Help Me NOT go to JAIL over a damn BIRD!!!
 

I am in an argument in regards to the legal method of taking a turkey. I see several turkeys just about every time I go out but usually at about 200 yards. I thought my 204 would be a great solution but I have been told that centerfire firearms are illegal here in Florida. I went to their website and here is what I pulled.....

PROHBITIONS

Using centerfire, semiautomatic rifles having magazine capacities of more than five rounds; using fully automatic or silencer-equipped firearms.

So if my rifle has a max capacity of 4 rounds including one in the chamber is it legal to shoot a turkey with it. I would like someone with definite knowledge to help me before I screw up and get a fine.

Thank you,


Chris.

RE: Help Me NOT go to JAIL over a damn BIRD!!!
 

that about say's it doesn't it? Why would you want to shoot a turkey at 200 yards anyway?

RE: Help Me NOT go to JAIL over a damn BIRD!!!
 

I agree with Charlie - you never got past the first two words in the regulations - "Using Centerfire" - it don't matter how many rounds that gun holds - even one is Illegal.

JW

RE: Help Me NOT go to JAIL over a damn BIRD!!!
 

Im from florida , and yes it seems legal,on your own private property!!but to most, unethical.in some areas down right unsafe due to the fact that all turkey hunters are clad head to toe in camo. almost anything is legal by state reg's to kill a turkey, even buck shot, 2 weeks ago a hunter in polk county was sadly killed by buckshot.....,so be safe out there..... if your on public wma's , you will have to obey that areas regulations, like some only allow shotguns, and others will allow rimfire rifles. call the fwc at 954 746 1789 and they will be happy to assist you.

RE: Help Me NOT go to JAIL over a damn BIRD!!!
 

I am on my own property. I am very sure of every shot I take. The way the rule is written it seems to say centerfire....with a comma. Not just centerfire. The way it is written it seems that if your rifle only handles 4 or less you are ok. for the person that said why shoot them at 200 yards....you should try for a head shot at that range and let us know how you do. Where I am I can take a turkey at 20yards all day, also I just question the way it is written. Thank you all for your help and maybe a FWC person will see this and clarify the writing for me.

RE: Help Me NOT go to JAIL over a damn BIRD!!!
 

Might want to re-think what your saying about damn bird...watch the language. If you just want to shoot it at 200 yards just because you can and to you it's just a bird to shoot....might want to re-think why you are "hunting".

Turkeys are an awesome creature, very smart, and deserve more respect.

RE: Help Me NOT go to JAIL over a damn BIRD!!!
 

The way I read it, it seems that using centerfire rifles are ok unless it holds more than 5 rounds.I'd call just in case.

RE: Help Me NOT go to JAIL over a damn BIRD!!!
 

If so - I stand corrected as I do know a few states allow rtfles.

JW

RE: Help Me NOT go to JAIL over a damn BIRD!!!
 

Sorry I typed "damn" but I got into an hour or longer "discussion" with my father in law on legality when I typed the title. I just want to know who is correct.

RE: Help Me NOT go to JAIL over a damn BIRD!!!
 

I read it the same way as you snook... centerfire as used in this context is an appositive.. not the subject itself.

As to the way you hunt, it is your business. I'd call the DNR and ask for clarification just to be certain, otherwise good luck.

RE: Help Me NOT go to JAIL over a damn BIRD!!!
 

Try calling them in. Or set up a pop-up blind where they enter and exit the field to and from roosting or watering areas. Study these birds figure ot there patterns and try and get em in close and get em with a shotgun.

RE: Help Me NOT go to JAIL over a damn BIRD!!!
 

Yeah I agree with you. Turkey hunting is about getting them within range (40 yards or closer), NOT "shooting" at 200 yards. Thats just BS if you ask me. Centerfire rifles for turkey hunting is just plain rediculous, I dont care what anyone says. In other words, put away the calls and they decoys, and even the blinds. Just wait for a turkey to come within a miles range, zoom in on the 20X scope,and peg the dang thing. Yeah, real "hunting" alright.

RE: Help Me NOT go to JAIL over a damn BIRD!!!
 

