Turkeys are tough. They’re covered in dense feathers, and their vital area is deceivingly small—this is especially true for strutting toms. Because of all this, you must shoot a tom in the head and neck in order to kill him cleanly and ethically. Quite simply, putting the core of your shotgun pattern on a tom’s neck and head will drop him in his tracks.
But it does get slightly more complicated than just “put it on his head!” Turkeys move constantly, and their heads move the most. Shot distances vary, which changes the spread and density of your gun’s pattern. Then there’s the challenge of turkey hunting with a bow, which requires a whole different type of shot placement. In order to simplify turkey shooting and help you make the quickest, cleanest kills possible, I’ve put together an in-depth guide on where to shoot a turkey.
Turkey hunting is an exciting and challenging sport that requires choosing the right tools for a successful and ethical harvest. With wild turkeys being wary and having exceptional eyesight and hearing having the proper firearm and ammunition is key. This guide covers the main options for firearms and ammo that turkey hunters use and things to consider when making your selection.
Shotguns
The most common choice for turkey hunting is a shotgun loaded with turkey specific shells. Shotguns are effective at close ranges, which is important when trying to get a turkey within 30 yards or less. The wide spread of pellets also increases the probability of hitting the vital head and neck area on a turkey.
The two most popular shotgun gauges for turkeys are 12 gauge and 20 gauge. 12 gauge shotguns have more pellets per shell and generate less felt recoil. This makes them ideal for beginning hunters. 20 gauge shotguns have reduced weight compared to 12 gauges, but have more felt recoil. Experienced hunters who are confident in their shooting ability often prefer 20 gauges for their lighter weight and ease of carrying.
When it comes to shotgun chokes, tighter constrictions like full or extra full turkey chokes help concentrate the shot pattern at closer distances. This gives the density needed for lethal and ethical shots on turkeys. Be sure to pattern your specific shotgun and turkey loads at various distances to confirm an effective shot pattern before hunting.
Turkey Specific Shotgun Shells
In recent years, ammunition companies have developed specialist turkey loads. These shells use larger lead pellets, buffered with shock absorbing wads, along with specialty shot like tungsten. This combination gives excellent downrange energy and denser shot patterns.
Popular options for lead turkey loads are #4, #5, and #6 birdshot. The larger pellets have more mass for bone and tissue penetration. Loads using #5 or #6 shot are common choices for balancing sufficient pellet count and knockdown power.
Non-toxic tungsten, bismuth, and blended shot types are also available in turkey loads. These alternatives to lead shot have similar densities, resulting in good terminal performance. The extra cost is worthwhile in areas that require non-toxic ammo.
When buying turkey ammo, be sure to pattern it with your specific shotgun. This will help determine if that load prints a dense enough pattern for ethical and effective shots.
Bows and Crossbows
Archery equipment like compound bows, recurve bows, and crossbows are also suitable for turkey hunting. Using archery tackle adds challenge and most states have separate turkey seasons and tags for bowhunting.
Arrows and bolts used should have very sharp two blade broadheads. Models specially made for turkeys feature 1 1/4” to 2” cutting diameters and streamlined profile for aerodynamics. Mechanical broadheads are also effective if they deploy reliably and have at least a 1 1/2” diameter.
Experienced bowhunters can achieve pass through shots on turkeys under 30 yards with bows shooting over 50 lbs draw weight. Crossbows should be 150 lbs or higher draw weight. As with shotguns, do some practice to ensure your bow/crossbow and arrows are shooting tight groups at common turkey hunting distances.
Rifles and Handguns
In many states, rifles, handguns, and PCP airguns shooting single projectiles are legal but have restrictions. Most prohibit the use of high power centerfire rifles for turkeys. Some states do allow certain centerfire pistol calibers or rimfire rifles like .22LR. Be sure to carefully review your state’s regulations.
When centerfire rifles are allowed, common turkey specific rounds are .410 shotshells in rifle calibers like .44 Magnum and .45-70 Government. The multiple pellets these specialty shells produce are effective on turkeys while reducing risks. Smaller calibers like .22LR can work for headshots but lack knockdown power.
Handguns like .22 rimfire pistols are usually allowed and effective inside 20 yards. Larger calibers such as 9mm and .45 ACP can work when allowed but shot placement is critical. Full power handgun cartridges and magnums are not recommended. Their noise can be extremely disorienting at close range and they tend to destroy too much meat.
For any firearms used, hunters must stick to shots of 30 yards or less. This gives clean kills and keeps damage to a minimum. Spending time at the range practicing ensures you can consistently hit a turkey’s head and neck area, resulting in an ethical harvest.
Key Considerations When Choosing a Turkey Hunting Firearm
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Familiarity – Pick a shotgun, bow, or firearm you are comfortable shooting and can handle safely.
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Fit – Your firearm should fit your body size, shooting style, and physical ability.
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Shooting ability – Be realistic about your competency level. A beginner will be better served with simpler weapons like shotguns and bows over rifles and handguns.
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Hunting situation – What types of terrain and distances will your shots be? How close can you expect to get to birds?
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Local regulations – Be sure any firearms and ammunition you choose are legal for turkey hunting where you will be.
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Pattern testing – Always test various ammo and choke combos with the exact shotgun you will hunt with to verify a dense shot pattern.
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Practice – Spend time at the range shooting your turkey hunting firearms regularly. This improves accuracy and builds confidence.
In Summary
When preparing to hunt wild turkeys, investing time to select the right tools matters. With patience and skill, you can call in and take spring gobblers ethically and effectively. A12 gauge or 20 gauge shotgun loaded with turkey specific shells and a turkey choke is what most hunters use. However, archery tackle, certain rifles, pistols, and PCP airguns can also be effective when hunters understand their limitations and train with them.
By matching your hunting situation and skills with the proper firearm and ammo, following regulations, and practicing, you will be set up for success when you head to the turkey woods.
Identify Your Target and Know What’s Beyond It
This is one of the core rules of hunter’s safety and it’s especially important for turkey hunters. We need to make sure that we are shooting toms (or jakes and bearded hens where legal). Make sure you see a visible beard of a live turkey (not a decoy) before putting your finger on the trigger. It’s also important to make sure that you don’t accidentally hit any turkeys near the bird you’re aiming at. Remember your pattern will spread several feet wide at longer ranges. You don’t want stray pellets to hit collateral birds that are next to or behind your tom.
Consider Adding a Red Dot to Your Turkey Rig
A red dot sight is immensely helpful for making good shots on turkeys. It gives you a more precise point for aiming (compared to a standard bead) and it forces you to keep your head down on the shotgun while shooting. Most shotguns these days have receivers that are drilled and tapped so mounting a rail and a sight is a simple task. Check out our review of the best red dots for turkey hunting here.
YOU’RE AIMING WRONG! Turkey Shot Placement | Shotgun Turkey Hunting
FAQ
What should I shoot a turkey with?
What kind of gun do you use for turkeys?
What shot is best for turkey?
Can you shoot a turkey with a rifle?
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.
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 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.
Can you hunt turkeys with a shotgun?
Archery hunting for turkeys, especially with the aid of ground blinds, is getting more and more popular each year; however, most hunters choose to hunt with shotguns and the reasons are obvious. For the most part, accurate shotgun shooting does not require as much skill as shooting a bow does. Shotguns are also more forgiving.