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Sound ethics make turkey hunting safer
MDC
April 2003
When it comes to turkey hunting, good ethics definitely make good sense.
JEFFERSON CITY MO - Ethics are important to all hunters, but to a turkey hunter, they can mean the difference between a pleasurable outdoor experience and disaster.
Deficient hunter ethics play a role in at least 75 percent of all spring turkey hunting accidents said Bob Staton, outdoor skills field chief for the Missouri Department of Conservation.
"Three-quarters of all turkey hunting accidents involve shooters mistaking the victims for game," said Staton. "People shoot at parts of animals. When you ask the shooter how it happened, they almost always say, 'I saw a wing,' or, 'I saw a head,' or something like that. They never saw the whole bird."
Staton said good sporting ethics dictate that hunters identify their game positively and wait for clear shots that will produce clean kills. If they do that, they don't have to worry about shooting another hunter by mistake.
Hunting safely is part of hunter ethics, so ethical hunters avoid actions that could harm others or themselves. For example, safe hunters don't wear white, red or blue clothing, including handkerchiefs, socks or T-shirts. Even a glimpse of these colors can catch the eye of a too-eager shooter and lead to an accident.
Make sure your hands and head are camouflaged when calling. When moving, however, wear a hunter-orange vest and hat to avoid being mistaken for game. The vest also can be wrapped around a gobbler to carry it out of the woods.
Staton advised against using gobble calls.
"It's a sure way to attract other hunters to your position," said Staton, "and that can be dangerous."
Staton said a hunter's first thought upon hearing a gobbler should be the question, 'Could that be another hunter?'
"Then make the bird come to you," said Staton. "Never try to sneak up on a gobbler. A real bird will see or hear you, and a hunter may think you are a gobbler."
When setting up to call, sit with your back against a tree or other protective cover. Tie your orange vest to the trunk of the tree as far above your head as possible. This will advertise your presence to other hunters, and the orange vest won't alarm turkeys because it isn't moving.
Staton also recommended that turkey hen decoys be used with caution. Place the decoy so it faces directly toward or away from you. The broad-side view of the decoy is more likely to attract another hunter's attention. Decoys should always be placed in hunter-orange bags or otherwise concealed when not in use.
Make sure you have a clear field of view so you can see approaching turkeys and other hunters. Place your decoy between yourself and a tree, brush pile or other obstacle, so it is impossible for someone to hit you while shooting at the decoy. Placing the decoy higher or lower than your calling position also helps safeguard against accidental shooting.
If you see another hunter, shout loudly to advertise your presence. The intrusion of the other hunter already has eliminated your chance of luring a turkey into that spot. Always obtain permission before entering private land, and never intrude on an area where another person is hunting.
Staton said 2002 was an unusually safe year for spring turkey hunters. Eight people were injured, compared to an average of 20 during recent spring turkey seasons. None of last year's spring turkey hunting accidents was fatal.
"I'd like to think the decrease was because people are learning to be more responsible," Staton said. "I hope this year's accident statistics bear that out."
- Jim Low -
MDC
April 2003
When it comes to turkey hunting, good ethics definitely make good sense.
JEFFERSON CITY MO - Ethics are important to all hunters, but to a turkey hunter, they can mean the difference between a pleasurable outdoor experience and disaster.
Deficient hunter ethics play a role in at least 75 percent of all spring turkey hunting accidents said Bob Staton, outdoor skills field chief for the Missouri Department of Conservation.
"Three-quarters of all turkey hunting accidents involve shooters mistaking the victims for game," said Staton. "People shoot at parts of animals. When you ask the shooter how it happened, they almost always say, 'I saw a wing,' or, 'I saw a head,' or something like that. They never saw the whole bird."
Staton said good sporting ethics dictate that hunters identify their game positively and wait for clear shots that will produce clean kills. If they do that, they don't have to worry about shooting another hunter by mistake.
Hunting safely is part of hunter ethics, so ethical hunters avoid actions that could harm others or themselves. For example, safe hunters don't wear white, red or blue clothing, including handkerchiefs, socks or T-shirts. Even a glimpse of these colors can catch the eye of a too-eager shooter and lead to an accident.
Make sure your hands and head are camouflaged when calling. When moving, however, wear a hunter-orange vest and hat to avoid being mistaken for game. The vest also can be wrapped around a gobbler to carry it out of the woods.
Staton advised against using gobble calls.
"It's a sure way to attract other hunters to your position," said Staton, "and that can be dangerous."
Staton said a hunter's first thought upon hearing a gobbler should be the question, 'Could that be another hunter?'
"Then make the bird come to you," said Staton. "Never try to sneak up on a gobbler. A real bird will see or hear you, and a hunter may think you are a gobbler."
When setting up to call, sit with your back against a tree or other protective cover. Tie your orange vest to the trunk of the tree as far above your head as possible. This will advertise your presence to other hunters, and the orange vest won't alarm turkeys because it isn't moving.
Staton also recommended that turkey hen decoys be used with caution. Place the decoy so it faces directly toward or away from you. The broad-side view of the decoy is more likely to attract another hunter's attention. Decoys should always be placed in hunter-orange bags or otherwise concealed when not in use.
Make sure you have a clear field of view so you can see approaching turkeys and other hunters. Place your decoy between yourself and a tree, brush pile or other obstacle, so it is impossible for someone to hit you while shooting at the decoy. Placing the decoy higher or lower than your calling position also helps safeguard against accidental shooting.
If you see another hunter, shout loudly to advertise your presence. The intrusion of the other hunter already has eliminated your chance of luring a turkey into that spot. Always obtain permission before entering private land, and never intrude on an area where another person is hunting.
Staton said 2002 was an unusually safe year for spring turkey hunters. Eight people were injured, compared to an average of 20 during recent spring turkey seasons. None of last year's spring turkey hunting accidents was fatal.
"I'd like to think the decrease was because people are learning to be more responsible," Staton said. "I hope this year's accident statistics bear that out."
- Jim Low -
