|
|
Post by Ahawkeye on May 13, 2012 10:12:41 GMT -5
Evansville Courier & Press
* News »
* By Phil Potter
* Evansville Courier & Press
* Posted May 12, 2012 at 11:26 p.m.
Have some hunting shows and over-hyped magazine articles created false illusions about turkey hunting? Unfortunately, the answer seems to be yes.
Notice that most media coverage always ends with success. In truth, there are ten times more turkey hunters as there were 30 years ago, but turkey populations have declined to effectively skew the overall success rate.
It used to be that turkey hunters were viewed as "odd birds," willing to don face paint and rise hours before dawn to enter the woods before turkeys started their daily routine.
Then television and magazines started touting how much fun everyone was missing by not taking up the turkey challenge.
It wasn't long before the rush was on to create new ways to tag a tom by using questionable techniques and products from sponsors.
Virtually no show or article ended with turkeys outsmarting the hunters. Nope, ultra long shots and turkey stalking became the norm, despite the fact that most state regulations and old-time field sense decried both techniques.
Last year a national magazine advocated crawling up on turkeys, while pushing a turkey decoy or a genuine, fanned out turkey tail ahead. No one reported how many hunters using this ploy got accidentally shot but undoubtedly some got banged on.
Even sanely using full bodied gobbler decoys can be dangerous. The evolving decoy market has produced fakes so lifelike they often get blasted by mistake and so do hunters who sit directly behind the decoys.
Some hunting shows and magazines advocate locating and luring gobblers with the use of ever improving gobble calls. When they use them, it's a given they're on protected private property because in reality any gobble often brings in hunters as well as turkeys.
Ever notice that almost no show or article ever ends without praising the skill it took to kill a turkey? Many newer hunters can't fathom that most of these hunts take place on private areas replete with unpressured birds and "turkey experts" that go to any means to kill a bird.
Patience is rarely stressed as being effective. Today the mantra is "run and gun." Even in pressured public hunting areas, turkeys will respond to less than stellar calling if hunters sit still long enough or take the time to pattern the turkey's daily routine.
Gobblers determine when and where to yodel. Granted, silent gobblers aren't as exciting as vocal ones, but both respond to good setups. One national magazine advocated quietly sneaking up and bushwhacking silent birds. This can be effective, but often leads to hasty shots.
The foremost hunting commandment is, "Don't pull the trigger until you clearly identify your quarry and never shoot at mere movement or 'brush rustling' sounds."
Perhaps newer turkey hunters should ask themselves, "Do I have the time, patience and conditioning to safely hunt?" Anyone who can't answer yes to all three should scratch turkey hunting off their bucket list and buy their bird from a grocer.
Thoughts?
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on May 13, 2012 10:58:40 GMT -5
Have some hunting shows and over-hyped magazine articles created false illusions about turkey hunting? Unfortunately, the answer seems to be yes. I say NO, who has illusions about a sport where 70-80% end up unsuccessful. Hunting shows wouldn't get much viewing if all they showed were unsuccessful hunts
.... there are ten times more turkey hunters as there were 30 years ago, but turkey populations have declined to effectively skew the overall success rate.I doubt that he'll get anyone to agree that there are LESS turkeys than 30 years ago, or even 5 years ago. Poor reseasrch
It used to be that turkey hunters were viewed as "odd birds," willing to don face paint and rise hours before dawn to enter the woods before turkeys started their daily routine.
Then television and magazines started touting how much fun everyone was missing by not taking up the turkey challenge.
It wasn't long before the rush was on to create new ways to tag a tom by using questionable techniques and products from sponsors. Guess he doesn't use store bought calls and supplies??? Poor comment
Virtually no show or article ended with turkeys outsmarting the hunters. Nope, ultra long shots and turkey stalking became the norm, despite the fact that most state regulations and old-time field sense decried both techniques. Some what true on shots getting longer, stalking a turkey is a poor choice of words, hardly ever does it work or do hunters try it. Modern shells, and big chambers have added range that turkeys can be taken cleanly.
Last year a national magazine advocated crawling up on turkeys, while pushing a turkey decoy or a genuine, fanned out turkey tail ahead. No one reported how many hunters using this ploy got accidentally shot but undoubtedly some got banged on. Again, poorly written. Sure some hunters have gotten shot, I doubt any were oushing a fanned out turkey tail ahead of them while they were. Show the links to where/when it happened
Even sanely using full bodied gobbler decoys can be dangerous. The evolving decoy market has produced fakes so lifelike they often get blasted by mistake and so do hunters who sit directly behind the decoys. I wouldn't call it dangerous, with millions in use safely each year. Again, no link to how turkey accidents actually happen or how many involved a decoy. Pure speculation on the writers part to make his story catch attention. It's a real disservice to the thousands of turkey hunters that hunt safely each year.
