Ham or turkey?

[Wingshooter]

I plan to hunt turkeys next week on private land. I know that possession of ammo larger than #4 is not allowed. Neither are rifles or handguns. Now here is my dilemma...

There is a good population of large hogs on the land. I would like to have the flexibility to shoot hog or turkey because I could encounter either one or both. I will primarily be hunting turkeys, but I would hate to encounter some hogs with only #4 in my gun:nervous:. It is private land, so I can legally hunt hogs year round. Being checked by TWRA is unlikely but still possible, and I like to keep it legal.

Can I hunt two species at once when turkey hunting specifically prohibits ammo capable of hunting hogs? Maybe I should just go hog hunting and carry some #4 in case I encounter a turkey;)... turkey decoys and calls might give me away, though.

What I would like to do is carry a couple of slugs with me or my .44mag on my belt and under my coat in case I see some hogs or fresh sign. At that point it would be a full-on hog hunt. This seems like a gray area to me because I can legally hunt turkey or hogs, but can I legally hunt turkey and hogs? I am trying to figure out what to do... any thoughts on this???

Edited March 29, 2009 by Batman

[ShaunM]

Turkey Hunting

• Shotguns 28 gauge or larger using ammunition loaded with number 4 shot or smaller. No restriction on number of rounds in magazine.
  
• Longbows, compound bows, crossbows and other bows drawn or held by a mechanical device.
  
• Weapons may be equipped with sighting devices except those devices utilizing an artificial light capable of locating wildlife. Night vision scopes are illegal.
  

Deer, Bear, Boar and Feral Hog Hunting

• Shotguns using ammunition loaded with single solid ball or rifled slugs. No restriction on number of rounds in magazine.
  
• Rifles using any center-fire ammunition, in all counties except where regulated by legislative acts.
  
• Muzzleloading percussion cap or flintlock rifles, handguns or shotguns of .40 caliber (.40-inches) minimum. These muzzleloading firearms are legal during any gun season or hunt unless otherwise specified. Muzzleloading firearms are defined as those firearms which are incapable of being loaded from the breech.
  
• Longbows, compound bows, crossbows and other bows drawn or held by a mechanical device.
  
• Hunting arrows and bolts shall be of a barbless design and shall have sharpened blades.
  
• Centerfire handguns firing a single projectile and having a barrel length of four inches or more, in all counties except where regulated by legislative acts.
  
• Weapons may be equipped with sighting devices except those devices using an artificial light capable of locating wildlife. Night vision scopes are illegal.
  

[Guest billwilly73]

I been wondering the same thing, because I have the same problem where I hunt. I am thinking about using my archery equipment so I will be ok either way.

[Guest Rem_700]

You can use archery equpment??Take your bow and you will have something for the both of them..

[ShaunM]

Same here I would use my bow. Plus you will have a lot of fun and it will be more of a challenge.

[Wingshooter]

Good idea about the bow. I will probably do that because that is my favorite method of hunting anyway, and I will know that I am legal for both. I have seen turkeys and hogs at the same location where I plan to setup my blind. Hopefully they are still there...

Originally, I was thinking shotgun for my first turkey hunt because I have never hunted turkeys before, and I will will need all the "help" I can get. Plus, I guess I am a little chicken about launching an arrow at a hog from ground level without a gun nearby just in case.

I probably just need to focus on turkeys and enjoy it. I'll have all summer to chase hogs, but at least with my bow I will still have the option if a hog passes by the blind.

Thanks for the advice! I can't wait to get out there.