Hey Turkey hunters: A couple of questions for you. Last fall, during a pre-season work trip, I saw a bunch of turkeys from one of our blinds. I'm probably going to let my son shoot all our deer this season. Idon't plan on doing any dedicated turkey hunting, but, would love to take one if it happened by while waiting for a deer to wander in range,as well asany hogs, foxes, or bobcats thatcome by...

Anyway, here are the questions. If I put out a turkey decoy and do a little clucking on a turkey caller, what effect is that likely to have on the deer or other animals in the area? Will the turkey sounds keep them away? Or are they likely to ignore it and just do what they always do? Also, my deer rifle is a .243. What do you recommend for shot placement? Head shots only?

I'm planing on doing a little turkey hunting while deer hunting , I did last year and had no problem with the deer .
In fact it seems that the deer feel more at ease when they see turkeys around , I had a bobble head hen decoy out in front of my blind and the deer just walked right in.
I don't use a gun , I'm strectly a bowhunter but I was told by gun hunters that you always make a head shot when using a gun.

Thanks RD. It seems intuitive that, as wary as turkeys are, whitetails would feel more comfortable with them around. I guess the main concern I have about trying a head shot is that they don't hold still very much. I was thinking maybe waiting for a frontal shot and aim at the base of the neck.But, I really don't want to ruin the meat if possible, so if head shots are it, I guess that's what I'll try...

with a 243 and varmit bullets you should be fine hitting the head and any part of the neck including down into the feathery part. just don't go down too far or you'll destroy meat. the main thing about killing a turky with a firearm is either hitting the brain or breaking the neck.

is it legal to shoot a turkey with a high powered rifle?

It's legal in Texas.