Author Topic: Turkey - Live or Die (Read 8868 times)

tlbradford · « **on:** May 06, 2009, 12:58:09 PM »

I was just interested in seeing how everyone targets turkeys. In case you guys are wondering 1/2" spurs.

SpokaneSlayer · « **Reply #1 on:** May 06, 2009, 01:00:12 PM »

Seeing that I am bowhunting this year, I'd stick him in a hearbeat if he was in range.

CP · « **Reply #2 on:** May 06, 2009, 01:10:18 PM »

deaddog · « **Reply #3 on:** May 06, 2009, 01:20:48 PM »

Never shot a turkey before, Im hoping to hunt them this year, if anyone knows where a FNG to turkey can hunt, let me know. thanks in advance. Oh yea please P.M. with any ideas so as not to clutter up the poll.

cabin308 · « **Reply #4 on:** May 06, 2009, 01:25:00 PM »

If it was okay to hunt that other side of the fence I'd take him. That's been my luck this year...they seem to know which side of the fence is safe for them.

OneHorn · « **Reply #5 on:** May 06, 2009, 01:27:19 PM »

i think anyone who wouldnt shoot it is nuts. IMO any mature turkey is awarding because you are testing your skills,playing his game, and proving that you have what it takes to harvest such a beautiful animal.

strutnrut1984 · « **Reply #6 on:** May 06, 2009, 01:30:16 PM »

hes a taker in my book.

boneaddict · « **Reply #7 on:** May 06, 2009, 01:33:47 PM »

I wouldn't because it looks like a canned high fence hunt.

(I'm kidding of course)

jackelope · « **Reply #8 on:** May 06, 2009, 02:08:03 PM »

shooter bird for me...i'd saw that joker's head off like waddell.

what would make him too small for somebody? just curious. looks like a nice beard with a full fan.

tlbradford · « **Reply #9 on:** May 06, 2009, 02:22:53 PM »

I put in for the too small vote. I have seen several turkeys in that area that push the 10" mark on beards and I know that is what that particular area is capable of producing. Maybe local knowledge sways my vote.

Since a bird only equals one meal, I am not worried about filling my freezer. My belief is to let the jakes and two year old birds walk, so I have more of the big boys to chase around.

Onehorn, I have battled really old and wise birds that can't be patterned, or do something totally out of the ordinary, that will literally drive you crazy for half the season. Targeting those stringy-bearded, stinky old toms is very addicting and so very rewarding if you win. That is the fun part for me. So "crazy" is probably an appropriate term.

Jackelope - I am guessing that is about a 6" beard so I want something bigger to tack on the garage wall.

bearpaw · « **Reply #10 on:** May 06, 2009, 02:23:56 PM »

Love is in the eyes of the beholder........

SpokaneSlayer · « **Reply #11 on:** May 06, 2009, 02:28:13 PM »

I can respect that. I passed on 7 birds last year before filling my tag on May 30th. Had a 9 1/2" beard and 1 1/4" spurs that were hooked and wicked sharp. The area I'm hunting has a tom that is probably pushing the 10" mark. I'd love to get him, but I won't pass on a lesser tom. So far I'm going to let jakes walk.

MuleySniper · « **Reply #12 on:** May 06, 2009, 02:33:05 PM »

I have enough turks under my belt now so I voted "depends on how many days left in the season" If I were hunting with my bow, Id shoot him no question but now days might have to pass with the shotty. Great looking bird though! I have some pics of some birds we saw this year I'll post up later to see what you guys think.
MS

Intruder · « **Reply #13 on:** May 06, 2009, 02:44:28 PM »

The whole beard length arguement can get a guy wrapped around the axle. Seen a fair number of 2 year olds w/ long 9-10+" beards. Seen a handful of 3s with 8-9" beards. Spur length is a truer measure of maturaty and age. Beards break off, get worn off, etc.

If I could call him in... he'd likley get it. I wouldn't be trying to guage his trophy status based on his beard. I would always pass on a Jake but it's just too tough to know for sure what you're dealing with just looking at a beard. Without seeing him next to a bigger bird or seein his spurs ya just don't know.

jackelope · « **Reply #14 on:** May 06, 2009, 02:50:32 PM »

Quote

If I could call him in... he'd likley get it. I wouldn't be trying to guage is trophy status based on his beard. I would always pass on a Jake but it's just too tough to know for sure what you're dealing with just looking at a beard. Without seeing him next to a bigger bird or seein his spurs ya just don't know.

kinda what i was getting at.

tlbradford · « **Reply #15 on:** May 06, 2009, 03:31:15 PM »

Modified to let everyone know the spurs were around a 1/2". I agree with you on the beard being secondary to spurs. I tend to believe the oldest birds have the wispy long beards and long spurs, while the healthy prime birds have a nice paintbrush.

