Deer or Turkey?

[Skipmaster1]

It seems that deer and turkeys are the most hunted animals here on Tradgang. Which animal do you think is tougher to hunt and which is the more fun?

[Skipmaster1]

I thought this might be a fun poll to do. Just to see how everyone else feels. I know a lot of it will depend on where you hunt. I do almost all of my hunting on low pressure private land and in that situation I think Turkeys are easier to hunt than deer. They are very vocal, which really allows for easy scouting and no fear of ground blinds. They may be more frustrating than deer because you can hear them even when they won't show themselves and you'll never know when that big buck is just out of sight!

I LIVE for deer hunting, but there is something that is so much fun about turkey hunting. Maybe it's because it's the first hunt of the year, maybe it's because of the interaction with the bird or maybe because a blind is perfect place to spend time with family or close friends.

Having hunted some pressured areas as well, I might have voted for turkeys being tougher if thats where I did most of my hunting. You really have to rely on birds not being scared by calling! I still think they might be the most fun though, especially with the right hunting partner.

What are everyone elses thoughts on it?

[bowkevin]

I voted deer for tougher to hunt and turkeys for most fun. But honestly they both have their advantages in the toughness categories and I really enjoy hutning them both. My favorite hunting is in the fall during the rut but i also get excited at hearing those first gobbles of the morning. I guess Im truly undecided.

[longbowman]

Interseting results.  I guess it all depends on where you live.  I've been bowhunting since before the compound and have taken every big game animal I've had a chance to hunt but have yet to bag a turkey with my stick and string.

[SEMO_HUNTER]

This poll won't get accurate results as far as the toughness or difficulty level as far as hunting deer or turkey, but more so their availability from one area to another.
If my area has more deer than turkey, I'd probably say that turkey are harder to hunt than deer, same as if I have tons of turkeys and few deer then I'd probably say that turkeys are easier to hunt.

With that said, turkeys have always been more of a challenge than deer for me. I've taken way more deer than turkey, but it's a totally different ballgame.
I can relax and just sit and watch deer feed around me without ever lifting my bow off the holder. But when turkeys get close.....I immediately go into stealth Predator mode. I'm wound as tight as a slinky ready to strike when I see my window of oppurtunity. Something about turkeys just triggers something in my brain and my predatory instincts take over.
I have hunted an entire season without turning loose an arrow on a deer, but watched many come within bow range.
On the other hand I have had a single encounter with turkeys and sent every arrow I had in my quiver their way......and left the woods empty handed.    

[Skipmaster1]

Originally posted by SEMO_HUNTER:
This poll won't get accurate results as far as the toughness or difficulty level as far as hunting deer or turkey, but more so their availability from one area to another.

 

I know the results won't be "accurate". But I just wanted to see what kind of results we got and maybe spark a discussion.

[maineac]

I couldn't answer the poll because I could vote on question one.  I think turkeys are easier to hunt.  Mostly due to habits (day time movers) and vocalizations, calling and in my area numbers.  In spring I love hunting turkeys, but in fall I am equally excited about hunting turkeys.

[Sean B]

It all depends on what time of the year you ask me that question!  I do think that turkeys are a bit easier to hunt, but I think that that i find them a little more fun.  Hard one to answer.

[reddust]

For me Turkeys are harder to hunt,I fill my buck tag every year with a nice buck but not my Turkey tag, but the hardest to hunt are Coyotes.

[Night Wing]

For me, turkeys are harder to hunt. They've got great eyesight.

For fun, deer.

[Bowwild]

My "votes" matched the majority. I based my vote on my results. I'm far more successful on deer so I rate turkey harder to hunt. If I had to chose turkey or deer, I'd choose deer for fun (and length of season).

[uglyjake]

Srping is here and I am reeady to turkey hunt.  A person can get more rest/sleep deer hunting due to the amount of daylight.  Some turkey hunters are up at 0345 and don't get supper until 2100 or 9 p.m.  in the spring.  Fall hunting is a different story and lots of fun too.

[awbowman]

I hunt turkeys in the woods of Louisiana, they are tough to get. Single worst obbsession a man can have, but I love it!

[Shawn Leonard]

I hate getting up real early anymore, so deer win out everytime! Shawn

[L. Harris]

I don't get to hunt either variety very much, but calling turkeys is just more exciting to me.

[Arkansaslongbow]

I am going with the turkeys! love to hunt deer and will continue to do so but the turkey hunting is by far my favorite; love both spring and fall and love still hunting for both deer and turkey in the winter.....  

[gobblegrunter]

Tougher? ...In my area, that would definitely me Turkeys.

More fun? ...Its a whole lot of fun "talkin" to the turkeys, but I'd much rather be huntin deer.

It's interesting to see the poll rsults on this one.  

[Knapper]

If you are talking about bow hunting without a blind there is no comparison turkey are far tougher to harvest even though they do not have a good sense of smell.  Fun, enjoyment, difficulty, and pure interaction again there is no comparison, turkey win hands down.

From personal experience I have hunted deer since the late 60's when we did not have any turkey.  Then the turkey were introduced here in Indiana in the 80's I believe and the population become huntable in the 90's and that is when the action started.  

Would you rather sit on a stand for hours on end or would you rather chase and interact with turkeys.  There is only one answer for me, Turkeys!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!