How far.......


twowetdogz

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I picked this question up off a different forum, where it's causing quite a stir (Some of you have probably seen it). Just thought I'd see what people on here have to say. Note, it's not my original post, but wanted to leave as is.

How far away is too far to shoot at a turkey?

I say with the advent of TSS, 70, even 80 yard shots are possible.

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I have 2 guns that are easily capeable at 70 yards. My personal limit is 40 yards..........even with those 2 guns. My opinion is that if I can't call a bird inside 40 yards, I haven't sufficiently done my part in beating him at his game and I will let him walk. To me, it's waaaaay more about the hunting than it is the killing.

If I wanna shoot something at 70 or 80 yards, I'll go shoot a groundhog.

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I have 2 guns that are easily capeable at 70 yards. My personal limit is 40 yards..........even with those 2 guns. My opinion is that if I can't call a bird inside 40 yards, I haven't sufficiently done my part in beating him at his game and I will let him walk. To me, it's waaaaay more about the hunting than it is the killing.

If I wanna shoot something at 70 or 80 yards, I'll go shoot a groundhog.

I agree fully....well, except the part about having 2 guns that are capeable of 70 yard shots!! My shotguns are doing good for a 45 or 50 yard shot! :rolleyes:

The strategy of calling and being 'setup' right makes for a real fun hunt.

I guess the closest thing I could say to those who haven't experienced it, is that it's addictive. Makes me want to call in sick to work and burn up my PTO time chasing these birds.

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Please keep it under 50. I grew up with a master (my dad) and we always kept them at less than 40. Either they are coming toward you or they aint. I personally watched my dad pop on at 63 yards one morning and after realizing the "run and gun" distance he regretted it, even though the bird was dead. i dont care what your shooting, any shot at a turkey over 50 is beginning to get careless.

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70 - 80 yards? I can see that deer hunting with a rifle...turkey...no way. Farthest I shot a turkey was around 35 yards last spring....the closer I can get them, the better....I want a dead turkey, not a wounded or missed turkey....Hunting is not about how far you can shoot and kill something....it's not a competition....

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How far away is too far to shoot at a turkey?

I say with the advent of TSS, 70, even 80 yard shots are possible.

I say you're about 20 to 30 yards further than what would be a high percentage kill range. Your 70 to 80 yard range may kill at those distances but there's a far greater chance of wounding than killing at that range. Considering your position, I can certainly see how this debate got heated in another forum. Nuff said there.

I agree with Strut10. Turkey hunting, for me at least is not about how far you can kill at turkey. The hunt part of turkey hunting is why it's so enjoyable. It's not about just killing birds. A dead bird is a bonus to a hunt.

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I like em inside 25 yards with the bow.

I always considered 40 yards my max with my 835 using an Undertaker choke. I misjudged a bird and killed him at 50 yards with that setup but will not do it again. I now have a Lohman choke that is tighter at 40-45 yards but 50 is a poke for any gun. I depend on my rangefinder a lot while turkey hunting and still consider the 40-45 yards my max in open ground. I recommend a rangefinder to every turkey hunter.

If you have to compensate for trajectory for shooting turkeys with shotguns, they are too far!

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My first spring gobbler was a 55 step away affair. I got the turkey but the shot did not kill it but disabled it. That bird taught me a very big lesson. No matter what your pattern is the speed of the pellets at those distances is much slower than when they started out in the barrel. Besides like several others have said calling one in to under 30 yds is the fun and excitement of the hunt. I prefer to have a bird so close I can't miss rather than a hail Mary that only might hit it or worse hit it and not kill it.

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Please remember, the original question was NOT my question. I just pulled it from a different forum. I personally do not shoot over 50 yards MAXIMUM, and much prefer shots under 35.

I agree it's definitely a lot more fun, and a lot less chance of sending a wounded birds away.

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I don't know about 70-80 yards, but 40-50 is the limit for me as far as my Mossberg 835 goes. As far as my Mathews, I'd say it depends on my target; head or body. Head shot with the Magnus Bullhead: no farther than 20 yards. Body shot with the Rage 3: 30 yards tops.

Dakota :)

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