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.
Hunting wild turkeys with a 22 rifle can be an exciting and rewarding experience when done properly. However using the right shot placement is crucial for an ethical clean kill. In this article, I’ll explain everything you need to know about using a 22 rifle to hunt turkeys, including recommended states, shot placement, ammo choices, and more.
Is It Legal to Hunt Turkeys With a 22 Rifle?
Before we get into the details, it’s important to check your local regulations. Most states prohibit big game hunting with rimfires like the 22 LR However, some states do allow 22 rifles for turkey hunting, including
- Colorado
- Florida
- Maryland
- Missouri
- Montana
- Oklahoma
- Utah
- Virginia
- West Virginia
- Wyoming
Be sure to verify the regulations in your state before heading out with a 22 rifle Hunting turkeys illegally can lead to heavy fines, license revocation, and even jail time
Choosing the Right 22 Ammo for Turkeys
While the common 22 LR is abundant and affordable, it does have some limitations on larger game like turkeys. For the best results, choose a 22 magnum or 22 WMR cartridge. The 22 magnum shoots a heavier 40 grain bullet at faster velocities of around 2100 fps. This gives it superior energy transfer and penetration compared to a standard 22 LR.
Alternatively, the 22 Hornet is an excellent turkey round. It shoots a 45 grain bullet at over 2600 fps. The fast, lightweight projectile provides a lethal hit while minimizing meat damage.
Shot Placement – Where to Aim on a Turkey
With any 22 rifle, shot placement is critical. Unlike larger centerfire rifle rounds, rimfire cartridges lack the power for broadside body shots on big game.
Instead of the body, you’ll need to focus on the head and neck regions. Here are the best locations when hunting turkeys with a 22:
Head – Aiming just above the eyes and beak is ideal. This will destroy the central nervous system for an instant kill. Wait for the turkey to lift its head fully upright for the clearest shot.
Upper Neck – High in the neck where it meets the head offers another ethical aiming point. Severing the spine and major blood vessels here will drop a turkey immediately.
Lower Neck – The lower neck and throat region also works if angles prevent a head or upper neck shot. Cutting the trachea/windpipe shuts down respiration while damaging major arteries.
No matter your aiming point, wait until the turkey is stationary. Their heads bob constantly while walking or feeding. Picking your moment when it pauses will lead to better accuracy.
Effective Hunting Range and Strategies
While the 22 magnum extends range somewhat, most shots will be inside 50 yards. 25-35 yards is ideal when using a 22 rifle on turkeys. This helps ensure proper shot placement given the limitations of the cartridge.
When hunting, use cover like blinds, brush, or tree stands to get as close as possible. Turkeys have sharp vision so concealment and camouflage are musts.
Their vital areas are also very small targets, so choose a rifle scope for 22 magnum or 22 Hornet to enhance precision. A variable zoom scope in the 3-9x or 4-12x range provides a good balance of magnification and field of view.
Alternatives to Hunting Turkeys With a 22 Rifle
While effective in the right hands, hunting turkeys with a 22 does have challenges. The small rimfire rounds leave little margin for error. Before pursuing turkeys with a 22, be sure to practice extensively at various distances to ensure ethical kills.
An easier option for beginners is using a shotgun with heavy #4 or #6 lead or steel shot. The wide shot patterns make hitting the turkey’s head and neck more forgiving.
Archery equipment like crossbows and compound bows also work well on turkeys. If rifle hunting isn’t practical, consider bowhunting to take advantage of extended seasons in most states.
Final Thoughts
Hunting wild turkeys with a 22 rifle can be done ethically and legally when following regulations. Choosing more powerful 22 magnum rounds or the 22 Hornet and aiming for the head or neck are key to success. With sufficient practice and shot discipline, the 22 can be a great lightweight turkey hunting rifle. But no matter your equipment, always put safety and clean, ethical kills first.
Get Comfortable Shooting Offhand
In a perfect scenario, you’ll be ready for a tom when he comes in. You’ll be sitting comfortably with your back leaning against a wide tree. Your shotgun will be resting on your knee and pointed in the direction from which the tom will appear. And as soon as he pops his head up, he’ll be within range.
Unfortunately, perfect scenarios rarely happen in turkey hunting. It’s much more likely that the tom will approach from a slightly different spot than you expect, or that he sneaks into range and surprises you. Because turkeys have such incredible vision, moving your whole body in order to get into better shooting position will almost certainly spook him. It’s much better to pull the gun off your knee, level it on his neck and shoot, all in one smooth and swift motion. This means shooting unsupported, which is trickier than it sounds. My advice is to practice shooting offhand and shooting quickly before the season so you’re ready to improvise when a tom slips into range.
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.
Turkey hunt with .22 long rifle, San Saba Texas, 2018
FAQ
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