Turkey on the Wing

[juneaulongbow]

I've seen videos and articles about taking Pheasant on the wing, has anyone taken turkey on the wing?

I had some turkeys out in front of me recently and when they spooked I had a chance to shoot on the wing. I passed not sure where the broadhead would end up if I missed.

Would you?

[centaur]

Hitting them would be one thing; killing them would be another. I have a hard enough time hitting the kill zone with a standing turkey.

[Brianlocal3]

Well , I HAVE shot one on the wing.

The story is this..... I was stalking thru the woods and saw a flock of Turks on the edge of a CRP field so I started my sneak. They went into the CRP and all I could see is the grasses moving but no shots. Well being intent, and young and impatient. (This was about 8 years ago) I went after them straight THROUGH the CRP.
Well naturaly game was over at this point and they flushed up, and without thinking I swung up to draw , hit anchor and released. I shot the bird in the back between the wings and it dropped straight down dead on arrival.

Would I make it a point to do it NO, but sometimes a hot just feels right and I take it. This was one of those situations. It was a 30 yd shot, one I would NEVER think about taking but I DID.

[iohkus]

If I was to set out to "jump" turkeys I would use one of the guillotine broadheads with flu-flu fletchings, shoot for the head. "Close" would either be a clean kill or a clean miss, but I would HAVE to be VERY confident with the shot!

[bigb3303]

I have taken two on the wing, one with a shot gun, one with a bow. The bow kill kept flying for about 100yards ,  just gliding, straight into the side of a ridge. I guess he died in flight, bc his head was down but he kept on going. He was about 10 yards ahead of me, and had just taken off when I shot. I hit him right next to the beard, and the arrow stayed in him long ways.

[BAK]

Over the years I've shot at two on the rise and went under both of them.  Good line but a tad low.  Wouldn't hesitate to try it again though.

[bigb3303]

web page

[bigb3303]

cant fig out how to post a pic

[Cyclic-Rivers]

I am not good enough to do it.

[Friend]

Before taking the shot, consider verifying your state regulations will even permit it.

[Bowwild]

A turkey is easy to wound and lose. I wouldn't even consider it.

[Bill Carlsen]

I believe in some states it is illegal to shoot turkeys on the wing. Check your regs.

[Charlie Lamb]

When using pointing dogs use blunts or field points. Not worth the risk of a good dog being cut by a broadhead when he goes in for the retrieve.

On the flush it can difficult to concentrate on one bird but try hard or you'll likely miss. That's why I prefer to shoot them on the head and not on the wing. It forces me to pick a spot. Like the saying goes, aim small, miss.  

 r

[bigb3303]

[RedShaft]

I was at full draw when Turks was coming off the roost around me. A big tom hovered down 10 yards from me I was at full draw n easily would have shot his on the wing. But I waited till he hit the ground and put one through his chest. But I missed he vitals. Nothing but meat. And no bird found

[TRAP]

Originally posted by Bowwild:
A turkey is easy to wound and lose. I wouldn't even consider it.

Couldn't agree more, but then, so are pheasants and people hunt them with bows all the time. I doubt Id do it.

Trap

[juneaulongbow]

Cool stories Brianlocal3 & bigb3303! Thanks for sharing and Congrats!

Can't see the pics yet...

[2Blade]

I think its possible but there would probably be alot of wounded turkeys before you pulled it off.

[bigb3303]

Thanks juneaulongbow, I cant figure out how to post my pick yet

[bigb3303]

Keep in mind, Even though I killed one on the wing, I would not advise it. The turkeys were up hill from me, and ran straight towards me down hill to take off. I kind of shot out of instinct, not thinking. I used to shoot alot at flying foam discs at a archery club, and I think it just took over, becouse I drew , ancored and relesed before I had thought about it. Some time primitive instincs overide I guess.