Conclusion: Little Dreamer and the Doomsday Machine

[Brian Lovett]

In "Decision Time," Editor Brian Lovett shares a scenario from his 20-plus years hunting turkeys. Each hinges on a critical decision. Post what choice you would have made, and then see how things actually turned out.

Conclusion: Little Dreamer and the Doomsday Machine

It was an easy choice. I would not risk an iffy shot, no matter how badly I wanted to kill that bad turkey. The bird stared at me for another second and then walked into the swamp -- gone.

I woke my buddy, told him the story and then paced off the distance to where the turkey had stood: 52 steps.

After the hunt, another writer in camp scolded me for holding fire.

"I patterned that gun, and it would have done the job at that range," he said.

"Maybe so," I responded. "But I figure that's kind of like going to the casino. Everyone talks about the few times they win, but they never mention all the times they lose."

He didn't like that. That's OK. I'm sure he got over it. I know I did.

What decision did you make?

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[Cut N Run]

Good for you Brian. I respect your call.

Jim

[icdedturkes]

Your decision was the right one.. But it is up to each of us to shoot our chosen weapon under any circumstances and know its capabilities in our own hands, not in the hands of others. 

[Gobblerman]

A good decision made by a very experienced turkey hunter with lots of gobblers under his belt.  That decision would undoubtedly not have been the one chosen by way too many turkey hunters in that same situation, as was evidenced by your camp mate.  This will always be a dilemma in turkey hunting for every single hunter who goes afield.  Learning to make the right choice in these matters is not an easy one for any of us.  Let us hope that each of us is given the wisdom to know when not to shoot.
 
In the meantime,...good choice, my friend!
 
Jim

[dewey]

Good decision Brian. I hope when this situation happens to me someday I can do the samething.

Dewey

[TRapper]

yep good call, i think i still would have tried to move slowly with my head and tried to cluck once softly, just to see if he would budge any closer