Dumb But Serious Turkey Hunting Question

[Cody Gruchow]

I plan on turkey hunting with my bow this year due to i didnt get drawn for the shotgun.

i was lookin at the gullitines(sp) thats suppose to cut off the turkeys head. but i really am not comfortable shootin at such a small target and those broadheads are expensive and for one time us..

now the question were do i shoot them? do i shoot them anywere special on the body? shoot them in the chest? can i use my regular muzzy broadhead to shoot them?

[HD]

Yep, you aim for the body...and yes, you can shoot them in the chest.
Like anything else, if you choose the chest, you will damage some meat.
Keep in mind, that if they are all puffed up and strutting, they look bigger than they are. So center the shot, chosing the center of the bird. With a shotgun, you aim for the head because it does minimal damage to the meat. And, trying to shoot them on the side is like shooting armor, the wings deflect alot of the shot. With a bow, you don't have to worry about it, cause the blades on your broadheads will cut through.

And yes, you can use your regular broadheads that you use for deer hunting.

Hope this helps...
Hunter

[Cody Gruchow]

thanks HD that helps alot. so pretty much distance would be the same as deer hunting also right?

[ChrisWallace]

Well if your using a guilotine and you shoot a bird in the chest you will have just wasted a guillotine as those are designed to take heads off.

Reg broadheads you can take em in the head, a low percentage shot. Right in the chest, not a high opp shot as they have tough breastbones.

The two best places to shoot a turkey with a regular broad head is through the wings. follow the wing down to where the wing joint is, there is a change of color on the feathers where to aim.

The other place to hit em is when the bird is in full strut and facing away from follow the fan down to a "dot" on the rear end, hit him there too.

I would suggest dropping your poundage down as you will be holding your bow for a bit potentially. And dont take after it as soon as you shoot, let it run off and wait for it to die.

The general rule of thumb for shooting turkeys in 5 yards closer than what you can put 2 inch groups at.

Another tip, place your decoys so they are facing you, the birds will come in and circle to confront your dekes. I usually put my dekes in at 7 or 8 yards, it will also help take the attention of you.

[HD]

Yea, I would agree with Chris....
The chest shot is not the best, it can be done, but not the best option.

[DroptineDC18]

I just read somewhere,(can't remember for the life of me where it was), it may have been somewhere on MNO, so I am sorry if I am stealing your thunder, that aiming for the turkey's thighs and breaking one or both legs puts them down quick because they can't run or generate enough power to fly.  You will probably have to take a second shot or be creative in finishing it off, but the guy who wrote the article said it works awesome.  Just another option I guess.

[sjohnnie26]

I read an article in Outdoor Life and the guy said NOT to use Expandable broadheads such as the Rage for turkeys.  Since the skin of a turkey is not as strong as say a deer, there isn't enough pressure to release and expand the broadhead.  So go with a fixed blade.

[ChrisWallace]

I just read somewhere,(can't remember for the life of me where it was), it may have been somewhere on MNO, so I am sorry if I am stealing your thunder, that aiming for the turkey's thighs and breaking one or both legs puts them down quick because they can't run or generate enough power to fly.  You will probably have to take a second shot or be creative in finishing it off, but the guy who wrote the article said it works awesome.  Just another option I guess.

That is what you are doing by taking the wing joints out.

[Cody Gruchow]

is there a picture anywere so i know exactly what your talking about?  :scratch:and as for the rages i dont like mechanical broadheads anyways i shoot muzzy fixed blade mx4s.  have had a few bad run in's with the mechanical ones. 

[sjohnnie26]

Here's a picture I found on google.