looking for tips for hunting turkeys with a bow
02-01-2004, 08:44 PM
#2
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Deep in the heart of Dixie USA
Posts: 2,038
RE: looking for tips for hunting turkeys with a bow
The pointy end goes in the turkey![:-]
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I've never been brave enough to try it with a bow. I helped a friend try to set up w/ a bow once. We found a natural funnel between a large creek and a slough.
Good luck!
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I've never been brave enough to try it with a bow. I helped a friend try to set up w/ a bow once. We found a natural funnel between a large creek and a slough.
Good luck!
02-01-2004, 09:03 PM
#4
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Lancaster, PA
Posts: 3,240
RE: looking for tips for hunting turkeys with a bow
There was a good article in the North American Hunter (written by Chuck Adams) about bow hunting for gobblers. Here are some excerpts from that article:
I hope this helps you, good luck in the spring!
Use Specialized Shooting gear
Turkeys have a small vital zone. Never take a shot beyond 30 yards. An ideal setup lets you hold at full draw for at least a minute. This means high let-off and a fairly low peak weight.
Scout with Care
Most spring turkeys are called to the bow. The best time for this technique is near dawn, when birds leave the roost tree. Experienced turkey hunters like to "put the birds to bed"
Setup is Everything
Unlike big-game, turkeys see color well, making head-to-toe camo essential. Hide your hands witho camo make-up or gloves, and mask your head with face make-up or a headnet. Use camo to match your surroundings (duh!!)[
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Taking the Shot
Turkeys have incredible side vision. If you can see a turkeys head, the turkey can probably see you if you move. For this reason, its best to draw on a hidden, approaching bird. A dead-center butt shot on a turkey is deadly, with easy arrow access to the chest and spine.
Follow Up with Care
Mortally hit gobblers can fly or run like racehorses. The average turkey bow hunter will smack a bird then chase after it immediately. This can be a huge mistake, because once a turkey's adrenaline is up, in can cover a lot of real-estate before collapsing.
Turkeys have a small vital zone. Never take a shot beyond 30 yards. An ideal setup lets you hold at full draw for at least a minute. This means high let-off and a fairly low peak weight.
Scout with Care
Most spring turkeys are called to the bow. The best time for this technique is near dawn, when birds leave the roost tree. Experienced turkey hunters like to "put the birds to bed"
Setup is Everything
Unlike big-game, turkeys see color well, making head-to-toe camo essential. Hide your hands witho camo make-up or gloves, and mask your head with face make-up or a headnet. Use camo to match your surroundings (duh!!)[
]Taking the Shot
Turkeys have incredible side vision. If you can see a turkeys head, the turkey can probably see you if you move. For this reason, its best to draw on a hidden, approaching bird. A dead-center butt shot on a turkey is deadly, with easy arrow access to the chest and spine.
Follow Up with Care
Mortally hit gobblers can fly or run like racehorses. The average turkey bow hunter will smack a bird then chase after it immediately. This can be a huge mistake, because once a turkey's adrenaline is up, in can cover a lot of real-estate before collapsing.
02-02-2004, 03:35 AM
#10
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: westernPa.
Posts: 2,211
RE: looking for tips for hunting turkeys with a bow
Sunset,The trick to huntin turkey with a bow is to draw all the turkey's attention away from the shooter.decoy's and havin someone else do the callin will help alot.The best time to shoot a gobbler is when he's in full strut and facin away from ya.Not only will he not see you draw the bow or the arrow flyin his way but it also gives you a good target.Aim right for the butt hole,(can I say that here) Good Luck and we wanna see pictures.