Turkey Fanning & Reaping, Not Legal In All States - Turkey Talk Blog
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Five states now have an outright ban on the practice with corresponding violation statutes and penalties. Nearly a third of all US states either ban or ...
Good. I hope the other states follow until its completely banned. That is my opinion wether anyone else likes it or not.
You don't have to worry about me anymore.
last year on a hunt, I left my strutter fan in my mirror ghost blind when going out for lunch.
came back into the woods and couldn't find the blind, I never replaced either of them.
now I rely on my ozonics (I use 2 of them) and face painting.
Good news and article. I hope all the states make it illegal. As many of you know I can testify what happens when some one abandons
all rules of safe hunting just for a chance to shoot a turkey or if they make a bad choice another hunter. A damn turkey isn't worth dying, injuring
or killing someone over. I will live the rest of my life with the results of a bad choice, I hope you never do.
I got me a HECS suit, turkey scent and a 22-250. Failure ain't likely.
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This just grinds my gears. You should be able to kill a dang Turkey anyway you want to without someone telling you how to do it!
What difference does it make as long as the turkey is dead isn't that the whole point? Legal or not immoral, unsportsmanlike as long as you kill something it's ok in my book!
Quote from: LaLongbeard on January 13, 2020, 04:37:29 PM
This just grinds my gears. You should be able to kill a dang Turkey anyway you want to without someone telling you how to do it!
What difference does it make as long as the turkey is dead isn't that the whole point? Legal or not immoral, unsportsmanlike as long as you kill something it's ok in my book!
Seems to be a popular theme for the last few years. With this however I'll be glad when the turkey community admits and accepts this isn't strategy and it isn't a tactic, this is leveraging the kill and using turkey biology against him to a level that's no longer sport. And sure shouldn't be considered sport by someone who supposedly cares about Wild Turkeys and their hunting and conservation. Friends don't let friends reap turkeys
First off, I am not a reaper, but I have mixed feelings about the whole fan thing. I am most certainly against hunters using unsafe tactics to kill turkeys,...and reaping, without the proper precautions, falls into that category for sure. However, fan use covers a whole spectrum from reaping all the way to using a strutter decoy. Are we prepared to outlaw the use of those,...as well as jake decoys? If so, fine,...and if not, why not?
If it's the safety issue, from what I have seen there are a lot more folks using strutter dekes in an unsafe manner than there are reapers. At least reapers generally are using that tactic in situations where they are in pretty wide-open areas. Strutter users seem to often set out a decoy without any consideration that a hunter could sneak in from the opposite side of their set-up and shoot right into them. Having said that, I don't believe either tactic is any more dangerous than using turkey calls in many set-up situations. To my knowledge regarding turkey hunting accidents, I believe most have involved people being mistaken for turkeys by someone sneaking up on them while they were set up calling.
All that aside, my main concern about reaping is that it is so effective right now (I also believe turkeys will learn to avoid a fan just like they have learned to avoid calling and other tactics) that turkey hunters are possibly killing too large a percentage of the mature gobbler population in some places. If that is indeed the case, reaping (and strutter/jake decoy use) might well need to be regulated. In the meantime, my personal verdict is still out on whether I want to jump on the "let's outlaw fan use" bandwagon.
Quote from: Happy on January 13, 2020, 03:59:06 PM
I got me a HECS suit, turkey scent and a 22-250. Failure ain't likely.
Sent from my SM-G960U using Tapatalk
;D ;D ;D
I've no interest in killing turkeys this way, whatever it's called, but...........holy smokes are these threads painful to watch. It's a subject that is polarizing as heck and seldom if ever accomplishes anything. It's hard not to watch.
Next thing you know they'll want to ban spotlighting turkeys.
I am not going to bother to get into the ethics of the whole thing, but to me I view it looks like an accident waiting to happen so I personally would not want to do it or hunt with anybody that is doing it when I was there.
I'll start off by saying I have never reaped a bird, and for personal reasons of hunting according the prescribed methods (I'm a traditionalist - sue me) I never intend to reap a bird. However, I see this as overreach and basically akin to the issue of ground-sluicing grouse upland hunting. For me the issue of leveraging biology against a bird, while hunting, is of little consequence. Why else do we buy locator calls, pots and boxes to mimic hens in a breeding season, and place strutter or jake decoys, except to leverage a tom's biology - his urge to reproduce in a genetically hardwired mating season, against him in order to put him in a pot? To say that a decoy or a call to induce gobbling does not do the exact same thing is a matter of semantics.
I agree without hesitation that reaping is unsafe. However, if a person fires on a fan without seeing a head to aim at or even being able to realize that they are not within 40 yards of a live, moving and bearded (ie legal to take) turkey, then they should never be allowed to hunt anything in the first place and are the same trigger-happy bozos who give hunters in general such a terrible name. Always identify the target and be sure of what you are aiming at, especially in the context of a sport where lifelike decoys are part and parcel of the sport. Is it not as sporting as calling one along the edge of a cornfield with your back against a hard maple with a box call and watching the sunlight turn his fan orange as he come in to you? Not at all. But is it any MORE ethical than the overwhelming history of turkey hunting in this continent where they were potted with .22 Hornets or incidentally with deer rifles, or any other firearm that was at hand, because you didn't pass up on ANY game that could feed your family another day? The formative notions of this sport (to my understanding and I won't begrudge any education to the contrary) are relatively young and for a new method of take to be shunned because it's more effective or less arduous is a bit like a person who grew up with Porter Wagoner and Bluegrass denouncing Elvis as 'not really music'. It is still, at its core, hunting wild turkeys. Now as others have said, if it becomes too harmful to the population of birds, then sure, consider limiting its use. But while you're outlawing fans, why not outlaw decoys, .22-250s, 7, 8 & 9 shot, and anything below a 20 gauge and above a 10 (all regulations that I have hunted turkeys under since it became legal in my province). This is akin to Atlantic Salmon fishermen I know who will swing a wet fly pattern 200 years old, but turn their nose up at a bit of deer hair spun around a hook because it's too modern and too effective at catching the 1-3 fish they may otherwise expect in a week.
