Hunting Washington Forum

Other Hunting => Turkey Hunting => Topic started by: Russ McDonald on February 22, 2012, 10:30:14 AM

Title: Bow hunting for turkey
Post by: Russ McDonald on February 22, 2012, 10:30:14 AM: So I got a question for you all. I have looked through the regs for turkey hunting. I see that you can use a bow but can I use expandable broadheads? I don't see anything other then you can use a bow, no specification on what can be used like for big game hunting with a bow. Any thoughts?
Title: Re: Bow hunting for turkey
Post by: alwinearcher on February 22, 2012, 10:56:11 AM: Actually turkeys fall under small game regulations and can be hunted with Mechanical broadheads.
Title: Re: Bow hunting for turkey
Post by: bobcat on February 22, 2012, 10:56:18 AM: I believe the broadhead restrictions only apply to big game. If you look in the Big Game regulations, those rules specifically say "big game animals". Turkeys, or any other game, are not mentioned.
Title: Re: Bow hunting for turkey
Post by: Camp David on February 22, 2012, 11:15:57 AM: Quote from: alwinearcher on February 22, 2012, 10:56:11 AM
Actually turkeys fall under small game regulations and can be hunted with Mechanical broadheads.

:yeah:
Title: Re: Bow hunting for turkey
Post by: Camp David on February 22, 2012, 11:31:11 AM: BTW mechanicals work great!
Title: Re: Bow hunting for turkey
Post by: Russ McDonald on February 22, 2012, 11:57:20 AM: I have Grim Reapers that I had when I moved here from California. Was hoping I could use them for turkey since I can't use them for elk or deer.
Title: Re: Bow hunting for turkey
Post by: turkeydancer on February 22, 2012, 03:01:26 PM: This was on a past thread ... that said, I would still e-mail the WDFW and make absolutely sure ... keep their reply with you just in case.
:twocents:

I believe that they do classify turkeys as a big game animal as far as fines go, but chose to add them as small game for licensing & tags.
Title: Re: Bow hunting for turkey
Post by: JLS on February 22, 2012, 03:04:46 PM: Taken right from the WAC.....

(h) It is unlawful to hunt big game animals with a retractable broadhead.

Turkeys are not big game animals, yes you can use expandables for them.
Title: Re: Bow hunting for turkey
Post by: BOWHUNTER45 on February 22, 2012, 03:48:16 PM: Quote from: HunterFisher on February 22, 2012, 03:34:37 PM
Say hello to my little friend - Google.

http://wdfw.wa.gov/help/questions/113/Is+it+legal+to+use+retractable+broadheads+during+wild+turkey+seasons%3F

Learned something new today, time to go home.
:tup: :tup:
Title: Re: Bow hunting for turkey
Post by: Tom Tamer on February 22, 2012, 03:56:35 PM: Quote from: HunterFisher on February 22, 2012, 10:44:40 AM
Any game animal archery pursuit in the state must follow archery tackle regs. No electronics, no mechanical broadheads, etc. Still falls under the same equipment rules.
Actually that pertains to big game. About 4 or 5 yrs ago I wrote the State to clarify. Turkey falls under small game therefore the Mechanical broadhead does not apply in the spring. Now they also said Mechanicals are not legal in the Fall due to other Big game season are open at that time. But YES in the spring mechanicals can be used.
Title: Re: Bow hunting for turkey
Post by: Russ McDonald on February 22, 2012, 06:44:13 PM: Cool the Grim Reapers are coming out for turkey.
Title: Re: Bow hunting for turkey
Post by: carpsniperg2 on February 22, 2012, 07:01:54 PM: Cant beat a bullhead :tup:
Title: Re: Bow hunting for turkey
Post by: carpsniperg2 on February 22, 2012, 07:21:04 PM: I had to play with arrow spine length and fletching to find a combo that worked well.