Opening day was a bust....

[bigbore442001]

I went out for the opening morning of turkey season in Massachusetts. On Sunday night I put one gobbler to bed( that is when you scout at nightfall and make some owl calls to determine the location of a roosted bird)

I had my Thompson Center Black Mountain magnum 12 gauge loaded with 2 oz of no 5 shot and sparked by a CCI musket cap. I made sure my green safety sticker was on it( I know it detracts from the looks but I don't want to pay the fine for not having it.)

I crossed a friend's property where he has a small camp and has seen birds in the area. As the morning went on I heard some gobbles. So I moved approximately 100 yards from the birds. The birds were roosting on another piece of property where the owner doesn't allow hunting. I'll respect his boundaries and stay where I am allowed.

I made some soft purrs and nice yelps on my glass pot caller. I got some responses and then waited. In this game you don't want to overcall.

Then all of a sudden I heard a gunshot about 80 yards or so from me. Then I hear some branches breaking, wing flaps and a dull thud.

Someone went onto the posted land when the owner was away at work( he is a teacher and leaves early) and then shot a roosted bird.

Needless to say, my morning was shot. I did walk around a bit making some calls but to no avail. Sometimes that is the nature of turkey hunting in Massachusetts.

 

[Spikebuck]

That's too bad a poacher ruined your opportunity. Just the kind of person I don't want to be around in the woods as they might shoot at any movement.

I'm curious about this "green safety sticker" you mentioned. What's that all about?

 

[bigbore442001]

Some states like Missouri and Massachusetts mandate that you put this little green circle sticker on your shotgun as a reminder to hunt safely.

If you don't it is a $75 dollar fine.

 

[Skychief]

Some states like Missouri and Massachusetts mandate that you put this little green circle sticker on your shotgun as a reminder to hunt safely.

If you don't it is a $75 dollar fine.

Good Grief! :shake: :youcrazy:

 

[Robby]

:shocked2: :youcrazy:
Robby

 

[wattlebuster]

and I thought california was the state to start stupid ignert laws :idunno: :youcrazy: . Sorry your day got messed up. Better luck your next outing

 

[ny griz]

Just another money maker.Like yer not gonna hunt safe without it.Go figure. :td: Griz

 

[cynthialee]

how did I ever hunt safely without a little green sticker!??

Sounds like grade school. Gotta have your green sticker to hunt.

 

[bigbore442001]

Here is an image of the mandatory safety sticker for your shotgun. Bear in mind that this is a regulation in print and an offense that can result in a fine.



On my flintlock shotgun I laquered over it to make it more or less permanent. One bad thing is that hunters often lose them from their gun so you have to constantly check to see if it is there.

 

[dbutch]

Don't care much for the sticker! :idunno:
But I like the curled trigger guard extension. :thumbsup:

 

[Skychief]

Don't care much for the sticker! :idunno:
But I like the curled trigger guard extension. :thumbsup:

Me too! :hmm:

 

[Robby]

Too many Masshats have invaded your state!
Robby

 

[Spikebuck]

Do the regs specify a certain location? If I had to have a sticker on mine, I think I'd put in on the butt plate or something....or maybe inside the bore! :wink: "honest officer...it was there the last time I loaded!"

 

[dhaverstick]

After many, many years, they finally did away with that stupid sticker requirement here in Missouri this season. The powers that be FINALLY figured out that putting a tiny "Be Safe" sticker on your gun really wasn't effective in keeping some dumb#$$ from shooting somebody. Besides that, the stickers always came off as soon as they got wet.

Another thing I never understood about Missouri's sticker regulation was that you were required to have one on your shotgun but you were not required to put one on your bow if you hunted with archery equipment. Go figure...

Darren