Turkey hunting can be an exciting and rewarding experience, but it requires skill, preparation, and knowledge to be successful. As a relatively small target, bringing down a turkey cleanly and humanely requires careful aim and shot placement In this article, I’ll provide a comprehensive guide on how to shoot a turkey effectively, covering key topics like shot placement, patterning your shotgun, aiming techniques, bowhunting tips, and more
Choosing the Right Firearm and Ammo
The two most common methods for hunting turkeys are shotguns and bows. 12 gauge shotguns are the most popular choice, providing versatility across different ranges and loads. The key is pairing your shotgun with the proper choke and ammo combination to produce tight, dense patterns at turkey head/neck-level distances.
For lead loads, #4, #5 or #6 lead shot works well though some states require nontoxic loads like tungsten or bismuth. Tight chokes like extra full or turkey specific chokes help concentrate your pattern for increased lethality. Be sure to pattern your gun and ammo at the ranges you plan to shoot to ensure suitable performance.
With bows, broadheads that provide at least a 2 inch cutting diameter are recommended. Mechanical broadheads often perform well on turkeys. Bows should be set to your normal draw weight rather than lowering poundage. Pass-through shots are ideal.
Proper Shot Placement
Due to their small vital areas, proper shot placement is critical when shooting a turkey. The goal is hitting the head/neck region to impart maximum damage to the vitals and spine. Here are some key tips:
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With Shotguns – Aim for the head and upper neck area. Specifically focus on the turkey’s wattles and base of the neck just above the wattles. This will put pellets into the vitals while avoiding shooting too high over the head which is a common mistake.
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With Bows – Aim for the base of the wing on broadside shots to bust wing bones and hit vitals. For facing-away shots, aim for the base of the fan if in full strut. For facing-toward shots, aim for the beard base or upper breast below the beard. Some archers aim for the head/neck but this is very challenging.
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Avoid Shooting at Strutting Toms – The fanned-out tail feathers and tucked head of a strutting tom make hitting the vitals difficult. Use calling to break him from his strut before shooting.
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Know Effective Ranges – Pattern your shotgun and know your effective kill ranges. 40 yards or less is ideal for most shotgun hunters. With bows, remain within 30 yards or less. Don’t take risky, long distance shots.
Proper Gun Mounting and Shooting Technique
To hit your target accurately, proper gun mounting and shooting technique is key. Here are some quick tips:
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Mount Your Gun Properly – Pull the stock firmly into your shoulder and drop your cheek all the way down on the comb. This allows you to look down the rib for proper alignment.
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Focus on the Sights – Whether using rifle sights, a red dot, or bead sight, keep your focus centered on the sights as you swing through the target. Don’t look at the turkey.
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Swing Through the Target – As the turkey approaches, start your swing just behind him and smoothly follow through as you lead ahead of the turkey and fire. Don’t abruptly stop and fire.
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Pull the Trigger Straight Back – Pulling the trigger quickly or slapping at it can skew your aim. Put steady pressure straight back to fire cleanly without disturbing aim.
Practice proper mounting, cheek weld, and swinging on targets to ingrain muscle memory before your hunt. Having proper form and technique makes a tremendous difference in shot accuracy.
Hunting Tactics and Tips
Beyond shot placement and shooting, some key hunting tactics and tips can help lead to success:
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Use Decoys Strategically – Decoys can pull in wary gobblers but also spook them if seen incorrectly. Set them in optimal locations for shots you are comfortable with. Pairs of hen or hen/jake decoys work well.
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Call Effectively – Locator calls can help draw in gobblers from a distance. Use soft clucks, yelps, and purrs once birds are responding and approaching. Be ready to call aggressively or “shock” gobble if needed.
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Use Blinds – Portable ground blinds provide effective concealment when setup properly. Brush them in and situate in areas with background cover to avoid detection.
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Play the Wind – Always set up downwind of where you expect turkeys will approach from. This allows you to call and adjust your position without being detected.
