roost shooting
 

unfortunately here in Ontario they screwed up and didn't put a law making roost shooting illegal. It burns my butt but for the most part guys don't do it and so I think there is no thought by the DNR to change it all.

I saw this on an Ontario hunting forum recently and just wondered what you guys think of this? (they were discussing how close they have been to birds and this comment was in his post)

I am amazed and dissappointed that not only do we have guys who call themselves turkey hunters like this but also dissappointed that no one even calls the guy on it. would you? does this bother you?

Some guys just have no ethic's or for that matter morals so they go do stuff like this and then brag about it later sad really spending all the time and money to getoutfitted to HUNT and they do that to each his own but i dont like it myself and think it should be banned.
GE

Personal decision.

It's legal.

Not my cup of tea.

Exactly. :happy0001:

Since it's legal, that's fine because he had every right to do so. Sad thing is he won't learn a thing about turkeys or turkey hunting doing it that way. Really no different than sneaking in on a bedded buck and shooting him when you technically could have called him in as well. Again, just comes down to individual preference.

Seen a couple of hunters in Iowa going out late evening with spotlights and knew they where turkey hunters........not my cup of ethics.......

I would not shoot one on the roost but would you shot one out of a tree if you had called to it and it came to you?.....

JW

I hear where you're coming from on that JW. I mean where do you draw the line?...jumps up on a log, low hanging limb, or flys up into a tree. To be honest as I sit here if a bird came to me and for some reason flew up into a tree to get a look I think I'd not shoot it. It would be weird to see and I think I am more likely to chuckle at that bird thinking he knows the "unwritten code" of turkey hunters and deserves a pass lol.

I guess I am a little defensive on turkey hunting here. We don't have generations ahead of us mentoring new hunters in the ways and traditions of the great sport it is. I have had the privelage of hunting down south in your country and up here with some die hard turkey hunters and the respect and traditions has rubbed off on me for sure. I am a sponge when it comes to listening to guys like you and jalva, bosstom etc. I also see more and more die hard, hard core turkey hunters in Ontario who do take the passion to a great extent. We are building a tradition in other words so you get bothered by such a drastic difference of perspective.

I've not been hunting Turkeys very long,but it seems to me what makes it a great bird to hunt is all the steps that lead up to the kill. First scouting and locating his core area.Second getting to that area in the morning or evening without bumping them.Third setting up the decoys if used or just picking a good ambush location.Fourth calling Him in and getting to interact and view the strutt or drawing the hens in with him.Fifth making a good shot after succeding in not being detected by all those eyes and ears. And lastly the feeling of satisfaction when it has all come together and the pictures of a smiling hunter who worked hard to capture that moment. So for me shooting one out of a tree has no appeal.

Whoa hold the presses - read what I write as it is from expereince but its not gospel! I, like you have learned from reading and then making my own mistakes. Ontelk thank you......but I don't try to make the same mistake twice.........I still admire a hunter who runs and guns and continues to score. Those days are pretty much done for me......I do scout and scout hard and be where the birds want to be......that is half the battle.....

Now back to your roost question. To take one from the roost before fly-down is a turkey sin and one can not call themselves a hunter. They can call themselves a killer though. A hunter is not a killer but one who cherishes the thrill of the chase.
There are 5 phases to being a hunter and most never reach the end phase and some that do go back a phase or two......

I did have a bird I was working in a Iowa river bottom come flying at me from a ridge and across a water to get to me.....no decoy out, just me running and gunning......I could see him coming through the huge silver maples trees as there was very little underbrush. Twisting - turning - nice bird - nice long beard. I did have a in fornt of me bird and this was not the bird I was working. The bird I was working was in the tree tops inf ront of me and the tops where at least a good 40 to 50 ft high. I had snuck down towards him in the early morning after he announced where he was. This other tom I thought was a hen as it yelped and did not gobble. Anyhow I heard the flap of wings, and here comes this Tom flying right at me from the direction of that yelping. I figured he would hit the ground in front of me and it would be over quick. I sat a river obttom with very little vegetation in front with my back to a silver maple tree that would easily cover 2 people. The trees where huge! Long time ago there was a picture of a nice flying tom in flight with the wings spread and the beard clearly seen on the bottle label of the liquor product called Wild Turkey. That is what I saw coming at me. It was amazing.
But, to my chagrin he found the only limb, 20 ft up on the only tree, 20 ft in front of me to perch on and that is what he did. I was pinned as he could see the whole bottom. I did have the gun on him but could not move. So what do you do?
I had called and this bird had answered but it was yelping. But with the yelping I heard I thought it was a hen and not a Tom. The gobbles I heard where in front of me somewheres up to 40 to 50 ft above me and out another 40 to 50 yards or so. And here you have a nice Tom perched in range to which you did call to you.
So think bad of me if you want - I shot it - not once, but twice. The first shot the Tom never moved - or at least it did not appear too. The second I felt - "Oh no he is stuck on that limb 20 to 30 ft up!" What do I do now? And then he teetered a bit back and forth and fell do the river bottom with a plop! Sound like a cow taking a dump! :)

But I have been in situations I have seen the Tom in the roost witin ragne as I misjudged the distance and snuck in way too close and have passed all shots at them. To me that is their sacred sanctuary.

