Using bait to hunt turkeys is illegal, dangerous for birds
Turkey hunting season is right around the corner. Starting March 20, 2021, hunters will be in the woods trying their best to kill the gobbler they missed last season.
Imagine talking to your neighbor or someone you know who has just killed a turkey. You quickly recognize this is the turkey you have seen multiple times but have not got a chance to shoot because it was too far out of range. This individual tells you he brought this bird in shooting range using bait, a practice that can upset legal hunters who consider it unfair.
Hunting turkey over bait is a common tactic used by poachers who do not follow the law. This method of hunting is unethical and can cause harm to the turkey.
Turkey commonly feed on the ground and scratch at their food as they peck it off the dirt. Birdseed, wheat or cracked corn are some of the most common types of attractants used to attract turkey.
If bait, such as listed above, gets wet and moldy, it can grow bacteria and seriously injure or even kill a turkey. This depletes the turkey population and can lead to fewer turkeys in your area, especially when poachers steal from all law-abiding citizens who are hunting the legal way.
Not only is hunting turkey over bait unethical, but it is also against the law. When people participate in this activity, they put you, the hunter, at a greater risk of losing an opportunity to harvest a bird.
For example, if an illegal hunter places bait on his property and attracts the gobbler you have been chasing for years, he or she now has an advantage over the legal hunter who does everything by the book. This could cause opportunities to be missed for you, your kids or grandkids.
Turning in illegal hunters could not only benefit you, but it could greatly benefit the community.
You, the law-abiding citizen, could help in preventing these instances. When you witness someone placing bait in the woods or know of someone who has killed a turkey over bait, do the ethical thing and report the crime. If you know of an area of land that has been baited, get as much information about the property as possible and help do justice for these magnificent animals.
If this type of activity is witnessed, immediately call the Ranger Hotline number at 1-800-241-4113. This line is open 24/7, 365 days of the year. This number will get you in touch with your local game warden.
Be safe this hunting season, and remember hunting turkey over bait does more harm than good.
With several athletes resting up for Friday’s Calhoun Invitational, others got their chance to shine at Heritage High School on Thursday night as the Generals hosted Southeast Whitfield, LaFayette and Ridgeland in a four-team meet.
LaFayette’s girls had a multi-event winner in Haynie Gilstrap, who raced to victory in both the 800 (2:53) and the 1600 (6:29).
Also winning on the track for the Lady Ramblers was Imani Cook in the 100 (13.48), Brittany Aguero in the 3200 (17:10), Elizabeth Perry in the 300 hurdles (1:00.12) and the Lady Ramblers’ 4x800 team (12:19). Alyssa Gary had LaFayette’s only win in the field events as she took first place in the triple jump (28-9).
Ridgeland also had a double event winner as Mecca Spears swept the shot put (34-3) and the discus (76-3).
Also winning for the Lady Panthers on Thursday was Madison Lennon in the 400 (1:09.68), Alyssa Wright in the 100 hurdles (19.00), Annabel Hill in the high jump (4-8), Taylor Lambert in the long jump (13-10) and the 4x100 (56.44) and 4x400 (5:32) relay teams.
The lone victory for Heritage was turned in by Maliah McKibbon in the 200 (30.15).
Ridgeland and LaFayette accounted for all of the wins in the boys’ meet with the Panthers scoring eight victories to seven for the Ramblers.
Seth Wingo won twice for Ridgeland as he swept 110 hurdles (18.44) and the 300 hurdles (46.49). Logan Montgomery claimed the throwing events with wins in the shot put (50-5.5) and discus (147-4), while Ridgeland’s relay teams took the 4x100 (46.12) and the 4x400 (4:05).
The other two wins for the Panthers came from King Mason in the 100 (11.19) and Ryan Walker in the 1600 (5:27).
Trey Taylor was the only multi-event winner for the Ramblers as he took first place in both the long jump (18-9.5) and the triple jump (38-7).
Also winning events for LaFayette were Jamario Clements in the 200 (23.34), Josh Perea in the 400 (55.25), Tucker Henderson in the 800 (2:16), Jaden Kresser in the 3200 (13:38) and Evan Williams in the high jump (5-6).
No team scores had been provided as of press time.
More results from this meet can be found on our website at northwestgeorgianews.com.