Title: What do turkeys do when you drop the string?
Post by: xtrema312 on February 10, 2011, 05:00:00 PM
Post by: xtrema312 on February 10, 2011, 05:00:00 PM
I know you hope they flop around a bunch and take a ride to your house. I have never taken a shot at one with a bow, but hope to get serious about doing so this spring. Do they jump, duck, run, just kind of perk up and stand up real straight, or are they unpredictable? I kind of want some idea of what to expect when taking a shot, and what kind of range limits I may have due to reaction type and time.
Title: Re: What do turkeys do when you drop the string?
Post by: Oliverstacy on February 10, 2011, 05:49:00 PM
Post by: Oliverstacy on February 10, 2011, 05:49:00 PM
They make you look like a fool!
Get a good blind and get them close...5 yards isn't close enough!
Watch the Double Bull DVD's...they're a great help. Looking away is the best shot...hi they die low they go.
Remember...accuracy by quantity!
Josh
Get a good blind and get them close...5 yards isn't close enough!
Watch the Double Bull DVD's...they're a great help. Looking away is the best shot...hi they die low they go.
Remember...accuracy by quantity!
Josh
Title: Re: What do turkeys do when you drop the string?
Post by: maineac on February 10, 2011, 05:50:00 PM
Post by: maineac on February 10, 2011, 05:50:00 PM
All mine this fall jumped up and looked around and walked off after the arrow dropped underneath them
Title: Re: What do turkeys do when you drop the string?
Post by: JEFF B on February 10, 2011, 06:02:00 PM
Post by: JEFF B on February 10, 2011, 06:02:00 PM
the two i shot both ran around with there heads off and i had a job chasing them but way funny.
Title: Re: What do turkeys do when you drop the string?
Post by: stabow on February 10, 2011, 06:08:00 PM
Post by: stabow on February 10, 2011, 06:08:00 PM
They usually laugh. I have yet to hit one of them little buggers. :knothead: :banghead: .....stabow
Title: Re: What do turkeys do when you drop the string?
Post by: koger on February 10, 2011, 06:24:00 PM
Post by: koger on February 10, 2011, 06:24:00 PM
Die hopefully ! All that I have shot have never jumped the string, but have had some chases aftewards. I also need to mention that of the 10 I have taken, all but one were 15 yards and under.
Title: Re: What do turkeys do when you drop the string?
Post by: Orion on February 10, 2011, 06:39:00 PM
Post by: Orion on February 10, 2011, 06:39:00 PM
Most times, they die. Never had them jump the string or do goofy stuff like that. I now hunt from a pop up blind so they usually don't know where the arrow is coming from and don't react until the arrow hits them or doesn't.
Title: Re: What do turkeys do when you drop the string?
Post by: Birdbow on February 10, 2011, 07:00:00 PM
Post by: Birdbow on February 10, 2011, 07:00:00 PM
The ones I've hit well initially jumped more or less straight up flapping their wings then either flooped around more or less in place or ran off a short distance before flopping. If other male birds were present, they usually usaually jump the downed bird and stomp him good!
Title: Re: What do turkeys do when you drop the string?
Post by: recurve_shooter on February 10, 2011, 07:07:00 PM
Post by: recurve_shooter on February 10, 2011, 07:07:00 PM
Putt a few times, then walk away !["[dntthnk]"]("graemlins/dntthnk.gif" "\"\"")
Title: Re: What do turkeys do when you drop the string?
Post by: lpcjon2 on February 10, 2011, 07:09:00 PM
Post by: lpcjon2 on February 10, 2011, 07:09:00 PM
They normally raise the wing and stick up the middle feather as they walk away.
Title: Re: What do turkeys do when you drop the string?
Post by: Gray Buffalo on February 10, 2011, 07:09:00 PM
Post by: Gray Buffalo on February 10, 2011, 07:09:00 PM
If you listen really close you can hear oh-sh**. :scared: :goldtooth:
Title: Re: What do turkeys do when you drop the string?
Post by: Over&Under on February 10, 2011, 07:23:00 PM
Post by: Over&Under on February 10, 2011, 07:23:00 PM
QuoteOriginally posted by Orion:That has been my experience as well. They usually don't react much untill the arrow strikes them or hits near them. They only seem to react if they catch you drawing. ymmv ;)
Most times, they die. Never had them jump the string or do goofy stuff like that. I now hunt from a pop up blind so they usually don't know where the arrow is coming from and don't react until the arrow hits them or doesn't.
Title: Re: What do turkeys do when you drop the string?
Post by: bear1336 on February 10, 2011, 07:47:00 PM
Post by: bear1336 on February 10, 2011, 07:47:00 PM
Been lucky with the 2 I have bow shot they both just jumped stright up and come down and flopped a few yards and died... Shots we about 10 yds and 12 yards....
