Turkey hunting safety

[Guvnor]

I would like to try turkey hunting this upcoming spring, but I am a bit apprehensive because ive heard that turkey hunting is the most dangerous. I realize that statistically the chance of an incident is very very low, but still I worry about getting shot at by some yahoo.

I would feel alot better if I use some kind of blaze orange. But are turkeys able to spot blaze orange? I was thinking of wearing my upland vest and hat while walking to a suitable spot, then get suited up in full camo and tie a big orange ribbon around the tree I am sitting up against.

Would the orange on the tree hurt my chances of calling in a bird?

 

[mete]

Birds see color .An orange ribbon on a tree should work , get it up high. Going in or out of the woods wear an orange vest. When you are using a call it may attract idiot hunters ! If you see a hunter let him know you're there !

 

[redneck]

Ohio hunting regs recommend that if you do get a turkey you should bag it, or get something orange on it before carrying it out also. Wouldn't want some idiot shooting that turkey bouncing down the path upside down...

 

[schlockinz]

Don't wear anything red!! This includes using a bandana for anything.

Also, be leary on public lands about gobbling, and if you see a hunter, just say something like "Hello" in a low slow voice, don't want to spook them.

 

[rcmodel]

I make it a habit to set up with my back to a very large tree.

That pretty well covers behind you, and you should be able to see another hunter coming in front of you before he gets in shooting range of your decoys.

And I do wear a blaze orange vest on the way out with a dead turkey.


BTW: A flock of turkeys would spot an orange ribbon in a tree about a half mile away. And wouldn't come close to it until it had been there several days.
I have never hunted anything else that required total camoflage coverage like turkey hunting.

rc

 

[schlockinz]

I've had turkies come in to me when I was wearing a bunch of orange before, I've even called them in to bow range during muzzleloader season (two older toms, not the big flocks). But thats in an area with low pressure, and was required for that part of the season, in the spring, its full camo of a single pattern.

And yeah, sit against a tree. It'll be more comfortable, cover some of your movement, and protect you if needed.

 

[Dr. Tad Hussein Winslow]

1. I just cannot believe it's the most dangerous, simply because a shotgun's lethality range is very very limited compared to a bullet firing longgun. So your fears are most likely way overblown. I'm FAR more leery of deer hunters than turkey hunters.

2. Yes, turkey see color, but (a) there's flowers, trash, reddish-orange leaves, and other color in the woods - this does not necessarily spook them, and (b) they're stupid, frankly. It's movement that turkeys see & respond to very well and very quickly, not colors. I've been deer hunting with bright orange and have had a flock of turkeys walk right up to within 5 yards of me and stare at me before slowly walking off. Stay still and it won't matter; so yes, sure, wear a little bit of orange if you're concerned. You don't need a whole lot.

3. Get a pretty good ways (at least 10 yards) from your decoys in case someone tries to shoot them, and keep your back to a tree or rock in case someone tries to shoot at them from behind you.

4. The most dangerous time is when you're carrying your dead turkey harvest out of the woods. Take some extra orange with a large area, and pull it out of your bag and wear it or display it on your way out, so someone doesn't take a shot when they see your turkey. It's also best to carry by the legs, not the head, so that it's upside down, and thus doesn't resemble a live turkey.

 

[Grizfire]

I had a couple guys come up on me while I was hunting once. They were walking out and talking casually, then they stopped behind me about 50 yards. I just yelled out "HELLO" loudly and without making any movement. They apologized and walked away.

You could try orange on your back if you are in a situation where the turkeys will come in from the front and not see the orange. They have excellent, color, eyesight though so be careful.

 

[Legionnaire]

Don't stalk. Wear blaze orange in and out. I lose the orange and camo up to call, back against a tree; don't stalk. Could put an orange sash or tape around the tree, but I've not done that. Just DON'T STALK!

 

[Dr. Tad Hussein Winslow]

Oh, one more thing- *IF* you use a gobble call, you need to be a little more careful. I'd say don't walk around in deep woods and use a gobble call to locate. Use an owl or crow call to locate if walking around - maybe use the gobble call to locate only if in more open areas or in a place where you know there are no other hunters. And use the gobble call once you sit down if you like. 'Course, most of your calling will imitate hen noises.