END OF DISCUSSION>>>>Centerfire rifles are legal to harvest turkey here in Florida, as long as it bullet capacity is not greater than 5. Only Shotguns and Rimfire are allowed on WMA's.Afew do not allow even Rimfire, each WMA has its own guidelines. I would love to see everything other than a bow, BP SHOTGUN, and Shotgun made as illegal to use. I know and have seen the birds some guys I know have shot, even with a 204, just this year, THERE IS NOTHING LEFT WORTH EATING WHICH MEAN IT WAS SHOT JUST TO SAY,"I SHOT A GOBBLER WITH A BEARD". It's legal and you can shoot em all on your property if ya want, but you will not experience the REAL thrill of a turkey hunt until you call one in to shotgun range and harvest him. Sure you will get aggravated when he flies the other way or stays out there at 60-70 yards with hens and you can't shoot, but if you want to shoot, WAl-Mart sells turkey targets cheap and you wont be wasting meat and a hunt thatsomeone else can use.

Just my 2 cents!

RE: Help Me NOT go to JAIL over a damn BIRD!!!
 

Hell yeah x2

RE: Help Me NOT go to JAIL over a damn BIRD!!!
 

If ya wanna shoot a turkey at 200 yards with a rifle, you may as well go to the supermarket, get a butterball, and shoot it all you want. Its just as sporting. Save the live birds for an up close and personal hunt that will get you pumped!

RE: Help Me NOT go to JAIL over a damn BIRD!!!
 

This is a very good post and I agree with most of it. However, Who are we to say this guy can't kill one with a Rifle?? Maybe FL has to many turkeys and are wanting to get rid of so many. They don't have enough of Turkey Hunters to get rid of them so they need these guys to use a Centerfire, I don't know? I don't care if he Uses a Canonor Drops a Bomb from a plane if its Legal. I don't think a person should kill a Gobbler in the Fall. But some do. Shoot one off the Roost, but some do. I have been so discourged that I might have done just that.

Just think how it looks to him. Setting up a blind and calling the Bird to 20 Yards. How, easy that must be? Shoot one's head off at 250 is much more sporting, giving the bird a chance! It can be argured both ways, but you and I know the best way is to call in that Old Bird, let him answer our calls and watch him come that 200 Yards in Full Strut. Don't be so hard on the guy!

Just my 2 Cents

TF

RE: Help Me NOT go to JAIL over a damn BIRD!!!
 

Okay this peeked my interest so I went to look at Florida's 2007-2008 Hunting regualtions
http://myfwc.com/hunting/pdf/0708FLHunt_web2.pdf
On page 14 it states
Quote
Legal methods of taking game
Definition of “taking” wildlife: Taking
is defined to include taking, attempting to take, pursuing, hunting, harassing, capturing or killing any wildlife
Resident game birds and mammals:
Rifles, shotguns, pistols, longbows, compound bows, recurve bows, crossbows and birds of prey (falcons, hawks and great horned owls) may be used. Longbows, compound bows, recurve bows and crossbows
must have minimum draw weights of 35 pounds. Hand-held releases may be used. Arrows
used to take deer, turkeys or hogs must be equipped with broadheads having at least two sharpened edges with minimum widths of 7/8 inch. Nonmigratory game can be taken from stationary vehicles.



And
Quote

Prohibited methods and equipment for taking game
• Centerfire, semi-automatic rifles having magazine capacities of more than five rounds
• Nonexpanding, full metal case (military ball) ammunition for taking deer
• Firearms using rimfire cartridges for taking
deer
• Rifles or pistols for taking migratory game birds
• Fully automatic or silencer-equipped firearms


It says nothing about taking/harvesting/shooting a turkey with a rifle "Residents" at all. If that was illegal it would be there.

So I do teach Hunter Education - I would call a game warden to discuss but to me your Centerfire rifle capable of not holding more than5 Rounds in the magazine - which we all know is the device to hold extra shells is leagal.

Why would I call a warden or one of the people listed in this publication?
On page 2
Introduction are defintions

Introduction
This publication is provided as a guide to Florida hunting laws and regulations; however, the Florida Wildlife Code is the final authority on hunting laws. The Florida Wildlife Code, Chapter 68A of the Florida Administrative Code, can be obtained at http://fac.dos.state.fl.us. The FWC strives to ensure the information in this publication is accurate but assumes no liability for typographical errors that may occur. If you have questions regarding hunting laws and regulations, contact an FWC regional office (see below). This publication is valid from July 1, 2007 through June 30, 2008.
Resident game birds, mammals and migratory birds
• Resident game birds - quail and wild turkeys
• Resident game mammals - deer, gray squirrels and rabbits
• Migratory game birds - ducks, geese, common moorhens, coots, snipe, rails, woodcocks, crows, mourning doves and white-winged doves
• Protected mammals - Florida black bears, fox squirrels and Florida panthers cannot be taken or pursued.


