Bow Shot Bird

[13pt]

Hey guys. So I decided to give it a try. I took the bow this afternoon and shot at big Tom at about 30 yards. Had a good broadside shot, standing still, but he immediately flew after the shot. He was already at the edge of the mountain so he basically just glided down the hill. I just assumed it was a miss; however, I'm a dead shot and felt like I had him when I pulled the trigger (Ravin R-19 crossbow with Rage Hypodermic expandable). I can hold a 1.5" pattern at 70 yards. I didn't even go look since he flew off, and the arrow is gone for sure because he was on the horizon. Now this evening I'm reading these dudes have been known to fly off even when shot in the vitals will an arrow. Some have had to use dogs to find their bow shot bird. I'm debating on whether I should go look for this needle in a haystack tomorrow morning. Anyone have similar experiences from bow hunting, or even some pointers from what you've learned taking the road less traveled? Thanks!

 

[TreyB]

Better have tough skin for this post. Good luck in finding him. Oh and btw.... DUCK!!!!!

 

[TDW05]

I'm staying out of this one, but will say you need to do your part and at least put forth an honest effort to recover him.

 

[13pt]

I guess I should clear something up before the crossbow haters chime in. I'm completely unable to hunt with a compound. I had a doctors excuse to hunt with a crossbow about 5 years before they were legal. My right shoulder is shot. I'm just thankful there is such a thing as a crossbow so I don't miss out on a lot of the hunting season. Now, maybe it wasn't so smart to chase a turkey with a bow, as the more I read about it the more I question my decision.

 

[Arrowslanger]

Have taken 2 with compound. 1 went down immediately, vitals and crippled the hip area. 2nd took off in flight, higher vitals. Died near tree out of sight, took a very long time searching to find it but I did a few hours after shot. I did have clean pass through and found arrow to confirm hit so I wasn't giving up search easily. Have not bow hunted turkey since. Rage heads on both.

 

[13pt]

Have taken 2 with compound. 1 went down immediately, vitals and crippled the hip area. 2nd took off in flight, higher vitals. Died near tree out of sight, took a very long time searching to find it but I did a few hours after shot. I did have clean pass through and found arrow to confirm hit so I wasn't giving up search easily. Have not bow hunted turkey since. Rage heads on both.

That's very helpful. Sounds like I need to launch a recovery effort in the morning. And may be my last bow hunt as well. Thanks!

 

[Arrowslanger]

That's very helpful. Sounds like I need to launch a recovery effort in the morning. And may be my last bow hunt as well. Thanks!

Good luck! I remember finding the one that flew and it seemed like he may have been alive for a bit after shot because it looked like he knowingly tucked up next to the base of a tree, not just fell from flight and died. It was later in the season too so just hard to find a small(ish) animal in the woods like that with no trail to follow. Hard headed and luck is the only reason I found it. I was also shooting a whole lot back then and very confident in my shot, but that was enough to make me take a step back. The first bow kill earlier in season had me on cloud nine so I wanted to keep riding the wave if I was fortunate enough to get the opportunity. Nothing against someone wanting to pursue a bird with a bow, just know your target and your limitations.

 

[MickThompson]

Not a turkey but I watched a chukar fly 150 yards after being shot then crumple dead mid flight.

 

[Gravey]

Never bow hunted them but if you're that confident in your shot then there's a dead bird somewhere so I'd go looking for him. Good luck!

 

[Setterman]

If you're as confident as you seem about your shooting I'd return first thing and at least look. Sometimes stuff happens while hunting and we don't recover critters we shoot. If that happens life will go on, but at least give it a try in the morning

 

[Stumpsitter]

Good chance he died mid air. You didn't hear a crash or loud thump?
only thing you can do now is take off walking the direction he flew. Good luck.

 

[PalsPal]

I shot one with a shotgun one year that took flight but I thought he was hit. He sailed out of sight arounda corner of the fieldline. I walked that way and happened to look in a a big thorn bush. I happened to see just the tip of a feather. He had buried himself in that bush and died.

So I'd say the chances are pretty good that turkey is dead.

I'd say the chances of finding him are slim to none especially if any coyotes in the area.

If you were to find him what then? The meat is spoiled. I guess you could get spurs and beard if those are important to you.

The remaining question is do you check it in not knowing if you actually killed him. That would be a tough one for me.

 

[Andy S.]

Good luck with your search today, hope you can get some closure with him.

