Turkey on the wing?

Ethan Grotheer · December 13, 2010, 07:07:00 PM

So this evening a friend and I took a walk with our longbows and spooked a flock of birds. After they scattered, we headed in the general direction of where a majority had landed, not really expecting anything of course. But when we came up on some high grass, a raqther large tom popped out a mere ten steps ahead. By the time I nocked my arrow, he was taking off straight away at kind of a slow pace so instinct took over and i loosed my shaft... and sent it six inches over the fleeting bird. I lost my beautifully crafted arrow, fletched with natural turkey feathers to oblivion, but I guess that would be fitting to lose it to the pursuit of a bird

Now having said all that, I'm not one to take shots like that and I'm still shaking my head at myself for doing so, and I'm by no means promoting it, but it got me to thinking:
How many here have taken shots on the wing and made meat? It would be interesting to hear about.

TooManyHobbies · December 13, 2010, 07:12:00 PM

I can't even hit them on the ground, I'm not taking that shot. Too bad you missed.

greyghost · December 13, 2010, 07:37:00 PM

Sorry about the arrow, I have had friends who have taken a couple wing shots and ended up with lost or arrows in a tree 30 feet up.

I do know one a fellow last spring took a shot at one, missed, nocked another arrow and got him as he took wing. I was calling for him, he was set up about 20 yards in front of me between a double tree. The gob came in as thought (amazing right there). He took a shot when the bird went into strut, I seen the arrow go over the top (20 yard shot) The bird folded up and started to walk and then must have seen Fred getting another arrow, the bird turned and took wing. About that time I heard a thump and the bird folded. I swear he drew and nocked another arrow before the first one hit the ground.

Never took a shot on the wing. Once I scatter them I will call them back in or attempt to from where they scattered from in the fall. Always have my box, trumpet and mouth call with me when turkey and deer are in at the same time. If I find fresh turkey sign in the fall I go into the turkey mode from the deer mode.

Spring of cource is locate, set up and call.

December 13, 2010, 07:37:00 PM

why noy? they shoot pheasants on the wing and ducks,geese,.....you might have made the shot,...then that would be a storie to be told when your old and in a rocker...

MJB · December 13, 2010, 07:44:00 PM

Shedrock · December 13, 2010, 07:50:00 PM

My friend, Sam Fadala, got one in the air. The cool thing about it, is his brother got a photo of the arrow in the air, right before it hit the gobbler.

Ragnarok Forge · December 13, 2010, 07:58:00 PM

I hunn ducks, geese, and pheasant on the wing. I would most definately shoot at a turkey on the wing. A lot bigger bird and a lot bigger kill zone than a duck or pheasant.

Don Stokes · December 13, 2010, 07:59:00 PM

Yes, but with a shotgun.

Beautiful picture, Mike.

MJB · December 13, 2010, 08:02:00 PM

Don,
I'm still licking my chops about that brined turkey

Ethan Grotheer · December 13, 2010, 08:42:00 PM

Amazing painting! Thanks for sharing that.
Shedrock, I bet that's an awesome photo!

I used to carry a mouthcall with me everytime I hit the woods just in case I should scatter a flock and be able to call them back, but for some reason, this year I haven't. I was really wishing I had this afternoon. There were birds everywhere!

crotch horn · December 13, 2010, 08:43:00 PM

Got my first trad turkey the last day of spring season this year. Nice big Tom too. Not bad for my first with the longbow. Very lucky of course. I actually shot low & caught him in the leg. The arrow deflected straight up into the vitals. He dropped like a load. What a day!!!

Don Stokes · December 13, 2010, 08:52:00 PM

Mike, I'm gonna thaw the other half this week. I'll think of you while I enjoy...

Bowwild · December 13, 2010, 09:39:00 PM

MJB,
That picture you posted is one of the most beautiful, awe-inspiring I've ever seen. Would you please let me know if the print can be purchased and from where? I have a similar themed- picture of some native Americans laying in wait of some elk that I dearly love.

Now, for the wing shot. I wouldn't shoot at a turkey on the wing -- just too much bird for the arrow to hit that won't send him home with me.

I did shoot an arrow into a flock of migrating starlings as a teenager that were out of range for two shotgunners. My arrow struck the unluckiest bird to every fly right between the beak and the eye. Stretched that birds neck out and brought him down. Shocked me and the gunners. Then I commenced to lose the arrow on the next hail Mary.

Bowwild · December 13, 2010, 09:43:00 PM

MJB,
That picture you posted is one of the most beautiful, awe-inspiring I've ever seen. Would you please let me know if the print can be purchased and from where? I have a similar themed- picture of some native Americans laying in wait of some elk that I dearly love.

Now, for the wing shot. I wouldn't shoot at a turkey on the wing -- just too much bird for the arrow to hit that won't send him home with me.

I did shoot an arrow into a flock of migrating starlings as a teenager that were out of range for two shotgunners. My arrow struck the unluckiest bird to every fly right between the beak and the eye. Stretched that birds neck out and brought him down. Shocked me and the gunners. Then I commenced to lose the arrow on the next hail Mary.

Friend · December 13, 2010, 09:55:00 PM

More power to the archer that can consistently take one flying.

I wish I could and would definitely be inclined to change my approach to hunting them.

The issue I see is that it may take numerous opportunities before one finally gets dialed in on how take a flying turkey.

Many a veteran shotgunner, but a rookie at goose hunting, don't realize that the big bird is travelling so much faster per wing beat than actually perceived. The hunters become frustrated and can't believe that they continually miss birds' right in their faces.

We were guiding for Mr. Ferguson in the late 80's and I witnessed him miss all three attempts. I believe if he had gotten the rhythm of these birds then he would have consistently connected.

bad arrow · December 13, 2010, 10:02:00 PM

A turkey busted me as I was about to draw on him the day before thanksgiving. He spun on a dime and was in flight before I could really get a good aim and by the time he was twenty feet above I thought "what the heck" and let one fly. It flew about a foot behind and of course will never see that arrow again....Phil

Tyke · December 13, 2010, 10:14:00 PM

Bowwild,

Gotta know when to rest on your laurels.

I think the chance of losing a flying turkey even if you would hit it is too great to take a shot like that. Maybe if I had a dog with me.

MJB · December 14, 2010, 10:45:00 AM

Bowwild,
Google Jack Paluh Arts

guspup · December 21, 2010, 10:09:00 PM

Watched a flock go up in front of me Sunday. Thought to myself, that would be a heck of a shot. Sure was beautiful watching them go up so slow like that in the timbers. Then when I saw them bang their wings into the branches, it didn't look so graceful.... more like painful it seems. Amazing creatures.

tukudu · December 22, 2010, 08:02:00 AM

I have to agree with TYKE and not trying to ruffle any feathers but going after a flying turkey or even a goose is a disaster waiting to happen. They are both big strong birds and a turkey who takes flight with an arrow in or through it and sets it wings at least in my neck of the woods can be on another ridge when it lands or runs out of gas. I just cannot endorse it. tm