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Main Boards => PowWow => Topic started by: flounder pounder on February 10, 2011, 11:47:00 PM

Title: Neck and head shot on turkeys
Post by: flounder pounder on February 10, 2011, 11:47:00 PM
Does anyone try head or neck shots with broadheads? I was shooting my turkey target today and tried a few to see if I could do it. I could hit it consitently at 10 yds. Seems it would work great if you hit the neck or head. Miss or one dead bird.
Title: Re: Neck and head shot on turkeys
Post by: Ragnarok Forge on February 11, 2011, 12:28:00 AM
Turkey Guillotine Heads!
Title: Re: Neck and head shot on turkeys
Post by: 44charlie on February 11, 2011, 08:32:00 AM
I find it easier to aim at the head/neck rather than what often is an all black body. I aim right where the feathers end and the whattle starts.
Good Luck this season!
Title: Re: Neck and head shot on turkeys
Post by: D. Key on February 11, 2011, 08:42:00 AM
I read somewhere that the head of a turkey is about the same size as the vitals.  Only problem is the head never sits still for more than a second or two.  If I had time to turkey hunt anymore, I'd agree with Ragnarok Forge "Turkey Guillotine Heads" for sure.

Best of luck to ya.
Title: Re: Neck and head shot on turkeys
Post by: coyotebb on February 11, 2011, 08:59:00 AM
When a turkey is strutting and has his head back it is the best target and the constant moving of the head is slowed greatley. Just look him in the eye and let her go. Aiming at the eye makes me focus. I have shot the broadheads designed for head shooting and out to 15 yards I do not notice any change in the point of impact from my regular heads.
Title: Re: Neck and head shot on turkeys
Post by: L. E. Carroll on February 11, 2011, 03:23:00 PM
How do those heads stand up after the shot or in the event you miss?  Are those long un-suported blades reusable or basically do you change the blades after a shot is taken?

Gene
Title: Re: Neck and head shot on turkeys
Post by: Bowwild on February 11, 2011, 03:29:00 PM
I like the Magnus Bullheads better than the guillotines. Although I feel a bit guilty using the bullhead after talking to the inventor (while his guest on a hog hunt) of the guillotine about how the Bullhead came to pass.

To date I've only used a mechanical broadhead on turkeys shooting above the thigh when broadside and in the back when facing away (my favorite shot).

I'm practicing for where neck and head come together. But I do like that "eye focus" Coyotebb describes above.
Title: Re: Neck and head shot on turkeys
Post by: stevewills on February 11, 2011, 04:13:00 PM
ive shot one with a snuffer 150 in the neck,it did not take the head off like i wanted so,i bought some bullheads..now it was a follow up shot the bird was pretty much done for but i dont want to chase a bird so i put as many in them as i can..i have pics on the indiana traditional bowhunters website..itba.org
Title: Re: Neck and head shot on turkeys
Post by: Bowwild on February 11, 2011, 07:01:00 PM
Here's my practice set-up. You can tell from the target that I don't always shoot groups on the turkey. My range distance is only 13 yards. That's a Chastain Wapiti.

(http://i956.photobucket.com/albums/ae50/bowwild/LRTurkeyTargetbyChastain.jpg)
Title: Re: Neck and head shot on turkeys
Post by: TKO on February 11, 2011, 07:09:00 PM
I've only ever shot one turkey with a bow and it was a low head, high neck shot. I used a point that had a piece of heavy gauge wire looped through it making a 4 leaf clover looking affair. I think it was called a snare point made by the people who make Judo points.

It worked great and resulted in a broken neck. I'm not sure if there was enough head trauma to have killed the bird but, it didn't really matter to me at the time.
Title: Re: Neck and head shot on turkeys
Post by: Bowwild on February 11, 2011, 07:47:00 PM
yep, that's a Snaro. I made some one time using field tips with holes drilled and piano wire. I hunted doves with them once, on a lark (pun intended) probably cost more in time and materials than just buying the thing.

Nope, missed all the doves but what a blast! I did make a couple doves dodge the arrow which they did with ease! At least a couple acknowledged my presence.
Title: Re: Neck and head shot on turkeys
Post by: JamesJamison on February 11, 2011, 08:40:00 PM
I've heard that the guillotine broadheads are really hard to get to fly good, but I hope to try them, and get them on a turkey in April.
Title: Re: Neck and head shot on turkeys
Post by: KSdan on February 11, 2011, 11:16:00 PM
I agree on the size of vitals vs. turkey head.  We have shot over 45 birds with shotguns and I have studied them pretty close.  

Bullheads fly better than guillotines.  A different design all together.  But check on a post search here on tradgang- it has been discussed even recently.  Some guys have had bad luck hitting them in the head with these. The trads just did not seem to have the energy needed to take their head off. Last year there was a video on here of a terribly wounded turkey as a result.  

I have often thought of just shooting them in the head with a standard broadhead as you are thinking.  I also considered the snaro or even a small game blunt (like the magnus)- but again I really wonder about the ability to sustain trauma with trad bows. I raised wild turkeys and they are pretty tough.

Good luck-