Turkey hunting/ ethic question

[seth30]

I will be turkey hunting for the first time on a friends property and will be alone during the hunt.  I was wondering if hunting from a tree stand is a good way for turkeys or is this against the turkey hunting ethics?

Seth

[Holg3107]

Not sure I understand why you would hunt turkeys from a tree stand? No issue of ethics as far as I'm concerned unless your tree stand is next to a roost and you shoot him off a limb. Honestly I like to be mobile especially with Turkeys so I would leave the tree stand at home. Get good camo and sit under a tree.

[CedarPants]

I can't think of any reason someone would think it's unethical.

Turkey hunting is a fairly mobile pursuit though for the most part, so you'd limit yourself to 1 spot going that route.  Is it a spot the turkeys frequent I'm assuming?  Is a portable ground blind an option?

[seth30]

I can't think of any reason someone would think it's unethical.

Turkey hunting is a fairly mobile pursuit though for the most part, so you'd limit yourself to 1 spot going that route.  Is it a spot the turkeys frequent I'm assuming?  Is a portable ground blind an option?

Yes the landowner sees them in the same spot all the time, two reasons I want to be in a stand.  (I do have a blind as well)  There is also frequent wolf sightings where the property is, and I just prefer being up high for the better visual. 

[ghosthunter]

I can't think of any reason someone would think it's unethical.

Turkey hunting is a fairly mobile pursuit though for the most part, so you'd limit yourself to 1 spot going that route.  Is it a spot the turkeys frequent I'm assuming?  Is a portable ground blind an option?

Yes the landowner sees them in the same spot all the time, two reasons I want to be in a stand.  (I do have a blind as well)  There is also frequent wolf sightings where the property is, and I just prefer being up high for the better visual.

Carry on.

[Holg3107]

Definitely understand but especially for fall turkey I think being mobile is the most important part of the hunt. Calling in the fall is a different beast than spring in my experience and being able to cut off the birds and move is critical. Again, no ethics issue as far as I'm concerned so have at it on that end, I just don't see the advantage.

[ICEMAN]

Being up high in a stand may expose you to being viewed by the turkeys and handicap you.

Take a buddy if you are concerned of wolf issues?

Good luck Seth!

[seth30]

Thanks

[CedarPants]

Are you hunting with a bow, or shotgun?  If with a shotgun, one thing to consider is it'd could prove to be somewhat difficult to get a clean head/neck shot from an elevated position.  Not impossible in the least, just not as easily as line of sight from a seated position on the ground.

And if everyone that hunted turkeys wanted to get off the ground to avoid wolves, there would be a lot of treestand turkey hunters in NE Washington since those things are everywhere 

[seth30]

Sorry I should have stated in my first post, I will be hunting with a bow.

[turkeyfeather]

Sorry I should have stated in my first post, I will be hunting with a bow.

Nothing unethical about that at all. Good luck.

[CedarPants]

Good luck    Sounds like a fun hunt

[seth30]

Thanks again guys   When you boat hunt a bird after the hit do you let them bleed out like a deer or do you go after them and and snap the neck like a goose or duck? 

[turkeyfeather]

Thanks again guys   When you boat hunt a bird after the hit do you let them bleed out like a deer or do you go after them and and snap the neck like a goose or duck?

My experience bowhunting them is that by the time you get done fist pumping and get your butt over to them they are dead.

[CedarPants]

Thanks again guys   When you boat hunt a bird after the hit do you let them bleed out like a deer or do you go after them and and snap the neck like a goose or duck?

I've never killed a bird with a bow, just a shotgun.  I would advise against trying to snap an injured turkey's neck though.  I'm sure it would work but you could be in for one helluva fight.

Usually want to get to them as fast as possible then stand on their neck.  Watch the wings and legs because they'll beat your legs up.  They usually expire fairly quickly this way though

[seth30]

   I have never tangled with a turkey and always assumed they would be a easy animal to handle.  Thanks again for the help!!!

[turkeyfeather]

  I have never tangled with a turkey and always assumed they would be a easy animal to handle.  Thanks again for the help!!!

You've seen the spurs on them right?

[seth30]

nope the closets I have been to a turkey is a stuffed one at BH45's, and I didnt pay much attention to it when there was another mount that had my eye.

