Turkey hunting shot requirements

[rgalanti21]

I had read on an article online from the state legislature that they were in the process of making lead shot illegal for hunting turkeys with, and I was wondering how that would affect the full and extra full choke tubes that are used. I know you arn't suppose to use steel shot with full/extra full choke tubes, so what would happen then? Just develop new tubes that can take steel shot? Sorry I cant find the article right now, i'll look for it again and see if I can find it, but any comments helps! Thanks guys!

[packmule]

I hadn't heard that this was under consideration for turkey hunting.  Interesting.  Anyway, there are several "non-lead" options for turkey hunting that are currently available.  These fall into tungsten, or other material categories (Hevi-shot is one brand) and have received really good reviews.  Many of the turkey choke tubes that are currently available were designed for these non-lead shells.

[dawei]

I had read on an article online from the state legislature that they were in the process of making lead shot illegal for hunting turkeys with, and I was wondering how that would affect the full and extra full choke tubes that are used. I know you arn't suppose to use steel shot with full/extra full choke tubes, so what would happen then? Just develop new tubes that can take steel shot? Sorry I cant find the article right now, i'll look for it again and see if I can find it, but any comments helps! Thanks guys!

The 2011 Spring Turkey regulations are out and there is no mention of non-toxic shot being required for turkey hunting. Do you have a link to that article? The only information I have is that non-toxic shot (steel, Hevi•Shot®, etc) will be required on all WDFW land (eg. Pheasant Release sites) effective this fall.

[yelp]

Turkeys aren't in the current nontoxic rule.  Which means it is OK to use lead.  Any legislation wouldn't be adopted until next year if adopted.  I also assume the rule would be approved by the commission.

[Andrew]

As stated there is already non-toxic choices out there, however, not all chokes can handle it.  The Remington super full and extra full are lead only.  If I had to I'd reload utilizing NICE shot it is heavier than lead and yet just as soft.   You can use lead loading recipes for it too.

Again no need to freak out for another year at least.

[Teachers Pet]

The legislature should not be involved in hunting regulations. They should focus on on something else...hmmm?

[yelp]

The legislature should not be involved in hunting regulations. They should focus on on something else...hmmm?

I couldn't find any legislation this session that eludes to anything about nontoxic shot and turkeys.   Got any detailed information Rgalanti?

[rgalanti21]

Here's what I found, not as legit as I thought it was but oh well lol.

http://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php?topic=19118.75;wap2

[bobcat]

That wouldn't make any sense. Do turkey hunters shoot often and does lead from turkey hunters accumulate in certain locations at high levels? Duh! It's hard to believe anybody would come up with some rule as useless as this would be.

[BurleyDog]

read up on the choke you have. Waterfowlers shoot steel through
some full chokes.

I usually shoot turkeys with steel because thats what I have left over
from duck hunting. Steel #4's through a remington factory full choke
in my 870 20 guage has killed me a lot of turkeys.

If your wanting to spend a bunch of money on non-toxic there are a
bunch of options that have good patterns at long ranges.

[dawei]

Turkeys aren't in the current nontoxic rule.  Which means it is OK to use lead.  Any legislation wouldn't be adopted until next year if adopted.  I also assume the rule would be approved by the commission.

From talking with my local game warden (G. L.) the nontoxic shot rule applies to the land, and not the species. A pheasant release site I frequent has a lot of rabbits and a few turkeys. If I hunt this land, for any species I must use nontoxic shot. Turkeys - no problem as I have Hevi•Shot® but for bunnies I guess that I will use steel.

[mossy8352]

Turkeys aren't in the current nontoxic rule.  Which means it is OK to use lead.  Any legislation wouldn't be adopted until next year if adopted.  I also assume the rule would be approved by the commission.

From talking with my local game warden (G. L.) the nontoxic shot rule applies to the land, and not the species. A pheasant release site I frequent has a lot of rabbits and a few turkeys. If I hunt this land, for any species I must use nontoxic shot. Turkeys - no problem as I have Hevi•Shot® but for bunnies I guess that I will use steel.

You could use 2 3/4 HM classic doubles about the same as lead but it is legal on all non lead sites and is a lot less potent then turkey loads. Worth looking into, I use it on pheasants at Cooke Canyon even though it is not required so I am ready. Works great and I can shoot the old JC Higgins model 20 12 gauge with out any damage to the barrel or choke system.