A turkey taken with a shotgun usually drops on the spot — a head shot is quickly lethal. However, even a well-placed shot with an arrow may only wound a bird that can run or fly away after being hit. In these cases, you may need to follow the bird to recover it or take a second shot.
How long does it take for turkey to come back after being shot?
If you’ve shot at the gobbler and missed him, plan to leave the woods and don’t hunt that turkey again for two to three days.
What time of day are most turkeys shot?
It’s no secret that most turkeys are heard, seen, and killed in the morning. For some states, it’s the only time you can hunt mandated by state game laws. But for those that are turkey hunting all day in the spring, the success can be great in the afternoons.
Do turkey loads kick?
A 3.5-inch turkey load produces more than four times the recoil of an Ought-Six and twice that of the mean-kicking . 338! And a “regular” 3-inch turkey round kicks like an elephant gun!
What is the best shot for turkeys?
Lead Turkey Loads
A good compromise is #5 copper-plated lead pellets loaded in a 12-gauge 3-inch magnum shot shell. With this setup, you’ll be good out to 40 yards, and perhaps 50 if your gun is patterned tight. If you want better range and lethality, you’ll need to consider using tungsten shot.
Do gunshots scare turkeys?
Fact: Wild turkeys are gregarious and want to regroup. A loud noise like a gunshot might temporarily spook them, but not forever. Sometimes you can immediately call in spooked birds; other times you can call birds back to an area after giving them a little time to calm down.
What to do if you hit a turkey?
If you hit a turkey or other small animal you should:
- Pull over as soon possible and check for damage.
- Call the police and/or emergency services.
- Take photos.
- Call roadside assistance or get a tow, if necessary.
- Contact your insurer and file a claim.
Why do gobblers go silent?
In short, the theory goes, we have killed the noisier, more eager toms, leaving the craftier, quieter ones to pass on their genes. That theory sounds good around the campfire, but there is no real evidence or studies to support it, says Ken Duren, wild turkey biologist for the Ohio Division of Wildlife.
How often should you call when turkey hunting?
every 15 minutes
Push button call
But don’t call too often – less is more. Calling every 15 minutes or so and starting off quieter and then getting more aggressive/louder as the day goes on are good rules of thumb. If you hear a hen, try to mimic her exact vocalizations.
How do I find a good turkey hunting spot?
- Tall Pine Trees. While they might roost in deciduous trees, turkeys prefer conifers.
- Open Mature Oak Stands.
- Ag Fields With Clover, Alfalfa, Wheat, and Corn.
- Water Holes.
- Saddles in Ridges.
- Livestock Pastures.
- Logging Roads & Recently Plowed Fields.
- Swamps With Dry Islands.
What is the best shot size for turkey hunting?
Pick suitable shot sizes
Shooters might use shot as small as #9 for very small birds like quail, or as large as #2 for large birds like geese and swans. For comparison, there are 585 #9 lead pellets in an ounce versus only 90 #2 pellets in an ounce. For turkey hunting, shot sizes 4, 5 and 6 will all work.
Is 4 shot good for turkey?
4 shot, with more than enough energy at then-accepted turkey killing ranges of 40 yards or less can glance off bone. Bourjaily goes on to write, “as a rule of thumb, lead 6s are reliable to 35 yards, lead 5s to 45.
How far will a turkey load go?
Today, ballistics have advanced significantly; your average turkey load in a standard shotgun is reliable at 35 yards but the right combination of ammo, shotgun, choke, and red dot extend your reach to 50 yards and beyond.
What gun do you use for turkey hunting?
shotgun
The firearm most turkey hunters use is a shotgun, which is the only firearm allowed on most wildlife management areas (WMAs) during spring turkey season. Some people choose to hunt with archery equipment or pre-charged pneumatic (PCP) air guns.
Is a 20-gauge good for turkey hunting?
It’s incredibly tough on turkeys and allows more versatility than most any other gun on the shelf. Look across the turkey-hunting community, and you just might find that the 20-gauge is the most popular shotgun in the turkey woods this spring.
Why are TSS turkey loads so expensive?
Tungsten is considered a rare metal, and it’s not easily sourced. Therefore, a single TSS turkey shell can cost almost as much as a box of 10 lead turkey loads.
Where do wounded turkeys go?
Most wounded turkeys can’t fly into trees to roost, so they just walk off into the woods and bed down. I look for birds after dark armed with a flashlight. I’ve had good luck locating birds after dark.”
Do turkeys remember?
He reports, “Turkeys remember your face and they will sit closer to you with each day you revisit. Come back day after day and, before long, a few birds will pick you out as their favorite and they will come running up to you whenever you arrive.
Can you shoot a turkey with a rifle?
Getting back to politics briefly – here’s a note: In California, you cannot hunt turkey with a rifle, but you CAN hunt them with an air rifle? Which makes about as much sense as other gun related laws in California.
What happens if you shoot a turkey in the body?
Body Shot Pros and Cons
A gobbler thumped through the lungs/heart will die quickly. But, determining where to aim, especially for different angles, can be difficult. It’s all too easy to aim for the center of the bird and shoot. Do this enough, though, and you’ll lose birds.
How do turkeys defend themselves?
Wild turkeys are very agile and fly close to the ground for no more than a quarter of a mile. They roost in trees at night to protect themselves from predators.