They should ban guns too.
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While I may personally not "reap" fan for a turkey, I have and do use decoys and yes a strutter, having come from goose and duck hunting in a field where you are using decoys, didn't seem that far a stretch that one may decoy turkeys. Beyond all that I would still go with if it's legal in the state you hunt then it comes down to your freedom of choice. We could make all kinds of comparisons in all forms of hunting and other advancements in what we do every day.
Fishing off the bank or and $80,000 Bass Boat with sonar, gps, and trolling motor beyond those 300 horses on the back of the boat.
Deer Hunting with a rifle or bowhunting only
Do you drive a truck to your hunting spot, better go back to Amish and hook up the horse to the buggy... hmmm wonder how those state to state turkey hunters would handle that one.
Like I said you can make comparisons in most any aspect of what we do daily and how you choose to do what you do. Yup those freedoms (with in the law)
Not to say it this way but putting a turkey on a pedestal and saying it should only be hunted in one manner is a little ridiculous. Now if your choice is to hunt a certain way that's what it is your choice.
I do see reaping as a safety issue, can't imagine sticking a "target" on my head and running around with it, guess those rules of firearm safety come in play.
Not trying to sound all preachy but when we break down in our ranks this is how we lose in the end.
By some of the posts I've seen looks like we all need to just go back to those first turkey hunters ways...
MK M GOBL
Wow I didn't realize there were so many saints on the forum....next thing you know baiting will be looked down on.
I got about $2500.00 tied up in tent blinds not to mention another $1500.00 in decoys if you think ima give up baiting and tent blind sitting your crazy. You really expect me to walk around in the woods....on my feet with no motorized vehicle? I use a fan going and coming to my stand and if I'm lucky enough to shoot a turkey hen/gobbler/Jake on the way to my stand and save me from having to sit in my blind for two whole hours so much the better. The sooner I can get back to my couch and TV the better.
All you "public land only" hero's with your "all I use is a call and gun" make me sick. I'm not about to go stomping around in the woods all hours of the day and taking a chance of getting lost or blisters or who knows what out there in the dark wilderness. Give me a tent blind in a cut corn field, two dozen decoys and I'll show you a Facebook page that will make anybody jealous.
Justify it how you want to but calls have to be used, a gun has to be used and in the right way. I'm not a fan of it but even a man than sneaks up without ever making a call and ambushes him has at least done something, earned it in some way. Put up a strutter decoy or reap him and you can "draw him in" without doing a thing. Big difference. All this is without mentioning the obvious ignorance of making yourself the target.
Quote from: LaLongbeard on January 13, 2020, 08:58:22 PM
Wow I didn't realize there were so many saints on the forum....next thing you know baiting will be looked down on.
I got about $2500.00 tied up in tent blinds not to mention another $1500.00 in decoys if you think ima give up baiting and tent blind sitting your crazy. You really expect me to walk around in the woods....on my feet with no motorized vehicle? I use a fan going and coming to my stand and if I'm lucky enough to shoot a turkey hen/gobbler/Jake on the way to my stand and save me from having to sit in my blind for two whole hours so much the better. The sooner I can get back to my couch and TV the better.
All you "public land only" hero's with your "all I use is a call and gun" make me sick. I'm not about to go stomping around in the woods all hours of the day and taking a chance of getting lost or blisters or who knows what out there in the dark wilderness. Give me a tent blind in a cut corn field, two dozen decoys and I'll show you a Facebook page that will make anybody jealous.
That's what I'm talking about. Outdoor Channel, social media, and call companies selling Strutter Shields. MK GOBL you might want to get out front with that White Headed 2000 StrutShield, make a fortune. Avian C is about to launch their 1/4 and 1/2 strut 2000s
I need LA Longbeard on my prostaff!!
Sounds like he can get $hit done!!
All good points. I'll just clarify my position against reaping. I am against the use of a fan to walk, crawl or move behind as you sneak up on a gobbler. I have no issue with decoys, or the use of a fan if it doesn't make the hunter a target. It's not a method issue with me, it's all about safety.
I am not a saint, but I am a "shot while turkey hunting survivor". An accident that nearly took my life. So I guess I am a biased asshole, so be it! I've been the target and wouldn't wish it on anyone. I understand we don't like giving up our choices in how we pursue our sport, but when evidence shows people will choose unsafe behavior and take serious risk just for momentary pleasure then we need to preserve life over pleasure. That's why drunk driving is illegal. Sure, millions of miles are driven safely everyday, but we all know drunk driving changes the risk of harm by a huge factor and thus a law was passed to try and protect us from ourselves.
I don't necessarily disagree with you, but drunk diving endangers the lives of others. Crawling behind a fan endangers your own life not others. I'd compare to seatbelt and helmet laws, not DUI laws.
Either way, I don't like the method being referred to.
Wow,...some really good, thought-instilling posts here. Good to see some rational discussion on this issue from both sides. Hopefully, the same kinds of discussions are going on in DNR's and Game Departments across the country that are considering banning the use of a fan (or male turkey decoy). Bottom line, this is not a "cut and dried" issue for a lot of us.