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Use the Terrain – Use terrain features like ridges, rock outcrops, and trees to mask your movements as turkeys approach. Be ready to reposition yourself as needed.
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Be Patient – Calling in and outsmarting pressured gobblers takes time and patience. Avoid rushing shots and overcalling. Let the turkeys commit before shooting.
Safety First
Any turkey hunt should prioritize safety at all times. Here are some key safety tips:
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Always positively identify your target and what’s beyond it. Be absolutely certain of what you’re shooting at.
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Keep your finger off the trigger until ready to fire. Don’t get overly excited and hasty.
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Ensure adequate backdrops for shooting to avoid ricochets or pellets traveling long distances.
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Follow all hunter orange requirements set by your state/region to avoid accidents.
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Unload your firearm when traversing difficult terrain or obstacles.
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Tell companions your plans and where you’ll be hunting. Avoid surprise encounters.
In Summary
The above tips cover the key principles for effective shot placement, gun handling, hunting tactics, and safety when going after turkeys. With proper preparation and a bit of preseason practice, you’ll be ready to head out opening day and bring home a spring gobbler successfully and ethically. Remember to remain patient, hunt smart, only take responsible shots, and prioritize safety throughout your hunt. Apply this knowledge in the field and enjoy the heart-pounding action of turkey hunting.
Frequency of Entities:
turkey: 37
shotgun: 7
bow: 5
aim: 4
hunt: 4
shot: 4
tom: 4
decoy: 3
gobbler: 3
head: 3
neck: 3
pattern: 3
safety: 3
technique: 3
vitals: 3
Where to Shoot a Turkey With a Bow: Head/Neck
If you get a face-on head shot, aim a little low on the neck, so your arrow can punch through and hit vitals as a backup. John Hafner Photography
Donât shy away from this shot, and donât worry if you donât have a decapitating-style broadhead on the end of your arrow. Yes, decapitating broadheads like a Magnus Bullhead give you more room for error because of their huge blades, and they kill like crazyâbut chopping off a turkeyâs head isnât my style. Plus, if I need to take a little longer shot, I would rather have a standard 2-inch cut expandable broadhead on the end of my arrow, which will fly much better.Â
This is an all-or-nothing shot, which is a good thing. Hit, and itâs game over. Miss, and you mostly likely miss the bird altogether, with no harm done. I prefer the bird to be in full strut for a head shot, because that way, the head rests against the dark black back feathers, giving you clear target. I donât mind a head/neck shot if the bird is not in strut; but for this, I like the shot distance to be 10 yards or less.Â
Where to Shoot a Turkey With a Bow: Quartering To
With quartering-to tom, run your pin up the far leg until itâs even with the base of the beard and shoot. John Hafner Photography
I could have easily be ranked this shot number one, but I know too many curmudgeons that would get their shorts in a bunch if. Hereâs what I know from decades of doing this: If I get a quartering-to shot, Iâm shooting.
With a strutter, put the arrow into the leading edge of the dark triangle described in the Broadside section above. If the bird is not in strut, find the offside leg, and lift your pin straight up until it is even with or slightly above the base of the beard. If you do your part, that gobble is as good as tagged and may drop in his tracks.Â
Where to Shoot a Turkey | BEST OF HUNTING Compilation
FAQ
Where do you aim at a turkey?
What is the effective range to shoot a turkey?
What size shot for turkey 20-gauge?
What is the best shot for a 12-gauge 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.
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 far can you shoot a wild turkey?
In that ballpark range, regardless of what you are shooting, shot density and energy are at their combined best. Based on recommendations from the Wild Turkey Task Force assembled by the National Wild Turkey Federation many years back, 40 yards has long been the suggested maximum distance for shooting at a wild turkey.
What happens if you shoot a wild turkey?
A bone-crushing shot to the head and neck immediately disrupts this flow and, except for the shattered avian reflexes of a dying bird, leaves the wild turkey feeling no pain and expiring within an instant. But don’t just aim at the turkey’s head. If your point of aim is slightly high, you could miss the bird entirely.