Title: Re: What do turkeys do when you drop the string?
Post by: Eric Sprick on February 10, 2011, 07:54:00 PM
Post by: Eric Sprick on February 10, 2011, 07:54:00 PM
QuoteOriginally posted by lpcjon2:Thats normally how they have treated me ;)
They normally raise the wing and stick up the middle feather as they walk away.
Title: Re: What do turkeys do when you drop the string?
Post by: Oliverstacy on February 10, 2011, 08:16:00 PM
Post by: Oliverstacy on February 10, 2011, 08:16:00 PM
quote:
Originally posted by recurve_shooter:
Putt a few times, then walk away :biglaugh:
Josh
Title: Re: What do turkeys do when you drop the string?
Post by: snow leopard on February 10, 2011, 08:41:00 PM
Post by: snow leopard on February 10, 2011, 08:41:00 PM
lpcjon2: :laughing:
Title: Re: What do turkeys do when you drop the string?
Post by: BBWV on February 10, 2011, 08:48:00 PM
Post by: BBWV on February 10, 2011, 08:48:00 PM
Well, when I droped the string this past fall they took off and I think I heard them laughing!!
Title: Re: What do turkeys do when you drop the string?
Post by: xtrema312 on February 10, 2011, 09:02:00 PM
Post by: xtrema312 on February 10, 2011, 09:02:00 PM
So it sounds like about half of them just stand there until the arrow arrives. The other half moves out of the way and right back to the same spot after the arrow passes, and they do it so fast you don't even see them move at all. :dunno: :D
Title: Re: What do turkeys do when you drop the string?
Post by: Fischman on February 10, 2011, 09:19:00 PM
Post by: Fischman on February 10, 2011, 09:19:00 PM
When I get in close- under 20 yards they usually don't react until the arrow drills them, but I have seen them duck an arrow telegraphed from longer ranges especially if from a noisy bow setup !!
Title: Re: What do turkeys do when you drop the string?
Post by: MJB on February 10, 2011, 09:35:00 PM
Post by: MJB on February 10, 2011, 09:35:00 PM
xtrema312,
Might want to look into a string tracker. I don't have any experience with them. But Curt (guru) here uses one exclusively for the turkeys
:thumbsup:
Might want to look into a string tracker. I don't have any experience with them. But Curt (guru) here uses one exclusively for the turkeys
:thumbsup:
Title: Re: What do turkeys do when you drop the string?
Post by: Friend on February 10, 2011, 09:36:00 PM
Post by: Friend on February 10, 2011, 09:36:00 PM
Fifteen yard and under game for me.
1. Had birds collapse
2. Hit a bird direct in the chest bone and he fell backwards with wings open and never kicked.
3. Had most birds jump and flop all with-in 5- 15 yards of the hit.
4. Had birds run a semi-circle then just drop.
5. Had one I recall took off in dead run as if I missed and then layed down after 50 yards.
6. Completely severerd a drum stick once and that flew off requiring another shot.
6. Don't care to recall a couple I hit that flew off with my arrow and never were retrieved.
Can't recall all their reactions, at present, but I am sure they have more surprises for me.
The key is quick immobilization.
Have their kill zone down until it is instinctive.
I take the very 1st shot that presents a defined prime target area once he breaks my self imposed 15 yard limit.
1. Had birds collapse
2. Hit a bird direct in the chest bone and he fell backwards with wings open and never kicked.
3. Had most birds jump and flop all with-in 5- 15 yards of the hit.
4. Had birds run a semi-circle then just drop.
5. Had one I recall took off in dead run as if I missed and then layed down after 50 yards.
6. Completely severerd a drum stick once and that flew off requiring another shot.
6. Don't care to recall a couple I hit that flew off with my arrow and never were retrieved.
Can't recall all their reactions, at present, but I am sure they have more surprises for me.
The key is quick immobilization.
Have their kill zone down until it is instinctive.
I take the very 1st shot that presents a defined prime target area once he breaks my self imposed 15 yard limit.
Title: Re: What do turkeys do when you drop the string?
Post by: GingivitisKahn on February 10, 2011, 09:43:00 PM
Post by: GingivitisKahn on February 10, 2011, 09:43:00 PM
Drop the string? I have yet to get to full draw on one. Heh - maybe this year. :D
Title: Re: What do turkeys do when you drop the string?
Post by: Bjorn on February 10, 2011, 09:45:00 PM
Post by: Bjorn on February 10, 2011, 09:45:00 PM
I hunt them on the ground so far all except one laughed, the remaining bird became 2 great meals.
Title: Re: What do turkeys do when you drop the string?