And I will give you more food for thought.
You are having a tough day - you crow call and the Tom answers - do you realise that doing this it is illegal in a certain state? Its called stalking. So you had better know your regulations.

JW

Here in this state any turkey in a tree is off limits. That does not matter if it flew in and landed in a tree or was still in it's roost. In a tree is in a tree and for myself ( now I am speaking for myself here) it is off limits.. The thought may cross my mind but other days are coming..

What ever blows up your skirt! If it is legal have at it! Any idiot can shoot a tom out of a tree!

RR that was in my early days and I learned that very quickly not to call. As you said I was made.....

But the outcome was just fine with me. He was my only 27 lb bird to date.....

JW

If you shoot it out of a tree then your not a turkey hunter , your a turkey killer simple...

Okay so this is getting a little confusing to me. I thought a roost was a place that a bird, fowl whatever goes to rest or sleep. So if a bird is in a tree it is on a roost. What does the time of day have to do with it? I was thinking there was a reason they didn't want them shot on the roost now I am not so sure. I am also in Ontario and I am starting to think maybe its okay to shoot them off the roost as long as its daylight. I know that in Michigan it is illegal to take a turkey while they are in a tree, period. So when it comes to shooting turkeys in a tree what is and isn't ethical? Really confused !!

Shooting birds from a tree ahhhh the memories .
I walked into my faverite bush seen a turkey in a tree boooom then i went home after picking up my qaurry wow something to tell the kids and grandkids friends wow i see the draw to take this method up . lol Not . Ill stick to the ole do my home work and take the chance of failing its much more appealing and you learn the wa of the gobbler in the process .
GE

I've never been close enough to shoot one out of a tree.:confused0024:

are you the same timbrhuntr from OTB? If so then you aleady thinks it's okay to roost shoot them don't you? which seems kind of strange 'cause you spent a bunch of time talking about targeting only 4 or 5 yr old toms because they are more of a "challenge". what is it, do you want a challenge or do you want to be a turkey killer?

JW, i enjoyed your story of your hunt. thanks

I want to be just like you. You are my hero because you know it all.

Sorry I certainly don't know it all! Do write about my experiences though to share with other - read em or leave em - it don't matter to me. And I learn each year I am out there...

Thanks

JW

Ethics can be a slippery slope. There's a fair number of people who think decoys are not ethical.

Sorry for the misconception JW I wasn't saying you know it all. I WAS SPEAKING OF OntElk.

I personally like to shoot only 4 or 5 year old birds but they obviously are prefered to be on the roost when shot. I like to make it a challenge but not too much of one.

Oh Brother, what a line of crappola, LOL!

lol. he is full of it topgun. I am guessing he is just young and like many shares a persona on the internet but remains nameless and faceless so blows lots out of his mouth.

I, like JW, have tons to learn and do not even come close to knowing it all. That's why when I listen to some hunters who know far more than me it underscores how the odd regular internet blowhard really does have his head up his #*!

I was keeping it nameless but the fella calls himself out lol. Again I guess when you keep yourself nameless and faceless on the these boards you can pretty much say whatever. Sorry timbrhuntr if I don't share you're view on the sport and will inquire to those who have far more experience and knowledge on the subject than you and I combined.

I should also add that timbrhuntr does talk of many hunts and all over US states etc. That is great and part of the reason it surprises me his perception on some things like roost shooting. Makes me wonder if my stance against it is maybe more in the minority than I might think. In other words I am hoping to draw a better understanding and will ask a question knowing full well I don't know it all lol.:o

To be fair I think his disdain for me comes from a couple years back when he posted a pic of his 2 Ont birds side by side (no pic of his face as usual) and I asked him how he keeps his shot birds if he doesn't clean them same day. You see you can't shoot 2 in one day in Ont and so one had to be kept at least overnight. He unfortunately took that as a suggestion that he poached one and shot 2 together even though I had one hanging in the cold cellar and was pondering leaving it until next day to finish cleaning. I knew he turkey hunted lots and thought he had some tips to share.:confused0024:

I guess if I thought I had a guy accusing me of something I might not like him but his reaction made me think maybe he DID do something wrong at the time. Always been a little suspect since but I will say he does share the desire to hunt these great birds. I give him credit for that at least.:wink:

This is my opinion.......
I prefer fare chase, I hunt the Roost Every hunt, I get close very close, I have never nor will I ever shoot a turkey on the Roost.

