Need some tips on getting a turkey with a bow

sunset · 02-01-2004, 05:47 PM

I've never gotten a turkey, let alone a turkey with a bow....any helpful tips??

bow_huntr · 02-01-2004, 09:56 PM

I think we are in the same boat Sunset. There has got to be somone that knows a lot about it that wouldnt mind sharing with us.

pup · 02-01-2004, 10:12 PM

well i dont know alot. but a good ground blind does wonders, and practice lots because shot placment is key. also i good wide cut mechanical head will out perform a fixed blade any day for turkeys

hunter9022 · 02-01-2004, 10:28 PM

Do the almost the same as with a shotgun, just closer and with a bow. Blinds help big time, but dont get careless with them. I missed a chance at a gobbler this last fall when i was tryin to close a window in my blind. This is one animal i can recomend wide cut mechanicals, they leave a good hole and most of the time theyll stay in, making the bird unable to fly away. When using decoys, set them about 10 to 15 yards away. If its a hen, have her facing away. If its a jake, have it facing towards you. Most of the time a gobbler will confront the jake decoy, allowing you to put one in from the back and break its spine. Shot placement is CRITICAL. Aim for the wing base on broadside shots, the base of the fan on facing away shots, and above the beard on frontal shots(allthough try to avoid these). I personally like head shots if they're close enough and the situation allows that i wont make a bad shot and just hit the beak or something. Thats all i can remember right now.

walks with a gimp · 02-01-2004, 10:41 PM

Lots of different sounding calls!!! I raised wild turkey chicks for 2 years and got lots of "information" from them. Some of them didn't even sound like a turkey should

Lefty Llewellyn · 02-02-2004, 01:43 PM

Agree with everything hunter9022 stated. I just don't attempt head shots. Blind is a must. Decoys 10-15 yards away max. Look for less than 25 yard shots and practice those sitting or on knees depending on blind you purchase.

jeffmiller · 02-02-2004, 03:00 PM

I use a Double Bull blind, and keep the decoys within 10 yards. There isn't much to shoot at, so the bird should be pretty close.