I also think size is a poor way to measure the trophy status of a bird. I think weight should be pulled out of the NWTF equation.

OneHorn · « **Reply #16 on:** May 06, 2009, 03:58:30 PM »

i agree with Intruder. and as far as spurs go, alot of washington birds arent going to have big spurs mainly because of how rocky our terrain is the spurs get worn down. Im not saying that there arent birds that dont have big spurs around here but you are more likely to kill a 2-3 year old bird that doesnt have very good spurs but may have a nice beard. just my

tlbradford · « **Reply #17 on:** May 06, 2009, 04:20:37 PM »

I disagree on the spur wear. I have killed or seen dead birds taken from areas with rocky terrain that have long, sharp spurs. Again, I want to put the disclaimer on here that this may not apply to all areas it is just my experience.

DOUBLELUNG · « **Reply #18 on:** May 06, 2009, 04:44:55 PM »

I killum dead. I've passed on jakes before, I've also killed them. I think it's great we all have different passions.

To me, elk are meat animals - I'd love to kill a big ol' stinky, but if it's not my dream shoulder mount bull, I've several times passed on branched bulls to take a spike or cow (WY, not WA).

Now, mule deer ... I can pass up 100 bucks on a rifle hunt (or enjoy a great kill shot on a doe with my bow).

Sorry to threadjack - daydreaming at my 'puter again.

OneHorn · « **Reply #19 on:** May 06, 2009, 05:27:15 PM »

Quote from: tlbradford on May 06, 2009, 04:20:37 PM

I disagree on the spur wear. I have killed or seen dead birds taken from areas with rocky terrain that have long, sharp spurs. Again, I want to put the disclaimer on here that this may not apply to all areas it is just my experience.

Like i said there are birds out there that are in rocky terrian that do get long spurs. my dad has killed some birds with big ol spurs in rocky country but most birds that i have killed and seen killed dont have to good of spurs do to the rocky country washington has to offer us.

MuleySniper · « **Reply #20 on:** May 06, 2009, 05:51:37 PM »

Staying on the topic, what about this guy? Who would shoot him? I'll almost guarantee his spurs are not any longer than 3/4" but I think his beard is pretty impressive. Personally, I would rather have a long thick beard and 1/2" spurs over a bird with a thin, beat up beard and over inch long spurs any day. Typically, if an old toms beard is all beat up from fighting, his tail fan is gonna match.

tlbradford · « **Reply #21 on:** May 06, 2009, 07:57:39 PM »

Yeah, I would shoot him in a second. I don't need both, just one or the other. As far as tail fans go, I only use them to put on my decoys.

wastickslinger · « **Reply #22 on:** May 07, 2009, 08:20:00 AM »

Sniper, the three of us looked at that bird for 10 minutes and none of us noticed he has a second beard!! I just noticed it in that picture you posted. Thats cool!! Too bad our tags were all notched.

buck470 · « **Reply #23 on:** May 07, 2009, 08:30:35 AM »

still packing 2 unnotched tags though??

Intruder · « **Reply #24 on:** May 07, 2009, 08:33:29 AM »

Mulesnyper....
Luv that paint brush beard.... Bang! for me

Intruder · « **Reply #25 on:** May 07, 2009, 08:36:50 AM »

Quote from: tlbradford on May 06, 2009, 04:20:37 PM

I disagree on the spur wear. I have killed or seen dead birds taken from areas with rocky terrain that have long, sharp spurs. Again, I want to put the disclaimer on here that this may not apply to all areas it is just my experience.

I agree. It can happen but wear on a beard is far more likely than wear on spurs. I also agree with you on the weight. Total BS in a lot of areas cuz the monster birds literally live in barn yards and get fat eatin chicken and cow feed.

MuleySniper · « **Reply #26 on:** May 07, 2009, 12:06:07 PM »

Quote from: wastickslinger on May 07, 2009, 08:20:00 AM

Sniper, the three of us looked at that bird for 10 minutes and none of us noticed he has a second beard!! I just noticed it in that picture you posted. Thats cool!! Too bad our tags were all notched.

Yeah, sticks out like a sore thumb now!
MS

Mookie · « **Reply #27 on:** May 17, 2009, 10:20:11 AM »

I don't care about trophy's, I have no plans on ever putting an animal on my wall. So it is all about the meat. Old birds are not nearly as good tasting, or as easy to eat.

wastickslinger · « **Reply #28 on:** May 17, 2009, 05:47:38 PM »

Quote from: Mookie on May 17, 2009, 10:20:11 AM

I don't care about trophy's, I have no plans on ever putting an animal on my wall. So it is all about the meat. Old birds are not nearly as good tasting, or as easy to eat.