 

[13pt]

I have closure! Shortly after moving into the area of the direction he flew I spotted 4 hens and a big Tom across the hollow. Fortunately I took my binoculars and immediately seen this was my Tom. He was missing all his feathers about 1" above his beard and had a bloody spot; however, he was strutting along doing just fine. Best outcome in my opinion. Now what the heck happened. I went back to the scene and surveyed the landscape. Based on point of impact I hit about 2" to the right and just about right on vertically at 30 yards. I seen two very small saplings only about two foot tall that could have deflected the arrow some. I didn't see any scars on them so no way to know for sure. Maybe the ole crossbow is off a tad since last bow season. I didn't shoot it. Just took it out of the case and went hunting yesterday. I'll test it out this afternoon...at a target not a turkey! Of Course, there's always the chance I was off a couple inches, but I would just feel better blaming something else...you understand, right? Thanks again to all who chimed in.

 

[JCDEERMAN]

I have closure! Shortly after moving into the area of the direction he flew I spotted 4 hens and a big Tom across the hollow. Fortunately I took my binoculars and immediately seen this was my Tom. He was missing all his feathers about 1" above his beard and had a bloody spot; however, he was strutting along doing just fine. Best outcome in my opinion. Now what the heck happened. I went back to the scene and surveyed the landscape. Based on point of impact I hit about 2" to the right and just about right on vertically at 30 yards. I seen two very small saplings only about two foot tall that could have deflected the arrow some. I didn't see any scars on them so no way to know for sure. Maybe the ole crossbow is off a tad since last bow season. I didn't shoot it. Just took it out of the case and went hunting yesterday. I'll test it out this afternoon...at a target not a turkey! Of Course, there's always the chance I was off a couple inches, but I would just feel better blaming something else...you understand, right? Thanks again to all who chimed in.

Good job on going back in an attempt for recovery. I think that's the best outcome you could have asked for. I try to dissect every shot, even a miss. It's always a learning experience

 

[philsanchez76]

I guess I should clear something up before the crossbow haters chime in. I'm completely unable to hunt with a compound. I had a doctors excuse to hunt with a crossbow about 5 years before they were legal. My right shoulder is shot. I'm just thankful there is such a thing as a crossbow so I don't miss out on a lot of the hunting season. Now, maybe it wasn't so smart to chase a turkey with a bow, as the more I read about it the more I question my decision.

I don't think they were talking about thick skin for your crossbow usage (heck I am a crossbow guy myself); think it was more for not looking for him right away. But it's awesome you were able to glass him up and get closure on the near miss. Those are some tough birds!

 

[catman529]

Yes they can run or fly off with a vital shot, but the wings do cover a lot of the vitals so it may have been marginal...he's probably dead

 

[13pt]

I have to admit I honestly didn't realize they could fly off with a good vital shot, so I didn't give it a second thought I should go look for him. I'm still a bit of a novice at this turkey hunting, so lots to learn. Now deer hunting I'm at the top of my game...6 bucks in the deer registry and 4 of them with a bow, but I'm quickly learning turkey hunting is just as tough! Anyway, in this particular case worked out I didn't go looking for him or I wouldn't have seen him this morning...apparently doing just fine. Told my wife he was showing off his scar to the hens this morning telling them he whooped the king of the mountain and lived to strut another day...lol. We'll dance again soon I hope!

 

[megalomaniac]

Always make every effort to recover game after a shot, never assume a miss.

I shot a buck in MS this year that didn't act hit when he ran off. I haven't missed a deer in over a decade, so I assumed I hit him. Looked for blood without success for over an hour. Never found blood. Called in tracking dogs and we scoured the area for another 2 hours. Handlers said zero doubt it was a clean miss. I felt stupid for calling in the dogs, but also felt good that I did everything possible to recover an animal immediately after the shot. Also felt stupid for missing a fairly easy shot.

Live and learn, anytime you pull the trigger or release an arrow, always check for blood and do your best to recover game.

 

[KPH]

a number of years ago i watched a video of a turkey bow shot fly off with the arrow and i would have thought it was a good shot till i thought about how little of their vitals they have to shoot.

 

[fairchaser]

If you must use a bow, why not aim for the neck or head? At least a hit would insure a clean immediate kill and a miss is a clean miss. I've never used a bow on a turkey but this seems like it would be harder to wound one.

 

[philsanchez76]

If you must use a bow, why not aim for the neck or head? At least a hit would insure a clean immediate kill and a miss is a clean miss. I've never used a bow on a turkey but this seems like it would be harder to wound one.

Magnus does make some turkey specific broad heads that are meant to be shot head/neck. Can't remember what they are called.

 

[Creek]

If I ever decided to try and kill a turkey with a crossbow, after sufficient amount of practice, accuracy and shooting at a sensible distance, I have no doubt that I would use a guillotine.

 

[philsanchez76]

If I ever decided to try and kill a turkey with a crossbow, after sufficient amount of practice, accuracy and shooting at a sensible distance, I have no doubt that I would use a guillotine.

yes!