Broadheads for Turkeys

[Gary Logsdon]

The one at the top dropped and twirled on the spot while the bird at the bottom ran about 25 yards across a wet field before giving it up.  Both were shot through the wing butts.  One was taken from a DB Blind and the other from a "stump blind" while wearing a Rancho Safari Shaggie suit.  I used a mounted jake and feather covered hen decoy to lure the boys in:^)

[Jeff Strubberg]

Keep in mind I've shot a grand total of two turkeys with a bow. The first was with a blunt to the head, the second was a broadhead hit just above the vent and out through the breat bone.  

If possible, I will pull my judo and go for a head shot.  It's low percentage, but I either have a dead bird flopping in front of my stand or a miss and an unwounded animal.  That head shot turkey dropeed like a rock.  The broadhead hit bird managed to take off and set his wings. I didn't recover that bird until the following morning.

[Soilarch]

At the chance of being shunned....

Has anyone tried the gobbler guillotine or magnus bullhead type broadheads for head-shot. Can they be stabilized from finger-released bows?

[mnbwhtr]

I have used both guillotine and bullhead and both flew good. Haven't shot a bird with either yet but have taken a dozen or so with 160 snuffers. I always shoot a string tracker too in case they fly off. I try for the top of the hips for shot placement it breaks them down quickly.

[Ybuck]

no expert here.
I used R.M. Snyper expandables out of my recurve last spring, to get my tom.
If ya want a fixed blade, i think the WW is the ticket.

[Friend]

Jeff,

Would you think that a broadhead for a head shot would be just as lethal and provide a some margin for error?

If the perfect body shot is presented, then you could take that as an option.

[Friend]

My past experience with 2 3/4" mehanicals using a compound has a proven track record. I will be setting up a new recurve next month and will be targetting 11.0 grains per pound with possibly extreme FOC.  I will then run some penetration test with the 2 3/4" mechanicals. It will be interesting to see what the results yield. My optimism would be quite high if i could locate a rear deploying mechanical that was 2 3/4 to 3.0"
I will post my findings.

[bowmaster12]

havnt used them not an expandable broadhead shooter but rage 2 blades are rear deploying and have a 2.5" cut

[Friend]

bowmasster12,
Thank you for response.
Thought the Rage BH would come up. I have had two compound buddies that had opted for the 100g 2 1/2" version of the broadhead that I used. They lost their first 8 birds before switching to the 2 3/4. I believe they are 5 in a row now without a lost bird. You wouldn't think that a 1/4" could make that much difference, but apparently it does. On many birds, I can pick up the bird and easily look thru and see my partner. The wounds are phenominal. I have sent communications to RAGE twice and they have never responded.

[bowmaster12]

wow whats the name of that 2 3/4 head havent heard of a mechanical that size. i think turkeys are the perfect game for mech heads but i dont trust em for anything else.  keep us posted what you find

[Friend]

The Mechanical Head that I have had 100% success with turkeys is the Vortex 125g at 2 3/4. Have not found the broadhead to be durable, however for turkeys, it is perfect. I can assure you the turkeys don't like them.

[Friend]

Have just sent Vortex with a request to consider a rear deployment verison for the 2 3/4".
Note: this is a two blade.
Also, asked them to consider that this design would benefit both traditional and compound shooters.
Did note that considering a 150g version may do well if the theory that mass has a much greater influence on penetration than the current focus on KE starts to be accepted beyond the trad culture.

I would love to see this design come to fruition. Do believe we could only hope for the 125 g version since speed sells in the compound world.

[RC]

I killed my last bird with a Muzzy Phantom. It worked perfect. I`ve used Simmons mostly and really like the treeshark.
  I hunt hogs and Turkeys at the same time and usely carry what will work for both.Expandables are out of the question for me.RC

[wapitimike1]

I've had great luck with StealForce  Turkey heads. Wish I new how to post pics shot some nice ones, from the Bull!

[beaglesandbucks]

I've killed four turkeys in the last three years.....and NEVER lost one.  All but one...died within sight of the blind.  I lost a number with a compound.

I believe traditional equipment to be superior to compounds for turkey hunting...due to the lack of complete pass throughs.  The broadhead stays in the turkey and does its damage as the turkey jumps around and/or runs.

I've killed three with the Magnus 4 bladed 150....and one with the Muzzy Phantom....200.

Put the arrow in the pelvis...and it's a done deal!

[Charles Sorrells]

I shoot them with a G5 Striker Magnum.  125 grains, 1.5 inch fixed three blade with a good angle of onset with the blades that delivers a little shock too.

Good Hunting!