Dont get me wrong, I love wild game, but turkey just cant be all about the meat. For the average person it ends up being like $15-20 per lb. If it were all about the meat I would buy a big fat juicy butterball at Safeway.

It doesnt have to be a trophy for me, its all about the hunt/rush of a gobble back at your calls.

270Shooter · « **Reply #29 on:** May 17, 2009, 07:08:22 PM »

Mookie · « **Reply #30 on:** May 17, 2009, 11:15:23 PM »

After I buy the tag, I have less than a 5 minute drive to where I can hunt them. So in the end it is cheaper than buying at the store. One box of turkey load can last 4 years.

I totally get the point of the hunt, but I don't care at all about that, I want in and out.

EastWaViking · « **Reply #31 on:** May 17, 2009, 11:20:03 PM »

to me a turkey is just a giant grouse, if it has a beard I'll shoot it.

robb92 · « **Reply #32 on:** May 18, 2009, 01:48:50 AM »

I would notch my tag with it

tlbradford · « **Reply #33 on:** May 18, 2009, 07:34:29 AM »

The reason I did this poll was to see the general attitude towards turkeys as a whole. Machias and I had a discussion about this at the WDFW regional meeting. He comes from a state where turkey hunting is second only to whitetails, and I was taught to turkey hunt by someone from the south with similar views.

Our discussion was that Washington is ideal habitat for turkeys. I truly believe Washington could be the destination state in the U.S. for turkey hunting if the WDFW tightened there rules a bit and promoted turkey hunting a little more. Three species in a single state is unheard of. I do worry about Rio's and Merriams crossbreeding though. With so many other animals in our state to hunt, the turkey is definitely an afterthought to most and certainly a nuisance to others. I respect everyone's opinion, and I am obviously in the minority here. It will be interesting to see what kind of industry turkey hunting grows into.

I truly believe it is the #1 animal to hunt for teaching kids and introducing new hunters to the sport. Good luck everyone for the rest of the season, and thanks for participating.

Mookie · « **Reply #34 on:** May 18, 2009, 10:26:22 AM »

Interesting view. In our area turkeys are a big pain it the butt. You want to tighten regulations? We want a buy one get four free tags. They get into barns, roost in cars, crap everywhere. I know plenty of people who have horrible problems with them. One couple I know basically has an open invite to kill them, she wakes up to about 300 in her yard. It is nearly impossible to get a depredation permit.
It seems that you have the tourist mentality. Everything is great to outsiders, but the people who live with them want them gone. Kinda like the people who love to go watch the ground squirrels, meanwhile farmers and landowners want them dead.
I know plenty of people who quite often have turkey dinners because they get tired of them eating their gardens.

I have no issues with turning it into a great money making sport and for teaching young people to hunt. But for many, tightening the regs would create more problems.

SpokaneSlayer · « **Reply #35 on:** May 18, 2009, 10:32:53 AM »

Where is this "open invite" you speak of?

tlbradford · « **Reply #36 on:** May 18, 2009, 11:46:36 AM »

Quote from: Mookie on May 18, 2009, 10:26:22 AM

Interesting view. In our area turkeys are a big pain it the butt. You want to tighten regulations? We want a buy one get four free tags. They get into barns, roost in cars, crap everywhere. I know plenty of people who have horrible problems with them. One couple I know basically has an open invite to kill them, she wakes up to about 300 in her yard. It is nearly impossible to get a depredation permit.
It seems that you have the tourist mentality. Everything is great to outsiders, but the people who live with them want them gone. Kinda like the people who love to go watch the ground squirrels, meanwhile farmers and landowners want them dead.
I know plenty of people who quite often have turkey dinners because they get tired of them eating their gardens.

I have no issues with turning it into a great money making sport and for teaching young people to hunt. But for many, tightening the regs would create more problems.

Or issuing the depredation permits more easily, or handing out landowner permits, etc. When I say tighten the regs, I mean don't allow a bunch of hens to be shot in the fall season.

Not a tourist, I live here and listen to landowner stories all the time.

Mookie · « **Reply #37 on:** May 18, 2009, 03:06:30 PM »

I got ya. When you said tighten up the regs, I was thinking that you meant make it more difficult to hunt them so the population would increase.

I agree. Landowner and dep permits should be given out a lot more freely. It seems the F&W Dep does not know what is going on with them.

But at the same time, they need to start issuing double or triple doe tags, or buy a buck get a doe free. Those things are getting bad. To many of them are dieing because of traffic and starvation and then we have to pull the tag. One landowner I know was saying the does on his property are going two or three heat cycles before reproducing.

I saw you were from Veredale, I grew up in Millwood.

tlbradford · « **Reply #38 on:** May 18, 2009, 03:28:50 PM »

I agree about the whitetail tags too. At least for Spokane and Stevens Counties.

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Author Topic: Turkey - Live or Die (Read 8868 times)

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