If they come to me on the ground then I have used my hunting skills to get my gobbler, scouting, setting up, calling him in and shooting strait.

It is not illegal here in Colorado to shoot a turkey off the roost, on one hunt I set up on a roosted gobbler and as light broke I heard a shot and saw the same clown that ruined my setup the day before (he walked right through my decoys, He followed the sound of me and two gobblers I was calling to). He ran down the hill to his kill and when I saw him leave I checked it out, he had gutted it and I found eggs. Nothing wrong with a bearded hen if it was bearded.( in Colorado bearded hens are legal,you may shoot a bearded turkey here ) I had a young boy with me and had to explain what just happed.
I know this guy was a clown and a stupid one because coming into someones calling can get you killed!
From his behavior I think he just didn't have the knowledge and hunting skills to hunt and kill a bird Ethically giving the bird a far chance, he took the fast and unethical way in my opinion.

I agree any idiot can shoot a bird off of the roost, shooting a bird of the roost even if it is not illegal, the idiot is NO HUNTER just a lazy killer .

We had a guy hear hunting bear..... he shot the bear while it was sleeping in its den! He's no hunter! Just a killer! Colorado DOW did not expect a hunter to do such an underhanded thing so after that incident they immediately made it illegal.
Sometimes when there is no law against an act it does not mean the act is expected and meant to be legal.

I wonder all those that say it is legal in their state to shoot a turkey off the roost...
Is it really? Or did those states just not think they had lazy clowns shooting roosted turkeys?

If you put in the effort you can become a turkey hunter and not just a killer.
To any who have done it and learned from their mistakes I say thank you and welcome!

And thats my opinion.

I'm with you on shooting birds on the roost whether it's legal in a state or not. Technically, here in MI it doesn't matter what time of day it is if they are up in a tree. It's plainly illegal in the game laws. My buddy called in a great mature longbeard one time in a real thick area and the bird flew up in a tree real close to him trying to find the hen (my buddy calling him). He could have killed the bird easily and nobody would have known, except him. It's those times when you know you can do something and not get caught that define a true, ethical person. Most guys also don't shoot ducks on the water even though it's probably legal everywhere! The day I have to do either is the day I hang it up!

Not everyone's goals are the same. If someones goal is to get a turkey, and if it is legal to shoot it off the roost, then by all means shoot it on the roost!!! Who am I to call someone unethical or lazy if they are following the law?? I don't have a lot of turkey experience, so I'll use deer as an example.
There are places I can go hunt where I can almost guarantee that I can get a doe whenever I want. There are just a lot of doe running around. All I have to do is get out of the truck and go for a walk and I can shoot a doe. Does it make me lazy or unethical to go there and shoot a doe? No, it makes me a person who wants or needs to shoot a doe. Do I go there and shoot a doe all the time? Nope. I go there if I need a deer for the freezer or to look for buck. Your goals are not my goals. If my goals are to put a turkey or some ducks on the table, then as long as I am legal, I should be able to pursue that goal in whatever way I choose.
-Jake

You are a great guy I just again forgot how great. Not trying to make it personal too funny and I'm the blow hard even funnier.
I really blow alot out of my mouth, I hardly ever post because of guys like you.

Ya first you try and make me out to be a poacher and now say I'm a roost shooter. All with ever even having met me. I even TALK of hunts all over the states. Probably lying about that too right. By the way what is my stance on roost shooting since I don't think I ever gave it.

hunters shouldnt be bashing hunters. we all spend the money to pursue a quarry. i would never shoot one off the roost but that is a decision i have made. i will not bash another guy if he so chooses to shoot one if it is legal for him to do so. the way i see it. roost shooting is no different than killing a deer at 3,4 or 500 yds with a rifle. everyone has to decide for themselves what is ok in their mind for hunting. if it is legal i couldnt care less. doesnt mean i have to like it or do it. but I WILL NOT BASH HIM/HER FOR DOING IT AND GIVE THE ANTIS MORE AMMO. they love to read these posts where hunters bash hunters.
just to be clear.. i have not and never will kill a bird from the roost.

