If you got a bird everytime they would call it turkey killing not turkey hunting.
I have always felt that it is the close calls that keep you coming back. I will not speak for everyone but I do know alot of guys that have missed (myself included more then once[

]) and it only makes that day you do connect that much more special.
Just tell him to keep at it. Getting that first bird with a bow is well worth it.
Good luck.