RE: How many had success with bow/Turkey?
 

Bust them thru the drums, Turkey's need their legs to get themselves airborne. Don' mess around after you shoot one they are very hard to kill outright.

RE: How many had success with bow/Turkey?
 

Drstalker, I have gotten one turkey with a bow and cleaned about 18 of them last year, no it was 19, 18 domestic turkeies and one wild one. Raised the white ones and 2 dozen chickens. I can clean them blind folded if need be. The way I would clean my birds is I would cut their head off and boil a tub of water to 150 f, (not hotter or colder), then hang them by their feet and start plunking as they come out very easy. I then pull out the esopagus (sp?) and windpipe along with the pallet, don't break this or you'll have a mess and then I then cut out the oil gland entirily, (this is that wod of fat that the tail feathers are in), then encircle the anus where you can reach up and grab the first hardest thing you feel, this will be the gizzard and then the liver and intestings will follow, its just like pulling on a cord, but don't pull with too much force. After the guts are taken out, a spoon works good in removing the lungs which will be fastened to at the top near the backbone and rib section. After your done you can actually reach your hand all the way through the bird and wash out with cold water and dry. I do not split the chest as someone esle said unless I want to freeze a half a bird at a time as sometimes 25-30 lb bird can be a lot of meat for one setting of two.
As someone esle said, be prepared to hold back at full draw for a while because if you wait till their in on top of you to draw back, then your busted, just remember one thing, we learn through our mistakes, good luck and I hope this helps, Bobby

RE: How many had success with bow/Turkey?
 

I've got a hunting buddy that can't believe it -- I've taken three shots at turkeys with a bow, and have three turkeys to show for it. All of 'em have been as a result of turkeys being in the wrong place at the wrong time while I was whitetail hunting.

RE: How many had success with bow/Turkey?
 

A buddy of mine, who I might mention is taking me turkey hunting this spring, has killed somewhere near 20 turkeys with a bow. He uses a Double Bull blind, Muzzy 125 grain three blades (same as he uses for deer), a 70 pound Mathews bow, a few turkey decoys and calls them in. He's telling me most shots are inside of 10 yards, and to shoot for where the wings and spine meet, or the base of the neck.

Sounds easy doesn' t it? We'll see.:) I plan on shooting Montec G5's broadhead.

RE: How many had success with bow/Turkey?
 

Never tried it but would love to someday :D

RE: How many had success with bow/Turkey?
 

I can tell you that Iv taken a "BUNCH" of turkeys with a bow......never hunted them with a shotgun! I lost track of the count a few years ago......the number dont matter anyway,as its not a competition!
I use NAP 100 grn. 3 blade mech. spitfires,Gold tip 55/75 arrows and a Q2XL.
I shoot for where the wing meets the body.......hit them there and you wont have to track them far! Shot placement is "KEY"! I practice from my blind before the season!!!!!!
As far as cleaning the bird.......I got tired of plucking them long ago and now take the breast meat and steak it out.......soak it in zesty italian salad dressing and grill it........Oh,yeah its sooooooGOOD!;)
Nesessity is the mother of invention and I build my own bowholders for use in the ground blind.
They break down into 2 parts are small, light and easy to pack along.......you can put them in a small fanny pack or even the leg pocket of your hunting pants!
They are more expensive than the others on the market......but they are easier to pack along and "Run&Gun" with if ya want to move around and setup alot! They are hand made...... built one at a time, powder coated for a lasting finish and are a quality product! I do build them in a lefthand version as well.
I use a "BOX" or "Slate" call and the bowholder is a must as 2 hands are required to run calls like these.
I do pluck one now and then and put it in the smoker........for special events! I mix a brine for this.......water,cureing salt and brown suger,soak the bird over night in this and your dinner guests will want to know when their invited back for more!
www.stealtharchery.com

RE: How many had success with bow/Turkey?
 

Thank you all for your replies.I hope to tag one this spring and will post pics:)Bill D>