Turkey hunting forum for turkey hunting tips

Turkey Guns & Shooting => Turkey Guns => Topic started by: Jourdan_D on February 06, 2011, 06:50:52 PM

Title: Hunting with a rifle
Post by: Jourdan_D on February 06, 2011, 06:50:52 PM
If you could hunt turkey with a rifle would you?  Why or why not
Title: Re: Hunting with a rifle
Post by: CASH on February 06, 2011, 06:59:26 PM
No.  It wouldn't be turkey hunting.  Calling them in close.  It'd be turkey sniping.
Title: Re: Hunting with a rifle
Post by: Kylongspur88 on February 06, 2011, 07:03:40 PM
Quote from: CASH on February 06, 2011, 06:59:26 PM
No.  It wouldn't be turkey hunting.  Calling them in close.  It'd be turkey sniping.
x2
Title: Re: Hunting with a rifle
Post by: bad0351 on February 06, 2011, 07:33:16 PM
No.....What would be the point of sitting 100 yds away and picking off a bird ....no need to call, hide ???
Crazy
Title: Re: Hunting with a rifle
Post by: BigHooks on February 06, 2011, 07:33:33 PM
x 3 I've seen the time I wish I had a rifle....
Title: Re: Hunting with a rifle
Post by: Jourdan_D on February 06, 2011, 07:51:47 PM
Was just wondering.  here in FL you can use a rifle, but i've always used my shotgun. There have been time i thought a rifle would have been useful :z-guntootsmiley:. 
Title: Re: Hunting with a rifle
Post by: Old Gobbler on February 06, 2011, 07:57:29 PM
Quote from: Jourdan_D on February 06, 2011, 07:51:47 PM
Was just wondering.  here in FL you can use a rifle, but i've always used my shotgun. There have been time i thought a rifle would have been useful :z-guntootsmiley:. 
they changed the law this year - due to safety concerns  - nothing but shotguns with size 2 and smaller on WMA's  -- on private you can use anything --Shannon
Title: Re: Hunting with a rifle
Post by: Jourdan_D on February 06, 2011, 08:02:06 PM
AH good tip never hunted turkey on a WMA only private land. But it's good to know just in case i decided to hunt a WMA this year. At a buddy's farm i use my shotgun and at my work we have a "bow only" rule. 
Title: Re: Hunting with a rifle
Post by: boggszilla on February 06, 2011, 08:02:25 PM
Quote from: CASH on February 06, 2011, 06:59:26 PM
No.  It wouldn't be turkey hunting.  Calling them in close.  It'd be turkey sniping.

:agreed:
Title: Re: Hunting with a rifle
Post by: OLE RASPY on February 06, 2011, 08:04:10 PM
Quote from: boggszilla on February 06, 2011, 08:02:25 PM
Quote from: CASH on February 06, 2011, 06:59:26 PM
No.  It wouldn't be turkey hunting.  Calling them in close.  It'd be turkey sniping.

:agreed:
x2
Title: Re: Hunting with a rifle
Post by: n2deer on February 06, 2011, 08:13:16 PM
Probably not, I am not going to say I wont. Thats a long time. You always got that one bird that just wears at you. ;D
Title: Re: Hunting with a rifle
Post by: chrisun on February 06, 2011, 08:35:59 PM
I would not.
Title: Re: Hunting with a rifle
Post by: TalksToTurkeys on February 06, 2011, 08:42:00 PM
Quote from: Jourdan_D on February 06, 2011, 06:50:52 PM
If you could hunt turkey with a rifle would you?  Why or why not

I can. It's legal in Pennsylvania in the fall.

No. I would not.

It just isn't for me.
Title: Re: Hunting with a rifle
Post by: FANMAN on February 06, 2011, 08:52:13 PM
NEVER
Title: Re: Hunting with a rifle
Post by: 870BkWht on February 06, 2011, 08:57:36 PM
In West Virgina a rifle is legal.  I personally have only ever killed 1 turkey with a rifle.  It was a fall hunt and I killed a hen, but she could've been killed easily with any shotgun.  I busted up a flock of birds and called them back.  25 yards shot, rifle or not, it was a chip shot.  Spring birds are too fun to kill with a rifle.
Title: Re: Hunting with a rifle
Post by: joshua on February 06, 2011, 09:42:37 PM
It would be called turkey killin instead of turkey hunting.  I like the hunting part. :newmascot:
Title: Re: Hunting with a rifle
Post by: BOFF on February 07, 2011, 08:17:00 AM
Sure would. I'd use an over and under 12ga. and 30-06.  I see too many coyotes past 50 yards while turkey hunting. I'd use the rifle on the yotes, and the 12ga. on the birds!!


