Got my second shot at a tom this morning.  First was deflected on an 8 yard shot, clean miss, nothing on the arrow and no feathers at area of hit.  The shot this morning was at a turkey facing away at 18.  Shot looked good, but had started to drop.  NO feathers at the site of the possible impact.  Turkey trotted away down the path with 2 other toms and was out of sight in about 2 seconds.  Once again no feathers at the spot he was standing, and no blood could be found on a follow up exploration down the path and circle through the woods.  I could not find the arrow though.  Shot a stumping arrow immediately after the bird left.  Found it no problem.  Dug through the leaves for a ten yard path in front of and behind where the arrow ended up.  Even shot the stumping arrow two more times and always landed in 2 or 3 feet of the first site.  

With no feathers at the spot the bird was standing what is the percentage chance I hit the bird.  Had to come to work, but might take my dog back after work.  Thoughts? Advice?

I would take the dog back but it's odd that there are no feathers at all upon impact.  I've never hit a turkey that didn't lose some feathers.

I agree with Dirtybird I've never seen a bird thats hit not leave feathers on the ground.  Good luck and keep after them.  Joe

Same here.  I don't think I've ever spooked a turkey and not found at least a feather or two.  I would bring your dog and search along his line of escape.

Thats one of the reasons I like a string tracker.   Hleps you locate your arrow so you at least know if you hit or missed the bird.  I wll say that the turkeys I have hit always left some feathers at impact.

maineac
Never shot a bird with a bow straight away....don't know why it wouldnt work, but it could be possible that the arrow going into the cavity on a side or front angle is actually chopping or slicing as its going in. Maybe it could be possible that the exiting arrows doesnt cut the feathers like the entance.
Just a thought...is it possible you got a deflection?
Call Your Own game
George

I saw no arrow kick.  My most likely option on a miss would have been over his left wing right next to the neck.  I would think a back entry would still cut feathers.

I would think some feathers would be lost when hit. I lost a turkey 3yrs. ago( looked like a good hit, bird took off running- went out of sight over a knoll in the woods never to be seen again)-then bought a string tracker & have taken birds the following 2 yrs without any lost & all arrows recovered. I won't hunt turkeys without one now.

I'm sorry i thought when you shot him behind he was strutting fan up.
My bad

I would take the dog for sure. I really like broadside on a Turkey thats not strutting. I have had a bad deal on one facing and going away. RC

I have never hit a turkey that did not loose feathers, good luck.

Good luck on your search with the dog.

Nothing found.  I think I was just a couple inches high .

QuoteOriginally posted by Dirtybird:
I would take the dog back but it's odd that there are no feathers at all upon impact.  I've never hit a turkey that didn't lose some feathers.

Yep

Hmmm... I agree with the above comments... A turkey will drop feathers if you look at'em wrong. I agree, I bet you were just a shade high. Good luck!
JW

Sorry, Mike. The good part is that you hunted and got a shot. That's the most exciting part, anyway.

Allan

When you shot did the turkey flutter his wing's?  No matter what if a bird is hit, it will either jump alittle or flutter it's wings.  If he just ran off, then you missed clean.  No feather's is a good indication that you missed clean.  Do take the dog, but dead turkey's don't last long in wild.  good shot at a touch animal.