Yes rifles legal in VA unless prohibited by a specific county. Nothing illegal in shooting a turkey from a tree if during legal shooting hours. However, both of these scenarios favor the kill and not the hunt.

Ok, roost shooting and rifles are not legal means in Ohio or any of the states I hunt. If its legal in someones state that is up to the individual and I am not here to judge.

I'd say legal methods and ethical shots favor the crockpot, not the kill. If you think shooting beyond xx number of yards is unethical even though a gun is capable of a clean kill at that distance, that's your own choice.

It’s obvious not everyone understands what spring turkey season is about and it’s not the crock pot. Take away all the modern day toys and rifles and earn it. Everyone wants instant success so they can run somewhere else.

If anyone wants instant success then the turkey woods is not for them. I've been chasing them for 33 years, I guarantee I put more mileage on my boots ( $550 Russell Moccasins, probably shouldn't be allowed to wear them) than almost anyone scouting and hunting. When I enter the woods to hunt turkeys or set a trap for anything, my end result is to always be successful under legal means. With that said, when I take a newbie out, young or old, the first thing I tell them is if they don't absolutely love being out in the spring woods and seeing spring come in and a new day rising, they shouldn't be doing it and I'd rather not waste my time.

Sorry to derail your thread, there are so many variables to a gun. Get a setup you like, know its limits and what it will do and go for it. Personally I say get the best setup that won't fail you that you can afford.