Now that Deer season has past all I can do is practice and dream of Spring Long Beards. What broadheads have you used with success for Turkey?I hear Rage makes a head for trad shooters?
The 4 Blade Muzzy Phanton worked great for me. Right through him and he jumped up at the hit and was dead when he fell. The guide said that was the quickest bow kill he had ever seen.
I have used the 160 gr Howard Hill head with success.
I use the same for turkeys as I do for deer. Four Blade Stingers or Slick Trick Razor tricks. Both work extremely well.
Scott
bear Razor with bleeders work great
4 blade Stingers if I am shooting Carbon or 4 blade Zwickey Deltas on woodies.
Any good sharp braodhead will work fine. The broadheads you use for deer hunting should work fine. I like the 160 gr snuffer now. I used a Zwikey 125 2 blade for my frist turkey.
Magnus1 you know the Big Bugger takes a head off clean. but has to be real hair popping sharp
i'll be using 160 grain snuffers this spring.
I used a Magnus Stinger with the bleeder blade and a 50 grain insert on these 2 birds. However, I don't really think it matters which broadhead you use. What matters is shot placement.
After ding'ing a couple of birds last year and this year on broadside shots, I now will only look for back shots or quarting away shot. Pretty much from the base of the tail feathers up to the neck is all vitals. The way the birds pivot can make the kill zone illusive, so when they turn away I am aiming just below and between the wing joints where they attach to the body. A little high means dead and a little low means dead as well as left or right means dead.
The kill zone on the broadside shot is small. I know a lot of guys shoot for the thigh or drum stick and have success, but a straight away or quarting away shot worked the best for me.
(http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm291/BlacktailBuck/Beardedhenplucked12-21-2010comp.jpg)
(http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm291/BlacktailBuck/PaulandTradTurkey112-18-2010compressed.jpg)
Same as other big game, 2 blade 145 gr. Eclipse.
Earl
I would try these---> http://www.magnusbroadheads.com/bullhead_page.html
They appear to be capable?
Same all season, all game. If it works, don't fix it!
I shot this KY longbeard last spring with a 250 grain VPA Terminator. GOOD NEWS, VPA is coming out with a special turkey head called the "SPUR" which should fly extremely well and put a thumping on them!
(Hit F5 on your keyboard to refresh the page if the photo fails to load.)
(http://logsdonstudios.com/turk.jpg)
I've killed two with NAP Spitfires. I haven't lost a turkey with archery equipment but I'm going to the Magnus Bullhead this spring. Folks with more experience bowhunting turkey than I have are more and more recommending head shots. I don't have to wait to lose a couple birds to make me go this route. Head dead turkey or a miss is what I want.
I bought some bullheads last year and tested them in terms of arrow flight. I was very impressed (surprised actually) with their accuracy under 20 yards - cut my turkey neck targets cleanly in half. I won't be shooting throught the blind screen with these babies though.
The what aint near as important as the were...lol..
I've used bullheads with both good & bad results..the bad was my fault not the heads.."They are not 100%"...the only way they can be is if your shooting is & I don't know anybody like that..but when your on they do the job their supposed to..
(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y230/bluegrassbowhunter/archery%20turkey/IMG_1755.jpg)
(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y230/bluegrassbowhunter/archery%20turkey/IMG_0817.jpg)
This ones a magnus 2 blade,poor rascal stuck his head up at the wrong time.
(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y230/bluegrassbowhunter/archery%20turkey/headshot.jpg)
My master taxidermist friend don't like those head shots Roy; messes up their rosy blue cheeks:^) You probably know him, Ernie Akins.
I'm thinking seriously about giving them a try this spring myself. I wonder if they come with practice blades?
Also, for you fellas who shoot them........do you do a larger fletch like a flu flu, or just do a 4-5 fletch?
I've read that those gobbler guillotine require a 5 fletch or basically a flu flu.
Any thoughts on that?
Sorry to the original poster, didn't mean to take over your topic, but this has got to be the most humane way to take a turkey? Dead bird or clean miss, I'll take those odds.
Mine fly great on my normal hunting arrow -- 3, 4" feathers. My arrow is already 2 inches longer than my draw length.
QuoteOriginally posted by SEMO_HUNTER:
Dead bird or clean miss, I'll take those odds.
That's a myth...what happens when ya get barely close enough to chop the beck(sp?) off...you have a bird that's fully capable of getting away & lost it's ability to feed..it will eventaully die if you can't get another arrow in it...there's several more scenerio's I could give ya...
I'm not argueing with anyone on this or trying to hijack this thread,it's just the way it is..the miss or dead bird is a huge miss conseption with these heads...
