Archery for Turkeys?


PAbowhunter86

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Re: Archery for Turkeys?

I am ADDICTED to archery hunting for turkey. In fact, I have an 835 with a Rhino choke and some Nitro ammunition that will be collecting dust for a LONG time.

At any rate, your deer set up will be fine, just like any other animal, as long as the shot is well placed, any broadhead will do the job. That being said, I do prefer a large cutting diameter mechanical head for the added insurance on a less than perfect shot.

As for aiming, if you feel confident enough, you can go for the head, but I must warn you, it's pretty hard hitting a ping pong ball that never sits still lol, so I prefer body shots.....

Head On- Aim about 1" above the beard, or for the base of the neck if you wish

Facing Away- Place the pin right on his "rear" bullseye. Yes, it's what you think it is lol

Broadside- There are actually several different theories on this one. Some say the wing butt so you break their wings and they can't fly, others say the drum sticks so you break their legs and they can't get off the ground, while others go straight for the vitals, which are a little further back on turkey than most people think. Their tiny vital section is positioned almost exactly in the middle of their body, so keep that in mind when practicing or a shot opportunity arrives.

Whatever braodhead and shot you choose, good luck this season bud!!

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Re: Archery for Turkeys?

This is my second year using only a bow. Like about all things everyone has their opion on broadheads and shot placement. Here is mine I like bigger cuts. I use nap 100 gr spitfires, sort of on the small size at 1.5" cut, others use 1.75"-2.75" cut expandables while others use deer broadheads. Personal preference, they all work as long as you put it where it needs to be.

Where to shoot, same here. Some say shoot for the wingbutt and so forth, heres a link with some pictures to show you Shot Placement .

I plan on taking out the drumsticks area, here's a picture 26Aim.jpg .

I to have been looking into shot placement and from what I've been reading this sounds the best place to aim, high you get spine, low drumstick can't run or fly, front more vitals, back miss, right on vitals and drumstick but again personal preference. Big thing Have Fun, esp. with a gobbler 3 yds away spitting and drumming. Hope this helps some.

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Re: Archery for Turkeys?

I own a Mossberg 835, but I let all my friends barrow it because I only hunt with the Hoyt.

Shot placement depends on the angle of the bird:

-Gobbler facing me- I aim for the base of the beard

-Gobbler broadside- I aim for the wing base. As the bird quarters away more I bring the aim point back more

-Gobbler facing away- Right in the pucker button.

With Gobbler guillatines I'm aiming for the neck.

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Re: Archery for Turkeys?

I remember a guy up to work, who after getting his first arrow killed turkey, commenting that he would never bowhunt for turkeys again. Why? Because, he claimed that the arrow stuffed feathers and feather pieces all through the breast meat and that they were almost impossible to get cleaned out. So, he claims that he lost a lot of meat because of that.

I have never shot a turkey with the bow yet, so I don't know whether he was just full of it or whether this really is a problem. I'm assuming that what he was referring to was that the traditional shotgun shot is usually aimed at the head and neck area (no edible meat) but a bow shot is generally aimed so as to stuff the arrow right through the main part of the body (hence the trail of feather debris through the breast meat).

So, you guys who have arrowed a turkey before, what's the verdict? Is this guy just blowing off steam or does he have a real point?

Doc

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Re: Archery for Turkeys?

[ QUOTE ]

I remember a guy up to work, who after getting his first arrow killed turkey, commenting that he would never bowhunt for turkeys again. Why? Because, he claimed that the arrow stuffed feathers and feather pieces all through the breast meat and that they were almost impossible to get cleaned out. So, he claims that he lost a lot of meat because of that.

I have never shot a turkey with the bow yet, so I don't know whether he was just full of it or whether this really is a problem. I'm assuming that what he was referring to was that the traditional shotgun shot is usually aimed at the head and neck area (no edible meat) but a bow shot is generally aimed so as to stuff the arrow right through the main part of the body (hence the trail of feather debris through the breast meat).

So, you guys who have arrowed a turkey before, what's the verdict? Is this guy just blowing off steam or does he have a real point?

Doc

[/ QUOTE ]

I've taken grouse with my bow setup, and didn't have any feather problems with the meat, I can't see where it would be any different for a Turkey,, but can't honestly say, I haven't taken a Turkey with the bow yet....

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