Ok Trad Gangers just were is the best place to arrow a gobbler.
In the neck! The body kill is the same size, but you can't see it, and even then a possible lost bird.
Get some Bullheads and have fun!
Click here for some info (http://tradgang.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=056946;p=1)
This thread might help you some. Good luck!
Straight up the keister (facing away) or right next to the beard (facing to). Never had one make it out of sight with those shots. I like facing or quartering shots. Lots of bad experiences with broadside shots. Never lost a broadside shot that took out their hips though. They are a TOUGH bird.
(http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j297/treeyelpr/Turkey20shot20placement20chart202.jpg)
I shot one facing me through the neck,went 80 yards. Shot one facing right broadside, hit him between the beard and wing-butt, went 1 foot.
I have noticed that the wingbutt shot on a broadsibe full strut turkey really puts 'em down hard and fast! I will take any high percentage shot that they give me though, im not picky!!!
Took the landing gear out on this Jake last year, through both thighs. He went nowhere. I do prefer straight on or straight away, vent or base of the beard. Hate to say it but I've lost a few that were "perfect" broadside shots.
(http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e173/Yellowdog3822/P5120088.jpg)
I've had 3 that I shot in the back, taking out the spine into the vitals, fly over 200 yards. They don't need legs to fly, and can fly a good ways when vitally hit.
I have had a couple body hits that fell pretty quick. No doubt, the best shot on a turkey is the neck. Cut off the electricity from the brain, they go nowhere. And a miss is simply a miss..
I have yet to lose a bird, but have had to search high and low for a couple! The head on or facing away is a great shot as you can get a "poleaxing" effect on 'em and usually break their back in the process leaving them incapacitated!!!
Big 160 Snuffer through the body (great pic above btw!) or a "Bullhead" in the head and/or neck and they won't go far... Well shouldn't go far.
Tough bird!
Lopped the head off a 9 1/2" Eastern in '08 and missed twice at the 4" - 5" Tom that came back to stomp on him... ;)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v493/Bowhunter4life/IMG00020.jpg)
I try to keep my shots at 1/4 away and directly into the back. Much less chance of deflection off of the breast bones. Quickest way to the vitals and vital bone / nerve structure. Also, from the back you have a larger margin of error IMO.
160 Snuffers rule for turks!
Alright thanks for info men.
Boy this was posted at the perfect time for me. Heading south in less than 2 weeks to hunt some for the first time. Thanks for sharing!
Straight up the keister with a big Simmons Treeshark!