Hello, as I prepare for yet another turkey season with my bow, I of course start thinking about what ifs...
Now, I feel I am cursed with turkeys, especially with how easy so many make it look.
I am always paranoid the turkeys will take flight and be hard to track, therefore I use a string tracker provided I hit on the first shot.
So on to my question.. kind of lol... I have had my closest opportunities in the woods but see a lot of guys hunting fields.
Is a turkey less likely to take flight being shot in the woods vs a field? Assuming the woods is adequately thick enough?
All my Turkeys thus far have been with other equipment and they always dropped where shot.
Oh and I refuse to hunt them in the yard[attachment=1][attachment=2]
Nope, they will fly no matter where they are.
Start shooting to break the hips/pelvis, and you will have alot less fly away. Plus, you can take this shot at any angle. Yes, they can fly whether in the woods or field.
And I am no turkey hunting guru, but I got that tip from someone that is.
Am no turkey guru but I do avidly pursue them.
Have had "hit' gobs take flight whether in the woods or field on numerous occasions. In my experience, well hit birds typically make a direct flight and when they hit the ground they dive into the nearest cover. Have successfully retrieved many birds for myself and others by compass marking and searching the nearest cover.
Have had significantly fewer birds taking flight when well hit with a large broadhead.
Friend that is funny that you have had quite a few fly after shooting. I have shot quite a few with a bow and even a double and after hitting them they all have stayed on the ground and (knock on wood) I've only lost one. I did buy a string tracker a few years ago and never used it. I have a buddy that has shot quite a few and had several of them fly.
My experience is the same as Bens. I've killed a bunch of turkeys with the bow and honestly can't recall one flying after a hit. If they don't drop quickly they have all run off. The only exceptions are if I get up or out of the blind to go after them. In that case they almost always have taken flight whether in the woods or in the open. If that does happen I have had good luck in finding the bird very close to where they ended up landing. A seriously hit bird will tuck into the first good cover it can find.
Whether they fly or run I give them plenty of time - 4-5 hours if I can and they have either been dead or unable to move enough to get away. I did have that backfire on one occasion when all I was left with is a pile of feathers. Apparently a coyote beat me to it and made of with my prize.
Good luck!
I have had a couple take off, but it very seldom happens with a really good hit. With a good hit, most I've shot have just walked off a little (20-40 yards) and died very quickly. A couple i didn't hit as well flew. Most were dead close to where they landed, which can be a long way away and potentially out of sight, particularly if you're in the woods.
I used to squeeze on a tight fitting rubber washer behind the broad head. This prevented pass throughs, they got tangled up running away.
Woods or field depends on the birds preference. Fields are good in early mornings, birds seem to like the woods during mid day. Scouting the birds before season is a good idea and if you can locate their roasting area, be there in late afternoon.
The most important thing with a turkey is shot placement. A broadside shot may not give the best results because they're vitals are well protected by feather quills and bone. Wait for a quartering away angle about hip bone level so the arrow can get to the chest cavity.
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Thanks for the tips everyone.
Joe, that makes sense about not running after them too quickly causing them to take flight.
Ron, the only roasting site I know of in my oven :readit: :knothead: lol.
I watched them this morning and have a pretty good idea on travel patterns based on where they roost for the night. Seems they prefer roosting in 2-3 areas. Last night they roosted by the house and I hate to wait before leaving for work as to not run them off lol
I took this picture after they were far enough away[attachment=1]
I will add a different tip on the woods vs. field edge...I like hunting the woods in a small opening a lot better than a field edge. I find that most birds will commit to a jake decoy upon enter the opening in the woods. My theory is that they cannot see the decoys (I use a jake and hen usually), so they wander through the woods coming to the hen (call) and as soon as they see the jake right there by the hen and they are all with in about 30 yards (turkeys and dekes), they get ticked and come right in to show it who is the boss.
I have seen way too many turkeys wandering around a field ignoring the dekes and calls. My theory there is - there is no surprise hence no need to rush right on over. Sometimes they do, often they don't. It gets worse as the season moves along too.
I also have a theory that I am not a guru.
We should always be learning....helped me successfully arrow number 35 at noon today.
Quote from: pdk25 on April 15, 2019, 09:09:53 PM
Start shooting to break the hips/pelvis, and you will have alot less fly away. Plus, you can take this shot at any angle. Yes, they can fly whether in the woods or field.
This has been my limited experience, as well. Hit where the legs join the body and they drop and flop.
I've killed a lot of birds and only 2 have taken flight. One was on the edge of a big cliff and he just pitched off. The other was shot right through the head and flew over 100 yards. I usually shoot them through the wing butts on broadside shots but have taken a few through the hips with good luck. My absolute favorite shot is facing straight away. Either standing or in full strut
Both of these birds didn't go very far at all. Both shot through the wing butt.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=lgfQaGZR5U4
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=gN50QdD6Am0&t=332s
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Great camera work there, and shooting... What was your camera set up?
Awesome job, Greg..
Quote from: Carcajou on April 17, 2019, 09:20:25 AM
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Great camera work there, and shooting... What was your camera set up?
Thanks. I am using a cannon vixia g40
Thanks guys. Good stuff as usual Greg. Congrats friend. I had a large group of toms strutting and fighting on the other side of our sand pit today. My season is still a week away but sure does get juices flowing
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I killed a handful with my bow and tore up a lot of meat. I just use a shotgun now and don't lose any meat.