I've used them & will continue to as the need arises but know their not foolproof...
Good point Bluegrass.
As it seems that in archery nothing is a given.
QuoteOriginally posted by bluegrassbowhunter:
QuoteOriginally posted by SEMO_HUNTER:
Dead bird or clean miss, I'll take those odds.
That's a myth...what happens when ya get barely close enough to chop the beck off...you have a bird that's fully capable of getting away & lost it's ability to feed..it will eventaully die if you can't get another arrow in it...there's several more scenerio's I could give ya...
I'm not argueing with anyone on this or trying to hijack this thread,it's just the way it is..the miss or dead bird is a huge miss conseption with these heads...
I've used them & will continue to as the need arises but know their not fullproof... [/b]
Absolutely Mark, I couldn't agree more, nothing is fool proof...
A local guy I know shoots turkey hunting footage for commercial video from FL to SD each year and has collected a lot of footage which clearly shows that impacted head shots are anything but a slam dunk on a turkey. You should see what happens to a big bird whenever one of the blades fails to do what it was intended to do, is off the mark, or structurally fails. It isn't pretty. Like Guru said "nothing is fool proof".
Passthru2,
I've taken a doz. birds, all with Snuffers. I like that the width helps connect with a small vital zone. A Vt. buddy killed a bird last spring with a Simmons head, another wide blade. I too, can't wait for spring! Regards, Todd
Big Snuffer is my BH of choice for turkeys.
big snuffer or magnus 1 for me
killed one this year with a abowyer brown bear head bird went 5 yards its where you hit them that counts the most
I have taken 10 turkeys with trad gear, I have used WW woodmens, the oringals, 150 total with screw in adapters, and Ace std, 125 with 25 alum screw in adapters. If at all possible, I agree with blacktail bowhunter, the back shot, between the shoulders especially is deadly. The ones I shot head on and broadside(high) ended up in a foot race of 150-200 yds,hard on a old beat up fat feller.
the large dead heads work pretty good.
Guru,
Of course you are correct, nothing is full proof, not even a 10 gauge.
I guess what I mean when I describe my preference for head shots is that there is a lot more bird to miss than wound when going for the head as opposed to going for the body.
Some folks don't even know where to try to hit the bird when aiming at the body. The kill zone on most 3-D turkey targets is the butt of the wing, from the broadside view. I think going for this spot has lead to more wounded birds than any other cause (except for poor shooting). After a peer showed me the vitals of a real turkey I realized the best broadside shot was just above the thigh. If I chose not to go for the head my preferences would be:
1. Back when bird is facing away.
2. Frontal where the beard is attached.
3. Above the thigh.
Of course once that bullhead is nocked on the string there is no choice but to hold the shot or go for the head. I imagine that bullhead will bounce off that turkey's bod like a Morrell bag target.
I use my deer set up, 50 some birds. I just ad a muzzy grasshopper. That way I am shooting what I am used to. Keeps me from screwing up at crunch time.
I like the above the thigh shot also. Love it when I hit the thigh on the way in. Can't run can't fly.
I never have shot one in the back side. Not sure why. Sounds like good results.
Doug
I've shot several with snuffers but prefer Bullheads because you can SEE the kill area. To many people just shoot at the body with a regular broadhead, some get lucky some don't. Lost one with snuffers, lost 0 with bullheads.
For body shots I use the 1 1/4" terminators or any wide head.I have shot turkeys in the head with regular broadheads and the bull heads.The bullheads have worked fine,but like most any broadhead needed to be sharpened.Just shoot for the neck and not the head (lesson learned).On one of the birds I shot in the head with the bull head,the conical point actualy hit the bird center of the head.It stoped penetration and floored the bird.The cuts to the head and neck were massive and the bird bled out in short order.I did shoot that bird again when it stoped in the field.It was bout 40 yards from me on the back up shot.Looking back the bird would likely have not left the field if I hadent shot the second time.It was already starting to wobble.The video is posted on my you tube channel.Just go to my website and click hunting video's then click on one tough turkey.
Bill
Any of you guys ever attempted the sometimes recommended breast-on angle, picked a spot, and then shot the beard clean off!?! I learned my lesson and now carry a special zip-loc bag for special occasions:^)
turkey's is a great way to demo broadheads you want to try on deer or other game.
but I say BIG like a snuffer/treeshark,even a bullhead
Gary when does VPA plan to unvale the SPUR head? I like the heads they have now and that is what I use for turkey, deer, and hogs. I believe shot placement is key has with any game your going to take. Always study anatomy charts if possible.
