no man. he is lucky that i didnt bury him and his decoys out in the woods. Different folks come and go out of the woods at different times so you just best get used to different folks having different hunt hours and if somebody walks up on you best mind your manners and be polite other wise you are gonna end up with a pissed off hilljack like me who is always happy to see how tough that some clowns think that they are.

After reading that I agree, he was out of line. I still would have apologized and left.

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Is it legal to hunt turkeys at 5AM?

Or maybe you're both lucky he didn't get so PO'd when you kicked his decoy that he shot you on the spot. After all it was dark and you didn't have a light, how would you know exactly where he was. You could get an idea of his location by sound, but could you be sure? And if it were someone with a bad attitude that didn't give a damn about other hunters,..... well, enough said. I think you both handled the situation poorly.

I 've had run ins in the past on public ground when I was younger. Now I don't let it bother me. All parties in this Post show error in their ways. First, if its public ground, its not your spot regardless of what time you get there. The state or federal government own the ground. Run to a game warden or park official,he'll tell you that.

Secondly, when hunting public ground you have to mentally prepared for interference from other hunters and be thankful for the days you have it to yourself.

Thirdly, aggression towards another armed man will get you killed. Death is permenant. I don't want to die because I destroyed someone else's property or called them silly names. Remember, there are alot of people out there not playing with a full deck. I meet them all the time.

Finally, don't judge people too quickly. People make mistakes. Maybe the alarm didn't go off. Maybe the man really wasn't paying attention. Just because a person walks up on you while hunting "public land", that doesn't make him a slob.I take great pride inmy woodsmanship and I've accidentally walk in on guys hunting deer and turkey hunting. I kindly backed out and went some where else. Thats all you can do. That's ethics.

I can say this.... I've never gotten downright violent with anyone I meet... I sure as hell don't hang out ranting a raving and cursin folks out.
If I show up to a spot and someone walks by me ten minutes after I show up or if I get to talk with them about where they are gonna hunt at the parking spot or what not.
My real complaint, is that there are 5000 walk in hunting areas with more than 200 or so acres of land each... If its well after sun up and you pull into a spot, you see my car/truck, you say the hell with it and go on in anyways unknown to you where I am... and probably unknown to me that you even showed up... Your a damn fool...
I don't care if you have 2 days hunting experience, or if you have 35 years of hunting experience...
common sense should tell you that this isn't safe to do...
and if common sense isn't workin for ya, go trade your guns in.
You immediately lose your "right" to this sport when it becomes unsafe... maybe you won't kill someone, or get killed yourself..
But you did open the door for that opportunity to happen.

Dude... Know matter how much crying you do... Nothing is going to change... Your still going to have people walk in and hunt the same area's that you hunt... Obviously theres turkeys there... And were you havepublic land with turkeysyou have IDIOTS!!! All I can say is get use to it

I'll get to a area and be the only truck there... When I come out to leave there may be as many as 5 trucks there... It boils down to one thing on public land... Public land will make a turkey hunter out of ya