Turkey Ethics Question

SinGin · 04-05-2008, 06:39 PM

I am planning on bowhunting turkeys here in a couple of weeks. My only fear is loosing a turkey after I shoot it. So heres my question. If I practice, shoot only at yardages I am comfortable with and use the best equipment and only take the best shot possible would it be unethical to have my hunting buddy shoot the turkey in the head as soon as I connect with an arrow. That way it would almost be like it was shot with a shotgun. So what do you guys think???

brokenarrow · 04-05-2008, 06:45 PM

I don't think you will have to...
But I wouldn't say it would be unethical.

STRO · 04-05-2008, 06:59 PM

If you shoot them through the wing joint they can not fly. If you shoot them in the thighs they can not run or fly. Or you could go for the vitals or a head shot. All of these are what I would consider ethical shots.

Good luck and aim small

archer1983 · 04-06-2008, 11:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SinGin

I am planning on bowhunting turkeys here in a couple of weeks. My only fear is loosing a turkey after I shoot it. So heres my question. If I practice, shoot only at yardages I am comfortable with and use the best equipment and only take the best shot possible would it be unethical to have my hunting buddy shoot the turkey in the head as soon as I connect with an arrow. That way it would almost be like it was shot with a shotgun. So what do you guys think???

If you are afraid you are going to lose one then dont take the bow. If you are confident you can get one, then take your bow.

Slippy · 04-06-2008, 12:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by archer1983

If you are afraid you are going to lose one then dont take the bow. If you are confident you can get one, then take your bow.

Is that why you gun hunt?

I figure if I do gut shoot one, and he gets away, its just a turkey. But I still take making an ethical shot seriously. In other words, if I lose a turkey, I'm no losing any sleep over it, a whitetail, yes, I would lose sleep, thats a lot of good eating that went to waste! Kinda. Cause it would still feed the other critters in the forest.

STRO · 04-06-2008, 02:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Slippy

Is that why you gun hunt?

I figure if I do gut shoot one, and he gets away, its just a turkey. But I still take making an ethical shot seriously. In other words, if I lose a turkey, I'm no losing any sleep over it, a whitetail, yes, I would lose sleep, thats a lot of good eating that went to waste! Kinda. Cause it would still feed the other critters in the forest.

I see where this ethics discussion is going. It's just a turkey??? Shouldn't all game you are chasing be treated equally as far as a clean kill and recovery. WOW!!!

BUNNYMAN · 04-06-2008, 05:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by STRO

I see where this ethics discussion is going. It's just a turkey??? Shouldn't all game you are chasing be treated equally as far as a clean kill and recovery. WOW!!!

not when it concern's Slippy's relitives........(TURKEYS).........

pred8er · 04-06-2008, 05:41 PM

he's in here, stirring the pot.

archer1983 · 04-06-2008, 06:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Slippy

Is that why you gun hunt?

I figure if I do gut shoot one, and he gets away, its just a turkey. But I still take making an ethical shot seriously. In other words, if I lose a turkey, I'm no losing any sleep over it, a whitetail, yes, I would lose sleep, thats a lot of good eating that went to waste! Kinda. Cause it would still feed the other critters in the forest.

No its a lot simpler than that. If he doesnt have confidence he can kill one then he shouldnt take his bow. If he is confident then he should take his bow. I never said whether he should or should not take a gun.

Did I?

You get the idea yet through that thick head of yours yet?

Hoyt1986 · 04-07-2008, 07:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by archer1983

No its a lot simpler than that. If he doesnt have confidence he can kill one then he shouldnt take his bow. If he is confident then he should take his bow. I never said whether he should or should not take a gun.

Did I?

You get the idea yet through that thick head of yours yet?

SEE me i am confindent with the bow but i ALWAYS TAKE MY GUN bc a dang turkey is hard enough to kill as it is!! Them bastards are confusing!!

Slippy · 04-07-2008, 07:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by archer1983

No its a lot simpler than that.You get the idea yet through that thick head of yours yet?

Don't front.

And no, to answer the other guy, in general, not all animals hold the same value, not at all.

If you were fishing, and a big catch fish swallowed your hook on a catch and release lake, would you sleep that night? Thats what a I thought. Fish are animals too but people seem to forget that. Just this morning, I seen a live bat laying on the sidewalk, I stomped on it. Does that make me as bad as a deer poacher? Thats what I thought.

lungcutter · 04-07-2008, 12:31 PM

If you only take the close shots that are good angles you wont lose a bird. Wing joint or the hip, they wont go far.

STRO · 04-07-2008, 12:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Slippy

Don't front.

And no, to answer the other guy, in general, not all animals hold the same value, not at all.

If you were fishing, and a big catch fish swallowed your hook on a catch and release lake, would you sleep that night? Thats what a I thought. Fish are animals too but people seem to forget that. Just this morning, I seen a live bat laying on the sidewalk, I stomped on it. Does that make me as bad as a deer poacher? Thats what I thought.

