The term “Turkey Shoot” might conjure up visions of hunters roaming the woods hunting for these wily birds. Then you see a sign promoting a Turkey Shoot being held every Sunday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. for the next several weeks. You might wonder: How many turkeys can possibly be up in those woods?
It turns out that there are more than a few turkeys roaming the wooded property that makes up the Boothbay Region Fish and Game Associations’ enclave. Rest assured — none of these wild birds are being shot, at the very least not during a Turkey Shoot.
Turkey Shoots can vary in format from region to region, but all involve some sort of target shooting using shotguns, rifles, and sometimes handguns. The contests can require blind luck or honed marksmanship, meaning there’s something for every level of shooter to enjoy.
The BRF&GA’s 2022 Turkey Shoots are being held starting the first Sunday in October (Oct. 2) and each Sunday through the first Sunday in November (Nov. 6) from 10 to 2 on the club property located at 447 Dover Road, Boothbay.
The following contests are held each Sunday, and the winners will win a variety of frozen food prizes, including turkeys:
Card Shoot: A shotgun event where participants shoot at a 3” x 5” target from a distance of 50 feet. Whether you’re a grizzled marksman or a first time shooter you have an equal chance of winning this contest. The shooter with the pellet closest to the “X” in the middle of the target wins the prize.
Mechanical Target: Shooters use .22 rimfire rifles at a distance of 25 yards to take 5 shots at a reactive target of metal “spoons”. The shooter with the most “plinks” wins.
Skeet Shoot: A shotgun event. Clay pigeons are launched from a mechanical throwing device, and the object is to shoot both clays before they land. This shoot often takes multiple rounds to determine a winner, making for a great spectator event.
100-Yard Shoots: These events consist of two types of shooting – a bench rest shoot and an offhand (standing) shoot, both at a distance of 100 yards, This event is reserved for larger caliber rifles generally used for hunting. The object is simply to have the most accurate shot in the bullseye.
All events are open to the public and all ages are welcome. Minors must be accompanied by an adult. Hearing and eye protection are required. Food and refreshments will be served for nominal prices. Entry fees per event will be determined on the day of the competition, but will also be nominal given the cost of food prizes and ammunition costs which are provided for some of the events. Come on up to the club and join in, or just enjoy a juicy burger and watch!
Turkey shoots are a classic American tradition dating back over a century. They originated as contests where live turkeys were tied up and shot at with rifles. If you killed the turkey you got to take it home for your Thanksgiving dinner. Nowadays, turkey shoots have evolved into fun competitions where you can win frozen turkeys hams, roasts and other meat prizes. I had never been to one before and was curious about how they actually work, so I did some research on the ins and outs of turkey shoots for beginners.
A Brief History of Turkey Shoots
Turkey shoots first emerged in the 1800s as a way for communities to come together for a little friendly shooting competition The turkeys would be placed in wooden pens and shot at from around 25-35 yards away Killing the turkey meant you got to take it home. This is where the military term “turkey shoot” comes from, meaning easy targets.
Later on, organizers started using caged turkeys with slots that they could stick their heads through The goal was to shoot the turkey through the head without hitting its body so the meat wouldn’t be damaged Rifles were the weapon of choice.
These days, turkey shoots have evolved to be more family-friendly. Live birds are no longer used. Instead, paper targets or wooden squares are shot at to win prizes like frozen turkeys, hams, roasts and more. Shooting skills are still put to the test, but now everyone has an equal chance at winning.
What to Expect at a Modern Turkey Shoot
While rules can vary between different turkey shoots, there is a general format most follow:
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Shotguns are the main firearm used, typically 12 gauge but smaller gauges are sometimes allowed too.
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Shooting distance is around 25 yards.
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Shooters pay a small entry fee, usually $5-10, to receive a certain number of shots, like 5 or 10 shots per game.
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Each shooter is assigned a numbered position on the firing line.
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Paper targets are placed downrange, either with a simple X or a circle marking the main scoring area.
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An attendant hands out one shell at a time to each shooter.
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On the range officer’s command, all shooters fire at their target.
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After a round is complete, the targets are collected and whoever shot closest to the X or had the most pellets in the circle wins a prize.
It’s a simple game where success largely comes down to luck! One well-placed pellet is all it takes to win, so anyone from novice to expert has a solid chance.
Tips for Beginners
As a total newbie, I wanted to get a few pointers to up my odds and have the best experience at my first turkey shoot. Here are some tips I learned:
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Ask questions. Don’t be shy about asking the range officers or other attendees if you don’t understand the rules or procedures. Safety is the top priority.
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Bring ear protection. Shotguns can be loud, especially when a whole line is shooting, so wear hearing protection.
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Use open sights. Iron sights can give you an accuracy advantage over a plain barrel.
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Try a 12 gauge. The higher pellet count compared to smaller gauges increases your chances.
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Choose a tight choke. A full or turkey choke improves your spread density on target.
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Practice first. Get familiar with your shotgun and patterning before attending if possible.
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Aim small. Focus on covering the X or center circle completely.
