410 and Turkey

[Steve Hodges]

While it seems “cool” to shoot a Turkey with such a smallbore shotgun, care must be taken by the individual hunter to make sure that they are hunting ethically and only take very close shots. Here in New Hampshire (and in Maine also) it is illegal to hunt wild turkeys with anything smaller than a twenty gauge shotgun, and no shot larger than #2. I personally think this is a well thought out regulation, aimed at assuring to the best of our ability, that we cleanly and as humainly as possible dispatch the bird. This question was brought up during my 13 tenure as a Fish and Game Commissioner here in NH and both the biologists and law enforcement divisions were in strict opposition to changing the regulation. I agreed.

[Dean Romig]

Originally Posted by Stephen Hodges

While it seems “cool” to shoot a Turkey with such a small bore shotgun, care must be taken by the individual hunter to make sure that they are hunting ethically and only take very close shots. Here in New Hampshire (and in Maine also) it is illegal to hunt wild turkeys with anything smaller than a twenty gauge shotgun, and no shot smaller than #2. I personally think this is a well thought out regulation, aimed at assuring to the best of our ability, that we cleanly and as humainly as possible dispatch the bird. This question was brought up during my 13 tenure as a Fish and Game Commissioner here in NH and both the biologists and law enforcement divisions were in strict opposition to changing the regulation. I agreed.

"and no shot smaller than #2" in my opinion is 'archaic' and the result of ammo manufacturer's hype.

None the less, shooting a wild turkey with a .410 loaded with an adequate shot size to ensure a dense pattern and sufficient penetration to break bones within a reasonable distance is admirable.... and the farmer in this case did all that.

[Bruce Day]

He watched three turkeys for about 45 minutes edge closer and closer to his blind. Then when about a rooms length away and head fully exposed, he pulled the trigger. The bird dropped and flopped about in circles with a brain shot. Careful, well done and humane.

That kind of hunting is not for everybody, but when a person can walk 100 yards from his house and have his pick of many turkeys every day, he can afford to be selective and if you pass up a chancy shot, a better shot will come along. My friend has killed a turkey with every gauge of Parker from 410 to 10, he doesn't own an 8 ga.

I don't much listen to the ammo makers.....if I did I would have to use Prairie Storm or some such with 1 3/8 oz of 4's at 1500 fps in a 3 inch 12ga magnum to kill a pheasant and buy the 75 round box for a 3 day preserve hunt in South Dakota.

[Steve Hodges]

Originally Posted by Dean Romig

"and no shot smaller than #2" in my opinion is 'archaic' and the result of ammo manufacturer's hype.

None the less, shooting a wild turkey with a .410 loaded with an adequate shot size to ensure a dense pattern and sufficient penetration to break bones within a reasonable distance is admirable.... and the farmer in this case did all that.

Dean, in this case I will respectfully disagree with you. And I edited my last post to reflect "no shot larger" rather than smaller. My error.

[Dean Romig]

Well naoww.... that changes everthing I would think...

Thanks Steve

Best, Dean

[Steve Hodges]

Originally Posted by Dean Romig

Well naoww.... that changes everthing I would think...

Thanks Steve

Best, Dean

That's what's great about this forum..................good folks can disagree..................even though I am right

[Dean Romig]

You are not!.....

[Steve Hodges]

Ok.............................Ok................. .........we need to end this now