How do you take your turkey?

Spring turkey season has arrived, and there are plenty of plump toms for the taking in the Black Hills and western South Dakota.  Nebraska's governor recently signed a proclamation designating his state as The Best Turkey Hunting Destination in the United States.  

While Nebraska does have plenty of turkeys, I've hunted the birds there and in the Black Hills and have taken many more turkeys in South            Dakota.  

I've also used more weapons to hunt turkeys in South Dakota including a bow, a rifle, and a shotgun.  

When it comes to choosing a method of taking turkeys in the Black Hills, the regulations offer a wide range of options in addition to the ones I've used.  

Crossbows may be used during firearm seasons so long as technical specifications are met.  

Muzzle-loading long guns are also permitted so long as they shoot a .44-caliber or larger projectile, and smokepole shotguns can also be used, but no black-powder pistols.  

Handguns that generate at least 500 foot pounds of energy at the muzzle are legal for harvesting turkeys, but keep in mind that semiautomatic handguns used to take big game in South Dakota (and turkey falls in the big game section of regulations) may not hold more than six rounds of ammunition.  

That limits hunters pretty much to revolvers unless you have a special hunting magazine for your pistol that only holds five rounds (the sixth will likely be in the chamber).

In spite of all the options hunters do have when it comes to taking turkeys in South Dakota, I'd respectfully ask Game, Fish and Parks to consider some modifications to the black powder limitations.  

Specifically, I'd like to see .36-caliber black powder rifles added to the list of acceptable turkey guns.  

There are fine replicas of flintlock rifles on the market, including kits that allow one to build one.  

The limitation of muzzleloaders to .44 caliber or larger is, in my view, overkill.  

It's fine for deer, but I'd love to take a tom some day in the Black Hills using a .36-caliber Kentucky rifle I made myself and know a solid hit with a patched round ball from such a gun will anchor a turkey with authority.  

Settlers used them to harvest all kinds of game in the late 1700s, including deer, so I ask that due consideration be given to making that change.

I also own a modern replica of an 1858 Remington New Army .44-caliber black-powder revolver.  

With the right powder and bullet, the gun attains ballistics similar to a modern .45 ACP, and I can consistently get 460-490 foot pounds of energy from the gun on                                           paper.  

Replicas of 1847 Walker revolvers (remember The Outlaw Jose Wales starring Clint Eastwood?) will also nudge the 500 foot pounds minimum, but I doubt a turkey will know the difference.  

While a .44 lead ball from a black powder rifle could really mess up your turkey meat, the same ball moving slower from a revolver might not be as damaging.  

Give it some thought.

It's coming, so it should probably be addressed in game regulations.  Crosman has begun to ship its powerful Benjamin Pioneer Airbow.  

I wrote a column on this weapon a few months back, but by way of reminder, it uses a charge of compressed air to shoot 375-grain (including tip) arrows at speeds up to 450 fps.  

It's legal for coyotes and varmints in several states, and legendary hunter Jim Shockey posted a video in which he used one to take down a bison.  

"What have we just unleashed?" asks Shockey after witnessing the Airbow's takedown power.  

As of March, the Airbow was legal for turkey in California and Maryland.  

I'd favor classifying it in a category with crossbows and allow it during firearm seasons for turkey and deer.

When it's time for me to take a turkey, I still go for my Benelli M2 12 gauge with a full choke and 3-inch magnum shells packed with No. 4 shot.  

That's in Nebraska.  

If I get to the Black Hills for a hunt, I love the options I have for taking my turkey.  

Maybe there will soon be even more.

Dan Carlson is a veteran outdoors enthusiast, meteorologist and author with nearly four decades of experience in hunting, fishing, and shooting sports.     

To read all of today's stories, Click here or call 642-2761 to subscribe to our e-edition or home delivery.

© 2016 Black Hills Pioneer. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Source: How do you take your turkey?