:z-guntootsmiley:

God Bless,
David B.
Title: Re: Hunting with a rifle
Post by: shootumindaface on February 07, 2011, 09:46:17 AM
What if a guy called them inside 40 yards and shot them in the head, would it be any less sporting?
Title: Re: Hunting with a rifle
Post by: jbrown on February 07, 2011, 09:53:46 AM
With a rifle all you got is a dead turkey...and it is very unsafe.
Title: Re: Hunting with a rifle
Post by: n2deer on February 07, 2011, 09:56:05 AM
Quote from: jbrown on February 07, 2011, 09:53:46 AM
With a rifle all you got is a dead turkey...and it is very unsafe.
???

How so?

Title: Re: Hunting with a rifle
Post by: knightrider on February 07, 2011, 10:06:12 AM
Quote from: jbrown on February 07, 2011, 09:53:46 AM
With a rifle all you got is a dead turkey...and it is very unsafe.
no different than deer hunting on the safety issue :bike2:
Title: Re: Hunting with a rifle
Post by: redarrow on February 07, 2011, 10:23:06 AM
Shotgun,bow,or crossbow for me. I don't have a problem with anyone shooting a rifle where legal,but I wouldn't.
Title: Re: Hunting with a rifle
Post by: Skeeterbait on February 07, 2011, 10:27:29 AM
Well probably the best thing for safety sake in deer hunting is the practice of hunting from an elevated position.  That way most of the time you are shooting into the ground.  I know not everyone or every where do they hunt elevated but in the south east is makes a difference safety wise.  Turkey hunting from a ground position could let a rifle bullet travel a long ways.  So I think there is a difference safety wise using rifle for turkey or deer.
Title: Re: Hunting with a rifle
Post by: sugarray on February 07, 2011, 10:43:55 AM
Quote from: Skeeterbait on February 07, 2011, 10:27:29 AM
Well probably the best thing for safety sake in deer hunting is the practice of hunting from an elevated position.  That way most of the time you are shooting into the ground.  I know not everyone or every where do they hunt elevated but in the south east is makes a difference safety wise.  Turkey hunting from a ground position could let a rifle bullet travel a long ways.  So I think there is a difference safety wise using rifle for turkey or deer.
:agreed:

Also, when you are set up on a bird and someone moves in with a rifle to take that bird and can't see you.  Man, that is a huge risk to the turkey hunter without orange.  At least with a shot gun you know the guy is close and can let him know you are there.  With a rifle you may never see him.  A pass through to the hunter is a very real threat.
Title: Re: Hunting with a rifle
Post by: deadbuck on February 07, 2011, 11:13:38 AM
I have killed a few with a rifle, and am proud of those kills just like the scattergun kills. However, it is dangerous and that is why I no longer do it.
Title: Re: Hunting with a rifle
Post by: VAHUNTER on February 07, 2011, 11:23:50 AM
Quote from: CASH on February 06, 2011, 06:59:26 PM
No.  It wouldn't be turkey hunting.  Calling them in close.  It'd be turkey sniping.
i agree!!! in VA it is legal to use a rifle spring or fall. i wish they would change that.
the whole sport of turkey hunting for me is getting them close. if you fail to do so he lives another day.
most of my great hunts i come home empty handed
Title: Re: Hunting with a rifle
Post by: WyoHunter on February 07, 2011, 11:57:22 AM
Quote from: CASH on February 06, 2011, 06:59:26 PM
No.  It wouldn't be turkey hunting.  Calling them in close.  It'd be turkey sniping.
Exactly! We have the option to use a rifle in spring season here in Wyoming. I'm dead set against it! Road hunting and riding around on ATVs looking for turkeys to shoot at long range is a common practice here. Obviously these "hunters" aren't real turkey hunters. I see nothing wrong with stalking turkeys with a shotgun because you still have to get within range and I've killed turkeys using this method of hunting. Although calling is my preferred way to kill a gobbler sometimes it takes a different strategy to bring that gobbler to bag that's why they call it turkey hunting IMO.
Title: Re: Hunting with a rifle
Post by: hobbes on February 07, 2011, 12:46:03 PM
I have no interest in hunting them with a rifle.
Title: Re: Hunting with a rifle
Post by: neal on February 07, 2011, 01:11:22 PM
I have a tough time with a shotgun sometimes! Don't need one projectile in the air I need lots!! :TooFunny: :TooFunny:
Title: Re: Hunting with a rifle
Post by: mike103 on February 07, 2011, 02:24:55 PM
From the New York State DEC web site:

Here are some rules you need to know:

You will need a small game hunting license and a turkey permit.
You may hunt with a bow.
You may hunt with a shotgun or handgun only when using shot no larger than #2 and no smaller than #8.
You may not take a turkey with a rifle, or with a handgun firing a bullet.
You must fill out the tag which comes with your permit and attach it to any turkey you shoot immediately.
Be sure to consult your hunting regulations guide for other rules.