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Follow all commands. Listen to the range officers and don’t load or fire until directed.
Turkey Shoots Are for Everyone
One of the great things about turkey shoots is they allow anyone to get out and enjoy some shotgun shooting. With prizes on the line and a healthy dose of luck involved, beginners stand just as good a chance of winning a turkey as experienced shooters. Kids are able to get in on the fun too with appropriate supervision and smaller shotguns like 20 gauges.
The shooting games themselves are also pretty straightforward. As long as you listen to the range officers, follow basic safety protocols and aim for the X, you don’t have to be an expert marksman. Just pay your entry fee, step up to the firing line when your number is called and do your best to hit the target.
With their relaxed, community atmosphere and equal opportunity for success, turkey shoots are a great way to bring family and friends together for an entertaining day of friendly competition and shooting fun. If you’ve never made it to one, I highly recommend checking it out! Just be ready for some good old-fashioned shooting excitement as you take aim at bringing home a turkey.
Frequency of Entities:
turkey shoot: 20
turkey: 14
shooters: 5
shotgun: 5
target: 5
Serving Boothbay, Boothbay Harbor, Southport & Edgecomb since 1876
The term “Turkey Shoot” might conjure up visions of hunters roaming the woods hunting for these wily birds. Then you see a sign promoting a Turkey Shoot being held every Sunday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. for the next several weeks. You might wonder: How many turkeys can possibly be up in those woods?
It turns out that there are more than a few turkeys roaming the wooded property that makes up the Boothbay Region Fish and Game Associations’ enclave. Rest assured — none of these wild birds are being shot, at the very least not during a Turkey Shoot.
Turkey Shoots can vary in format from region to region, but all involve some sort of target shooting using shotguns, rifles, and sometimes handguns. The contests can require blind luck or honed marksmanship, meaning there’s something for every level of shooter to enjoy.
The BRF&GA’s 2022 Turkey Shoots are being held starting the first Sunday in October (Oct. 2) and each Sunday through the first Sunday in November (Nov. 6) from 10 to 2 on the club property located at 447 Dover Road, Boothbay.
The following contests are held each Sunday, and the winners will win a variety of frozen food prizes, including turkeys:
Card Shoot: A shotgun event where participants shoot at a 3” x 5” target from a distance of 50 feet. Whether you’re a grizzled marksman or a first time shooter you have an equal chance of winning this contest. The shooter with the pellet closest to the “X” in the middle of the target wins the prize.
Mechanical Target: Shooters use .22 rimfire rifles at a distance of 25 yards to take 5 shots at a reactive target of metal “spoons”. The shooter with the most “plinks” wins.
Skeet Shoot: A shotgun event. Clay pigeons are launched from a mechanical throwing device, and the object is to shoot both clays before they land. This shoot often takes multiple rounds to determine a winner, making for a great spectator event.
100-Yard Shoots: These events consist of two types of shooting – a bench rest shoot and an offhand (standing) shoot, both at a distance of 100 yards, This event is reserved for larger caliber rifles generally used for hunting. The object is simply to have the most accurate shot in the bullseye.
All events are open to the public and all ages are welcome. Minors must be accompanied by an adult. Hearing and eye protection are required. Food and refreshments will be served for nominal prices. Entry fees per event will be determined on the day of the competition, but will also be nominal given the cost of food prizes and ammunition costs which are provided for some of the events. Come on up to the club and join in, or just enjoy a juicy burger and watch!
YOU’RE AIMING WRONG! Turkey Shot Placement | Shotgun Turkey Hunting
FAQ
What do they do at a turkey shoot?
How does a turkey shoot fundraiser work?
Where do you aim at a turkey?
What gun do you use to shoot a turkey?
How do you shoot a wild turkey?
When shooting wild turkeys, aiming for the head and neck is generally the best course of action. Although the head is small, it is the bird’s most vulnerable spot. The neck, which contains the spine, nerves, and blood vessels, is also a point of weakness. A spray of shot to the head and neck will shatter the turkey’s central nervous system.
How do you shoot a Turkey with a shotgun?
When the bird turns back in your direction, you can break him out of his strut by giving an alarm putt with your mouth call. The tom will instantly extend his neck, giving you an excellent shot opportunity with a low likelihood of peppering the meat with shotgun pellets. When shooting a shotgun, you want to hit the turkey in the head and neck.
Can you shoot a wild turkey with a shotgun?
Deer and other big-game hunters have been groomed their entire hunting lives to aim for the heart and lung vitals of large-bodied hoofed animals in order to successfully bring them down. That may make shot placement on a wild turkey feel counterintuitive. Why? Because with a wild turkey, head and neck shots are the only way to go with a shotgun.
How do you shoot a Turkey on a broadside?
On broadside shots, aim for the butt, or base of the wing. This will usually bust the wing bones, preventing the bird from flying off, and often results in destroyed lungs as well. Shot placement is very difficult on a turkey that is facing away from you unless the bird is in full strut. If so, hit him right at the base of the fan.