Turkey drought

TooManyHobbies · December 10, 2010, 07:37:00 PM

Can someone please tell me how to kill a turkey with a bow. I'm 0/4 this year with the recurve. 0/10 lifetime. It's not the trad gear either, my first six misses were with the other kind of bow. I've come close, reeaaaalll close, just can't seem to seal the deal.

Frustrated in CT. (aka - TMH)

$bowhunter$ · December 10, 2010, 07:46:00 PM

well ive got 7 turkeys (lifetime) 6 gun 1 bow. i was lucky to have my grandpa to teach and guide me when i first started. all i can really say is to get out every morning never give up and try to find where there roosting and set up by it and wait. thats how ive got mine

TooManyHobbies · December 10, 2010, 07:49:00 PM

Oh, I've got 7 or 8 with the gun, that's easy. lol. it's this bow thing I'm trying to figure out.

xtrema312 · December 10, 2010, 07:51:00 PM

Are you missing or not getting the shot?

TooManyHobbies · December 10, 2010, 07:57:00 PM

0/4 is missing. If I wasn't getting the shot, the numbers are much higher. lol. I did get two drumsticks, but the birds are faster on one leg and two wings, than I am.

bluegrassbowhunter · December 10, 2010, 08:02:00 PM

...hopefully Curt or one of the other turkey killers can offer some insight...how far are ya shooting?

centaur · December 10, 2010, 08:12:00 PM

I've missed a few, but I've hit a few, too. Picking a spot is crucial, and remember that the kill area on turkeys is about grapefruit size.

greyghost · December 10, 2010, 08:19:00 PM

I love my turkeys, gun or bow.

Sounds like you have no problem calling them in, so most of the battle is won. In fact calling them into bow range you won.

They are a real challenge. And be very frustrating at times.

I could go into a long discussion on the subject. In fact I could talk for hours and days on the turkey alone.

But with that I would say just focusing more on the spot as stated by centaur and having them less then 20 yards is crucial.

Best to you in your pursuit of a great game bird.

stevewills · December 10, 2010, 08:27:00 PM

i have never killed one with a gun,but have killed three with a recurve in 2 years.if you are having a hard time focusing on a spot go for the red head.im gonna get out my bullheads this spring and smoke one brains.....

OkKeith · December 10, 2010, 08:50:00 PM

Brian,

If your hitting one drumstick and both wings and the other leg are still working good, I'd say you need to adjust your shot angle.

Quartering to you, a good shot would be center mass between the beard and head of the drumstick. The exit would be dead-center between the opposite drumstick and the vent (polite for "butt-hole").

Quartering away (my favorite) would be vise-versa.

Straight-on is tough because they will see you. The best might be straight away. If their fan is open, they can't bust your movement and you have a very plain "aim-small, miss-small" spot to concentrate on, the vent.

Closer than 8 yards or so is TOO close for me. Hard to keep movement concealed. Past 20 is not good unless your a REALLY great shot. The sweet spot for me is 12 to 17 yards. I can hit a softball hanging on a string 8 out of 10 times consistantly.

Both of these birds were shot quartering away. Fans closed. The broadhead exited 3 or 4 inches to either side of the beard. You can see the arrows in both pictures. Lisa shot her's at 10 yards, I shot mine at about 12. Her's, of course, is bigger.

OkKeith

hvac tech · December 10, 2010, 09:02:00 PM

a good friend and i hunted out of a blind one spring in pa with a blind we had a hen within 5 yd and would not leave . we also had several jakes in real close but no shot . well about 2 days later ryan shot a nice gobbler with a shotgun out of the blind same place as we had it on the first hunt .i we went back that weekend end and as soon as those birds saw that blind they were gone they new danger was in that tent.it is like any thing it does not take game long to learn your new tricks .if someone
would call for you and you do the shooting might be a big help.

Friend · December 10, 2010, 09:03:00 PM

Just my opinion --Any sharp BH in the Dixie cup size direct kill area will work wonders. The problem is that the birds and your own adrenaline just don't cooperate. You will find improved success by using the largest tuned diameter head possible.

Immobilization is the key!

bluegrassbowhunter · December 10, 2010, 09:13:00 PM

QuoteOriginally posted by hvac tech:
i we went back that weekend end and as soon as those birds saw that blind they were gone they new danger was in that tent.it is like any thing it does not take game long to learn your new tricks .

I've got a farm that I hunt that when some of the birds see a DB blind they turn & goes the other way putting their heads off...I've chased them hard enough they know what happens if they get to close... :D

TooManyHobbies · December 10, 2010, 10:14:00 PM

Thanks for the replies. I don't use a blind, most of my shots have been from a treestand. One shot was on the ground where I hit the drumstick/thigh. My problem seems to be in hitting the 'grapefruit'. I use the broadheads that I hunt deer with, this year it's the two blade magnus...but, I can miss with any head, muzzy, wasp, etc.

I think one problem is, they don't like to stand still. But, all four shots this year, they were pretty still. The shot I missed this morning was a little further than I would've liked, but she was still and in the open. I shot right over her head.
If and when I get one, I'll be posting the pics. I still have a couple weeks for another chance.