Personally, I LIKE having a fan (flexible, so I can use it in multiple ways,...none of which include reaping) with me when I hunt. I use it for imitating flydowns, wing adjustments for turkeys both in the tree and on the ground, and as a "flash" decoy, if necessary. There are cases where it is totally unnecessary,...and there are cases where it will mean the difference between a gobbler closing the gap between a questionable-range shot and a sure-kill opportunity.
I am absolutely careful to evaluate every situation I might use it in for any safety issues that might arise,...even more-so than when I am just making a call-only set-up.
I also do not use the fan because I am incapable of using a call-only to kill one. I use it because it adds elements to the hunt that I find enjoyable. I LIKE having a gobbler that is "out there" at 50 yards or more see the folded fan (hen decoy imitation), or the full fan (intruding gobbler imitation) when I flash it at him briefly come strutting in to five or ten yards. Very often, I will observe his behavior, perhaps video a bit, and then sit quietly while he wanders away afterward. (Note: You don't have to kill them all!)
Back to the safety issue for a moment. Succinctly put, it is pretty darn hard for another hunter to sneak up on you when you have a gobbler standing ten or twenty (or even fifty) yards away eye-balling everything around him. He WILL notice if something is out of place,...most certainly a hunter trying to sneak up.
Finally, it anybody wants to be a total turkey-call-only purist, have at it. If you believe it makes you a better turkey hunter than me or the next guy, go for it. Having been at this for 55 years now, I am about as good at it as I am going to get. I LIKE hunting the way I do,...and I use a fan once in a while to do it.
However, if someone really finds HARD EVIDENCE that using a fan is unsafe to a more significant degree than plain-old turkey calling,....or if wildlife managers find HARD EVIDENCE that allowing the use of a fan (strutter/jake decoys) is jeopardizing our turkey populations, I will be the first to jump on the "let's outlaw fans/strutter/gobbler/jake decoys" bandwagon.
Until that time, hunt turkeys the way you want to,...and with a mind-set towards conserving the resource rather than adding up your body count!
QuoteBack to the safety issue for a moment. Succinctly put, it is pretty darn hard for another hunter to sneak up on you when you have a gobbler standing ten or twenty (or even fifty) yards away eye-balling everything around him. He WILL notice if something is out of place,...most certainly a hunter trying to sneak up.
I would generally agree, but oddly enough that is exactly what happened to me. I had turkeys within 50 yards. Suddenly they spooked and ran off and I stood up wondering what spooked them. The next thing I knew it felt something hit me hard in the leg. I looked down to see gushing blood. He shot the movement he saw from where he had heard a turkey and he had snuck up behind me. For those who don't know I was shot through the thigh with a bolt from a crossbow and a mechanical broadhead.
Hobbes, believe me there are two victims in a hunting accident. The shooter is a victim as well. I'll concede the seatbelt is probably a better comparison, I didn't think of that angle.
All in all it's not a cut and dried issue. I suppose we need to wait and see if the evidence dictates legislation, but if we see what is by good reason dangerous practices do we really need to wait for someone to die? However, simply having a law won't stop it all. Gobblenut is right it needs a lot of discussion.
is this state wide or wma only? That would determine who I side with. Totally agree no fanning or reaping on public or state owned wma. But when I'm on my own back 40? Weather you agree with it or not this is America. On a mans own land let him make his own safety choices and hunt how he wants. We're not all the same. I'm not like that but Some are just about killin. Not about hunting. Free country for the time being imo
Quote from: kytrkyhntr on January 14, 2020, 11:08:11 AM
is this state wide or wma only? That would determine who I side with. Totally agree no fanning or reaping on public or state owned wma. But when I'm on my own back 40? Weather you agree with it or not this is America. On a mans own land let him make his own safety choices and hunt how he wants. We're not all the same. I'm not like that but Some are just about killin. Not about hunting. Free country for the time being imo
Not trying to be contrary,...or take the topic at hand too far off subject, but just to clarify and educate:
Wildlife (non-migratory) in this country belongs to the citizens of the state in which it resides. It doesn't make any difference if it is on public or private land. Rules regarding management of that wildlife are determined by state regulation, whether it is on your property or not. State wildlife agencies determine "manner and method" of the taking of wildlife at their discretion, not us private landowners. Private landowners can lobby for special regulations on their properties if they want, but in terms of "final say", it is completely out of their hands.
I could expand on all of this, but I will leave it at that in this thread.
oh Okay gotcha. Wasn't totally clear on that. That makes sense. ????????
Hmmmm. I'm too fat to Reap. It would be a funny video, my 300lb butt crawling across a field with a darn fan.
The only fans i use are my ceiling fans , my porch fan and of course my shop fans ...LaLongbeard .. you forgot the generator for the air-conditioning in the blind tent ... i like my my TV and recline in the tent blind with my DVD player , playing Primos video's on how to turkey hunt ....is this how you Reap...
:TrainWreck1:
Quote from: eggshell on January 13, 2020, 02:19:52 PM
Good news and article. I hope all the states make it illegal. As many of you know I can testify what happens when some one abandons
all rules of safe hunting just for a chance to shoot a turkey or if they make a bad choice another hunter. A damn turkey isn't worth dying, injuring
or killing someone over. I will live the rest of my life with the results of a bad choice, I hope you never do.
I was thinking about using scent. What type did you get and how did you use it?
Quote from: Ranger on January 13, 2020, 05:20:04 PM
Quote from: LaLongbeard on January 13, 2020, 04:37:29 PM
This just grinds my gears. You should be able to kill a dang Turkey anyway you want to without someone telling you how to do it!
