yea i would never walk up to an unknown person in the middle of the woods that you KNOW is armed. Probably the dumbest thing he could have done.

Very well put JW...

Yeah I was just thinking watch out for not find the gun...

Glad you didn't get shot! that stinks...and is my worst dream...to be calling in a bird andh ave someone else shoot it, whether state or private land. the private land I hunt, I may see one other person on it sometime during the season, last year I saw a truck leave..about an hour before I got my jake and that was the only time. But one year I had a gobbler, was working him, heard some guy calling, next thing I know I think he went and spooked the bird as it flew over me...

Too bad you didn't at least see the guy so you'd have something to tell a GW about...Keep at it though...more turkeys somewhere

I agree with gbrownlee, but look at it the other way you have a gun too. So as long as you are cautious walk on, Or just get to were you could see the bird and wait for him to come and get it. Then confront him, i mean hes out in the open and if you're still in the woods then the odds are in your favor.

While I would've done my best to avoid a heated exchange, I would've certainly confronted the guy either in the field, at his vehicle, or somewhee in between. I most certainly would've called the authorities too. Oh well...maybe he'll stay away now.
I had a guy on private a few years back that was in my lock on stand when I came in to hunt one morning before sunup. He tried to tell me he thought he was in his stand. I mentioned you're on private property and he said "Really?" and gave me the whole line of BS about being lost. I hate being tied to a cell phone with my job, but I never go hunting without one now.

Whoever mentioned knocking the guy on his ass...That's a good way to get shot, and if the authorities were contacted you'd get a bigger fine and sentence for assaulting the guy than the trespasser would get. That's showing 'em...eh?

trust me i would never confront a guy. if he isn't afraid to trespass and shoot a bird illeagly what makes me think he wouldn't just shoot away at me before i even got up to him.he already knows he broke the law once whats gonna stop him again. sure as heck not me. good move slapout by waiting out and checking with the landowner. you may have lost your bird but you kept your own life.