With the count now at 15 shot during 2020 spring season-
Folks are jumping to a lot of conclusions with almost zero data or facts other than two were shot by an off duty wildlife officer this past weekend. We don’t know if risky techniques were in play or if it is all the fault of the shooter, In my view, what I have followed up on over the years it normally is. Just like defensive driving there are choices that perpetuate or negate the possibilities. With the scenarios possible, we have to wait to get a sense of where this all broke down.
Investigations need to conclude, court proceedings need to run their course, and then we may have a complete picture. Unlike national and local politics we still have a presumption of innocence. Is it to our benefit to vilify the shooters or the victims without facts in hand?
It is up to the shooter to determine a safe sight picture for a legit target. Ultimately it is the first and last preventive to a errant shooting, However if someone is using a real fan, or full mount taxidermy it is not so cut and dry. Do we really need to challenge the ability of others to figure it out? I know a few that will actually use a gobbler mount, wear a half mount or fan on their head or mount it on their barrel. It is not my cup of tea. I’m not known to wear a 12 point buck costume on opening day of regular deer season either, but hey I’m a bit weird that way. Sorry, but if you think its OK, stand in line for a Darwin award participation trophy.
It pays to be patient when it comes to dropping a bird if something appears odd, out of place, we verify anyway while looking over foreground and background. We would hope that someone engaged in reaping or fanning would move in such a way that would appear unnatural to us as hunters. Proponents of it exclaim that we should be able to see that it is not a real target. I would prefer that to be true. Anecdotal stories I have been told by long time friends as to their close calls is enough to raise the hair on the back of your neck. When you add in rolling terrain, woodland features, high grass, the presentation becomes partial views. You put my wide butt behind a fan, and you’ll know it’s a poor representation of a turkey. I can’t suggest the same for you narrow butt turkey hunters. Sometimes there’s a blessing in being overweight…
We don’t know what we don’t know yet. Out of the now 15 shot this spring, several have had decoys mentioned in the story without details, one I have interviewed and it was a hen decoy with the head sticking out of the back of his vest while seated, the shooter was at 8 yards with a crossbow. I am not able to comprehend that many wrong decisions in a month much less in a single moment by the shooter. I will be following up on two stories that I have direct information and once I conclude several more interviews.
What I do know, what we should all know- If we take the time to identify a proper target, clear foreground and background and refrain from unreasonable risk taking, the incident rate would hover at zero and that is where it needs to be.
We pray for healing Godspeed and their recoveries and of course for those that have passed and their families.
-MJ
© 2020 Mike Joyner- Joyner Outdoor Media
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Well stated, as usual. In my opinion reaping or fanning are not safe hunting practices. If you can be mistaken for a turkey just by wearing camo and moving, how much more likely are you to get shot while holding a decoy, fan or mount? With long standing turkey hunting safety rules urging us not to wear turkey colors such as red, white, blue or black, I don’t understand how anyone can think it is a good idea to openly carry something that looks exactly a real turkey.