Big 3 blade mechanical is best in my opinion
Alot of people shoot too far forward and shoot too low on body.
Alot of people shoot too far forward and shoot too low on body.
Turkey Arrow Placement
I've taken a few birds by shotgun now and would like to try the challenge of archery. I shoot 3D and have "learned" where shot placement "should" be but I'm curious if it's necessary? Would an arrow strike anywhere in the body area turkey kill it (other than a leg or butt...lol)?
2nd question...I know they sell turkey broadheads but are they needed? I doubt I'm going to buy the decapitation broadheads. I'm comfortable with the muzzy fixed heads I use for deer and would love it if I could use the same.
I have a year to plan, research and practice. Was hoping to get some realistic insight from hunters, not paid-for advertisment arcticles.
2nd question...I know they sell turkey broadheads but are they needed? I doubt I'm going to buy the decapitation broadheads. I'm comfortable with the muzzy fixed heads I use for deer and would love it if I could use the same.
I have a year to plan, research and practice. Was hoping to get some realistic insight from hunters, not paid-for advertisment arcticles.
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If you are not going to shoot them in the neck the center of the back is a good spot
Think about a butterball. 90% of bird is white meat resulting in a dead but not recovered bird.
head shots work very well, either a kill or a miss.
yeah…if I could shoot the head off a turkey, I wouldn’t be asking this question. Lolhead shots work very well, either a kill or a miss.
I was more interested in knowing if I took a body shot vs vital shot, if the bird would die (recoverable). In my head, I picture a one inch hole causing catastrophic damage to such a small creature that it would die regardless where hit. Aiming center body just seems easier than trying to decipher heart/lungs on a quick shot.
If not, I’ll stick to the vitals… no issues, Just curious on one’s thoughts.
Some background as to the silly question but I hunt MN hard woods and with all the undergrowth, branches and so on, even with a shotgun it can get difficult to hit the head/neck. Opportunities can be hard and limited.
I would go with the biggest expandable possible, shoot for the area between the waddle and the beard head on, and that same exit spot from behind.
A head of a turkey is about the same size as vitals. If you don't hit the vitals you will not recover the bird. Shot placement is KEY and being patient enough for a good high percentage shot. If there is brush in the way I wouldn't risk taking the shot. A good 2+" expandable is all I will use and have shot them in head and waddles.yeah…if I could shoot the head off a turkey, I wouldn’t be asking this question. Lol
I was more interested in knowing if I took a body shot vs vital shot, if the bird would die (recoverable). In my head, I picture a one inch hole causing catastrophic damage to such a small creature that it would die regardless where hit. Aiming center body just seems easier than trying to decipher heart/lungs on a quick shot.
If not, I’ll stick to the vitals… no issues, Just curious on one’s thoughts.
Some background as to the silly question but I hunt MN hard woods and with all the undergrowth, branches and so on, even with a shotgun it can get difficult to hit the head/neck. Opportunities can be hard and limited.
Take this from a guy that averages 7 longbeards by bow every year. Shotgun hunting is WAY WAY easier!
This right here.A head of a turkey is about the same size as vitals. If you don't hit the vitals you will not recover the bird. Shot placement is KEY and being patient enough for a good high percentage shot. If there is brush in the way I wouldn't risk taking the shot. A good 2+" expandable is all I will use and have shot them in head and waddles.
Take this from a guy that averages 7 longbeards by bow every year. Shotgun hunting is WAY WAY easier!
I have said it for a long time, but very few folks possess the skills required to (1) consistently get birds in front of them into effective archery range and (2) have the knowledge and ability to know where the vitals are and be able to hit them.
I am not proficient enough with a bow for me to consider it, and I would say I am as good or better than 80% of the shooters out there.
Very few folks have any serious business even attempting it. It is because of the rest of us that I refer to archery hunting turkeys as "feeding coyotes". For most of us, God made turkeys to be shot with a shotgun!
agree 1000% and why i have no desire to ever support an archery season in the Spring for gobblers!This right here.
I have said it for a long time, but very few folks possess the skills required to (1) consistently get birds in front of them into effective archery range and (2) have the knowledge and ability to know where the vitals are and be able to hit them.
I am not proficient enough with a bow for me to consider it, and I would say I am as good or better than 80% of the shooters out there.
Very few folks have any serious business even attempting it. It is because of the rest of us that I refer to archery hunting turkeys as "feeding coyotes". For most of us, God made turkeys to be shot with a shotgun!
test...computer issues
My opinion, which you didn't ask for, is there's enough frustrations in turkey hunting that I have zero desire to further complicate the hunt. That being said, I've heard a ground blind is necessary if you want a chance...I guess you could get up a tree and bow hunt from there but I'm pretty sure that's even harder to not get busted by them.
I have never used a ground blind nor will I ever turkey hunting. Sit behind the tree not infront of it.
I'd love to hunt with someone that knows what they're doing. I've had to teach myself and watch videos to learn. On top of that growing up in the city hasn't helped. The two tom's I've killed I had a blind so I didn't blow it on the last day. I've killed turkeys from the ground without a blind but they were jakes...still trying!I have never used a ground blind nor will I ever turkey hunting. Sit behind the tree not infront of it.
All that being said though I feel like I'm getting a better understanding of the animals I like to hunt. Going through the Missouri Naturalist training is helping me understand the ecology of forests, glades, woodlands and prairies with a better perspective. Hoping that translates to better hunting this fall.
Strait up the legs and look at pictures on line for arrow placement. I use 3 blade fix heads. First bird let come out of strut because much easer to pick your spot. Most important thing for first bird is patients and not rushing the shot. With todays decoys 98% of the time birds will fight your jake. Do not shoot till after fight and they are standing still at 10 yards looking at there opened can of woopass.
When you are breasting a gobbler you can see the vitals very easily and as said it's not a big target.Ive killed a bunch of turkeys with my bow from a blind.I once shot one too far forward and through both breasts,breaking what I'll refer to as the breast bone because I don't know what it's called.That gobbler acted like nothing hit him and continued to attack my decoy.I killed him with a second shot but when not shot in the head they are probably the toughest critter I've put an arrow in.If the do get out of sight they rarely bleed due to the feathers and will lay down when hurt bad enough and it's amazing how small they can make themselves look,almost like rabbit hiding.
Like hooks said, stuck with a shotgun unless you are a stone cold amazing shot in all game!
Being I won’t have a blind and I’m chasing these things in thick woods…I’ll do the ethical thing and stick with a shotgun!
If I get the chance to hunt a field someday, maybe I’ll reconsider but it seems in my situation, stick with the gun.
If I get the chance to hunt a field someday, maybe I’ll reconsider but it seems in my situation, stick with the gun.
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