I don't think I am going to respond to this one, just stay away from my woods.

BUNNYMAN · 04-07-2008, 01:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Slippy

Don't front.

And no, to answer the other guy, in general, not all animals hold the same value, not at all.

If you were fishing, and a big catch fish swallowed your hook on a catch and release lake, would you sleep that night? Thats what a I thought. Fish are animals too but people seem to forget that. Just this morning, I seen a live bat laying on the sidewalk, I stomped on it. Does that make me as bad as a deer poacher? Thats what I thought.

YES they do
YES I would sleep, the hook will eventually come out

And to just kill something to kill, makes you a piece of crap in my eyes

Slippy · 04-07-2008, 01:19 PM

This is why many have elected to go for the head, though maybe gruesome, its probably the most humane cause with a turkey's head, its hit or miss and if you hit, they won't go far. Now if we were talking about head shooting deer, there would be an uproar for all you 'turkeys are just as vailable as deer tree huggers'. They are not, do we as hunters still have a morale obligation to take all animals as humanely as possible, yes.

Am I a piece of crap for stomping a bat that tried to attack me, I guess so as long as Bunny thinks so. Afterall, his opinion holds a lot of water....

Until you've been attacked by a rabid bat, keep your opinions to yourself city slicker.

As for the other guy threatening me to stay out of his woods. Please don't threaten me.

STRO · 04-07-2008, 01:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Slippy

This is why many have elected to go for the head, though maybe gruesome, its probably the most humane cause with a turkey's head, its hit or miss and if you hit, they won't go far. Now if we were talking about head shooting deer, there would be an uproar for all you 'turkeys are just as vailable as deer tree huggers'. They are not, do we as hunters still have a morale obligation to take all animals as humanely as possible, yes.

Am I a piece of crap for stomping a bat that tried to attack me, I guess so as long as Bunny thinks so. Afterall, his opinion holds a lot of water....

Until you've been attacked by a rabid bat, keep your opinions to yourself city slicker.

As for the other guy threatening me to stay out of his woods. Please don't threaten me.

I didn't see a threat there. I just said to stay away from my woods

Slippy · 04-07-2008, 01:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by STRO

I didn't see a threat there. I just said to stay away from my woods

I don't think I am going to respond to this.

Psych!

I took it as a threat but in no way was I offended, so don't sweat it bud. No prob, just a little difference in opinions I guess.

But for clarity, you want me to stay out of your woods because I don't think a turkey is as valuable as a deer or because I stomped out a bat that tried to attack me? Just curious.

archer1983 · 04-07-2008, 02:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Slippy

This is why many have elected to go for the head, though maybe gruesome, its probably the most humane cause with a turkey's head, its hit or miss and if you hit, they won't go far. Now if we were talking about head shooting deer, there would be an uproar for all you 'turkeys are just as vailable as deer tree huggers'. They are not, do we as hunters still have a morale obligation to take all animals as humanely as possible, yes.

Dippy,
A turkeys kill zone happens to be the head. A deer has a different kill zone last time I checked. oh yeah how would you know that? You only bowhunt turkeys.

Am I a piece of crap for stomping a bat that tried to attack me, I guess so as long as Bunny thinks so. Afterall, his opinion holds a lot of water....

Until you've been attacked by a rabid bat, keep your opinions to yourself city slicker.

Dippy,
you didnt say that you were being attacked in your previous post.

see post below;

Quote:

Originally Posted by Slippy

Don't front.

And no, to answer the other guy, in general, not all animals hold the same value, not at all.

If you were fishing, and a big catch fish swallowed your hook on a catch and release lake, would you sleep that night? Thats what a I thought. Fish are animals too but people seem to forget that. Just this morning, I seen a live bat laying on the sidewalk, I stomped on it. Does that make me as bad as a deer poacher? Thats what I thought.

As for the other guy threatening me to stay out of his woods. Please don't threaten me.

Slippy · 04-07-2008, 02:16 PM

First off colleg boy, I've never hunted a turkey with a bow in my life. This year will be the first.

And, I didn't think the bat attacking me part was relevant, didn't want to make it seem like I was afraid or something.

Oh, and in Ohio, there is open season on groundhogs, no bag limit. Does that make a groundhog less important than a rabbit, it seems so?

BUNNYMAN · 04-07-2008, 02:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Slippy

First off colleg boy, I've never hunted a turkey with a bow in my life. This year will be the first.

And, I didn't think the bat attacking me part was relevant, didn't want to make it seem like I was afraid or something.

Oh, and in Ohio, there is open season on groundhogs, no bag limit. Does that make a groundhog less important than a rabbit, it seems so?

it means there are to many and the numbers need to be controlled

Slippy · 04-07-2008, 02:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BUNNYMAN

it means there are to many and the numbers need to be controlled

...ahhhh.....straight from the mouth of our resident wildlife biologist...

I thought:

"killing just to kill something something would make you a piece of crap"

hhhmmmm? Busted!

