Are Rifles Legal for Turkey?

Went on my first turkey hunt this weekend. Thought it was pretty easy when I brought one straight down off a hill with one call and right between my decoys at 20 yards. He dropped his head just as I pulled the trigger and did a great hummingbird like V-TOL after he felt that tight pattern sail overhead. I really wanted my 10-22 after I realized I could have put one in his eye at that range. No turkey but I did get to put a funny acting skunk down with my Glock. :D
 
Mav,

Buy you and Mossberg 835 and HS Undertaker .695 choke tube and shoot Win Supreme 2 and 1/4oz #4 turkey loads through it, and those birds at 55yds will no longer be safe. ;)
 
I prefer to shoot my yearly turkey out of a tree just before dark. They flock in a big dead tree in the forest behind some buildings at edge of town. I use my standard prairie dog ammo and it works just fine. Aim point is just below point where neck protrudes from body. The bullet hits like a freight train every time.

52 grain Sierra fired from .223 Savage.

Shotgun and lots of specialty gear is not for me. But each to his own I say.

Good hunting to you.

Jack
 
.22 and .22 magnum is all you need as long as they are shot through the head . I have killed them with both many times so i know it will work
 
Shotguns and bows only up here in Ontario, Canada. Takes a special hunting course to get the licence too(You must have a small game licence as well). Why it's not covered on the regular hunter's safety course is unknown. It is suspected it's a money making venture for the MNR and the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters.
You can take two birds, but must buy a separate licence for each. $23.28Cdn plus the cost of the small game licence($19.63). Total of $42.91.
 
I made a neck shot on a gobbler with my Savage muzzleloader. I hit right where the neck joins the body with a 250 SST doing about 2,200 fps.
Didn't damage any meat, very effective.
I wouldn't want to see a lung shot with that load.
 
here in 0hio, about the same as Canada exception is the special hunting course. bow and shotgun only. cost of resident license the same as Canada, non-resident annual , $125 + turkey tag $24=$149total. same prices for hunting deer:rolleyes: go figure. also you only hunt turkey till noon.
 
Here in NH, shotguns, no larger than #2 shot, or bow and arrow. Spring hunting is until noon only, and there is a limited fall shotgun season. Otherwise fall is bow and arrow, typically incidental to deer hunting for most of the guys I know.

While I've never turkey hunted myself, I've always thought an accurate .22 Magnum would be the bee's knees if you will. Right through the eye and done. But I can see how shotguns would be used for "safety", as there are ALOT of guys out for the spring gobbler hunt right now. Much less ranging potential from a load of #5s than a 40gr HP from a .22 Mag.

Edited: In case nobody gathered, that .22 Mag would be illegal as all get out here.
 
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