Backing the kids.....should I take shotty or rifle?

[Machias]

I'm an opportunist, it's never had any effect on my turkey hunting, shooting the few yotes I've shot during spring gobbler season.  That's the great thing about turkey hunting, you mess up a stand, get busted or shoot something else, you can move over to the next canyon/hill and start on another bird.

[STIKNSTRINGBOW]

I dont think you can carry turkey loads over turkey decoys durring youth season if you are not youth.  I would carry something bigger than #2 because it would not be legal for turkey and your not hunting turkey then.  You can carry any gun with any load you want this is america BUT if you get checked you will have an argument on your hands.

I would be careful carrying a shotgun during turkey season, I know a guy that got a ticket for having broadheads in his quiver..."Hunting during a closed season"................................................................ it all depends on the officer, He said "explain it to the judge"
So, I say .243 

[tlbradford]

I'm an opportunist, it's never had any effect on my turkey hunting, shooting the few yotes I've shot during spring gobbler season.  That's the great thing about turkey hunting, you mess up a stand, get busted or shoot something else, you can move over to the next canyon/hill and start on another bird.

I agree with this in regards to turkeys.  Coyotes will run off anything you may have coming in and ruin your set-up anyways.  A single gun shot won't mess you up for turkeys that are still out a ways.  I wouldn't do it before flydown or shortly after, but I shoot coyotes that respond to my calling during the day.

[NWTFhunter]

AH! Then a .243 would hit the spot.

This brings up an interesting question, has anyone shot a Coyote with Turkey loads?

We have dumped several Yotes over the years with #4, #5 turkey load.

[BPturkeys]

That's the stupidest thing I've ever heard. Backing the kids??, what, are you think they're going to get eaten alive by some T-Rex or something.  It's a kids hunt, you don't need to be trying to shoot "yotes" or anything else for that matter. And BS on the "it won't hurt nuttin to go ahead and shoot a yote or two while your set up for turkeys!" You never know when there is a bird just out of sight on his way in, and believe me, gunshots scare turkeys off!! Take the kids out turkey hunting and the only thing you should be carrying is a turkey call.
If I was a wardan and caught you in the field with a shotgun during the youth turkey hunt I'd ticket you a** so fast your head would spin.

[jackelope]

welcome to washington, BPTurkeys...
great post.

[Copperwood]

 

[wastickslinger]

That's the stupidest thing I've ever heard. Backing the kids??, what, are you think they're going to get eaten alive by some T-Rex or something.  It's a kids hunt, you don't need to be trying to shoot "yotes" or anything else for that matter. And BS on the "it won't hurt nuttin to go ahead and shoot a yote or two while your set up for turkeys!" You never know when there is a bird just out of sight on his way in, and believe me, gunshots scare turkeys off!! Take the kids out turkey hunting and the only thing you should be carrying is a turkey call.
If I was a wardan and caught you in the field with a shotgun during the youth turkey hunt I'd ticket you a** so fast your head would spin.

I think he is protecting the turkeys not his kids. From the reading that I have done, mostly articles from NWTF, statistics show that 40-60% of poult are killed by predators and upwards of 20% of mature turkeys are killed by predators. So why not shoot a yote that is prowling your flock. If you do you might blow an opportunity at a tom for the nxt 30 minutes(we all know that they will be fired right back up again in a short time) but you will have saved many birds by greasing a yote.

I vote .243 or let your kids roll em with the shotty, Im sure they would like that better.

[whacker1]

 

[woodywsu]

My vote is let the kids carry the guns. If you are taking kids, then you won't have any room for a gun. You will be too busy packing food, water, clothes, calls, decoy, camera, toilet paper, extra ammo, face masks, more food and water. The list goes on. Just let them enjoy the great outdoors. Let them smoke the coyote/cougar/bobcat sneaking up on the decoy. If it comes down to you needing a weapon, you can always take theirs.

[hirshey]

I dont think you can carry turkey loads over turkey decoys durring youth season if you are not youth.  I would carry something bigger than #2 because it would not be legal for turkey and your not hunting turkey then.  You can carry any gun with any load you want this is america BUT if you get checked you will have an argument on your hands.

I would be careful carrying a shotgun during turkey season, I know a guy that got a ticket for having broadheads in his quiver..."Hunting during a closed season"................................................................ it all depends on the officer, He said "explain it to the judge"
So, I say .243 

I'd say better safe than sorry. I know a shotgun may offer a fun challenge but it wouldn't be worth a trip to court either way have a great time!

[D-Rock425]

let the kids shoot the yotes.  i think game warden would not like the idea af you having a gun on a kids hunt.

[ICEMAN]

That's the stupidest thing I've ever heard. Backing the kids??, what, are you think they're going to get eaten alive by some T-Rex or something.  It's a kids hunt, you don't need to be trying to shoot "yotes" or anything else for that matter. And BS on the "it won't hurt nuttin to go ahead and shoot a yote or two while your set up for turkeys!" You never know when there is a bird just out of sight on his way in, and believe me, gunshots scare turkeys off!! Take the kids out turkey hunting and the only thing you should be carrying is a turkey call.
If I was a wardan and caught you in the field with a shotgun during the youth turkey hunt I'd ticket you a** so fast your head would spin.

Really? The stupidest thing you have ever heard?  I feel honored.

Have you ever seen a turkey following a coyote into the dekes?

I am also interested with what you would cite me for?  Name the violation, thanks.


The way I see it is this...; I occasionally call yotes into my setup. In the past, I have been late seeing them, and usually do not get close in shots.   I think I will end up taking the rifle so that I can make as much noise as possible blasting away at coyotes. If a close shot presents itself, my son or daughter would love taking out a turkey eating coyote.

Looks like I will take the rifle. Thanks guys...you too bpturkey.

[Tom Tamer]

Rifle.....I'm with the gang that says let the kids pop the close ones and you take the ones that need reaching. Also agree not too many turkeys hang out once they see the yote. On the other hand a gun shot or two don't bug a turkey too much, how many times have you seen those videos or seen it personally that a gun shot actually get's a shock gobble? Heck my second big tom I ever got he shock gobbled to my partner shooting his turkey. Last year I shot at a tom, but missed I didn't account for the limb in the road, but thirty seconds after I shot he answered a call and gave me another shot...I missed Dumb bird......dumber shooter )

[hirshey]

I am also interested with what you would cite me for?  Name the violation, thanks.

I'd say they could get you under 77.15.400
Could be the unlawful hunting of a wild bird if the official was having a bad day.. it states:

(1) A person is guilty of unlawful hunting of wild birds in the second degree if the person:

     (a) Hunts for, takes, or possesses a wild bird and the person does not have and possess all licenses, tags, stamps, and permits required under this title;

     (b) Maliciously destroys, takes, or harms the eggs or nests of a wild bird except when authorized by permit;

     (c) Violates any rule of the commission or director regarding seasons, bag or possession limits but less than two times the bag or possession limit, closed areas, closed times, or other rule addressing the manner or method of hunting or possession of wild birds; or

     (d) Possesses a wild bird taken during a closed season for that wild bird or taken from a closed area for that wild bird.

They could cite you for "hunting for" if you possesed a firearm they deemed suitable for a turkey.


Again, good luck! Looking forward to the photos! Get them 'yotee dogs!