Gidday guys im from New Zealand and i would like to know how you guys recover turkeys when you shoot them with a bow?? i am heading off to shoot 3 or 4 of them soon but have never shot one with a bow before any advice would be greatly apprecated.

Cheers
Richard "MOOSE" Flett

My first one was shot in fairly open country in the Black Hills of South Dakota.  After the shot I stayed in the blind and watched him run a short ways then fall over.  I have since switched to using a string tracker.  Simply shoot and follow the string to your prize.

My experience tells me to use the largest cutting width and/or diameter broadhead possible. The objective is to immobilize the bird quickly and that requires excellent shot placement.  The immobilzation zone is about the size of a dixie cup. These birds seem to move continously and picking the exact spot is not always easy.

My last one flew off deeper into the woods, and I just happened upon him.  I have never spring hunted turkeys.  Just fall hunted them.  Now that I sold my boat, I will be in the woods this spring, instead of the Detroit River fishing.

If you hit one and he takes off go after him, they don't leave a blood trail so get after it and don't wait.

Whump Sez; The last 2 I killed only went about 20yds after the shot. One with a magnus 1 4bld and the other with a 2bld simmons interscepter.Treat them like any other animal--shoot a razor sharp head. I shoot dead center of the bird from the side [ shoot at the shoulder bone of the wing or just below it], from the back [between the wings] either of these shots will bring the bird down within 20yds or less.  Good luck and post your pics here after the hunt. Hunt safe.

Hey Cheers guys yea will post some pics if i can manage to get one. i have one more question when decoying turkeys and calling them what decoys do you like to use hen or gobbler and what brand, i have a mouth diaghram can you only call like a hen or can you gobble with a mouth diaghram. I have never hunted turkeys the way you guys do. We use other methods but i would like to make it a challange for myself.

If you are lucky enough to get turkeys, make sure you save those wing and tail feathers.

I shot one this spring with a Woodsman head right in the wing joint, he went about 20 yards and never left the ground. It was a very effective hit of course. I waited for a close shot to increase my odds, about 7-8 yards. I have heard alot of horror stories regarding turkeys flying away with an arrow in them.