Some hunting shows and magazines advocate locating and luring gobblers with the use of ever improving gobble calls. When they use them, it's a given they're on protected private property because in reality any gobble often brings in hunters as well as turkeys.
Ever notice that almost no show or article ever ends without praising the skill it took to kill a turkey? Many newer hunters can't fathom that most of these hunts take place on private areas replete with unpressured birds and "turkey experts" that go to any means to kill a bird. So what???
Patience is rarely stressed as being effective. Today the mantra is "run and gun." Even in pressured public hunting areas, turkeys will respond to less than stellar calling if hunters sit still long enough or take the time to pattern the turkey's daily routine. Run and gun is/can be very effective, just as much so as sitting and getting a sore butt
Gobblers determine when and where to yodel. Granted, silent gobblers aren't as exciting as vocal ones, but both respond to good setups. One national magazine advocated quietly sneaking up and bushwhacking silent birds. This can be effective, but often leads to hasty shots. Sounds like the voice of experience on thehasty shot?
The foremost hunting commandment is, "Don't pull the trigger until you clearly identify your quarry and never shoot at mere movement or 'brush rustling' sounds." Good idea, something of value after all
Perhaps newer turkey hunters should ask themselves, "Do I have the time, patience and conditioning to safely hunt?" Anyone who can't answer yes to all three should scratch turkey hunting off their bucket list and buy their bird from a grocer.
Thoughts?
My thought is this is poorly written. IF he's a experienced turkey hunter, he'd be better off trying to tutor newbies than asking them to quit hunting all together. Newbies should learn from a experience turkey huner if they can, if not learn what you can from TV shows and writers (except this one).
|
|
|
|
Post by Woody Williams on May 13, 2012 11:57:52 GMT -5
Have some hunting shows and over-hyped magazine articles created false illusions about turkey hunting? Unfortunately, the answer seems to be yes. I say NO, who has illusions about a sport where 70-80% end up unsuccessful. Hunting shows wouldn't get much viewing if all they showed were unsuccessful hunts .... there are ten times more turkey hunters as there were 30 years ago, but turkey populations have declined to effectively skew the overall success rate. I doubt that he'll get anyone to agree that there are LESS turkeys than 30 years ago, or even 5 years ago. Poor reseasrch It used to be that turkey hunters were viewed as "odd birds," willing to don face paint and rise hours before dawn to enter the woods before turkeys started their daily routine. Then television and magazines started touting how much fun everyone was missing by not taking up the turkey challenge. It wasn't long before the rush was on to create new ways to tag a tom by using questionable techniques and products from sponsors. Guess he doesn't use store bought calls and supplies??? Poor commentVirtually no show or article ended with turkeys outsmarting the hunters. Nope, ultra long shots and turkey stalking became the norm, despite the fact that most state regulations and old-time field sense decried both techniques. Some what true on shots getting longer, stalking a turkey is a poor choice of words, hardly ever does it work or do hunters try it. Modern shells, and big chambers have added range that turkeys can be taken cleanly. Last year a national magazine advocated crawling up on turkeys, while pushing a turkey decoy or a genuine, fanned out turkey tail ahead. No one reported how many hunters using this ploy got accidentally shot but undoubtedly some got banged on. Again, poorly written. Sure some hunters have gotten shot, I doubt any were oushing a fanned out turkey tail ahead of them while they were. Show the links to where/when it happenedEven sanely using full bodied gobbler decoys can be dangerous. The evolving decoy market has produced fakes so lifelike they often get blasted by mistake and so do hunters who sit directly behind the decoys. I wouldn't call it dangerous, with millions in use safely each year. Again, no link to how turkey accidents actually happen or how many involved a decoy. Pure speculation on the writers part to make his story catch attention. It's a real disservice to the thousands of turkey hunters that hunt safely each year.Some hunting shows and magazines advocate locating and luring gobblers with the use of ever improving gobble calls. When they use them, it's a given they're on protected private property because in reality any gobble often brings in hunters as well as turkeys. Ever notice that almost no show or article ever ends without praising the skill it took to kill a turkey? Many newer hunters can't fathom that most of these hunts take place on private areas replete with unpressured birds and "turkey experts" that go to any means to kill a bird. So what???Patience is rarely stressed as being effective. Today the mantra is "run and gun." Even in pressured public hunting areas, turkeys will respond to less than stellar calling if hunters sit still long enough or take the time to pattern the turkey's daily routine. Run and gun is/can be very effective, just as much so as sitting and getting a sore buttGobblers determine when and where to yodel. Granted, silent gobblers aren't as exciting as vocal ones, but both respond to good setups. One national magazine advocated quietly sneaking up and bushwhacking silent birds. This can be effective, but often leads to hasty shots. Sounds like the voice of experience on thehasty shot?The foremost hunting commandment is, "Don't pull the trigger until you clearly identify your quarry and never shoot at mere movement or 'brush rustling' sounds." Good idea, something of value after allPerhaps newer turkey hunters should ask themselves, "Do I have the time, patience and conditioning to safely hunt?" Anyone who can't answer yes to all three should scratch turkey hunting off their bucket list and buy their bird from a grocer. Thoughts? My thought is this is poorly written. IF he's a experienced turkey hunter, he'd be better off trying to tutor newbies than asking them to quit hunting all together. Newbies should learn from a experience turkey huner if they can, if not learn what you can from TV shows and writers (except this one).I agree. Another outdoor writer trying to come up with a column no matter what. LOTS of unneedd negative comments. |
|
|
|
Post by dbd870 on May 13, 2012 13:08:30 GMT -5
Phil Potterr - shocking I tell you!
