Turkey hunting is not easy. Real, wild turkeys are a formidable prey with many survival skills. Hunters need to get within 50 yards for a safe shotgun target. 25 yards is a good archery range.
In my hunting life, which is extensive, every tagged turkey, whether with a bow or shotgun, has been closer than 20 yards. My furthest bow elk was 18 yards and the closest was 7 yards.
I compare turkey and elk hunting often. The tactics and strategies are similar except for 800 pounds difference. The turkey’s survival gift is their eyesight. An elk’s gift is their nose. If each critter also had the others gift too, we would almost never tag out.
I am sure that some “Great Hunters” may brag about how far away that they have killed a turkey or elk. The truth is that it requires more hunting skills to get closer than to shoot further. REAL HUNTERS get close. That’s the whole point of tagging out. One shot, one kill. There is not just one thing or hunting skill needed.
Guys that shoot from hundreds of yards away wound more critters than they tag. They may be great sharpshooters but usually lack other great hunting skills. I suggest that you avoid using a turkey decoy as a rookie hunter. Its just more stuff to carry, takes time to set up, and is also dangerous. I have had an idiot hunter shoot my hen decoy, in the spring gobbler season. It took him 3 shots and he almost injured me. I picked 21 BB’s out of my plastic decoy, from his third shot.
Accuracy is important but not the only hunting skill to target. Scouting, reading signs, stalking, calling, and so much more make a hunter great. For me, the least exciting part of the hunt is the kill. At the moment of the shot, a great hunter must become focused on the shot aiming, accuracy, and timing. We become more of a computer and Terminator than a Hunter. After and before the shot you can have time for being excited but not when you shoot.
Being a student of the sport is essential. Learn all you can. You will never learn it all. Ethical hunters know the rules, limits, and approach the hunt legally.
Get close, get closer. Camo, stalking, and knowing the land helps. Rarely will a bird get called across a watershed or downhill. Set up with your back to a tree or rock. DON’T MOVE!!! BE READY TO SHOOT!!!
Call with a purpose. Practice and understand how to and when to call. Some calls are for finding a bird, others to get the attention of a hen, others a gobbler. Some calls are for roosted birds or a bird searching for other birds.
Sight in your shotgun. Most guys miss because they have not practiced shooting. Buffered shot in size 4 work out to 50 yards. Beyond that, it’s luck. You need 9-12 BBs in the bird’s head/neck area to kill them. Most shotguns shoot high right. Add a sight or red dot scope to the gun that is accurately sighted in.
CONTROL your excitement! Good luck with this. Turkey and Buck Fever have saved a lot of critters. Breathe and focus.
To keep the strategy simple, follow this plan.
Scout/find a turkey. Look for scratching’s, scat, and roosting areas. an owl hooter and a gobble call/crow call are helpful.
Be at the roosting site at sunrise. Timing is key.
Sey up against a rock, log, or cover within 100 yards of the roost site. Full camo including a head net.
Use a tree call or a cackle to call the gobbler. Once they respond, be quiet and don’t move. Call every 15 minutes and stay alert.
When the bird is within shotgun range, aim where the head connects to the body. One shot one kill is best.
Be respectful to the hunting Gods and give thanks! You have become a turkey hunter!
Montana Grant
