bowhunting longbeard

[ccwhitey]

This spring I'm going to try to use my bow to go after the one that got away last year. I have never hunted them in the spring with a bow, but I have in the fall. Any tips would be welcomed

cc

[Covehnter]

I would definately consider a good hub style blind, its almost a must. Its also good to use decoys to bring the ole boys attention away from you. We have used a struttin diy gobbler for the last 2 years with incredible success. Make certain you can make the shot even under not so perfect conditions, you must be confident in your equipment. Also make sure to use a head that will get the job done and with most a stopper is a must to prevent pass throughs. That's all I got for now.

[pointing_dogs_rule]

Cove has given good suggestions. In addition: Practice shooting from the blind a lot (kneeling down or from the sitting position). Actually shoot from within the blind and through the mesh or opening so that you get a feel for the postion. Make sure the bow doesn't hit the back or top of the blind.

Know the turkey kill zones 1. where the wing attaches 2. the head or neck (if you are good enough) 3. the top of the beard in the front. 4. up the butt hole in the back.

Place decoys (what I do) about 5 yards from the blind so that they draw the birds in closer for a better shot. Note: birds may not die instantly, like a shotgun, so be ready to go after the bird.

Not always necessary, however, try and make the blind blend into the surroundings (especially the background) so birds do not hang-up.

If you use the "arrow stopper" like Cove suggests I believe that they DO NOT shoot through a screen. I just use a normal broadhead. A good shot does a lot of damage.

Good luck
the dog

[Covehnter]

And another thing, gobblers will always make their way around to face the intruding male decoy face to face. So make sure that you have a open shot to all sides of the decoy. Our magic distance is 8 yards, that's where we place the decoys.

The blind can be brushed in but I am completely convinced that it doesnt matter for turkeys. We have been poppin the blinds up in the middle of the wide open with nothing more than 2" grass and they pay it no attention.

And although you can definately kill without a stopper behind your broadhead I would strongly suggest it.They are inexpensive and don't effect arrow flight. A pass through on a turkey is bad news sometimes with even a lethal shot.

[ccwhitey]

Thanks guys for some much needed info. Hopefully I'll have a pic of a big ol' limbhanger taken with my bow

[EKYhunter]

Great suggestions above! Get a blind with a black interior and wear black on all of your upper body including face and hands. Practice alot! Do alot of scouting so you'll know where to place your blind in order to be where the birds want to go. You can use the same broadheads that you do for deer or you can use a large cutting diameter mechanical like the Rage or Rocket Hammerhead. If you use the mechanicals, they will NOT be effective shooting through mesh if you leave the mesh up. Turkeys will pay zero attention to a blind as long as you do not silouete yourself or make undue noise. Good luck! It's a blast!

[ccwhitey]

Would I need an arrow stopper if I'm shot a Parker spitfire pulling 62 lbs shooting slick tricks. I also have rage broad heads but I really don't want to shot them at a turkey because I think that they would tare him up way to much. I will practice out of my blind just to make sure I can still do it. Thanks for the advice
cc

[Covehnter]

My suggestion would be to use the Rage because it is a big expandable, you're looking for cutting diameter NOT penetration which you will get with the slick trick. And still, even with the Rage I'd urge you to use the stopper. . . . I myself used the already mentioned Rocket Hammerheads with a stopper, good- real good.

Do not worry about messing the turkey up just yet, worry about cutting him up and watching him fly off for coyote food. This is what we must avoid at ALL costs. Speaking from tough to swallow experience, it's the pits. You can practice practice practice but we all know the adrenline rush of a struttin' drummin' gobblin' turkey at 5-8 steps can not be duplicated nor fully prepared for. . . so make sure you're equipment can help you just in case it's needed. Stopper, large cutting diameter heads, and good close shots.

[Dakota]

Are you wanting to aim for the head or for the body? The best times to aim for the body is when he is in full strut and when he is in the alert positions.

Dakota

[pointing_dogs_rule]

Don't worry about messing the turkey up with that broadhead. The more damage the better (as long as you do not hit the breast). If you hit the breast then you have hit the turkey in the wrong place. Those expandable broadheads that have that 1 1/2 inch cutting diameter do nice damage (I have used the spitfire type long ago, however, I found that I am more accurate with my normal broadheads).

Just another thought. Not to disagree with "gobblergane", however, when the turkey is broadside I prefer to shoot when he is NOT IN FULL STRUT. When NOT in full strut I get a better idea of shot placement and the turkeys actual body outline. When in full strut the bird looks much bigger and the top of the wing shot is "obscured" by fluffed feathers. Also the fluffed up feathers stick out and you may just shoot feathers instead of the body. Full strut is a must for the butthole. Front and head shot can also be full strut. Whatever you decide just make sure you are comfortable at the time of the shot. Keep me updated and PM for any further needed advice.

good luck to all
the dog

[rhine16]

I'm probably taking the bow out for the first time this spring also, and I'm unsure on what ya'll mean about the stopper and such...

My deer setup is 125 gr G5 Montecs and Strikers with my bow shooting at 308 fps. From what I gather from the above comments, I don't want a setup in which my arrow "zips" through the turkey. Am I right about that??

If so, what should I do to keep that from happening??

[Dakota]

I'm thinking of trying a gobbler guilotine.

Dakota

[Dakota]

Don't worry about messing the turkey up with that broadhead. The more damage the better (as long as you do not hit the breast). If you hit the breast then you have hit the turkey in the wrong place. Those expandable broadheads that have that 1 1/2 inch cutting diameter do nice damage (I have used the spitfire type long ago, however, I found that I am more accurate with my normal broadheads).

Just another thought. Not to disagree with "gobblergane", however, when the turkey is broadside I prefer to shoot when he is NOT IN FULL STRUT. When NOT in full strut I get a better idea of shot placement and the turkeys actual body outline. When in full strut the bird looks much bigger and the top of the wing shot is "obscured" by fluffed feathers. Also the fluffed up feathers stick out and you may just shoot feathers instead of the body. Full strut is a must for the butthole. Front and head shot can also be full strut. Whatever you decide just make sure you are comfortable at the time of the shot. Keep me updated and PM for any further needed advice.

good luck to all
the dog

As far as shooting when in full strut, don't shoot when the're broadside. Shoot when the bird is strutting away from you, at least that is what a lot of turkey experts will say and it is in the books as well.

Dakota

[rhine16]

I'm thinking of trying a gobbler guilotine.

Dakota

Can't say I haven't thought about that, but I'm not sure I'm good enough to shoot those. Plus I'll be by myself most of the time, so I wouldn't have the luxury of someone to cut at the turkey to get him to stick his head up.

[Covehnter]

Yes, you'll definately need to install a stopper behind those heads. You may want to consider trying a large cutting diameter expandable as well. . . but make sure you're comfortable with whatever you choose.

When I talk about a stopper (also called grasshoppers, adder points, etc) it is a small addition that you put between your broadhead and your arrow shaft. You just slide them down the shank of your broadhead then screw the head on normally. This acts to grab the inside of the turkey upon penetration to slow the arrow and stop if from passing through. They are inexpensive and will save ALOT of heartache!! I'll not shoot at another bird without one.