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

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. ;)

RE: Where To Aim on a Turkey
 

[/align]From our very own website ... HNI ;)
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RE: Where To Aim on a Turkey
 

I'm no expert either, took my first bird with the bow last year...but I always thought where the wing connects to the body is the best place to anchor them.

RE: Where To Aim on a Turkey
 

The vitals on a turkey are likely HIGHER on the body than most think. There's a GOOD diagram on the Mathews site.

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

RE: Where To Aim on a Turkey
 

Thanks! Im ready to bust one this weekend, cant wait.... looks like i'll be sitting in the rain though.. be glad to be in my blind :)

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

RE: Where To Aim on a Turkey
 

I shoot them in the hips. I have never lost a bird yet. Break a hip ot leg and they are all done. Cant fly cant run.

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.

RE: Where To Aim on a Turkey
 

The pipe hole shot is the best, you even have a big bulls eye to aim at.

RE: Where To Aim on a Turkey
 

This helped me....

RE: Where To Aim on a Turkey
 

Well, I shot my first turkey tonight. Came in to the hen decoys out in front of the double bull in full strut. Waited until he was out in front of the blind, about 15 yards away broadside, and shot for the spot more or less illustrated in the lower left picture from the previous post. From the legs I brought the sight pin up till it was slightly above the middle of the bird. I may have hit and inch or so lower than the aimed spot.

My buddy saw the arrow go through the bird. Tom flipped up in the air at the shot - landed more or less on his feet and stood there for a couple of seconds - listing badly to the left - looked severely wounded. We thought he would just fall over; but within a few more seconds he started heading off to the right and disappeared in the tamarisk. Two hours of intensive searching resulted in no bird. It got dark and started hailing.

About an hour into the search, I cell phoned one of my long time friends who has killed a lot of turkeys with a bow. He said I likely gut shot the bird - should have aimed much further forward - like the place where the wing attaches to the body - or even where the neck opens up to the front of the body.

Just thought I would share this experience, and throw it out there for general comment. Despite the lack of photo ops at the end, it was a great experience. I have never before in my life been that close to a wild bird.

RE: Where To Aim on a Turkey
 

i've been told to aim for the pocket in ther wing or if the back sides showing aim for the brown eye

RE: Where To Aim on a Turkey
 

As mentioned by another member above, this is the official N.W.T.F aiming point gobbler chart! Study it closely and best of luck to ya!

RE: Where To Aim on a Turkey
 

THe the GC and aim for the head all done then.

RE: Where To Aim on a Turkey
 

if you can remain standing and at full draw without being detected shoot above the wing, or the base on the neck if the bird turns away from you your height + downward angle of shoot will pin the bird to the ground. i've only done this once but give'n the chance i'll do it again. i have better luck holding full draw from a standing position (my buddies thought i was nut's for standing up but the pointis i pulled it off with success)PS-do what ya gotta do.