[CedarPants]

I would imagine trying to snap the neck of an injured tom with some fight left in him would result in a trip to the doc for puncture wounds and stitches 

[h20hunter]

Okay...now I can throw a suggestion out there...


A) Hunt 'em from a stand, a tree....no problem by me....

B) Yes please...shoot 'em, chase 'em down, break its neck.....and by all means film it.

That would be a sight to behold. They look like they would be mean as hell and if you can come away unscathed I'm gonna get a big ol button that says "you da man". I would not want to grab a wounded one.....probably get my butt kicked and laughed out of camp.

[seth30]

Okay...now I can throw a suggestion out there...


A) Hunt 'em from a stand, a tree....no problem by me....

B) Yes please...shoot 'em, chase 'em down, break its neck.....and by all means film it.

That would be a sight to behold. They look like they would be mean as hell and if you can come away unscathed I'm gonna get a big ol button that says "you da man". I would not want to grab a wounded one.....probably get my butt kicked and laughed out of camp.

Hey if I can borrow your go pro I will film it

[turkeyfeather]

I would imagine trying to snap the neck of an injured tom with some fight left in him would result in a trip to the doc for puncture wounds and stitches 

They can be an inch or longer and very sharp.

[h20hunter]

Seth...that would be a heck of a thing....first person vid of you wrastl'n a tom......I'd pay to see it. Now...my GoPro agains a tom....gonna have to get your own buddy...there is one in the classifieds now.

[CedarPants]

I taught myself to hunt turkeys about 15 years or so ago.  Picked up some hunting videos, a few calls, etc.  Watched the videos (Primos), kept seeing the guys run out and jump/lay down on their birds after the shot (birds flapping around everywhere).

I was lucky enough to kill a bird that first year.  Jumped on it just like I saw old Will Primos do.  Bad idea 

I think I was bleeding more than the turkey by the time it was over.

Thankfully I've come a long way since then and have many turkeys under my belt, and I only get beat up by a turkey every couple years instead of every year

[turkeyfeather]

I taught myself to hunt turkeys about 15 years or so ago.  Picked up some hunting videos, a few calls, etc.  Watched the videos (Primos), kept seeing the guys run out and jump/lay down on their birds after the shot (birds flapping around everywhere).

I was lucky enough to kill a bird that first year.  Jumped on it just like I saw old Will Primos do.  Bad idea 

I think I was bleeding more than the turkey by the time it was over.

Thankfully I've come a long way since then and have many turkeys under my belt, and I only get beat up by a turkey every couple years instead of every year

[turkeydancer]

Seth -
You have a turkey hunting expert in BH45 (John). 

Not unethical to hunt from a tree stand, but not sure there would be an advantage over a cheap camo ground blind.  A turkey's eyes are on the sides of its' head giving him 315 degrees of sight (all but 45 degrees behind him), and any movement will usually spook the bird even if you are elevated.

As mentioned, do not pick a tom up by the legs until you are sure the bird is done as the spurs can rip your hand and/or wrist wide open.  I carry a folding pocket knife to make the final dispatch if needed ... lightly place your foot on the turks head and slice the neck.  (You can also use the knife to ward off pesky wolves   ).

Good luck out there ....   

[MtnMuley]

I would imagine trying to snap the neck of an injured tom with some fight left in him would result in a trip to the doc for puncture wounds and stitches 

Lol, I tried that with my first turkey twenty years ago.  Just figured I'd ring his neck like a grouse or goose.  Wrong.  I slipped into the creek and ended up with a nice gash in the side from a spur.  Never tried that again.

[seth30]

Seth -
You have a turkey hunting expert in BH45 (John). 

Not unethical to hunt from a tree stand, but not sure there would be an advantage over a cheap camo ground blind.  A turkey's eyes are on the sides of its' head giving him 315 degrees of sight (all but 45 degrees behind him), and any movement will usually spook the bird even if you are elevated.

As mentioned, do not pick a tom up by the legs until you are sure the bird is done as the spurs can rip your hand and/or wrist wide open.  I carry a folding pocket knife to make the final dispatch if needed ... lightly place your foot on the turks head and slice the neck.  (You can also use the knife to ward off pesky wolves   ).

Good luck out there ....   

  If it wasn't for bad luck I wouldn't have any at all, and I don't feel like being Washington states first wolf victim