Post by: crotch horn on February 11, 2011, 02:30:00 AM
Post by: crotch horn on February 11, 2011, 02:30:00 AM
Well until last spring they all laughed as they ran out of sight. The one last spring fell like a lead balloon from the sky dead as dead can be.
Title: Re: What do turkeys do when you drop the string?
Post by: piggy on February 11, 2011, 03:07:00 AM
Post by: piggy on February 11, 2011, 03:07:00 AM
I shot one my first recently at 15 yards through the neck, he flapped about and went about 15 yards
and expired. A large bird of prey landed in the tree above, not sure if it would take my bird I waited a few moments watching before I made a mad dash to my bird before the bird of prey got to it.
Tasted great also.
and expired. A large bird of prey landed in the tree above, not sure if it would take my bird I waited a few moments watching before I made a mad dash to my bird before the bird of prey got to it.
Tasted great also.
Title: Re: What do turkeys do when you drop the string?
Post by: kevgsp on February 11, 2011, 01:54:00 PM
Post by: kevgsp on February 11, 2011, 01:54:00 PM
On the ones I have shot there was zero reaction till the arrow hit them. On was on film and I have looked in slow motion...no reaction.
Unless you hit them perfect, they will go, be prepared to get after them quick.
Unless you hit them perfect, they will go, be prepared to get after them quick.
Title: Re: What do turkeys do when you drop the string?
Post by: dave19113 on February 11, 2011, 02:24:00 PM
Post by: dave19113 on February 11, 2011, 02:24:00 PM
Laugh as the arrow hisses over there head or die....when hit
Title: Re: What do turkeys do when you drop the string?
Post by: Bowwild on February 11, 2011, 02:44:00 PM
Post by: Bowwild on February 11, 2011, 02:44:00 PM
I've shot at 6 turkeys .
1. Reacted after my arrow landed in the leaves behind them (pair of Jakes).
2. Same birds, looked behind them again and then moved away out of boredom.
3. Left neatly clipped back feathers on the ground and ran over the hill.
4. Same bird, 3.8 miles (topo map)3 days later. Jumped straight up about 6 feet, flopped about 15 yards and died. I didn't know it was turkey number 3 until my buddy wapiti97 noticed the clipped feathers -- cool!
5. Repeat of numbers 1 & 2 above -- different year, different birds, same disrespect.
6. Shot in the back at 11 yards. Bird leaped about 6-8 feet and glided about 50 yards never getting more than 15' from the ground, fell dead.
I've never had one "jump the string" or try to escape until too late or would have been too late if I hit my target.
I have never lost a bird except for the clipped feathers of bird #3 above. I am an extremely conservative shot, I haven't shot at enough birds, and I've been lucky. However, starting this year I'm going to become a head-shooter because of advice from a friend who has forgotten more about bowhunting turkeys than I'll ever know. I'll shoot 20-25 yards at deer. I want the turkey inside of 15, that wagging head isn't very big! But the Magnus bullhead will make it bigger!
My basement practice target is now a target used for patterning shotguns. It is supposed to simulate a 30-yard turkey. I pile arrows on his neck and head at 13.
1. Reacted after my arrow landed in the leaves behind them (pair of Jakes).
2. Same birds, looked behind them again and then moved away out of boredom.
3. Left neatly clipped back feathers on the ground and ran over the hill.
4. Same bird, 3.8 miles (topo map)3 days later. Jumped straight up about 6 feet, flopped about 15 yards and died. I didn't know it was turkey number 3 until my buddy wapiti97 noticed the clipped feathers -- cool!
5. Repeat of numbers 1 & 2 above -- different year, different birds, same disrespect.
6. Shot in the back at 11 yards. Bird leaped about 6-8 feet and glided about 50 yards never getting more than 15' from the ground, fell dead.
I've never had one "jump the string" or try to escape until too late or would have been too late if I hit my target.
I have never lost a bird except for the clipped feathers of bird #3 above. I am an extremely conservative shot, I haven't shot at enough birds, and I've been lucky. However, starting this year I'm going to become a head-shooter because of advice from a friend who has forgotten more about bowhunting turkeys than I'll ever know. I'll shoot 20-25 yards at deer. I want the turkey inside of 15, that wagging head isn't very big! But the Magnus bullhead will make it bigger!
My basement practice target is now a target used for patterning shotguns. It is supposed to simulate a 30-yard turkey. I pile arrows on his neck and head at 13.
Title: Re: What do turkeys do when you drop the string?
Post by: Gehrke145 on February 11, 2011, 03:04:00 PM
Post by: Gehrke145 on February 11, 2011, 03:04:00 PM
90% of mine run 10 yards (give or take a few) and fall, or fold on impact. I did have one bird take flight and crash into my double bull but thats the only bird that took off flying.