What difference does it make as long as the turkey is dead isn't that the whole point? Legal or not immoral, unsportsmanlike as long as you kill something it's ok in my book!
Seems to be a popular theme for the last few years. With this however I'll be glad when the turkey community admits and accepts this isn't strategy and it isn't a tactic, this is leveraging the kill and using turkey biology against him to a level that's no longer sport. And sure shouldn't be considered sport by someone who supposedly cares about Wild Turkeys and their hunting and conservation. Friends don't let friends reap turkeys
This is the problem. Sporting aspects aren't even known to the newer generation. . It means more when you earn something. Along the lines initially stated just get some in a trap n shoot em. Dead turkey is a dead turkey. Some guys don't know what they don't know
Quote from: LaLongbeard on January 13, 2020, 08:58:22 PM
Wow I didn't realize there were so many saints on the forum....next thing you know baiting will be looked down on.
I got about $2500.00 tied up in tent blinds not to mention another $1500.00 in decoys if you think ima give up baiting and tent blind sitting your crazy. You really expect me to walk around in the woods....on my feet with no motorized vehicle? I use a fan going and coming to my stand and if I'm lucky enough to shoot a turkey hen/gobbler/Jake on the way to my stand and save me from having to sit in my blind for two whole hours so much the better. The sooner I can get back to my couch and TV the better.
All you "public land only" hero's with your "all I use is a call and gun" make me sick. I'm not about to go stomping around in the woods all hours of the day and taking a chance of getting lost or blisters or who knows what out there in the dark wilderness. Give me a tent blind in a cut corn field, two dozen decoys and I'll show you a Facebook page that will make anybody jealous.
Like I said the man doesn't know what he doesn't know. No way many guys would consider anything you mention hunting. Certainly it'd not make em jealous.
I should say before anyone gets ruffled cause it's hard to tell from written words. Anything legal is ok for someone to do imo. I def don't agree w it, don't consider it sporting, but that's my opinion. If someone needs to use these methods to feel their time was well spent, so be it. Respect from others would not be reassured. Hope guys understand that.
Gonna give a for instance. Years back my buddy went pheasant hunting w a fellow. They walked into a hollow, the fella tells my buddy get ready, dog is birdy.
The dog never made game until they got near this milk crate. Inside was a pheasant, rocked asleep, w a milk crate and cinder block on that.
So imagine guys being envious over this bird. Btw they woke em, missed em. Point is, dead is dead in a hero pic. Maybe to some guys. I'd just think of it as something they need to prove to themselves.
Guess we all hunt for dif reasons
Quote from: Bowguy on January 14, 2020, 01:31:59 PM
Quote from: eggshell on January 13, 2020, 02:19:52 PM
Good news and article. I hope all the states make it illegal. As many of you know I can testify what happens when some one abandons
all rules of safe hunting just for a chance to shoot a turkey or if they make a bad choice another hunter. A damn turkey isn't worth dying, injuring
or killing someone over. I will live the rest of my life with the results of a bad choice, I hope you never do.
I was thinking about using scent. What type did you get and how did you use it?
Bowguy......I don't understand this post, I was talking about getting shot, how does scent work into this? I hope you weren't making fun of me getting shot and almost dying. I'm going to assume this was a mistaken quote, at least I hope so.
Quote from: eggshell on January 14, 2020, 02:54:08 PM
Quote from: Bowguy on January 14, 2020, 01:31:59 PM
Quote from: eggshell on January 13, 2020, 02:19:52 PM
Good news and article. I hope all the states make it illegal. As many of you know I can testify what happens when some one abandons
all rules of safe hunting just for a chance to shoot a turkey or if they make a bad choice another hunter. A damn turkey isn't worth dying, injuring
or killing someone over. I will live the rest of my life with the results of a bad choice, I hope you never do.
I was thinking about using scent. What type did you get and how did you use it?
Bowguy......I don't understand this post, I was talking about getting shot, how does scent work into this? I hope you weren't making fun of me getting shot and almost dying. I'm going to assume this was a mistaken quote, at least I hope so.
It was simply a joke about the scent guess I hit wrong post. Sorry meant to quote happy
Banned in ....Michigan New Jersey Pennsylvania South Carolina (WMA's only) Rhode Island
Quote from: LaLongbeard on January 13, 2020, 08:58:22 PM
Wow I didn't realize there were so many saints on the forum....next thing you know baiting will be looked down on.
I got about $2500.00 tied up in tent blinds not to mention another $1500.00 in decoys if you think ima give up baiting and tent blind sitting your crazy. You really expect me to walk around in the woods....on my feet with no motorized vehicle? I use a fan going and coming to my stand and if I'm lucky enough to shoot a turkey hen/gobbler/Jake on the way to my stand and save me from having to sit in my blind for two whole hours so much the better. The sooner I can get back to my couch and TV the better.
All you "public land only" hero's with your "all I use is a call and gun" make me sick. I'm not about to go stomping around in the woods all hours of the day and taking a chance of getting lost or blisters or who knows what out there in the dark wilderness. Give me a tent blind in a cut corn field, two dozen decoys and I'll show you a Facebook page that will make anybody jealous.
Old Gobbler Gold right here! Love it. You a good ol' boy in my book.
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I don't like fanning. If it's legal whatever. I hunt in Alabama and I've had guys sneak in on me on public, and also trespass onto private trying to get in on a bird. I would have hated to be crawling behind a fan when they snuck across the property boundary. I imagine they would have shot without much consideration. I think the idea of crawling/moving with a fan might be the area to draw the line on.
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So everyone that is against reaping only turkey hunt?
Do you guys deer hunt and if so do you put out attractants, corn, etc?
Do you use scents?
