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Main Boards => PowWow => Topic started by: SoftPoint on February 08, 2006, 10:06:00 PM
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Ok guys and gals, I sucessfully hunted turkeys the easy way(shotgun). Now I want to do it seriously with my stick. I did have a shot with my stick last year, it was a broadside shot, and you know what happened... the arrow deflected off his built in armor. So what are the only shots to take on a turkey. I hear that the backside while strutting is the only real shot. Is this true?
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I have no personal experience in this department, but I've heard the same thing. Check this link out for testimony of how it works.
http://discussions.texasbowhunter.com/discus/messages/3558/343044.html?1137373771
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That looks like Charlie Daniels!
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I think you were doing it the right way....a load of number 4's works best for me :-)
Anything with feathers was made for a shotgun..you can quote me on that
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Head shot....
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I stuck one in the side and it worked, kinda angled forward like a deer shot. He was in partial strut and that may have allowed the penetration. Shot one in the side a few years back and it either bounced off and over or Mr T deflected it by raising his wing just at the right time, happened too fast to tell for sure.
Shot for the head of another and got the neck. That works real good but if you shoot like me requires lots of luck.
If one would cooperate by strutting around in front of me for a while, I would try the center of the back shot for sure.
My experience is they don't often do just what you want, may have to improvise.
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I think I'm gonna have to side with Biggie on this one:).. i was a turkey guide for a few years, and even with guns my legs got a workout.
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I have shot turks at all angles never really had a problem I like hitting them through the drummys and they never fly. As far as them head on or the old texas heart shot goes it puts them down real good. I say just shoot a big old broadhead and you will be fine snuffers are the best I've seen.
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When you say shoot for the drummies, are you saying the upper leg shot is good. What exactly do you aim for on this shot?
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On a broadside shot aim for the top of the thighs and just a little forward, you are just about shooting them in the middle of the body, do not shoot forward or high, stay low and back. Facing away, right below the poop chute and facing you, right under the beard. Just use a large, multi blade head, no stoppers or adders and you will do fine. Good luck, Mark
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Yes, have shot a few and had to learn the hard way about arrow placement. The wing butt is great "if" you hit it, but shoot high, low or forward and you hit nothing. Mark
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This is a good topic! I've made up my mind to hang up the shotgun this year as well. I've done well in the past with my shotgun but this year I'm gonna try my best to bloody my new Dryad Windtalker during the spring turkey hunt. A friend of mine loaned me some video tapes featuring bow hunts out of the double bull blind. A large portion of the first tape I watched featured turkey hunts. These guys were flat putting them down. Most of the shots were aimed at the backbone, regardless of the position of the bird. The majority of the birds went straight down. I was amazed and encouraged... I truly believe if I can slip a 3 bladed head, in my case a woodsman, into the backbone of Mr T then he's not going anywhere.
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Come on Biggie,
We can quote you on that, but I think the "boys" you hang with would have to disagree. And besides, turkeys are stupid, you just have to get em closer.... (said by my 7 year old son, after 4 days of unsuccessful hunting with a buddy), "really Dad, just shoot the one off the porch, he tore the screen up this morning"
sure enough, big tom, on the deck, fighting with himself and ripped the screen to pieces....
stupid birds anyways. The plan is in place, just waiting to see if I get drawn for this spring, Mr Tom, I would like you to meet Mr Snuffer........................
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I think it will be very challenging. It seems the two most important items to have with you...besides your stick and your call... is a decoy, and some type of blind material, like burlap. you can get away with hiding in some natural foliage, but in my case, in Colorado, I may not find any. hence the burlap.
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Kentucky heart shot.
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Double bull blind...fun fun fun....head shots
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I definitely no going to use one of the portable blinds. I get kinda claustropboic, so about the most I will use is blind material.
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I'm with Biggie...but I prefer #5s! Seriously, I've killed two with a bow by hitting them where the wing meets the body, but I've also lost one that way. The folks I know who are most successful shoot them in the thighs and if I go after them with my stick this year, that's what I'll be aiming for.
Claudia
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Suggest you use a blind. Don't set your decoy(s) more then 10 paces out from the blind. Limit your shot to anything at the decoy or closer. I find a broad side shot best but be prepared for the bird to run to even fly. I have killed two that both took flight One died in the air, the other required a second arrow. Two others ran but made it less then 30 yards. Just rememder to really concentrate on a specific spot or you will be screwed. 39 days till I'm out there a huntin em!
Warning, once you start hunting turkeys with a bow, you won't want to quit!
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what mark said
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Ilike the pooper if their struttin. If they're standin I prefer em with their back to me and try to put the arrow in the vitals via the spinal cord. Or if your shootin an arrow with an insert it's hard to beat that Gobbler Guillotine and a head/neck shot. Makes a nasty picture though...
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A friend of mine swears he can call one to 12 yards from me easy at his lease. He's got a chair stand set up, etc. I'm gonna try to get them with a gobbler guillotine.
Failing that, the 2" tree shark will be tried...
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A big snuffer and a close Tom ,wait till he try's to mount your decoy and put it in his spine,or when he starts fannin ya wait till he turns and shows ya the bulls eye ,and give em the snuffer enema.
Bow Hunting for Turkeys by Jack Brobst great book and deals with the subject of shot placement,hunting stratigies,ect,ect
[email protected]
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A 3 1/2" Magnum load of #6's!!! (oops sorry) :banghead:
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Bigge...As Dirty Harry said, "A good man knows his limitations!" :D
SoftPoint,
The spine shot is the best, but the bird doesn't have to be strutting. It is easier to move on a bird when his head is blocked by his fan, but that isn't a problem when hunting from a blind.
Hit 'em directly between the wings in the middle of the back and he's going NOWHERE!! (a few inches high or low and he's still down in his tracks) Always use a string tracker though, for added insurance just in case you are off to either side since they won't leave a blood trail.
Here's some pics and other info if you're interested:
http://www.bowsite.org/bowsite/features/articles/turkeycolumn/column1/
Good Luck! :thumbsup:
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Double Tequila, a little tonic water and a twist of lime. Pick the turkey up at the grocer. :-)
Just kidding turks are king. Good luck with all the good info you are getting.
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HEY I LIKE TO SHOOT THEM IN THE HIPS OR THE HEAD.
HIPS NOCK'EM DOWN AND GIVES YOU TIME TO GETEM BEFORE THEY FLY,BREAKING ALOT OF BONE AND SEVERING MAJOR ARTERIES. THAT WOULD ALSO BE A BRAUDSIDE SHOT. THE HEAD, WELL THATS PRETTY MUCH JUST WHAT IT SOUND LIKE, IN THE HEAD AND ITS DONE RIGHT THERE.
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I agree with Mark. My experience says to stay further back than you want to. That big breast is tempting but the broadside shot is the thighs. A turkeys vitals are there. Plus, if he can't run, he can't fly. Never shot one from behind but I suppose the little round spot would make a good target. Be patient, and wait for the shot. Dave.....
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Try this http://www.bowsite.com/bowsite/features/articles/turkeyshoot/
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Now that was FUN!!! I'm now scoring 90 consistently on the turkey shoot posted above -- There is one I can't figure out.. A word to the wise the score seems based on your ability to hit the top of the wing at the base of the neck, regardless of angle. Some of the shots discussed here are considered misses there. I tried shooting thru the drummies a time or two. Once you figure out what they want though, it's pretty easy to figure out where you need to shoot.
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Turkey season is near so I'll bring this one TTT so some more people can see it! I'll be out there with my little 52" recurve lookin' for some turks this saturday!!