Bow or Shotgun

wily1 · 04-06-2008, 01:16 PM

Well in less than a month it will be Turkey Season here in Manitoba. So I have the same problem I did last time I went turkey hunting, shotgun or bow. I don't know anyone that has shot a turkey with a bow and wonder if it may be better than using a shotgun. I think once that arrow goes through or sticks in the turkey (vitals of course) its game over. And of course you have advantage of not scaring off anything else in the vicinity if you miss. So any feedback?

Sooner Shooter · 04-06-2008, 06:41 PM

Although I'm not a turkey hunter I would think that the art of calling them in is the thrill of the hunt. With the closed chokes and 3 and 1/2 inch shells these days one doesn't have to be much of a shooter to hit one. I have pattered one of those guns out to forty yards and it's impressive. When you hunt with a shotgun you can almost stay motionless throughout the time the turkey comes to you. With a bow you have to change your position and draw the arrow. A turkey's vision is much more acute than a deer's and it's hard enough to draw back on a deer without being noticed much less a turkey. I bet you don't know anyone who's shot a turkey with a bow because it's so darn hard. Back to the vitals. From the stories I've heard you better hit the vitals or you'll never see them. There's a lot of feathers on that bird so the target is not that big. For me I'm going to have to learn how to call them in first and will probably be using a shotgun but if I was good at calling them in I'd sure go with the bow because of the bigger challenge. Go with the bow and you'll finally know somebody that got one with a bow! SS

texnmidwest · 04-06-2008, 07:10 PM

If it were deer hunting I would definitely say shotgun. But with Turkey...bow. Bow hunting turkeys is a dual art and like stated above hit a turkey with a broad head...game over.

Have fun!!

horton5 · 04-07-2008, 05:23 PM

I have killed my last three turkeys with a bow. Talk about the ultimate RUSH!!!. If you plan on using a bow, Here are a few things that has helped alot. Use a pop up blind to conceal your movements. It is a must. Place your decoys about ten yards in front of the blind , And have a jake decoy facing towards you. When the tom comes in to chase the jake away ,he will circle the decoy and give you a nice broadside shot. Try to use a jake decoy that is in full strut. It really drives older gobblers crazy. Be patient with turkeys while using a blind . Waite them out. I have killed birds at 7am, and sat until after noon before the birds have came in. In Indiana we can hunt all day.Calling birds is very important also.Once you have a bird answering your call play it a little conservative. I have had great luck with doing so. if you see a bird coming to your decoys , Get ready. It is amazing how much movement you can get away with in a blind. Last years gobbler was killed at 5 yards.

Sooner Shooter · 04-07-2008, 07:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by horton5

I have killed my last three turkeys with a bow. Talk about the ultimate RUSH!!!. If you plan on using a bow, Here are a few things that has helped alot. Use a pop up blind to conceal your movements. It is a must. Place your decoys about ten yards in front of the blind , And have a jake decoy facing towards you. When the tom comes in to chase the jake away ,he will circle the decoy and give you a nice broadside shot. Try to use a jake decoy that is in full strut. It really drives older gobblers crazy. Be patient with turkeys while using a blind . Waite them out. I have killed birds at 7am, and sat until after noon before the birds have came in. In Indiana we can hunt all day.Calling birds is very important also.Once you have a bird answering your call play it a little conservative. I have had great luck with doing so. if you see a bird coming to your decoys , Get ready. It is amazing how much movement you can get away with in a blind. Last years gobbler was killed at 5 yards.

Thanks for the info horton 5. Makes me want to start turkey hunting! Does your name come from you owning your 5th Horton?

STITCH · 04-07-2008, 07:56 PM

I would totally say BOW!!! No shotgun is worth a turkey!!! Bow is the only way to go!

04-06-2008, 01:16 PM	#1
wily1 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Brandon, Manitoba Posts: 170 Trader Rating: (0)	Bow or Shotgun Well in less than a month it will be Turkey Season here in Manitoba. So I have the same problem I did last time I went turkey hunting, shotgun or bow. I don't know anyone that has shot a turkey with a bow and wonder if it may be better than using a shotgun. I think once that arrow goes through or sticks in the turkey (vitals of course) its game over. And of course you have advantage of not scaring off anything else in the vicinity if you miss. So any feedback?

04-06-2008, 06:41 PM	#2
Sooner Shooter Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 566 Trader Rating: (0)	Although I'm not a turkey hunter I would think that the art of calling them in is the thrill of the hunt. With the closed chokes and 3 and 1/2 inch shells these days one doesn't have to be much of a shooter to hit one. I have pattered one of those guns out to forty yards and it's impressive. When you hunt with a shotgun you can almost stay motionless throughout the time the turkey comes to you. With a bow you have to change your position and draw the arrow. A turkey's vision is much more acute than a deer's and it's hard enough to draw back on a deer without being noticed much less a turkey. I bet you don't know anyone who's shot a turkey with a bow because it's so darn hard. Back to the vitals. From the stories I've heard you better hit the vitals or you'll never see them. There's a lot of feathers on that bird so the target is not that big. For me I'm going to have to learn how to call them in first and will probably be using a shotgun but if I was good at calling them in I'd sure go with the bow because of the bigger challenge. Go with the bow and you'll finally know somebody that got one with a bow! SS __________________ Save the drama for your mama!

04-06-2008, 07:10 PM	#3
texnmidwest Senior Bear Fluffer Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: South east Wisconsin Posts: 2,951 Trader Rating: (0)	If it were deer hunting I would definitely say shotgun. But with Turkey...bow. Bow hunting turkeys is a dual art and like stated above hit a turkey with a broad head...game over. Have fun!! __________________ "Quando Omni Flunkus Moritati" (If all else fails play dead)

04-07-2008, 05:23 PM	#4
horton5 Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 18 Trader Rating: (0)	I have killed my last three turkeys with a bow. Talk about the ultimate RUSH!!!. If you plan on using a bow, Here are a few things that has helped alot. Use a pop up blind to conceal your movements. It is a must. Place your decoys about ten yards in front of the blind , And have a jake decoy facing towards you. When the tom comes in to chase the jake away ,he will circle the decoy and give you a nice broadside shot. Try to use a jake decoy that is in full strut. It really drives older gobblers crazy. Be patient with turkeys while using a blind . Waite them out. I have killed birds at 7am, and sat until after noon before the birds have came in. In Indiana we can hunt all day.Calling birds is very important also.Once you have a bird answering your call play it a little conservative. I have had great luck with doing so. if you see a bird coming to your decoys , Get ready. It is amazing how much movement you can get away with in a blind. Last years gobbler was killed at 5 yards.

04-07-2008, 07:56 PM	#6
STITCH Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Missouri Posts: 114 Trader Rating: (0)	I would totally say BOW!!! No shotgun is worth a turkey!!! Bow is the only way to go!