Some states allow the use of dogs....that's worse than reaping in my book.
Same with waterfowl and hunting flooded corn, using motion decoys, spinning wing decoys, blah blah blah blah.
It's a method to outsmart your prey.
Reaping is not my cup of tea personally. I just don't personally find it very sporting and a method that takes little to no skill to kill a turkey. It's a dangerous risk to take. To each his own and each individual has their own standards.
Just my opinion, but something being legal doesn't always make it right. For example, electronic remote control gobbler decoys are legal in a lot of states. Rolling out a decoy and luring a gobbler into your lap in no way should they be legal, but it is. I'd like to see these banned. So, I don't always put much stock in "if it's legal".
Personally it is not for me that being said I think on private land it is alright but public land is another thing. I am an exclusive public land Hunter (Fort Campbell, KY) to I know there could be trespassers but has much has I hate to say it there are some people that definitely use target recognit
Sorry hit the send button early
There are definitely people not using target recognition prior to pulling the trigger. I know personally I always carry a blaze orange hat with me when I am hunting just in case I see another hunter. Obviously I am not wearing it when I am setup but it is always within reach.
Quote from: Balla1982 on January 14, 2020, 10:32:22 PM
So everyone that is against reaping only turkey hunt?
Do you guys deer hunt and if so do you put out attractants, corn, etc?
Do you use scents?
Some states allow the use of dogs....that's worse than reaping in my book.
Same with waterfowl and hunting flooded corn, using motion decoys, spinning wing decoys, blah blah blah blah.
It's a method to outsmart your prey.
Bait is unsporting as well imo. Dog hunting is absolutely a blast.
Here you https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FG48FaYX2mo&feature=share
Quote from: Balla1982 on January 14, 2020, 10:32:22 PM
So everyone that is against reaping only turkey hunt?
Do you guys deer hunt and if so do you put out attractants, corn, etc?
Do you use scents?
Some states allow the use of dogs....that's worse than reaping in my book.
Same with waterfowl and hunting flooded corn, using motion decoys, spinning wing decoys, blah blah blah blah.
It's a method to outsmart your prey.
This is what I am talking about, while I don't "reap" I'm not holding it against you, your freedom to hunt this way if it's legal where you hunt. There are states that will let you "Roost Boost" yup shoot a sleeping turkey out of a tree... While I don't agree with the practice it is legal in some states. States will allow rifles for shooting turkeys, not for me but there again it's a legal practice in some states.
The rest of this comes down to "your personal set of ethics" and while some may disagree with another's choice in hunting tactics this is where we break down in our ranks. If every state held a vote and between state agency and hunter/voters this practice was outlawed then so be it.
MK M GOBL
Quote from: Balla1982 on January 14, 2020, 10:32:22 PM
So everyone that is against reaping only turkey hunt?
Do you guys deer hunt and if so do you put out attractants, corn, etc?
Do you use scents?
Some states allow the use of dogs....that's worse than reaping in my book.
Same with waterfowl and hunting flooded corn, using motion decoys, spinning wing decoys, blah blah blah blah.
It's a method to outsmart your prey.
Allow me to elaborate why I feel bait is unsporting. You place a stand over bait. Your camera tells you what's there, what time to come. You simply either watch the wind if you're smart enough or use ozonics if you think that's an answer.
The deer are CONDITIONED. They show up on time than are shot. About as sporting as shooting a dog at the water bowl. Pretty easy and requires no woodsmanship or commitment.
Dog guys now are completely committed. Hound guys (of all sorts) typically run dogs all year. They breed to better their stock, they raise pups, start and finish em. Than they trade for something different.
They have food, care costs and it's more about the hunt, the chase than a dead animal. Again guys don't know what they don't know.
When I was in taxidermy school we ran coon hounds every night, never shot one, I run my hounds prob avg 3 days a week. Very often w no gun. In the winter slightly less, longer summer days more.
We ran bear hounds in Maine. How do you get any type hound, say bear hound? Deer hound, rabbit hound?
You need a commitment. They don't just happen. Buy a pup? Drop him on the ground n watch what happens. Nothing at first.
No simple drive to the feed store to litter the ground w some processed junk just so someone can get a great "hero" pic.
Again guys please there's no intent at any arguement. Just a very dif way of looking at things. Truth is among all LEGAL hunters we're all brothers.
One more comment. You mention "outsmarting prey". Hope you're smart enough to realize there's no outsmarting going on there. Just a weak arguement
I would like to re-iterate that the primary argument against reaping is not or should not be about the ethics of the method, but the safety of the practice. The crux of the argument (at least mine ) is it predisposes the hunter to serious injury. Beyond that, it's a choice debate. When I worked for DNR I had first hand experience with several fatal or near fatal hunting accidents. It was in every case someone hunting legally, but not using safe practices. All these accidents destroyed families. Why, if you had the power to prevent this wouldn't you? If you can guarantee me that, absolutely in every case, reaping would always be done safely, I'd say to each his own method go for it. For the argument that it's only the hunter behind the fan that is hurt, if he wants to take the risk it's his choice. That's not true. His family pays a price with him and the shooter does too. Maybe his kids go the rest of their lives without one parent, there may be huge medical bills, they may be permanently disabled and the family will have to compensate. The shooter will at least get arrested and fined or imprisoned. They will likely get sued and the landowner may get sued. It goes on and on. I know this all for a fact as I've been through it. Your life is changed forever! Tell me why if you could prevent this from happening to anyone wouldn't you. Is your pursuit of happiness an absolute inalienable right so much that you have the right to endanger not only yourself but others?
Absolutely. The main reason is safety.
