Turkey Anatomy and Shot Placement

[huntin_sparty]

Great stuff thanks!!

[awbowman]

Love me some turkey hunting!  Congrads.

[awbowman]

Don't want to hijack the thread by any means, but what do ya'll think of the thoery that says go down in poundage or use a head that will not allow exit of the arrow to slow the turkey from traveling further?

Ya'll cam PM me with ya'll thoughts.  Thanks

[Guru]

Originally posted by Rod in SC:
Curt,

Would it be possible for you to post pictures of turkeys in different positions and put a photoshopped spot on where you would aim?
  Ive only killed a couple with my bow and I did lose one as well.  I think if I saw where I should pick a spot at different angles I could memorize those photos and I would never miss again!  The game dept might have to shorten the season!8^)

Thanks,
Rod

Something I can certainly work on...

[mnbearbaiter]

Curt, i believe i saw what you are looking for somewhere on the net a while back! There were black and white photos of turkeys in various positions and a yellow dot was placed over point of aim!

[Rod in SC]

You're a good man.
Thanks,
Rod

[Guru]

The "head on" shot..

 My one and only attept at this shot happened two seasons ago...

 Opening day, I called a jake, three hens, and a longbeard in all together. It was kinda crazy for a minute or so.

Then the gobbler stood, about 8yds away, stone still as the other birds looked to be about to leave.

I knew if I made a good shot and hit dead center, between the beard and bottom of his waddles, it would be "game over".

Not a shot I'd usually take, but with him so close, and standing so still I drew and shot...

Arrow hit a touch higher than I was looking, but dead center...he went nowhere. Just flopped 3-4yds as he was dying...
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The big Snuffer almost completely severed his neck...
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Because the neck was in an S-shape in strutt, the arrow came out the back of his neck skin in the fold and re-entered continuing along his neck, into his body...
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Where it continued into his body along his neck...
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This shot worked out this time. But to be honest, I'm not sure I'd recommend it or try it again myself.

 If you hit dead center and the right height, you're OK. But because of the way turkeys are put together, their bone structure is kinda like a wedge from the front.

An off-center hit has a real good chance of not entering the vitals.

  Just my take on this one...

[Guru]

Originally posted by awbowman:
Don't want to hijack the thread by any means, but what do ya'll think of the thoery that says go down in poundage or use a head that will not allow exit of the arrow to slow the turkey from traveling further?

An arrow isn't going to stop a turkey from flying or running off just because it in him. They are tough, very strong birds!

The only thing that is going to stop a bird from getting away is the damage the BH does while going through. I personally don't think an arrow in the bird makes a bit of difference in recovery.

As for dropping weight, well that goes right along with what I stated earlier...no need for the arrow to stay in the bird. Turkews are tough, shoot what you normally shoot for deer. Let the bh do it's job and get it out the other side, two holes are better than one.

I'd rather have the confidence to know I have enough horse power to shoot all the way through, than drop down to "hope" the arrow stays in.

Just my take on it...

[Fritz]

Thanks for the detailed anatomy lesson and your personal experience. Much appreciated. I'm going to be chasing the turkeys in KS pretty soon and will hopefully have a chance to put your lessons to use.      

[yeager]

Super post Curt....thanks for all the inputs.  One other question; have any of you ever tried using the guillotine type of head.  On a Kansas hunt a few years back a compond friend had them,  but found out that his arrows were not long enough (they hit the sight window as he drew the arrow back).  Well, he gave them to me to use, but after I got in my blind I chickened out at the last minute and stuck with my old Bear razorheads.  Thanks again.

[tarponnut]

Great info Curt! Thanks, I hope to put it to use on an Osceola this month.

[Guru]

Good luck fellas, I envy you guys that get started soon...we have to wait till May 1st here in NY...

Last but not least, my gobbler with Cade last spring.  I hunt that means more to me every day that passes...

This gobbler came in from the side and was circling Floyd when the arrow took him, quartering away, about 15yds.. Arrow entered just in front of the near thigh, and exited just under the opposite wing butt...
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The arrow dissappeared on impact, and the gobbler tumbled, rolled, flapped for about 20yds and it was over...
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You can see in this pic that the arrow must have hung up just before exiting and he dragged it with him for a while...
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Entrance...
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Exit...
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The bloodtrail was short, but sweet...
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Cade pointing out the entrance again...
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[Guru]

My boy...
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"Hit them high, and they die"
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Someone asked earlier about decapitation type heads...

No, I've never used them. I've seen anough video proof to know that they work great..BUT...only with sufficient energy in the arrow.  I've seen enough video to prove this to myself as well. They just don't work well with ligher set-ups.

I'll stick to a big 3 blade to the vitals for now.

Here's some video from daybreak of the morning Cade and I killed "Neight"...
 

[Friend]

Guru - Your system can't kill them any deader.

Great thread and thank you.

[MJB]

Good stuff Curt ! Good luck to you and Cade this Spring  

[rjackson]

Good stuff Curt. Thanks Randy

[Gen273]

Thanks for the great post!!

[LongbowGuy83]

Thanks Curt. My first attempt will be this year and this is just what I needed.

[mnbearbaiter]

Wish i wouldve beat ya to it on this thread, oh well you nailed it better than i couldve with the scientific evidence! Great job!!!

[Flingblade]

Curt,
Very good thread.  Has me pumped for turkey season!  I also am now thinking about trying a string tracker.  One question.  Can the string tracker be shot through the shoot through netting on ground blinds or do you have to take the netting down?