Where To Aim on a Turkey
04-11-2007, 07:34 AM
#1
Nontypical Buck
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Eastern Shore MD
Posts: 2,487
Where To Aim on a Turkey
Ok so this weekend will be my first attempt w/ a bow, i know where to aim w/ a gun, But im not sure im confident enough to try a head shot w/ a bow...
Anybody got a diagram that shows the vitals??
Also, where do you aim??
Thanks,
Ed
Anybody got a diagram that shows the vitals??
Also, where do you aim??
Thanks,
Ed
04-11-2007, 07:48 AM
#2
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Sheboygan, Wisconsin
Posts: 1,238
RE: Where To Aim on a Turkey
I've always been told that the best place to shoot is right above the drumstick. Thats where the vitals are and more than likely you'll break the legs and the turkey won't be able to get away. This is just what I've heard, Im no expert. 
04-11-2007, 07:53 AM
#3
Giant Nontypical
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Heaven is my home, temporarily residing in WNY :)
Posts: 6,679
RE: Where To Aim on a Turkey
[/align]From our very own website ... HNI
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[/align]Making the Shot
Drawing an arrow on a spooky, sharp-eyed turkey is tough! Pull your bowstring when a bird's head dips behind a tree, rock, fallen log or patch of brush. Or draw when a strutting tom turns away from you and hides his head behind his big fan.
Turkeys are notorious string jumpers, so let them walk within 25 yards before firing. Fifteen- to 20-yard shots are better yet. Remember to look for any arrow-deflecting limbs or saplings that might cause you to miss a bird.
Unless you can shoot like William Tell, don't aim for a turkey's apple-size head. Shoot for the body vitals. When a turkey is facing you, aim for the center of its chest. Shoot for a tom's upper back if he turns and faces away. When a turkey is broadside, place a sight pin on the base of a wing.
Concentrate on a smooth release and follow through. If you see or hear an arrow strike feathers and meat, bolt to the turkey fast. He'll flop and roll around. Anchor him on the spot so he can't run or fly away.
Then let out a war whoop because you've accomplished one of the greatest feats in turkey hunting!
Drawing an arrow on a spooky, sharp-eyed turkey is tough! Pull your bowstring when a bird's head dips behind a tree, rock, fallen log or patch of brush. Or draw when a strutting tom turns away from you and hides his head behind his big fan.
Turkeys are notorious string jumpers, so let them walk within 25 yards before firing. Fifteen- to 20-yard shots are better yet. Remember to look for any arrow-deflecting limbs or saplings that might cause you to miss a bird.
Unless you can shoot like William Tell, don't aim for a turkey's apple-size head. Shoot for the body vitals. When a turkey is facing you, aim for the center of its chest. Shoot for a tom's upper back if he turns and faces away. When a turkey is broadside, place a sight pin on the base of a wing.
Concentrate on a smooth release and follow through. If you see or hear an arrow strike feathers and meat, bolt to the turkey fast. He'll flop and roll around. Anchor him on the spot so he can't run or fly away.
Then let out a war whoop because you've accomplished one of the greatest feats in turkey hunting!
04-11-2007, 08:14 AM
#6
Boone & Crockett
Join Date: Oct 1998
Location: Hughesville, PA USA
Posts: 18,322
RE: Where To Aim on a Turkey
On the side view of a strutting tom, you aim for the wing butt (where the wing attaches to the bird) or slightly behind it. IF you take out the wings, he can't fly. Slightly behind the wing butt is where the vitals are, like mentioned above, straight up the legs, above the drumstick. This is where I shot my first KS bird and he couldn't fly, expired in under 40 yards. The second bird I shot was walking away, standing upright, obviously you need to aim about center up his body from the back, I was lucky and took out the heart on that bird, he didn't go 30 yards.
Here's the link to a very good anatomy pic that Jeff mentioned on Mathews site. http://forums.mathewsinc.com/viewtopic.php?t=34266
Here's the link to a very good anatomy pic that Jeff mentioned on Mathews site. http://forums.mathewsinc.com/viewtopic.php?t=34266
04-11-2007, 12:11 PM
#8
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Michigan
Posts: 3,329
RE: Where To Aim on a Turkey
There are lots of spots. Above the wing as mentioned, center of the chest (breast meat damage!), directly through the back (spine area) and then also up the bung hole (seriously).
Tom
Tom
04-11-2007, 05:07 PM
#10
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Normal, IL
Posts: 1,552
RE: Where To Aim on a Turkey
As far as I know, the vitals on a turkey are actualy pretty high and far back. Ive heard of two places other than the head that seems to put them down fast. Right where the wing meets the body, hit that and they are done. Second, wait until they are facing away and shoot them square in the middle of the back, spine and vitals neither are good news for the turkey.