I say shoot them how ever its legal in your state ..I don't knock it have done it myself and thought it was pretty fascinating especially dealing with field turkeys that fly down into the middle of a 50 acre field and do not leave it all day and fly straight back to roost.
Then again I do not shoot a turkey fans.. I shoot a turkey heads on turkeys I am working. Those involved in accidents where people are shot behind a fan need to be locked up with the rest of the crazy`s...To each they`re own though. :icon_thumright:
Personally I'm taking it to the next level this spring and buying a domestic bronze gobbler and putting a leash on him and taking him on walks in the woods and thru fields. I'm thinking one of those retractable leashes so he can get way out in front of me and I'll walk and call behind him to keep him gobbling so he'll piss off the rest of the gobblers and they'll come running. I'm going to invest in some kevlar as well, I think this will be a productive way to fill a tag this spring.
The "safety" is always the argument from those against it. However read through and look at all the sarcasm in the thread. I believe safety is a large reason many say they are against it as being an open purist is tougher to argue. We had young man die last year in my town deer hunting with his hunting group. Another member from his group shot him while dressed in orange. What should we illegalize to correct another shooting? I get it we all have our way of doing things and would like to see our way prevail. I'm not sure how I really feel about the topic but I'm convinced safety is not the number one reason people are against it. When I first started turkey hunting I did not realize blinds were evil, that decoys were cheating, and now reaping is the devil himself. As I get more experienced over the last 15 years of hunting a gun, a seat, and a call is all I really like to take. Jakes no longer interest me as they would have been shot first bird opening morning years ago. My point is the trophy is in the eye of the beholder and how they harvested their trophy and are pleased with such manor is up to them. Carry on.
Quote from: chadly on January 15, 2020, 12:40:08 PM
The "safety" is always the argument from those against it. However read through and look at all the sarcasm in the thread. I believe safety is a large reason many say they are against it as being an open purist is tougher to argue. We had young man die last year in my town deer hunting with his hunting group. Another member from his group shot him while dressed in orange. What should we illegalize to correct another shooting? I get it we all have our way of doing things and would like to see our way prevail. I'm not sure how I really feel about the topic but I'm convinced safety is not the number one reason people are against it. When I first started turkey hunting I did not realize blinds were evil, that decoys were cheating, and now reaping is the devil himself. As I get more experienced over the last 15 years of hunting a gun, a seat, and a call is all I really like to take. Jakes no longer interest me as they would have been shot first bird opening morning years ago. My point is the trophy is in the eye of the beholder and how they harvested their trophy and are pleased with such manor is up to them. Carry on.
Well Said ...to each they`re own long as its legal kill`em.
QuoteI'm not sure how I really feel about the topic but I'm convinced safety is not the number one reason people are against it.
When you have had an 1 1/2" hole blown through your thigh and had to scramble to get a tourniquet around your leg before you bled to death, struggle to get 3/4 mile back to your truck and then be life flighted to a trauma center and spend a year recovering and a year a half fighting legal battles .....you can talk to me about my feelings on safety as an excuse for my purist attitude.
Quote from: eggshell on January 15, 2020, 05:53:18 PM
QuoteI'm not sure how I really feel about the topic but I'm convinced safety is not the number one reason people are against it.
When you have had an 1 1/2" hole blown through your thigh and had to scramble to get a tourniquet around your leg before you bled to death, struggle to get 3/4 mile back to your truck and then be life flighted to a trauma center and spend a year recovering and a year a half fighting legal battles .....you can talk to me about my feelings on safety as an excuse for my purist attitude.
What does your being shot have to do with this guys opinion about the reason most people are against it? I'm against it because it's a corner cutting cheap way to try and kill a Gobbler. The fact that some retard might get shot holding a turkey fan is irrelevant. Since you like telling the story exactly how did an arrow blow a 1 1/2 " hole through your thigh? Was he shooting explosive tipped arrows or what?
Quote from: Bowguy on January 15, 2020, 07:09:21 AM
Quote from: Balla1982 on January 14, 2020, 10:32:22 PM
So everyone that is against reaping only turkey hunt?
Do you guys deer hunt and if so do you put out attractants, corn, etc?
Do you use scents?
Some states allow the use of dogs....that's worse than reaping in my book.
Same with waterfowl and hunting flooded corn, using motion decoys, spinning wing decoys, blah blah blah blah.
It's a method to outsmart your prey.
Allow me to elaborate why I feel bait is unsporting. You place a stand over bait. Your camera tells you what's there, what time to come. You simply either watch the wind if you're smart enough or use ozonics if you think that's an answer.
The deer are CONDITIONED. They show up on time than are shot. About as sporting as shooting a dog at the water bowl. Pretty easy and requires no woodsmanship or commitment.
Dog guys now are completely committed. Hound guys (of all sorts) typically run dogs all year. They breed to better their stock, they raise pups, start and finish em. Than they trade for something different.
They have food, care costs and it's more about the hunt, the chase than a dead animal. Again guys don't know what they don't know.
When I was in taxidermy school we ran coon hounds every night, never shot one, I run my hounds prob avg 3 days a week. Very often w no gun. In the winter slightly less, longer summer days more.
We ran bear hounds in Maine. How do you get any type hound, say bear hound? Deer hound, rabbit hound?
You need a commitment. They don't just happen. Buy a pup? Drop him on the ground n watch what happens. Nothing at first.
No simple drive to the feed store to litter the ground w some processed junk just so someone can get a great "hero" pic.
Again guys please there's no intent at any arguement. Just a very dif way of looking at things. Truth is among all LEGAL hunters we're all brothers.
