Game on Tom!!

[Specializedjon]

I'm not a turkey hunter by any means. Never shot one. I've practiced my mouth calls and have all the "stuff" to hunt but due to time and a home remodel I just haven't dedicated any time to hunting.

Saturday, I was out setting posts for the new garden and heard a turkey cobbling in the back of the property. He was close. I ran to my truck and responded with a "%^$#%^$@#&^%*@^%" (dying cat sound). He responded again Ran to the shop and grabbed the shotgun and headed up, no camo, just a muddy bald dude running up a hill with a shotgun (with #8 clay loads no less). As I got to the top of the hill all I saw was his butt wiggling off towards the tree line.

This morning while was leaving for work, I saw him again with a hen in the field. I didn't know we even had turkey on the property and had never seen any to date.

Now....it's game on. I've got a cedar outcropping that I think I'm going to set up in tomorrow morning to see if I can get him in close.

We'll see. Hopefully I'll have a cool picture to share by the end of the week.

 

[clwg97]

Get 'Em!!

 

[Specializedjon]

Stupid question alert:

What's a good turkey load that'll reach out to about 40-50 yds?

I know I can Google it, but Google can kiss my

 

[PossumSlayer]

Good luck!

 

[Wrangler95]

May luck be with you,hope you get him!I use Winchester #5 shot Longbeard shells,very tight pattern!

 

[Specializedjon]

Thanks Wrangler. I'll see if I can find them.

 

[rem270]

Good luck man. Be tough finding any turkey loads probably but I really like the longbeard xr shells.

 

[thirdwilliam]

good luck

 

[Gravey]

If 12 ga I'll pile on to the Winchester XR 3 1/2" #5's crowd. Good luck!!!

 

[Specializedjon]

I may just stick'm with an arrow as a back-up. I'm pretty decent out to about 50 yds.

 

[TheLBLman]

What's a good turkey load that'll reach out to about 40-50 yds?

Opinions vary greatly, but here's mine, and based
both on my personal experiences and your situation as described.

Most important thing for you at this point
is to simply not take a shot over 40 yds (35 would be better goal).
This is to prevent the probability of wounding (then the bird dies unrecovered),
as well as for you to experience close up & personal,
which is the epitome of traditional turkey hunting.

I'm assuming you do not have an optical sight nor
any after-market extra full "turkey" choke,
which actually cause a lot of misses,
especially in the absence of optical sights
and much pattern testing.

Under 35 yds, it may matter little what shell you are shooting.
I would recommend a modified to full choke,
and #6 whatever you have (that's not steel).
You want lead, or heavier than lead loads.

I've killed several turkeys with #7 1/2 lead loads,
and they're deadly out to about 35 yds.

With whatever load, ONLY go for a head/upper neck shot.
This avoids ruining the breast with pellets,
and reducing the chance of wounding,
then the bird dies without your recovering it.

IMO, the actual shell/load,
may be the least important aspect of the hunt.
Just know the limitations
for whatever you're using.

 

[megalomaniac]

Good luck! Hope you have a blast hinting him even if you don't kill him!

 

[themanpcl]

The first step is admitting you have a problem. I'm afraid you may have become addicted. I'll recommend you undergo therapy in April and May each year to keep the addiction at bay. No co-pay required for this prescription. I'm not a doctor, just stayed at a Holiday Inn Express....haaaaa

 

[Dennis]

I may just stick'm with an arrow as a back-up. I'm pretty decent out to about 50 yds.

If you use a bow just remember hit 'em high and watch em die. Hit 'em low and watch em go.

 

[Specializedjon]

Opinions vary greatly, but here's mine, and based
both on my personal experiences and your situation as described.

Most important thing for you at this point
is to simply not take a shot over 40 yds (35 would be better goal).
This is to prevent the probability of wounding (then the bird dies unrecovered),
as well as for you to experience close up & personal,
which is the epitome of traditional turkey hunting.

I'm assuming you do not have an optical sight nor
any after-market extra full "turkey" choke,
which actually cause a lot of misses,
especially in the absence of optical sights
and much pattern testing.

Under 35 yds, it may matter little what shell you are shooting.
I would recommend a modified to full choke,
and #6 whatever you have (that's not steel).
You want lead, or heavier than lead loads.

I've killed several turkeys with #7 1/2 lead loads,
and they're deadly out to about 35 yds.

With whatever load, ONLY go for a head/upper neck shot.
This avoids ruining the breast with pellets,
and reducing the chance of wounding,
then the bird dies without your recovering it.

IMO, the actual shell/load,
may be the least important aspect of the hunt.
Just know the limitations
for whatever you're using.

Good advise. Thanks

 

[Spurhunter]

If there is a Bass Pro near you they probably have Hevishot Magblends for a 12 gauge. They are a little pricey compared to lead, but they are excellent turkey loads. Longbeards are excellent for a lead shell. Whatever you buy, shoot a shell at paper. I'm assuming you will be shooting a bead. It might shoot dead straight or it might shoot a foot high or low or whatever. Get a big sheet of poster board or cardboard so you can see exactly where the center density of your pattern lands.

 

[Specializedjon]

Thanks @Spurhunter I'll do that. I'm working on my "grand slam" on the new property. Buck (check), Turkey (TBD), Neighbor shooting on my property (TBD)

 

[Speedwell-Hunter]

Thanks @Spurhunter I'll do that. I'm working on my "grand slam" on the new property. Buck (check), Turkey (TBD), Neighbor shooting on my property (TBD)

LMO

 

[woodsman04]

Just get a full or extra full choke and some cheap turkey shells; nothing fancy. Shoot it at paper and see what you think your yardage should be. It ain't got to be like these dudes you see on here with 100 pellets in a 10" circle or whatever.

Get a cheap turkey target, cheap shells, decent choke, and start shooting. I'd say if your consistent with 10 or so Pellets in the head and neck that would be safe.

Winchester longbeards pattern well and are a decent price. I like #6s personally.

Hevi shot mag blends are little pricey but pattern really well.

And of course the TSS is very expensive.

But even the regular Winchester Double X are ok. Try to get magnum loads. 3" shells probably should have 1-7/8 to 2oz of shot. 2-1/4oz in a 3-1/2". (This is all 12 gauge by the way)