Turkey hunting can be easy at times, so some hunters choose to complicate the challenge. This is sure to test the skills, patience and temperament of the most seasoned hunter.
I have hunted turkey for more than half of my life, and find them to be the easiest and toughest game in town. I got tired of the sure-bet gun hunt years ago, and decided to test my bow hunting skills. Little did I know what I was getting myself into! The pain and struggle endured can only be enjoyed by the most die-hard of hunters. To say bow hunting turkey is a challenge is a major understatement, it's nearly an impossible feat. All that can go wrong tends to, and a normally tough hunt can be turned into a complete struggle.
Several years back I decided it would be a good idea to start hunting turkey with a bow. I had no idea what a rollercoaster ride it would be. It was becoming easy to harvest a bird that approached within 30 yards of my setup. Unlike when I started, I have a good turkey gun, and a miss is almost a non-issue. Modern choke tubes and ammunition have given the turkey hunter an advantage never seen before. We are able to reach out to 50 yards in most cases, and have multiple shot capabilities. This all takes a back seat when you decide to take a bow. How you prepare for the hunt makes all the difference. I would have harvested a bird much more quickly had I known what I do now.
That dang hindsight thing again.
One big reason I so enjoy writing about hunting is to help prevent others from making the same mistakes that I have. I can be someone’s hindsight by teaching what not to do. More often it's not what you do, but what you don't do that will ruin your hunt. If it's a bow that you will use, you need to prepare for a bow shot. You first have to choose what kind of shot on the bird you will take. There are special broad heads on the market with up to a four-inch fixed cutting diameter. They are specifically made for head and neck shots. You may also choose a conventional style broad head which will work for all shots.
I started off at the bow range in early April. I chose to use a conventional broad head, which shoots exactly like my field points. I started sighting in at 20 yards, and went out to 40. By the time the season had arrived, I was on the money. I was able to take hundreds of shots without a single bad hit. I felt I was more than ready and prepared for the hunt.
I decided to use a pop-up style ground blind, which would allow me to film and shoot at the same time. First morning of hunting season came, and I found myself set up in exactly the right spot. There were several birds gobbling from the roost, and I was feeling optimistic. When the birds hit the ground, I started calling. It only took a few minutes before I heard one of the birds was getting closer. It made a fast approach and was heading toward my decoys, which would give me a perfect 10-yard shot.
We all know what happens when you shoot a 10-yard shot when using a 20 -yard pin. I took a hand full of feathers off the strutting birds back, which didn't hurt the bird at all. It walked off as another was approaching. The second bird did as the first, and once again a handful of feathers was all I came home with.
After the dejection of the first hunt, I decided not to use the bow again that year. The next year I prepared the same, but I chose to change a few things. I switched to the guillotine-style broad heads, and went with a 10-yard sight in. I only shot at head and neck targets, and rarely ever missed. Add to that the extra cutting diameter, and I was back to feeling confidant again.
It was almost a repeat performance except that there was only one bird, and it decided to hang out at 15 yards. I drew back and steadied on the head. Upon release, the arrow shot low and struck the bird in the wing area. The heads I was using won't even wound a bird if it hits in the body. The arrow bounced off the bird and it let out a gobble. It immediately attacked my decoy thinking it had spurred him. He was at ten yards now, so I got another arrow. As I drew back he was walking away and in the heat of the moment, I forgot to aim high. I once again bounced another arrow off its back. I gave up for another year, and decided to give it another try the following year.
This time I was prepared and had a trick up my sleeve. I sighted in my bow at 15 yards, which would put me on from zero to 20 yards. The next bird that came in ended up being the best hunt I have ever recorded on film. My dad was the backup gun and camera man. Nearly every bird that I have missed with the bow gave me plenty chances to shoot it with a gun after. This time, it all worked out as planned, and when I made my release, the arrow connected with the bird’s neck and downed it.
I stuck in the game and adapted until I got the job done. Hopefully with these helpful hints, you will be able to get it done faster than I did. This column was in response to a hunt that happened on this past Monday. Too much to fit in this week’s column, so I will have to set it aside until next week.
Good wishes and push your patience to the limit to reap the rewards.