First serious let down in my traditional archery journey.

[Friend]

Would believe that any worthwhile journey would be filled with many obstacles and challenges that cause us to fall many times and likely never provide us immunity. The objective is to continuously get up time and time again and find joy in the learning experience. We are always beginning again,

[KyRidgeRunner]

Originally posted by KentuckyTJ:
They are tough to kill. They also when wounded will seek out a hiding spot under a log or something as well. I have seen that several times.

X2!

I've lost them with compound as well.  Don't let it get you down.  I shot one once during fall gun season (deer) with my bow.  My cousin and I was in a blind we watched the bird wobble up the hill and pile up on a rock... so he and I sat there talked about the "perfect" shot I had made and we was content to let the bird lay there while we waited on a deer for him.  20 minutes later and I mean 20 minutes! He got a weird look on his face and said your bird just got back up

[Shadowhnter]

The answer? A Chad Orde string tracker...

[Bowwild]

I have one of Chad's string trackers. Very well made.  I've never put it on my hunting bows. Our last day is Sunday.  That will be my last chance to hunt this spring. I'll put that string tracker on my Blacktail Sitka (I've already shot it a few times for practice).

[Boone the Hunter]

2 seasons ago I had 3 Toms come by my blind with couple Jake's and bunch of hens. Put a similar shot on one of the Toms at about 15 yards, in the moment I felt good about it though I knew I didn't smoke em I figured he'd be toast quick. At the shot however turkeys exploded and ran in every direction into the thick river bottom I was hunting and during the few seconds I was falling out of my blind (next time I'm going through the side like a linebacker haha) I mixed up what  which of the turkeys was the one I shot, they literally went in every direction and I was left guessing which way to run. Needless to say I spent forever trying to find him and was sure he was dead right in there somewhere but it was hopeless without some basic direction. Like always though that's how you learn so don't be discouraged to much, sounds like you are a good hunter and didn't make a bad shot, turkeys are a small difficult target.
     I leaned to keep my eye on the bird when hunting from a blind long enough to confirm direction no matter how bad I want to run after em.

[gvdocholiday]

See my post titled, "The toughness of turkeys."

This pity party is not short on invitees.

[mnbwhtr]

String trackers can be a big help but birds can still be lost, experience talking.

[NY Yankee]

I would like to take one with a bow but my conscience makes me use the 12 gauge. Turkeys are tough to kill with a bow sometimes. I'm the type that beats myself up badly if I wound something. I need to sleep well at night lol. Well at least the carnivores got a free meal.

[LITTLEBIGMAN]

someone may have said it already , but invest in a string tracker, I never hunt turkey any more with out one.

[hvyhitter]

Around here a 'yote may get your bird before you do if it gets out of sight............... We chase em quick once they're hit.

[dresnor]

That may have been the case. We have trail camera video of coyote, red and gray fox, and bobcats within 50 yards of where I shot this turkey.

I have out several times since and only seen hens, all the males have moved on.

Jeremy

[maineac]

My first turkey, a jake I shot a bit back and after a chase, and some tracking that was way above my pay grade, I found where he had back tracked on himself and had to put another arrow in it.  I had another I hit perfect (I thought,) slight quartering to, sitting on my jake decoy he had just defiled, entered right at front of elbow into chest, out other side cutting secondary feather.  Hopped up, walked off.  Great blood trail when I picked it up a half hour later. Led to a pool of blood and no turkey.  Brought my shorthair back and covered the area thoroughly.  Nothing.  I got a string tracker, but I hate having to tie on the string, and then untie and to move.  so I decided only head and neck shots.  Either a miss or a kill.

By the way, this weekend is the Maine Traditional Archers Black Fly shoot at the Durham Rod and Gun Club. Registration starts at 8.