One more comment. You mention "outsmarting prey". Hope you're smart enough to realize there's no outsmarting going on there. Just a weak arguement
MISCONCEPTION is the word HERE. Some of you are against baiting (think it is a SLAM dunk)! WRONG! Some think running deer with dogs is wrong as well. If you haven't tried these legal means more than once and haven't hunted VERY DENSE pine plantations then MISCONCEPTION comes into play. Reaping is a legal means of hunting as is baiting and running dogs, just because you are against it or have a MISCONCEPTION concerning the methods doesn't make it wrong. We can ALL agree, we have to stand together. Hunting is being attacked, let's Stick together and not attack each other. If it's legal and you want to participate GREAT.
Ok LaLongbeard, the hole was cut through my leg....it still was a life threatening injury.
Yes, I tell it a lot and many have encouraged me to, as a reminder to be safe.
I felt the comment was directed at me as falsely using safety as an excuse. I actually think fanning is a novel technique, but it just seems way to dangerous.
It's a shame so many topics that could be really good discussions turn so vial on here, and I confess I sometimes get too emotional and just add to the discord. It's a great sport and we do not do it any service when we get into these pissing matches. We all feel strongly about our positions and that's ok, but we also need to keep personal attacks out of it, yes I'm talking to myself as well.
I am ashamed that I let a forum that should be fun and informative bring the worst out in me. I really am not a bitter person. So i think it's best I sign off from old gobbler and at least take time away and maybe just leave the forum for good. I have had many good conversations on here and come to know some very fine turkey hunters.
Eggshell signing off
Good hunting
Quote from: bbcoach on January 15, 2020, 10:25:23 PM
Quote from: Bowguy on January 15, 2020, 07:09:21 AM
Quote from: Balla1982 on January 14, 2020, 10:32:22 PM
So everyone that is against reaping only turkey hunt?
Do you guys deer hunt and if so do you put out attractants, corn, etc?
Do you use scents?
Some states allow the use of dogs....that's worse than reaping in my book.
Same with waterfowl and hunting flooded corn, using motion decoys, spinning wing decoys, blah blah blah blah.
It's a method to outsmart your prey.
Allow me to elaborate why I feel bait is unsporting. You place a stand over bait. Your camera tells you what's there, what time to come. You simply either watch the wind if you're smart enough or use ozonics if you think that's an answer.
The deer are CONDITIONED. They show up on time than are shot. About as sporting as shooting a dog at the water bowl. Pretty easy and requires no woodsmanship or commitment.
Dog guys now are completely committed. Hound guys (of all sorts) typically run dogs all year. They breed to better their stock, they raise pups, start and finish em. Than they trade for something different.
They have food, care costs and it's more about the hunt, the chase than a dead animal. Again guys don't know what they don't know.
When I was in taxidermy school we ran coon hounds every night, never shot one, I run my hounds prob avg 3 days a week. Very often w no gun. In the winter slightly less, longer summer days more.
We ran bear hounds in Maine. How do you get any type hound, say bear hound? Deer hound, rabbit hound?
You need a commitment. They don't just happen. Buy a pup? Drop him on the ground n watch what happens. Nothing at first.
No simple drive to the feed store to litter the ground w some processed junk just so someone can get a great "hero" pic.
Again guys please there's no intent at any arguement. Just a very dif way of looking at things. Truth is among all LEGAL hunters we're all brothers.
One more comment. You mention "outsmarting prey". Hope you're smart enough to realize there's no outsmarting going on there. Just a weak arguement
MISCONCEPTION is the word HERE. Some of you are against baiting (think it is a SLAM dunk)! WRONG! Some think running deer with dogs is wrong as well. If you haven't tried these legal means more than once and haven't hunted VERY DENSE pine plantations then MISCONCEPTION comes into play. Reaping is a legal means of hunting as is baiting and running dogs, just because you are against it or have a MISCONCEPTION concerning the methods doesn't make it wrong. We can ALL agree, we have to stand together. Hunting is being attacked, let's Stick together and not attack each other. If it's legal and you want to participate GREAT.
I never said baiting could be a slam dunk. If you're sloppy or overhunt it things could get tough. But if you're careful, hunt it correctly or if weather is bad, food sources gone and let it rest it's certainly a much easier way than hunting. Remember you're conditioning game to be somewhere, not hunting them. As I said we are all brothers. If it's legal we really can't fault anyone for it but we can't act like it's something it's not. Bait is certainly unsporting and requires a pretty basic skill set. That's a fact.
No misconception here, only a smokescreen to divert attention from the reality imo. Again no intent to argue, just a very dif opinion. One you're entitled to defend, one I'm as entitled to have distaste for. I don't judge you for it though. Hope that made sense.
For the sake of safety you don't want to wear anything red, white, or blue while turkey hunting. That's one of the basic safety rules. Common sense should dictate that you don't want to crawl behind a fake gobbler or his tailfan unless you want to get shot or shot at. One thing that amazes me in all the "Someone shot my jake/gobbler decoy" threads is that the decoy hunter places all the blame on the shooter. The hunter that takes that risk and places a gobbler/jake decoy that close to them bears some responsibility for creating an unsafe situation.
Thanks Bowguy for the clarification and Well Said. I wasn't trying to ruffle feathers, just stating that some have misconceptions concerning things for various reasons. Reaping looks really fun and a RUSH but I don't reap and haven't tried it because of the elevated risk of getting shot or shot at. With that being said, if it's legal and you want to give it a go, then have at it. Just remember, each of us have to WEIGH ALL risks that go with our decisions.