Hope this helps -

JW

RE: Help Me NOT go to JAIL over a damn BIRD!!!
 

i didn't know it was called turkey killing, i thought it was turkey hunting.....:eek:

RE: Help Me NOT go to JAIL over a damn BIRD!!!
 

Being a turkey is a federal migratory bird, I beleive its against the law to use any rifle on a turkey no matter what state you hunt in. Shotguns, bows, and cross bows are the onlyweapons legal to use in most states. but check deeper for your state. you dont want any federal charges against you.

RE: Help Me NOT go to JAIL over a damn BIRD!!!
 

I don't get the "hunters berating other hunters" attitude. If it is legal to use a rifle during spring turkey season so be it. Just because you or I don't agree with that method of hunting doesn't make it wrong. The negativity sounds so much like the "crossbows shouldn't be allowed during archery season" or the ".410 is not an ethical caliber for deer" or "you shouldn't be hunting deer with dogs", etc., etc.

If it is legal, than it is legal. Period.

RE: Help Me NOT go to JAIL over a damn BIRD!!!
 

ATurkey in any state is not a Federal Migratory bird - go back and do your research.

X2 drdi

JW

RE: Help Me NOT go to JAIL over a damn BIRD!!!
 

So you want to do this to make turkey hunting more of a challenge?

RE: Help Me NOT go to JAIL over a damn BIRD!!!
 

I am pretty sure Turkeys are not federal migratory birds.

RE: Help Me NOT go to JAIL over a damn BIRD!!!
 

I dont know about anybody else but that is against all i believe in .in hunting turkeys you should be up close and be able to get them with a shotgun or a bow.

RE: Help Me NOT go to JAIL over a damn BIRD!!!
 

I agree Hick.I dont care how many turkeys are in one area, shooting a turkey with a centerfire rifle is NOT turkey hunting. N-O-T NOT. Many states have regulations on shooting them with rifles for a reason. Can we use bazookas too? Whatever. Turkey hunting with a rifle isnt turkey hunting andno one can change my mind.

RE: Help Me NOT go to JAIL over a damn BIRD!!!
 

Right or wrong we have to remember we are all hunters, outdoorsman, and sportsman. If we start disagreeing on something those fools from PETA will be all over it. What ever floats your boat, wether it be shotgun, rifle, bow, crossbow, etc. We are all in this together.

RE: Help Me NOT go to JAIL over a damn BIRD!!!
 

That is just simply retarded. Turkeys are not a federally regulated migratory species. Don't make up crap like that... someone might take you seriously.

RE: Help Me NOT go to JAIL over a damn BIRD!!!
 

x2

Nothing like a bunch of crap from the peanut gallery.... who are you to condemn how another decides to pursue game? Espeically when NO LAWS ARE BEING BROKEN! Heck if you treat someone who is trying to follow the law this way... all of you ought to be out on the highway throwing bricks at speeding cars..... ethics police use lethal force!

Threads like this show the deep, black heart of hunting... and what is going to ultimately be the end of it.... hunters vs hunters.

RE: Help Me NOT go to JAIL over a damn BIRD!!!
 

My main concern with a rifle is the saftey factor... (though, personally huting turkeys with a rifle doesn't sound like fun either - if I wanted target practice I'd just head to the range)

Imagine a kid and dad setup hiding in some tree's with a couple of deeks and some other clown starts pumping lead into the air at a couple of hundred yards with his '06... It may be legal - but it shouldn't be - just my two cents...

I believe you can legally shoot turkeys on their roost right out of the tree south of the border, but that doesn't make it 'right'....

RE: Help Me NOT go to JAIL over a damn BIRD!!!
 

Not in Florida - specifically states in the regs - "shooting a trukey from the roost is illegal."

JW

RE: Help Me NOT go to JAIL over a damn BIRD!!!
 

They are in Wi. Thats why it is required to buy and have a Federal Turkey Stamp in order to hunt turkeys in Wi. I dont knwo about other states but they considered a federal migratory game bird in Wi. Not sure why though, the only migrating I ever seen them do is from field to field [&:]. Just more ways for the DNR to get more cash.....

RE: Help Me NOT go to JAIL over a damn BIRD!!!
 

That's not a Federal stamp, just another tax. Money probably earmarked for habitat. It's not Federal we don't need one in Illinois.

Oh and on the topic of rifles, I wouldn't do it. That law in Fla sounds like you can use rimfire,but not centerfire. I'd call the DNR office, but even that doesn't always work. The office tells you one thing and the CO in the field tells you another. It may still end up being a court date.

