{"id":2107,"date":"2023-04-01T14:47:00","date_gmt":"2023-04-01T18:47:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.wholesalehunter.com\/blog\/?p=2107"},"modified":"2023-06-30T14:47:57","modified_gmt":"2023-06-30T18:47:57","slug":"shots-at-turkeys","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.wholesalehunter.com\/blog\/shots-at-turkeys\/","title":{"rendered":"SHOTS AT TURKEYS"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

By<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Craig Boddington<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Throughout most of the country April is prime time for turkeys. I am not an expert turkey hunter, and a mediocre turkey caller\u2026on my best days. No way I will write the definitive \u201chow to\u201d story on turkey hunting. However, given a chance, I\u2019ve been pretty good at shooting<\/em> turkeys.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
When a gobbler is coming in, Boddington likes to keep his knees up so he can rest his elbows and get steady. Of course, a bird come in from any direction. Boddington is left-handed, but he practices shooting right-handed\u2026just in case.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Not perfect. (Talk about that later.) Wife Donna hasn\u2019t taken as many turkeys and, theoretically, isn\u2019t as good with a shotgun. Even so, she is 100 percent on bagging all turkeys she has shot at. She took her first Eastern gobbler in Georgia last Saturday, so her experience now includes three varieties, with some multiples.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
The Mossberg 940-Pro Boddington used in Georgia in \u201923 was borrowed, but he checked the pattern on a target. Aiming at the center orange dot, this 25-yard pattern with Apex No. 8 tungsten is fantastic: About the right height above aim, and wonderfully dense.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

On the other hand, my Dad was the best and fastest wingshooter I ever knew on quail and pheasants. Dad had been a successful fighter pilot in WWII and had off-the-charts vision. Despite these advantages, he couldn\u2019t figure out how to hold a shotgun on a stationary bird and center a turkey\u2019s head. His native Kansas had no turkeys for most of his life, so a wild turkey was one of few creatures he really wanted to take. I can\u2019t recall how many turkeys he shot over until he finally took his first with a .22 Hornet<\/a> (in Texas, where rifles are legal).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

AIM A BIT LOW<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Most shotguns are stocked to center the pattern a bit high for rising birds, so you can see the clay or the bird above the rib or bead. Some shoot \u201cdead-on,\u201d but few modern shotguns pattern below point-of-aim. Dad\u2019s problem: A fast shooter on rising birds, he liked his shotguns to shoot high and wasn\u2019t used to a stationary target. This exaggerates the effect of a high-shooting gun, and he couldn\u2019t make himself place the bead far enough down on the neck to account for both the stationary target and the rise of the pattern.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
An excellent Gould\u2019s turkey, taken with a favorite turkey gun, a left-hand Moaaberg 12-gauge pump, using three-inch No. 6 lead shot.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

You can check this with a pattern board, and you should. Checking \u201czero\u201d and verifying patterns with a shotgun from a steady rest isn\u2019t pleasant. Heavy turkey loads kick like hell, but it\u2019s essential preparation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What you want to see on a target: Most of the pattern just above the aiming point. Then, when a bird presents with a more-or-less vertical neck, you can place the bead about where the feathers stop and the naked, red neck starts. Remember, you\u2019re dealing with a pattern, not a single bullet. The majority of the pattern should catch the entire head and neck.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
This gobbler is in a near-perfect position: Not too far, not too close, head erect. Boddington would hold on that wrinkle in the neck just above where the feathers stop\u2026and let a slightly high pattern do its work.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Depending on what a target has revealed, you are probably okay aiming where the neck joins the body (Dad would have been). Height of comb varies; my turkey shotguns don\u2019t shoot as high as my trap guns or quail guns. The main point: Don\u2019t aim precisely at the head. With most shotguns, this is asking to shoot over the top. You must hold a bit low, down on the neck.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On April 1st<\/sup>, opening day in Georgia, we had a disappointing morning. Minimal distant gobbling shut off at dawn, and we never saw a bird. Nearly noon, set up in a different spot, a big gobbler came in completely silent. Just out of range but clearly eyeing our decoys, he started to strut\u2014never gobbled\u2014then advanced cautiously.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I always carry a rangefinder and check distances when I set up, so I\u2019ll have a good idea when a gobbler is close enough. With the shotgun I carried, he\u2019d probably been in range for a while, but he was strutting in weeds that almost covered him. Silent, obviously checking our set, but not comfortable. I was sure he was within 40 yards when he stood erect and stretched his neck.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
When strutting, a gobbler tucks his head tight against his chest. A body shot can work, but is risky and will mess up a lot of meat. Better to wait him out and let him extend his neck.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

On a stationary target, a high pattern keeps getting higher as range increases. I rested the Mossberg <\/a>over my knee, held well down on the long neck, and pressed the trigger. The bird dropped into the weeds, gone, but he was right there, a last few wingbeats as I approached.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

