Turkey's in the roost

[Tundraman]

Quick question..... I have a friend that is getting ready to take the Master Hunter Test. The question "Is it legal to shoot a turkey in the roost?" (in Wa of course) came up and we have not been able to find an answer. Anyone know what that answer may be. I know it would be an ethical question but we need to know it's legality.

[BOWHUNTER45]

It comes down to be ETHICAL .... A true turkey hunter will never shoot birds off the roost ...and surprisingly this is a problem thats really pee's me off every year ...there is nothen in the regs that state it is not illegal....But I do not recommend it even know it goes on alot ...nothen worse than being set up on a bird and someone sneaks in and blows them off the limb ...this has happened to me a few times and if I would ever get my hands on someone I think I would go to jail ...its BS to hunt like that....I do not blow birds out of trees and I do not teach people to do DRIVE SHOOTINGS NEITHER !!! If I can not call a bird in I personally will not kill it... but I am not against sneaking up on one or cutting one off in order to get him ...Actually it takes good woodsmenship to sneak up on a turkey and if you can , god luck to ya ...

[packmule]

BOWHUNTER45 is right I think.  I don't know of any regulations that prohibit shooting turkeys off of a roost in this state, although it's certainly not something most "real" turkey hunters would consider.

[Camp David]

 

[gaddy]

never seen any thing on paper saying it was illegal but-DONT SLUCE THE ROOST- its understood you are looking at the legality issue for a test question & not weather its generally approved. 

[baldopepper]

To me it's the same as jack lighting deer.  I've seen nothing in the regs. making it illegal, but I'm guessing in most cases it would probalby be in viloation of the shooting hours laws. On a couple of occasions I've heard shots well before legal time that I suspect were birds being blasted off the roost. Never have understood why someone would want to poach or shoot illegally and then brag about their "prize" to other hunters.

[BOWHUNTER45]

To me it's the same as jack lighting deer.  I've seen nothing in the regs. making it illegal, but I'm guessing in most cases it would probalby be in viloation of the shooting hours laws. On a couple of occasions I've heard shots well before legal time that I suspect were birds being blasted off the roost. Never have understood why someone would want to poach or shoot illegally and then brag about their "prize" to other hunters.

yeah ..this sums it up nicely 

[Tundraman]

Hey thanks everyone. I knew it was definitely an ethical question. I am not a turkey hunter (at least haven't given it a try as of yet) but would not even consider shooting a roosted bird. We were just wondering if we had over looked something some where. I appreciate the info