When a turkey is facing straight towards you, place your arrow between the base of the beard and the base of the neck. There is often a thin vertical line formed by the breast feathers that can act as an aiming point.
What part of the body do you shoot a turkey?
The most effective firearm shot for a turkey is to the head and neck. The preferred shot angle for bowhunters is broadside, aiming for the heart or lungs.
Where is the best place to shoot a turkey with a crossbow?
The wing shot is often touted as the best way to a turkey’s heart. The largest feathers, quills and bones line up in the wing area. The shot can be a killer, but it can also be an energy robber.
How far can you shoot a turkey with a bow?
Put decoys at slam-dunk range and where you can comfortably shoot to them. For distance, I place my decoys at 15 yards if hunting without a blind. When hunting from a ground blind, I like them even closer since I’m not worried about getting drawn. About 8-10 yards is money.
How far can you shoot a turkey?
With lighter, underpowered loads of soft lead pellets shot out of a 12-gauge shotgun with a full choke, 30 yards was the maximum range for a lethal shot on a turkey.
Can you shoot a turkey in the body?
If you encounter a turkey while deer hunting and decide to take the shot, aim for the base of the neck. Hitting a turkey square in the body with a deer rifle is a good way to destroy your Thanksgiving dinner.
Do you need special broadheads for turkey hunting?
Although your best option might be a broadhead that’s engineered just for longbeards, they’re not a requirement. The reality is that any fixed blade or mechanical is capable of killing a bird, but some are better than others.
Where is a turkey heart located?
A turkey’s heart and lungs are just behind the wing where it joins the body. Think of it as the turkey’s shoulder. As with deer, the ideal shot strikes turkeys right behind the shoulder.
How do you archery hunt a turkey?
When shooting turkeys with broadheads, if they run or fly after the shot, they usually do not leave the best blood trails. The ideal shot is to accurately place an arrow that penetrates at least one wing, if not both, while hitting the vitals. This will ensure a quick kill and a bird that is unable to fly.
Where do you shoot a turkey with a bow from a treestand?
If you’re looking to be a successful turkey hunter, your best shot placement for bows and crossbows is the heart and lungs. Some turkey hunters prefer going for the neck and spine for quick kills, but it’s harder to make those shots successfully, especially with a strutting tom.
Are crossbows good for turkey hunting?
Some crossbow companies now spine- and weight-match their crossbow bolts, and some have even developed the best crossbow broadheads to help you achieve success. With this level of accuracy, crossbows are now well-fitted to be one of your most effective tools for hunting a wild turkey.
What shots are most effective for big game?
The most effective shots are delivered to an animal’s vital organs—heart and lungs. In large game animals, these organs lie in the chest cavity behind the front shoulder. A lung shot is the most effective shot for big game. The area of the vital organs also contains major blood vessels and arteries.
What is the minimum draw weight for turkey hunting?
For the purposes of hunting deer and turkey, legal bows include long, recurved, or compound bows with a minimum draw weight of 40 pounds and crossbows.
Can you hunt turkey with an AR 15?
A standard AR-15 is a perfect rifle to take a turkey with. And you can be the head of your local chapter of “.
What gun do you use for turkey hunting?
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.
What choke do you use for turkey hunting?
Full choke has tight constriction. The shot holds together even longer, making this choke good for squirrels, turkey, and other game shot at 40-yard and longer ranges. Turkey hunters sometimes use Extra Full or Turkey choke for even denser patterns at long range.
Can I use steel shot for turkey?
To compensate for the lower weight, lesser density and loss of velocity, it’s not uncommon for turkey hunters to load up with steel shot one or two sizes larger than what they would use in a lead load.
Will a turkey come back if shot at?
Typically, a bird that is fatally injured by a shotgun won’t travel far. Most turkeys are recovered within about a 200-yard radius. The best place to start your search is right where you shot the bird.
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.
Do you shoot turkeys in the head with a bow?
Try a head shot this spring. Head shot turkeys typically die on the spot, or a short distance away. Head shots also greatly reduce the chances of crippling birds and failure to recover your turkey after the shot. Sure, it’s a tough shot.
What colors should you not wear while turkey hunting?
Never wear red, white, blue or black clothing while turkey hunting. Red is the color most hunters look for when distinguishing a gobbler’s head from a hen’s blue-colored head, but at times it may appear white or blue. Male turkey feathers covering most of the body are black in appearance.