Gary for body shots,I prefer the strait on or breast shot.Luckily though I have not cut any beards off yet.I can just see you out in the woods.Down on all fours collecting the individual pieces of beard and puttig them in a zip-loc. :D Sorry for the smile,I just could not help myself.
Bill
I will be using 'Vitals Line Cutter' broadheads this season.
In Iowa blungeons, as long as they are 9/16" wide are legal. I have been told by DNR "experts" that it is to reduce the lost birds that are shot with broadheads. That would take more power than any bow I have ever used for turkeys, I believe. I got some four blade Herters that should work. If I could find some Copperhead Talons I would use them for turkeys, they were great for geese.
That's exactly what I had to do Bill. Here's a tip if you ever shoot off the beard. AFTER collecting the lost parts lay them back into position on a piece of wax paper, then cover the end (where it's originally anchored to the breast) with Shoe Goo. It's cured plasticity allows it to removed from the paper and looks like the shot never happened:^) Your taxidermist will appreciate it.
David, the new turkey head from VPA will be available in various weights before spring arrives. The business end of the "Spur" is basically a Terminator, but there are a few surprises ("Spurs") riding behind the leading edges which are designed to impede complete penetration of the bird. It won't be barbed (impedes withdrawal), rather it's designed to slow forward motionn to increase shock, keep the arrow IN the bird, etc. They are streamlined and should fly very well. I was going to be in the VPA booth at the ATA show this week but had a trip scheduled, so I haven't actually had the new heads in my hands yet:^(
Thank you Gary.
QuoteOriginally posted by Fletcher:
Big Snuffer is my BH of choice for turkeys.
I'm with Fletcher...Big Old Snuffer! Buy mine are served via Carbon...we'll the dirt around them seems to be served by them.
I HATE TURKEYS!!! 0-4 on them.
Josh
I will be using 'Vitals Line Cutter' broadheads this season.
Some people refer to them as the Big Elf's 'Big 3's"
Slightly larger than a big snuffer.
Using Muzzy's slash factor equation with the higher number being a greater cut.
Magnus 140 gn 2 bl comes in at 7.5
WW Elite comes in at 10.125
Big snuffer comes in at 13.14
Big 3's come in at 13.5.
May be splitting hairs however, the hair may make all the difference in a particular situation. Also the Big 3 300 gn coupled with a 100 grain insert puts me at 32.4 Ultra-EFOC @ 608 grains(Just above the turkey bone threshold- Ha!). Powerful turkey medicine.
Last spring I severed the base of the neck completely on a 23# tom with a Magnus I for an immediate kill. Not sure I could duplicate this shot, but in this instance, it did the trick. :)
Kris
I used a ww. Worked great until the tom flew away, with my arrow sticking out both sides. Can someone say string tracker?
-Jeremy :coffee:
I use Simmons and Mag I`s . I did kill two with Muzzy Phantoms. I prefer the Simmons TreeShark. Some talk of things to slow penetration. I `ve not shot through most of the birds I`ve shot. I would prefer to slow penetration with Blade width like the big Simmons or Snuffer or add the bleeder in the Mag I. RC
I am on the same page with RC regarding BH size to be the penetrating limitor even though I hope for a pass through.
My 1st eleven unfortunately were mixed in with numerous nonrecovered birds. After going with a much larger BH, my recovery rate on the last 20 birds has increased dramatically.
QuoteOriginally posted by RC:
I `ve not shot through most of the birds I`ve shot. I would prefer to slow penetration with Blade width like the big Simmons or Snuffer or add the bleeder in the Mag I. RC
Good stuff righ there! I couldn't agree more :thumbsup:
Seems as if many are always looking for broadheads for turkeys. I always still end up looking for turkeys for my broadheads.
This last spring a Deadhead worked much the same as the Bullhead, Probably just lucky.
Gotta agree with RC and Guru on this one.
Bill
Couldn't have said it better RC... Magnus I w/bleeder for me and a string tracker.
(http://www.tradgang.com/upload/charlie/09springturkkansas6.jpg)
Thats how you get it done Mr. Lamb! Awesome picture.
Spring Turkey season will be my first hunt in 12 years and I'm hoping to have a good place lined up shortly. The last and only gobbler I took with my longbow I used a 140 grain 2 1/4 x 1 1/2" Sasquatch 2 blade on a POC shaft. This time I'll be adding a 45 grain screw in adapter and mounting it on a Beman MFX 400 shaft.....looks silly on that skinny shaft, but the last time I used this broad head I shot the turkey from the rear and he only went 20 yards. 3 more months....sheesh.
I've had great success with both two and three blade heads.Good and sharp, as well as, arrow placement is key.I like the quartering away shot myself.