RE: Help Me NOT go to JAIL over a damn BIRD!!!
 

It's not a federal stamp

can be attributed to hunters through their purchase of the Wild Turkey Stamp which provides vital financial support in providing for future opportunities for turkey management and hunting in Wisconsin. Since wild turkeys were first successfully reintroduced into Wisconsin in 1976, population levels continue to increase and expand statewide. Successful restoration of the wild turkey resulted from tremendous hunter and landowner support, good survival, and high quality habitat. Turkey stamp funds have been providing opportunities for turkey management in Wisconsin since 1995. Sale of the turkey stamp currently brings in over $500,000 annually for developing, managing, conserving, restoring, and maintaining the wild turkey population within the state.

RE: Help Me NOT go to JAIL over a damn BIRD!!!
 

The Wisconsin State Turkey Stamp - one must purchase as part of thier license to be able to hunt is just a state stamp~ federal see no benefit at all. There is no Federal Turkey satmp needed as of yet!

All Stamps, permits, licenese soldby anystate is another mark of a license sold so that the state can recieve money back from the Robertson-Pittman act. FYI

AND TURKEYS ARE NOT CONSIDERED A MIGRATORY BIRD. Never where!

JW

RE: Help Me NOT go to JAIL over a damn BIRD!!!
 

There are many states that let you shoot turkey with a rifle, so it is for sure not a federal thing. And turkeys do not migrate, they barely fly. Sort of like a big chicken really. Normally what type of weapon they let you hunt with is going to be determined by the turkey populating and how safe it is.

It sort of looks like you can do it with a rifle in Florida, but it is sort of vague. Not long ago I looked up the regs for every state and some states are very vague, others were very specific. If I where you and you where worried about getting in trouble for it I would simply call someone and ask. Seems like the most simple solution to me.

As far as if you should do it or not? Why do others care how someone else hunts? Most of you guys bashing this guy gun hunt for deer right? Step over to the bowhunting forum and see what those guys think of that. Or Lord forbid use a crossbow![:o] As long it's legal do what you want. I don't care if you use a grenade launcher if they are legal.

As far hunting one or buying one from a store, that pretty much applies to anyone. Hunting turkey for food is pretty pointless really considering the price of turkey in the store. You are basically doing it just so you can kill a turkey. If you want to kid yourself feel free but I'm not buying it and neither will the Anti's.

Paul

RE: Help Me NOT go to JAIL over a damn BIRD!!!
 

I still say legal or not, it aintturkey hunting.

RE: Help Me NOT go to JAIL over a damn BIRD!!!
 

It amazes me to see how many guys think that thier way is the only way. I'm better than you because I hunt them the harder way and use a weapon that limits how far I can shoot effectively, or I don't use a blind, or I don't use a feeder.
For all the guys that use shotguns with 3" or 3.5" shells, you know there's plenty of guys that use bows and think you're way is cheating. And for all the guys using compound bows, you know there are guys using recurves and think you're way is cheating.
Unbeleiveable that so many hunters look down their noses at other hunters that choose a different weapon and different way of hunting. It's getting to be about time that we all support each other, as long as each of us is doing our way within the legal means of the state/province that we are hunting in.
It IS hunting no matter the choice of weapon. Maybe not how you do it, but it's shame that you would look down your nose because it's the way someone else does it.

RE: Help Me NOT go to JAIL over a damn BIRD!!!
 

Good post Howler. Snook if it's legal, knock your socks off.
Tip the bird over, so this thread will go bye, bye.

RE: Help Me NOT go to JAIL over a damn BIRD!!!
 

Federal means nation wide as in Federal Government.
WI is a state, as in State Govenment
Anything that is federal would apply to the NATION not just WI.

RE: Help Me NOT go to JAIL over a damn BIRD!!!
 

in Fl. a rifle is legal as long as it doesn't hold over 5 shells.also you have to be at least 100 yards from a feed station.
[blockquote]quote:

Using centerfire,[/blockquote]
that about say's it doesn't it? Why would you want to shoot a turkey at 200 yards anyway?
thats the BIG question; why???????????
getting them in close is what it's all about.I had my decoy shot right in front of me,it was only 20 yards from my face.
after that I got rifles banned in our club.
I am not totally against rifles; just don't use them myself , just because of that idiot thet could have killed me and never knew I was there.

(FIRLES ARE LEGAL IN FLA.)