Always thought one of those Savage .222 or .223 over 20 gauge combo's would be cool.
Title: Re: Hunting with a rifle
Post by: mcgruff1533 on February 07, 2011, 02:42:33 PM
Only if it were a survival situation.    At that point, anything goes if the alternative is starving.
Title: Re: Hunting with a rifle
Post by: hoyt on February 07, 2011, 07:57:52 PM
Back in the early 70's when it was legal in Georgia I killed 5 or 6 spring gobblers using a .22 rim fire with scope. I would call them in to shotgun range...about 30yds back then for me and shoot them in the wing butt. Never had one flop more than 5 yds from were I shot it.

I have no desire to use anything but shotguns anymore. Don't really have a desire to shoot one with a bow and I use recurve.  I'd rather hunt them with my flintlocks. If I kill one early in the season I may give the recurve a try...just too hard to draw on them things without being seen unless you hunt from a blind, which I don't.
Title: Re: Hunting with a rifle
Post by: chatterbox on February 07, 2011, 07:59:09 PM
Not legal in NH, but wouldn't use one even if it was.
Title: Re: Hunting with a rifle
Post by: VaTuRkStOmPeR on February 07, 2011, 08:13:19 PM


no woodsmanship required.
no calling skill required.
no knowledge of turkeys in general required.

i'll go so far as to say this: if you someone isn't skilled enough to call a turkey within shotgun range, or at least crawl to get within shotgun range...
they shouldn't be able to disgrace a turkey by shooting it with a rifle.

JMHO
Title: Re: Hunting with a rifle
Post by: Jourdan_D on February 07, 2011, 08:28:15 PM
Quote from: VaTuRkStOmPeR on February 07, 2011, 08:13:19 PM


no woodsmanship required.
no calling skill required.
no knowledge of turkeys in general required.

i'll go so far as to say this: if you someone isn't skilled enough to call a turkey within shotgun range, or at least crawl to get within shotgun range...
they shouldn't be able to disgrace a turkey by shooting it with a rifle.

JMHO


Okay so i guess my idea of "turkey hunting with a rifle" is a little bit diffeent hen everybody else.  road hunting/ driving round with ATV and blasting turkeys (or any animal) with rifle is not hunting period!!!!!! 


When i think hunting turkey with a rifle i was talking about setting up and calling, run and gun, etc or doing what ever you do now but instead of a shotgun use a small bore rifle, lets say for example use a 223 and go for base of throat shots or head shots.
Title: Re: Hunting with a rifle
Post by: bassmaster1228 on February 07, 2011, 08:59:10 PM
yea i would.... that big ol tom that hangs out on the powerline would finaly die. to bad it aint legal. or i would keep my rifle in the truck
Title: Re: Hunting with a rifle
Post by: savduck on February 07, 2011, 09:01:43 PM
No way. NEVER. too unsafe.
Title: Re: Hunting with a rifle
Post by: runngun on February 07, 2011, 10:55:34 PM
No way, would not consider shooting a turkey with a rifle!!!!! That aint turkey hunting, period
Title: Re: Hunting with a rifle
Post by: outlaw on February 08, 2011, 07:34:35 PM
 :TrainWreck1: here we go again
Title: Re: Hunting with a rifle
Post by: hookedspur on February 09, 2011, 11:11:13 AM
I have lived in WV all my life and haven't used a rifle yet. But I appreciate the right to make the choice . :thanks:
Title: Re: Hunting with a rifle
Post by: stinkpickle on February 09, 2011, 02:27:08 PM
If you don't do it the way I do it...you're wrong!   :D
Title: Re: Hunting with a rifle
Post by: Ruger M77 on February 09, 2011, 07:30:16 PM
Here in pennsylvania we can use rifles in the fall and I do. I have never shot a turkey outa shotgun range. Whats the difference if i shoot a turkey at 40yds with my 12ga or 22mag?Some guys act like ura slob as soon as u mention killing a turkey with a rifle.
Title: Re: Hunting with a rifle
Post by: Gobble! on February 09, 2011, 07:36:02 PM
I would just throw out 100lbs of corn and see how many i could kill in a day from 300 yards


:popcorn: