The Ultimate Challenge for Turkey Hunters

Why is bow and arrow turkey hunting experiencing such a renaissance with hunters? More and more hunters are reaching for the bow and arrow because this type of hunting is often one of the biggest challenges that you will experience. Turkey hunting tests your accuracy, patience, as well as your nerves. It is a challenging experience that requires a new mindset and set of skills. It is no wonder that so many turkey hunters turn to bow hunting when they are looking for a new challenge.

Remember that Bow Hunting is Different

One of the classic mistakes that many newcomers to bow hunting tend to make is that they forget it is much more different than conventional hunting, which relies on a firearm. If you can remember that bow hunting requires a new set of skills and attitude, you will fare much better than if you resist the differences between the two hunting styles. Be prepared to learn more about the animal’s anatomy and a whole different set of physical skills.

Learning About the Turkey’s Body

There are certain things that you should know when you are learning to become a bow hunter. You should learn certain things about the turkey’s anatomy. For instance, you should learn that a turkey’s body is covered with 4,000 to 5,000 feathers. The feathers are layered in multiple thick shields. You should also know that the average turkey has plenty of muscle, cartilage and bone that act as a powerful protection against swift penetration. Learning about the turkey’s major organs can help you become a better bow hunter. The average turkey has a heart and set of lungs that are about the size of a small orange, combined. In general, conventional turkey hunting requires that hunter to aim at the turkey’s head and neck for a clean shot. However, this is different for the bow hunter. The successful bow hunter should aim for a different kill zone.

The Three Main Shots in Bow Hunting

In bow hunting, there are three main kill zones. These are the three main shots that you need to worry about. The first is the straight-on chest shot. This is a high percentage shot. Aiming for this shot, however, puts you at risk of severing the beard. The second shot is known as the broadside shot. When shooting a turkey sideways, you should aim for the base of the turkey’s wing. This will cause the wing to become pinned to the turkey’s body. This type of shot will prevent the turkey from flying away. This shot is also known to be clean, because it will usually penetrate the vitals for a clean and fast kill. The third kill zone should be tried when the turkey is in full strut and facing away from the hunter. This offers a presentable shot. The arrow should ideally penetrate the backside of the turkey. This type of shot will tend to severe the spine and pass through the mid-section of the body. It is known to penetrate the main organs, causing the bird to become immobile.

More Tips for the Bow Hunter

Generally speaking, a straight-on shot is known as a high percentage shot. The best shot is almost always the safest shot. Always be careful of other hunters in the same area.

One of the easiest ways to think about your turkey hunting needs and to make sure nothing is left off of your list is to group your needs into categories and go from there. Category one could be the proper clothes for turkey hunting. You need to make sure you have all of the proper camo gear ready to go, from camo shirts and pants to camo makeup/paint, facenets, hats, gloves, socks, jackets – whatever you need for your climate and your hunting ground. Add to your camo clothing lists other needs like rain gear for those spring showers that often pop up during turkey hunting season and boots that will keep your feet dry in the rain and safe from the snakes. Consider whether your hunting trips are one-day adventures or several day affairs and make sure you have enough clothing for your needs.

Next, check off all of the equipment you will need for successful hunting. Of course you will need your shotgun, but don’t forget turkey loads, shotgun slings, a flashlight, trail ribbons, knife/ratchet cutters, binoculars, a map, a compass, a cooler and a first aid kit. Some of the equipment you need may depend on what is legal in your area. For instance, you may want to have a turkey decoy or camo blind if they are allowed where you do your hunting. Some other things may be a matter of personal preference, like a cushioned stool to sit on (beats hours on the cold, hard ground) or patterning targets.

Of course, a turkey hunt wouldn’t be a turkey hunt without turkey calls. The call can make all of the difference between getting a kill and not getting one, so taking the right collection of calls without to a hunt is very important. There are tons of different options for calls, like the gobble, the owl howl, turpin/wingbone call, glass calls, box calls, diaphragm calls and more. The right ones for you depend on the area in which you are hunting and the time of year you are hunting in. Don’t forget the call accessories, like call holsters and sandpaper.

Last but not least, don’t forget those little extras that can add up to be a big deal. Getting your license is at the top of the list – can’t do much without that. You will also want to check out your hunting territory and get the permission of the landowner before you go out hunting. It is traditional to get the landowner a gift of some sort in gratitude, so don’t forget to take care of that one. Devote a little time to practicing with the other gear on your list, like your calls, camping gear if you have, and so forth, so you are ready to go when the day comes around.

If you want to give caping your turkey a try, the first thing you need to do is completely skin the bird. To do this, grab the top of your turkey’s head and run a very sharp knife under the skin on the back of the neck, where the feathers on the back meet the turkey’s head. You can follow that incision down the back of the bird, all the way to tail feathers. The ideal strip you should be cutting off the back here is about two inches wide, but once you start cutting, you will see how the pattern of the feathers come together and a natural place to cut.

Once you reach the tail feathers, continue cutting the tail skin until you reach the end of that row and remove all of the feathers and skin you have carved – make sure you remove the tail skin completely.

From that swath you have removed from the bird, pick away at the flesh and fat that is attached to skin. This process may require the use of a smaller sharp knife and a spoon to scoop away large pieces. Make sure to remove as much flesh and fat as possible; if you leave these things on, you final product will not come out right, and it may have an unpleasant smell to it.

With the fat and flesh removed, take your piece of skin (it will be wet at this point), with the feathers still attached, and drench it in Borax to kill the germs. Now, you will need a good-sized piece of cardboard and some straight pins. Pin the top of your skinned portion of turkey to the cardboard, and then work your way down, adjusting the skin to your desired look – experiment with spreading it out and pulling it back in tights. When you have it in the position you want, go around the skinned portion pinning it securely to the cardboard. Once you have the skin positions correctly, you can start working with the feathers to create a design you like. Fanning the feathers out around the bottom, using a pocket knife to carefully work each one into position, is a common position for caping, but you can create any look you want. Make sure to pin each feather when you have it in the place that you want.

Now, it is just a matter of waiting. Let the cape sit for at least three weeks, and then shake it so that the excess Borax falls off. You can cut around the cardboard so that is it not visible around the cape if you like. Many people also cut a piece of wood to match the cape so that it can easily be mounted on the wall. The cape should stick to the cardboard on its own at this point, so you can remove the pins if you like, but if they are an unobtrusive, they give an extra level of security to your work.

Are you a newbie spring turkey hunter getting ready for your first hunt? If so, here are some tips for getting started in this often-exciting activity. Spring turkey hunting is prime time for gobblers, and it is the time of year where many new hunters experience the first thrill of hunting. Here are some guidelines that can help get you started.

The Fine Art of Wild Turkey Scouting

One of the most difficult things about turkey hunting is just being able to locate the wild birds. Turkey scouting is something that takes practice. With time, an experienced hunter will be able to scout for wild turkeys in many different locations. What is the easiest way to get started in wild turkey scouting? First, begin by locating general areas where you think you suspect (or perhaps you have been told) wild turkeys reside. This is a wild turkey habitat, and you should begin by noting the general areas where wild turkeys keep their habitat. Using this as a starting point, you can begin to refine your search for wild turkey habitats. Narrow down a larger area to a more specific are. Then move to certain part of woods or a specific field. If you do not have the benefit of experience, there are certain resources you can always turn to find out where the biggest wild turkey populations reside. Consult with conservation officers, wildlife biologists, hunting club members and sporting goods dealers are good places to ask about local wild turkey populations and habitats. You may also want to check for state and federal lands, reservoir areas, wildlife management areas and military reservations. If possible, you may also want to consult with private landowners. Some landowners will actually grant hunters permission to hunt on their lands.

Do Advanced Field Scouting

There are many things you can do once you think you have reached an area with an active wild turkey population. This is where field scouting comes into play. You should being field scouting after you have found several possible hunting areas. You will want to use a map and mark the area where you plan to hunt. If possible, drive the back roads of the area to get a good idea of the local terrain, including the power lines, the high points, ridges, rivers, open creeks, river bottoms and other land features.

Learn to Use a Turkey Call

A turkey call or a locator call can be your best friend as a novice hunter. There are so many different kinds of turkey calls, but as a newbie, you should begin with just a few. Common turkey calls include an owl hooter and a crow call. Practice with these and see if you can get a response. Every time you think you hear a response, you will want to mark the general (as specific as you can) on your map. Resist the urge to continue to call a bird that is responding to you. Many times, this will cause your gobbler to become shy and they will not respond to you. If a gobbler becomes call shy, they will cease from responding during open season.

Dressing for Hunting Success

As a wild turkey hunter, a small but important part of your preparation is to dress for hunting success. This means camouflage, and lots of it. Wild turkeys have very good vision, so you will definitely want to avoid being seen. A complete camouflage outfit will include a camo suit, a facemask, gloves and a cap. You should also wear dark socks so that your flesh does not stand out when you sit down. You may also choose to carry a camo vest with lots of pockets where you can store extra shells and maybe even a snack.