I always hunt public lands and do my very best to get away from the crowds, I almost never even see or hear another hunter, I do however think it has been easy to tell the difference between a hen talking and another hunter calling to a gobbler.
I have never gone after another hunters turkey, one it's unethical and two I prefer to live another day.
When I first started out I hunted Ft. Carson, lots of birds and crazes. I had my decoy shot from a road shooter illegal here, (DOW came out and I was a legal distance from the road) 3 times hunters came into my setups to intercept the gobbler coming in and two of those times it was the guy that shot the hen of the roost.
I left that dangerous place and never looked back.
I agree if something is legal it's legal but legal ain't always ethical.
Roost shooters
Get away from other hunters and give yourself a chance to give the turkeys a fare chase.
Your in control of your choices not the other hunters in the area, If you found one you'll find another.

Well the purpose of turkey huntin is to fool or call a gobbler to you not in all cases. There are some cases, where woodsmenship and stealth come into play. And not so much of the calling part. I have no problem with anyone slipping in on a stubborn tom or a silent one. Basically getting into position for a pass by/ ambush. Not a damn thing wrong with that. But taking a gobbler off the limb is no different than jackin a deer with a spotlight. Pure and out right laziness. Or the mr. Trophy hunter wannabe trying to make a name. Where is the satisfaction for one. And how are you suppose to learn the game doin that crap? I've been a turkey hunter for nearly 3 decades. And I can promise you I have had many gobblers roosted and knew the tree and limb they were on, in some cases. I love smoking turkeys like anyone else. But even if I had a bad season. It would be a cold day in hell before id take a longbeard that way. Those that do good luck prospering as a turkey hunter. Not hard to to shoot em off the limb. And why bother wearing Camo, buying turkey loads, or burning vacation if your Shootin em that way. Another don't let me catch ya in my properties I hunt. Do I feel strongly about this type of stuff? Yeah I do.

I agree with you, but, it does make for some good reading though..

I can only say in this state no one can legaly shoot a turkey in a tree.. Regardless of the time of day/night it is..I see no reason to bash anyone if they can do that legaly and so chooses to.

RR you been drinking ? wow now your starting to sound like Ol Longbeard :biggrin:

RR
You have to kick it up a bit and get out of the same old area everyone knows about LOL Hunt during the week, get in the woods earlier etc.

Yea, and make sure to put on your body armor and eye protection if that county where you hunt is as bad as you say it is!

I can't imagine hunting longbeards where they very seldom gobble because that, to me, is the whole fun of hunting them and hearing them sound off. I guess if it's legal and you want to eat turkey and have no other way or area to go to you do what you have to do. It's just not my style though!

I have had my problems like all on here when trying to get a turkey to answer a call. We have eagles, foxes, coyote, bobcats, canadian lynx, redtail hawks, and ect.. They are pressured and moving almost all the time. We have enough eagles here that the state has delisted them to just a protected status. So hunting them can be hard in my part of the country and we still get birds.As well as a fact that our area had it's first turkey season just last year. So that actually means that our turkey numbers here are not all that high. At no time can we shoot one out of a tree legally and we are content with that. So again if it is legal and you wish to shoot one like that then go for it. But do not use predators as a reason to do this.. Here is a pic of an eagles nest that is not that far from where I choose to hunt turkey at..

In cases such as this where a "legal" method may run against what others have been taught or set for them selves as "ethical and fair-chase" .... as many have posted, it becomes nothing more complicated than a matter of choice. In my case I will not shoot a turkey off a roost. But I'll bust one in a heart beat if he leaves the roost and ends up within gun range, even if he decises to alite in a tree ... on a log ... a fence ... a stump, etc. I will add not once in 40+ years of hunting has one done that.

First of all I am not an expert as well as no bird watcher.. Nice pic by the way.. It is not uncommon to see over a hundred eagles lined up along a friend's field during times of heavey snow fall. At the same time he has to go out and shoot a turkey every once in a while to get the turkeys out of his grain silage. So explain this to me again will yah? The eagles are there to get what scraps are thrown out from his butcher shop/ slaughter house. So if eagles are so damaging why would the turkeys go across the field to get to his silos? There is no doubt in my mind that eagles will in fact take a few turkeys from time to time however. I am saying that they do not bother them that bad here!

But do take time to reconize this quote from what I stated..

Just do not blame it on other reasons.. We also have 5 eagle nests with in a 10 mile radius here.. All of which are located near water such as lakes and rivers,, Which is where the biggest food source for eagles is located at..

To save an arguement I have never claimed to be any expert on turkey hunting or any other form of hunting. I just enjoy it and get a lot of tips where ever I can. Including right here and the folks here have helped me out quite a bit. I do wish though " that I could meet up with someone that realy and truely knows it all " I should be able to get a lot of insite from that meeting..