I don't know what it is this year but I can't hit the boogers. Tonight, I had my fourth miss at five yards. I missed one last week at the same distance. All Four shots this year have been under fifteen yards and all on tape so I can go back and watch my blunders. I love the Traditional lifestyle but It's real hard not to break out the 870 with copper plated 4's.My hair is falling out from scratching my head after shots. Just had to vent, My wife doesn't understand since she killed her bird on the second day with her compound. Tripper
Don't tell her about how you are missing on purpose so you can hunt longer. I sometimes feel bad when my hunt is over, even if I got a nice animal. Gary
We all like to be successful hunters, but there is more to it than just bagging your bird. I have discovered over the past two seasons what I have been missing over the past 26 years that I have hunted turkeys. When hunting with a gun the hunt is over before it has a chance to begin, but with traditional equipment a person must learn to have patience by waiting for the right shot, while doing this you will get to observe those birds a lot longer. This will not only be more exciting but just think of what you can learn about there behavior, and the more you learn the better hunter you will become. I'm in the same boat as you are but I'm going to stick it out till the bitter end if it means going for many seasons without a bird, some day it will all come together and when it does it will be a turkey hunt you will never forget, there is nothing as good as the first one.
Denny Sturgis had a good article on why we miss and concentration in TBM back in the fall. I know what you mean I missed two last spring and have had at least 5 or 6 shotgun close this spring w/ no shots yet. You still have 5 days left bear down and kill one! :)
I killed my first birds with a bow this year and realized just how easy that the shotgun makes it. I killed 3 with my recurve this season but I had about 6 or 7 in shotgun range that didnt get shot at. But that makes it all the more special when you do get one with your bow. I have even given some serious thought to selling the shotgun and if it were not for me also using it for predator hunting it would probably already be gone. Keep on hanging in there and dont give up you will be a lot happier in the end if you stick with the bow.
You may already be doing this, but I practice the same shots as I will face hunting. Kneeling or from a stool or whatever position you will likely be faced with, with all the clothes (face mask, gloves, etc.). Shooting out of a blind took me awhile to get used to. I just got my first turkey with a bow last week.
I think it was the fifteenth gobbler that I had inside 25 yards (my personal limit is 15 yards). I would have tagged out in the first two days with a shotgun or compound either one. I've learned more about turkey hunting this year than all the years I hunted with a shotgun combined. I used to think that turkey hunting with a shotgun was hard and it can be. That's turkey hunting. Keep your chin up, it'll work out for ya.
David
I hear you dude, I have missed 3 times this season, twice at 10 yards. So you are not alone.
I missed one at under 10 yards on opening weekend and haven't had another opportunity since. At least your getting your chances. Keep after them.
Bill
Widowbender makes a good point, I have done most of my shooting sitting on a stool to simulate sitting in my blind.
I'm just kidding about breaking the shotgun out. I killed several birds last year with my recurve and there is no other thrill than that. I will continue on no matter what. I guess one good thing will come out of this, there will definitely be birds to hunt next year. Tripper
Tripper,
Glad to hear you are getting them close. I've missed on one this year too. Tough little rascals.
Chris
The one time I got to go out so far this year I had one hang at 50 yards and not budge. he talked to me for an hour. Your getting shots and sooner or later it will work out.