the one at my taxidermist now was shot with a 12ga and 7 1/2 shot......i think there was one drop of blood on the hide....and no holes or anything that is visible......i wonder if they even bother to close up a shotgun hit that doesnt tear holes?ive seen nasty 22holes....id definently stick with a shotgun....but make sure you dont use a turkey choke or something like that and blow it up bad...just enough to get it dead