Just wondering if anyone has novel ways to practice shooting for the turkey hunt?
I like shooting at a thumb-thick stick about a foot long. Sometimes I imagine that this represents the neck, sometimes the spine on a going away shot. I place it up against my target block and practice at various distances up to 20 yards. Most of my shooting is through a small stand of trees so I have to pick a shooting lane too. As simple as it is, this wand shooting does seem to make me focus on a spot more.
And, on a good day, it's a real confidence builder.
What are your ways of practicing?
I have filled up collapsible turkey decoys with great stuff(a little at a time) and then shoooot it slim
I've shot at tennis balls hanging from electrician's tape to simulate an upside down neck head.
Since I hunt from a blind I shoot sitting down and kneeling from the blind.
Something I haven't tried but might be wise would be too shoot a turkey target among a couple of decoys. To make sure my 'eye doesn't wander'.
Both seem like good ways, but I'm too cheap to use a decoy so I suspect I'll try the tennis ball idea. It seems fairly challenging -- at least for a guy of my ability.
Thanks guys.
Just cut turkey shapes from cardboard, and use a piece of old coat hanger to hold it up. Do like Bowwild said and make a few and pick each one at a time.
I have a piece of firewood the size of a turkeys body then I put a pepsi can on a stick next to the log and shoot the can for his head.
I like all these ideas. This kind of thing makes practice even more fun. I have been thinking about cardboard silhouettes - I guess I'll have to keep an eye out for a good material now.
I also never pass up on an opportunity to stump shoot turkey size targets...
That's what I really like about traditional archery - there's a lot of creativity and fun associated with this.
What about filling a paper towel cardboard tube with Great Stuff and attaching the tennis ball on top? Cut out some cardboard for the body, tape it together and put it in front of your block.
When I was planning on using the Bullhead for headshots I also bought shotgun pattering targets (turkey neck and head) which are cheap.
Because of anecdotes I've read here I'm not using the bullhead.
I shoot sitting on a stool just like if i were in my blind, taking my time looking for pin point groups.
I did the decoy filled with great stuff.If you do follow lpcjons instructions and fill alittle at a time.Even if you think you are do alittle less.If not you will have a mess all over your arrows.Don't ask how I know.
I have a 3D decoy and shoot from the blind. My problem is that if I am out hunting too many times and am not successful then I have been guilty of shooting one of my decoys just to make sure I would have killed a turkey if it had come by. Before you say anything. This has been one heck of a stress reliever and makes me laugh everytime I do it. Makes me understand that it not the end all be all that I and others have made it into. Costs me less than fifteen bucks and I am over it instantly. Have a good one and good luck.
What's Great Stuff?
It's that expandable foam spray stuff in a can...
Milk jugs. Just the right size...hang em up, and shoot em. Cheap and easy.
I use OJ containers too. There is a satisfying thump when you hit...
They are some great ideas here!!!