Thinking there are "too many" doesn't sound like a real good excuse Bunnster. I have too many Robins in my yard, but I can't go out and blast them.

archer1983 · 04-07-2008, 02:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Slippy

First off colleg boy, I've never hunted a turkey with a bow in my life. This year will be the first.

Maybe you should try it with a gun FIRST.

BUNNYMAN · 04-07-2008, 02:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Slippy

...ahhhh.....straight from the mouth of our resident wildlife biologist...

I thought:

"killing just to kill something something would make you a piece of crap"

hhhmmmm? Busted!

Thinking there are "too many" doesn't sound like a real good excuse Bunnster. I have too many Robins in my yard, but I can't go out and blast them.

ITS CALLED CONTROLING NUMBERS, like they should have done, with your parents

Slippy · 04-07-2008, 02:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BUNNYMAN

ITS CALLED CONTROLING NUMBERS, like they should have done, with your parents

You know how many damn bats there are in this world? I decided it had one too many, I did my part in controlling the numbers. Its that simple Chachi.

You don't like it when something you say can and will be used against you huh?

Do you even hunt? Or just act like it when 3-D season is slow?

BUNNYMAN · 04-07-2008, 03:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Slippy

You know how many damn bats there are in this world? I decided it had one too many, I did my part in controlling the numbers. Its that simple Chachi.

You don't like it when something you say can and will be used against you huh?

Do you even hunt? Or just act like it when 3-D season is slow?

Gods creatures are pretty and we should leave them be, UNLESS its to control numbers

archer1983 · 04-07-2008, 03:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BUNNYMAN

ITS CALLED CONTROLING NUMBERS, like they should have done, with your parents

Now that was funny...

So so true in this case...

Slippy · 04-07-2008, 03:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BUNNYMAN

Gods creatures are pretty and we should leave them be, UNLESS its to control numbers

That possum I drove 3 feet off the road for and into a ditch to hit Friday night, was just that, an act of population control.

BUNNYMAN · 04-07-2008, 03:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Slippy

That possum I drive 3 feet off the road for and into a ditch to hit Friday night, was just that, an act of population control.

just doing your part!!! NICE!!!

glad you see it my way.........

clemenlp · 04-07-2008, 03:50 PM

To actually give this man an answer and get BACK TO TOPIC, consider this. You have bow hunted for so many years and become fairly proficient at it, which in turn has built confidence in hunting/taking big game. Now, you have to start somewhere in building that confidence in hunting small game/turkey. If you buddy actually shoots it after you harvest it with an arrow you will always be left with the question of, did I sucessfully harvest that animal or was the finishing shot taken with the shotgun. Until you complete the entire act with the bow you will never have that confidence and will never actually know. If you feel you are ready to carry a bow on a turkey hunt you must first be ready to complete the entire harvest.

JMHO.
Clem

SinGin · 04-07-2008, 06:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by clemenlp

To actually give this man an answer and get BACK TO TOPIC, consider this. You have bow hunted for so many years and become fairly proficient at it, which in turn has built confidence in hunting/taking big game. Now, you have to start somewhere in building that confidence in hunting small game/turkey. If you buddy actually shoots it after you harvest it with an arrow you will always be left with the question of, did I sucessfully harvest that animal or was the finishing shot taken with the shotgun. Until you complete the entire act with the bow you will never have that confidence and will never actually know. If you feel you are ready to carry a bow on a turkey hunt you must first be ready to complete the entire harvest.

JMHO.
Clem

Well thanks alot Clemp, I pretty much had my mind made up until I read your post LOL. Your right I have to start somewhere. I'm probabaly one of the few people that values a turkey over a deer as dumb as it sounds. I would just hate to lose one after working so hard to get it in.

STRO · 04-07-2008, 06:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SinGin

Well thanks alot Clemp, I pretty much had my mind made up until I read your post LOL. Your right I have to start somewhere. I'm probabaly one of the few people that values a turkey over a deer as dumb as it sounds. I would just hate to lose one after working so hard to get it in.

I wish you the best of luck with the turkeys, just remember to aim small. They are very tough to get with a bow. I would highly recomend using a blind. I aplaud you for your ethics. You could hunt my woods anytime.

RxBowhunterKS · 04-08-2008, 04:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by STRO

I wish you the best of luck with the turkeys, just remember to aim small. They are very tough to get with a bow. I would highly recomend using a blind. I aplaud you for your ethics. You could hunt my woods anytime.

Good advice!

I wouldn't want to draw and aim at a turkey with the thought in the back of my mind that my buddy will put it down if it tries to run off. Just be confident and aim small. Remember that a turkey is a big black blob and every move it makes will change the aiming point. Learn to adjust your aiming point as the bird moves and only take quality shots. You'll get your bird.

Slippy · 04-08-2008, 04:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by STRO

I wish you the best of luck with the turkeys, just remember to aim small. They are very tough to get with a bow. I would highly recomend using a blind. I aplaud you for your ethics. You could hunt my woods anytime.

Thank you!