Archery or Shotgun for turkeys

biseger · #1 (**permalink**) 03-13-2009, 02:45 PM

Being a somewhat new archery for turkeys guy because of the archery rush. Seeing how many of you are converted to bow and arrow.

Arrowhead · #2 (**permalink**) 03-14-2009, 06:55 AM

I have tried my bow on turkeys and lost both birds I have shot. I do plan on trying it again this spring at some point but have changed broadheads.

I really hate the idea that those birds died without me finding them. The shotgun eliminates that.

weekender21 · #3 (**permalink**) 03-14-2009, 10:06 PM

I have shot and killed 6 turkeys in three years with a large expandable broadhead (100gr hammerhead by trophy ridge). The 2 inch diameter and slow opening head really does a number on birds. I don't hunt anything else with the hammerhead but it is by far my number one choice for turkeys. I have shot and lost the only bird I ever shot at with a fixed blade head, I will never shoot another fixed blade head at a turkey. Good luck out there this year!!!!!!!!

gtimo98 · #4 (**permalink**) 03-15-2009, 08:28 AM

Outdoor life did a turkey broadhead comparison that showed all the different types that was pretty interesting. I think it was on their online page.

timsbluehouse · #5 (**permalink**) 03-16-2009, 09:01 AM

I'm going to probably start off with shotgun but it all depends on where i get to hunt. Trying to get my first one so go with the easist and then step up the challenge after first kill.

JNDEER · #6 (**permalink**) 03-16-2009, 03:44 PM

i usually start out with the 12ga (actually i have been letting my cousins get one first) then later in the season i may switch to archery, but public land birds are not the easiest to get with a bow.

biseger · #7 (**permalink**) 03-16-2009, 10:05 PM

I practice a lot and have yet to lose a archery animal. The problem with the public birds I hunt is getting them in. Archery just adds that extra spice in making a clean kill where shotgunning the game is already over. Plus after a long duck and upland season it's a chance to utilize a new weapon. To each their own.

goindeep · #8 (**permalink**) 03-21-2009, 11:19 AM

I voted shotgun but I always pull the bow out every year. I ususally wait till I get 2 birds, I hunt public groud which definetly adds another degree of difculty. I currently use a 20 ga. beretta but plan on picking up a muzzleloader this spring or summer for deeer and would like to use it for turkey also.

Krisdude · #9 (**permalink**) 03-21-2009, 07:10 PM

is the way to go , I did some prasticing to day at 20 yards and think I'm ready for them

03-21-09_1731.jpg

hatchet1 · #10 (**permalink**) 03-21-2009, 07:55 PM

dont 'rush' your yard bird after you pipe him like they do on the bogus T.V.shows..
you will freak the crittter out especially after you've shanked him with an arrow and the key factor being "blood loss volume due to trauma... " every hunter ive had wants to run to thier bird.. not a good idea,especially when that bird takes to the air a cackiling with an arrow sticking out of it.. taking a turkey with a bow is a great acomplishment, but be prepared
to take your lumps...after harvesting numerous yard birds with bow and shotgun..i give the 3 1/2 a HUGE advantage...either way,you cant eat um if you dont kill um,so what ever you decide, good luck

hunterdoug · #11 (**permalink**) 03-22-2009, 11:45 AM

let em flop is good advise especially with a bow you can nock another arrow so if a second shot is needed I prefer bow I use fixed blades and prefer a head or neck shot if posible or hit right where the wing bone disapears near the spine they usually drop like a rock and the other toms jump on top. second choice is 20ga xfull w/#4 or 6 shot, can't wait till opener birds are real active and toms are all split up and with hens. saw pleanty of strutting at LS while chasing the pigs last week.

Vermonster · #12 (**permalink**) 03-28-2009, 11:50 PM

The only reason I use bow is because the only place I have seen the birds on a consistent basis is in an archery only area. If I had an area that allowed shotguns and I could find the birds, I'd use one.....

biseger · #13 (**permalink**) 04-02-2009, 03:00 PM

Used the bow on public land to harvest a jake on tuesday. Pic on harvest thread. 30 yard shot with fixed blade bird went about 100 yards. I was pumped that he dropped as I watched him and his two buddies walking away.

cboutin · #14 (**permalink**) 04-05-2009, 04:29 AM

I've take birds with both but I love the extra challange thats why I am going with my bow

hunteverything · #15 (**permalink**) 08-03-2009, 08:35 AM

Well this year I have to admit I did not give the bow a very good effort. I went out one time with it and the turkeys moved away from the blind so I got all set to move and realized I had a bow in my hand. With limited cover (early spring in IN means little to no foliage) I know I could not sneak around and get them to come into my setup without picking me out. I switched to gun and bagged my 4th bird in 4 years. Plus burning a turkey in the head is FUN! I cannot express how much fun it is. I will never tire of it, I love it. Don't get me wrong, I prefer to hunt deer with a bow and much of the IN season is set up for it so it just works out. But Turkey hunting and deer hunting are totally different and I love sneaking ahead of the turkeys and calling them in.

To each their own but give me the ol' Browning 12ga any day.

sancho · #16 (**permalink**) 08-03-2009, 10:17 AM

i have only killed one turkey. pulled it off this past spring. i shot it with my bow. i am downright surgical with my setup at 20-30 yards. my friend had a big jake coming in all lovesick. the bird offered me a throat shot at 24 yards, and locked up. he wasnt going to budge. i remember thinking that the bird looked like a stuffed animal toy. the colors were amazing. i had a 4 inch hole through a wire fence at 17 yards, and the bird at 24...it was the biggest rush putting my 20 pin right at the base of the head, watch the arrow go thru the opening and PLUNK! my 100 grain slick trick hit him in the throat...PERFECTLY! it almost decapitated him..we were both silent until my friend said, "damn...nice shot!"

i was hooked. i admit i want a turkey dedicated over and under shotgun...i think going blindless would be a rush.

sancho · #17 (**permalink**) 08-03-2009, 10:19 AM

krisdude, what were you aiming at? that stick?

hawglips · #18 (**permalink**) 08-03-2009, 11:35 AM

Too high a percentage of turkeys get crippled from bow and arrow.

sancho · #19 (**permalink**) 08-04-2009, 07:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hawglips

Too high a percentage of turkeys get crippled from bow and arrow.

how many? what is the percentage? i havent heard any hard numbers in everything i have read about...

if anything, with just the shear numbers of shotgunners, i would wonder if the overall number of lost birds is greater with the pellet slingers. the only bird i have seen lost, was hit with a shotgun.

antlrcolectr · #20 (**permalink**) 08-04-2009, 08:47 AM

I use both but have shot my last 6 with a bow. I use a shotgun later in the season when they stop responding to decoys, calling, etc...

From what I've learned over turkey hunting for 30 years... I never thought shooting a turkey would be so easy until I hunted out of a blind. So I bow hunt the early season when they'll walk right up to you... I have many shot opps at under 10 yards now. You talk about adrenaline.