|
|
|
|
Post by Ahawkeye on May 14, 2012 4:27:54 GMT -5
I usually read Phil's articles each week to get a laughand really rarely give it much attention. This one just got in my crawl, who is he to tell some one to stay home? you don't learn a dang thing sitting on the couch. JMO
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on May 14, 2012 8:45:54 GMT -5
Most hunting shows today are more like 30 minute long Paid Program Adverstisments. They are all about selling products.
|
|
|
|
Post by Ahawkeye on May 14, 2012 8:53:51 GMT -5
Most hunting shows today are more like 30 minute long Paid Program Adverstisments. They are all about selling products. I agree but it just seems like Phil is a little more off track than usual with this article. |
|
|
|
Post by speckle on May 14, 2012 9:29:51 GMT -5
Agree with some, disagree with some
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on May 14, 2012 9:30:01 GMT -5
So what? Don't you like to keep up with the latest and greates gizmo's and gadgets? Ads keep them on the air. 10 years ago, it cost over $30,000 per episode for a 1/2 show on the Outdoor channel, probably more now.
|
|
|
|
Post by omegahunter on May 15, 2012 7:21:32 GMT -5
Sounds like someone has been trying their hand at it with no success. Sour grapes! You just can't expect to go out and kill something every time even though it happens on the shows. Like Hank Parker said one time..."We sometimes film for three days to get enough footage for one 1/2 hour show".
|
|
|
|
Post by songdog on May 16, 2012 9:11:53 GMT -5
I agree with a lot of what the writer has to say . I started turkey hunting in Indiana 30 years ago because back then if you had a lifetime hunting license the IDNR automatically sent you a turkey tag in the mail . I knew that it was a challenge and none of my hunting buddies did it so I thought I would give it a try . I went two seasons in Brown county and never heard a gobble . I will never forget waking up in my tent in a farmers field in Parke county and hearing my first bird gobble .
Back in the mid 80,s the success rate was about 15-18 % . I think now that it is more like 22 - 25 %and maybe on some good hatch seasons a little better .
In the past four or five years the number of turkeys in my hunting area in Parke county has declined drastically due to predator pressure mainly in the form of racoons and coyotes . On two different occasions I had coyotes coming into my calls this season . Young and dumb but they were still coming in .
There has been an influx of what I see as unnecessary equiptment that turkey hunters carry into the field . I have seen turkey hunters in the woods that I wonder how they get around encumbered with all of the junk they are carrying . The best turkey hunter I ever knew was the late Joe Powers , he carried a single shot 10 guage and a slate call . I carry an 1100 and Ol, Tom seat , a Cody glass call , and a small belly bag with some TP a few energy bars , chalk , sandpaper ect , whatever I can fit into that little bag . Thats it.
All I ever see on the hunting shows are hunters in a blind on the edge of a field with decoys out in front of them . Turkey hunting is a lot more exciting than that . Get out and learn the area that you are hunting in . I love to run and gun birds . If the new guys out there haven,t done that then I challenge you to get off of your butts and and give it a try , now thats what I call turkey hunting . Save the fishing for when you have water in front of you .
I do agree with a lot of what the writer has to say especially his last sentence . You do need time, patience , and mostly conditioning if you choose to hunt turkeys .
Just on opinion from and old turkey hunter .
|
|
|
|
Post by oneshot on May 16, 2012 16:05:02 GMT -5
^^you also need property to hunt^^
My parcels are pretty small. If I "run and gun" I'm done in a short time.
So I pattern my birds and have the patience of concrete.
|
|