Here's a possible solution for the reaping problem. Everybody should start going out before the season and go through the reaping motions with a decoy, fan, or whatever your favorite reaping tool might be,...and when you get close, just scare the sh!t out of the birds! After they have been through that a few times, gobblers will learn to avoid reapers like the proverbial plague!
Stupid question !!!!
I have been hunting turkeys for over 40 yrs and what the heck is reaping ???
Sneaking up to them behind a turkey tail fan. I'm sure you've seen it on tv
Nope , i quit watching those hunting shows years ago. They were in a different world than us south Mississippi rednecks ..
When i was young , i belly crawled on a few in sage grass fields .. Does that count ???
Quote from: Rick on January 16, 2020, 09:05:53 AM
Nope , i quit watching those hunting shows years ago. They were in a different world than us south Mississippi rednecks ..
I have no use for the infomercials they've become myself n never watch em.
Mississippi, ya got swampers there?
Quote from: Rick on January 16, 2020, 08:55:29 AM
Stupid question !!!!
I have been hunting turkeys for over 40 yrs and what the heck is reaping ???
To expand on the explanation a bit:
The term "reaping" was coined by someone about five years ago (per my remembrance) to define the practice of using a strutting turkey imitation (decoy or fan) to approach a gobbler by hiding behind it and moving in on the bird.
Amazingly enough, it is extremely effective in many cases and allows the "reaper" to approach gobblers very closely. In fact, often a gobbler that sees the decoy/fan approaching will quite often run TO the decoy/fan and the reaper behind it. Bottom line is that the practice preys on a gobblers instinct towards dominance,...i.e. challenging other gobblers nearby,... and has changed turkey hunting, and turkey hunting success, significantly. Specifically, it has made dominant gobblers,...those that typically could not easily be called in by using a turkey call,...very susceptible to being killed.
There are many "traditionalists",...those turkey hunters who feel that gobblers should only be killed by methods using turkey calls,...who frown on the practice of reaping. Hence the discussion here. Regardless of whether a hunter is of that mind-set or not, there are legitimate concerns about the safeness of reaping, and also about the potential impact upon turkey populations where the practice is significantly used in terms of increased gobbler harvest.
Quote from: Bowguy on January 16, 2020, 09:14:10 AM
Quote from: Rick on January 16, 2020, 09:05:53 AM
Nope , i quit watching those hunting shows years ago. They were in a different world than us south Mississippi rednecks ..
I have no use for the infomercials they've become myself n never watch em.
Mississippi, ya got swampers there?
LOL , I guess , we got plenty of swamps and some are heavy hunted .
Quote from: Rick on January 16, 2020, 09:25:46 AM
Quote from: Bowguy on January 16, 2020, 09:14:10 AM
Quote from: Rick on January 16, 2020, 09:05:53 AM
Nope , i quit watching those hunting shows years ago. They were in a different world than us south Mississippi rednecks ..
I have no use for the infomercials they've become myself n never watch em.
Mississippi, ya got swampers there?
My buddy from Mississippi. He's got some cool video of his dogs chasing em.
LOL , I guess , we got plenty of swamps and some are heavy hunted .
Quote from: warrent423 on January 14, 2020, 10:10:26 AM
Fanning is for fags. Any of you stupid sob's shoot me sitting against a tree, you better pray to God you kill me.
lol post of the year!! :TooFunny:
Quote from: Bowguy on January 16, 2020, 08:58:38 AM
Sneaking up to them behind a turkey tail fan. I'm sure you've seen it on tv
Seems like a good way to get shot in the face?
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Quote from: timberjack86 on January 18, 2020, 02:19:06 PM
Quote from: warrent423 on January 14, 2020, 10:10:26 AM
Fanning is for fags. Any of you stupid sob's shoot me sitting against a tree, you better pray to God you kill me.
lol post of the year!! :TooFunny:
X2
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Quote from: wchadw on January 18, 2020, 02:23:03 PM
Quote from: Bowguy on January 16, 2020, 08:58:38 AM
Sneaking up to them behind a turkey tail fan. I'm sure you've seen it on tv
Seems like a good way to get shot in the face?
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Darwin's law brother
I haven't and will never use reaping or fanning to kill a turkey. I would rather it wasn't allowed on public land. (For safety) People should be able to do it an their own land and at their risk. I have a couple friends that use it to kill probably 80% of their birds but I don't go hunting with them. It's not the same thing as calling one in without decoy. I won't say my way is better, as I don't kill as many as they do, but the ones I get, I get the experience I want. Timber birds gobbling at my calls is what I want.
I dont get all the gimmicks . Been hunting turkeys 42 yrs . Guess Im just old fashion . I have never used decoys , blinds or scopes until this year i got a Fastfire 3 to help with my vision and glasses . I belly crawled a couple in sage grass when i was young , but the rest was called while sitting against a tree and calling .
Fast food generation !!!
My personal opinion is if you want to Kill a bearded bird at all costs, then try it only if you know your property and the people allowed to hunt it. It makes for exciting video opportunities and a out of normal approach to kill your bird..... TO EACH HIS OWN..... BE SAFE AND FULLY AWARE OF YOUR SURROUNDINGS.....
I'm no "reaper" nor "deeker", although I have used a deek a couple times in many years of turkey hunting. I don't condemn anyone who does either if it floats your boat, but it's not for me. My reason for this reply is the safety issue posted by others. To my knowledge, nobody has been shot yet reaping...perhaps, but not that I know of. This may be like carrying a turkey over your shoulder walking out of the woods. Many years ago we were told to never do that for safety reasons...again, to my knowledge, nobody has ever been shot doing that.
One thing...if a hunter ever does get shot reaping don't even think about pressing charges. I think a lawyer just graduated from law school could get the shooter off.