- What size shot do you prefer in your shells and what length?

I use Winchester Copper Plated Supremes12 Guage 3 inch No #4. I used 6s in the past but the 4s give me more muzzle velocity, Which results in better kockdown power while it also increased my lethal yardage- IF I need it..

- What's your favorite turkey vest?

I bought one of thos Dixon vests some time back as part of the cost went to Cancer research. I wore a Buck Creek vest until I wore it out afterr many years of abuse.

- What kind of scope do you prefer? Fixed, variable power, red-dot...(For those of you that use scopes)

I started with just the barrel beads - missed a bird and then went to Tru Glo adjustable sights. From there as my eyesight got poor I went to a Nikon Monarch Turkey Pro. YOU ARE CORRECT. DO ADD OPEN SIGHTS OR A SCOPE. GET AWAY FROM THE NORMAL SHOTGUN BEAD. Sights of any type FORCES YOU TO KEEP YOUR HEAD DOWN.

AFTER ALL THOSE TURKEY LOADSARE JUST LIKE SHOOTING A DEER SLUG at less than 40 yards!

- What kind of decoy set-up do you prefer? (For those of you that use decoys)

When I use decoys I liketo use3 of them. I really enjoy when that Tom comes in to kick butt! I use a Strutting Tom, with a full bodied hne slightly in front of the Tom and then my Bobblehead Hen off at a distance of 6 or 7 yards to one side or he other. OR - I use one hen decoy OR Nothing at all. It is the time of year, the type of terrain, and how well I know the area that dictates IF IUSE decoys.

- Do you prefer blind hunting or still hunting?

In the states I hunt the terrain dictates wheter it is a blind or Gun and Run. My blind sitting (I do like it as I am old) is the result of patterning birds and knowing the blind IS in a LOCATION - I will see birds. If I can not do that it is back to Gun and Run. However - there is some Terrain that Gunning and Running is not possible not only because of the topography of the land but I don't ahve enough land area to do it. Sometimes I am forced to stay wihtin the boundaries of 20 or 40 Acres.

- At what distance should I pattern my shotgun?

Your shotgun and load of choice will dictate your lethal range. My Rule of Thumb is 8 to 12 pellet holes in the spine, skull. eye or juglar vien on the neck of this target. I do NOT count pellet holes in the flesh at all.

Free target - all you need is a printer -
http://mdc.mo.gov/nathis/birds/turkey/target.htm
I know I can lethally kill beyond 40 yards. But why do it? Turkey hunting to me is call them up close - the closer the better! That is my personal preference. [NOTE: Not slamming anybody here who long distance shoot]. I am proud to say - my average distance from where I have sat is 21 yards and getting closer. Last years bird was 11 paces in front of me!

JW