HEAD SHOTS ARE BEST<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Years ago, I was hunting in Missouri with a borrowed Browning<\/a> BPS 10-gauge, awesome shotgun. A big bird came straight to us, strutted, and I pasted him head-on at 25 yards with a 3 \u00bd-inch shell, 2.5 ounces of shot. The bird dropped to the shot and flopped behind a big oak. My partner and I ran to it\u2026and the bird was gone. No trace, never seen again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Doesn\u2019t matter what you\u2019re shooting. Body shots on turkeys with shotguns are unreliable. Tough birds, thick feathers, heavy breast protecting the vitals. When in strut, the head is tucked in, and the temptation is to shoot for that big, black mass. Big mistake that I\u2019ll never make again. Wait until the head extends, and aim for the head and neck<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
With a shotgun, you\u2019re shooting a pattern, with no control over exactly where pellets land. Essential to be mindful of other birds, and make sure a chosen turkey is absolutely clear.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Drives purists insane, but some states still allow rifles. That\u2019s a different deal; the head is too small a target, and often moving. Purists, please ignore this: Where legal, I get a huge kick out of sniping turkeys with a small rifle, .17<\/a> or .22 Magnum, .22 Hornet<\/a>. Wait for the broadside shot and aim where the wing butt joins the body. Doesn\u2019t mess up much meat, and effective. If you have that shot with a rifle, you also have the head shot with a shotgun.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The tricky part: If the head is extended horizontally, while the bird is gobbling, then you have only the head as a very small point target. Better know exactly how high your gun shoots, otherwise there\u2019s increased risk of passing the whole pattern just over the top. I shot a big Gould\u2019s turkey in Sonora with his neck stretched out, remembered to hold a bit low. Killed the bird\u2014doesn\u2019t take all that many pellets in the head\u2014but most of the pattern went high.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Donna Boddington\u2019s first Eastern gobbler, taken in Georgia on April 1st, 2023. She used a left-hand Benelli 20-gauge with No. 9 tungsten shot.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The shot I much prefer is to have the neck erect. Still not a big target, but bigger. Ideally, you want pellet strikes in both head and neck. No one can say exactly how many strikes are needed. Where pellets impact is random, but you want multiple strikes\u2014with penetration\u2014in spine and brain. There are \u201cgolden pellets\u201d: The one strike that centers the brain, but let\u2019s not count on that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

CHOKES, GAUGES, SHELLS<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Depending on range, shells, shot, and pattern, anything can work. I\u2019ve taken turkeys with my Model 12 skeet gun, but it\u2019s not a turkey gun. For years I used a short-barreled Spanish side-by-side 10-gauge with screw-in chokes. Lots of shot, should have been perfect, but tt was rarely as devastating as it should have been. Not much development in 10-gauge shells. The pattern board eventually showed me that, with available ammo, the pattern had holes a turkey could fly through. Cool gun, but I got rid of it. Tight chokes are best, but even patterns more important.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Today, we have better shells, better shot, and better chokes. The great turkey hunter, Dr. Warren Strickland, was the first guy I talked to who was killing his turkeys with a .410<\/a>. Today, a lot of serious turkey addicts, with great shells and awesome chokes, use small gauges.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Boddington\u2019s Dad, Bud Boddington, used a .22 Hornet for his first turkey, taken in Texas. An avid quail hunter, he liked high-shooting shotguns\u2026and shot over multiple toms before resorting to the rifle.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sorry, I don\u2019t. I\u2019m neither a good enough caller, nor a confident enough turkey hunter, to bank on the small gauges. I mostly use a 12-gauge<\/a>, but both Donna and I have taken numerous turkeys with 20-gauge<\/a> guns. In 12-gauge, I\u2019m comfortable with 2 \u00be or 3-inch shells; in 20-gauge, we use 3-inch loads.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I have also downsized on shot. Historically, I\u2019ve usually used lead No. 5 or 6 for the first (preferably head) shot, backed up with No. 4 for a follow-up body shot if needed. New shot has changed the game. I was stunned when I heard about experienced hunters\u2014like Dr. Strickland\u2014shooting turkeys with shot as small as No. 9. Depends on the pattern, and the shot. This year, our Georgia gobblers were taken with No. 8 tungsten shot in Mississippi-loaded Apex shells. Tungsten is denser than lead, more small pellets in the pattern, with better penetration per pellet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
You can definitely get the gun up while a bird is gobbling, but all you have to shoot at is the head; it\u2019s essential to know exactly how high your gun patterns and aim a couple inches low.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Remember, velocity is much the same from gauge to gauge, thus pellet energy the same. Performance is thus largely about choke and payload, which dictate range. With turkeys, the important things are to check point of impact and pattern with your gun and your load.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

RANGE AND SIGHTS<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Then, focus on that bright red head\u2026and keep your shots within the distance your pattern density guarantees multiple head-neck strikes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With the shells and chokes we have today, effective ranges have increased. For me, I don\u2019t push the range envelope. Given a choice, I also don\u2019t let birds get too close. Easy to miss when all you have is a ball of shot the diameter of your barrel. My ideal distance is 20 to about 40 yards. In that window, I have a good pattern to work with\u2026and a bit of standoff to bring the gun to bear without spooking the bird.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
This gobbler is awful close; instead of a pattern, there will be a tight ball of shot. Do-able, but with the bird looking right at you, he might spook before you can get the gun up.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Unlike most shotgunning, turkeys are usually taken by aiming precisely at a point, stationary target, as in rifle shooting. I prefer a gun with a rib to sight down, and a highly visible front bead. My Mossberg pump has rudimentary rear sight with fiber optic front, awesome.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Just once, I put a low-power magnifying scope on a turkey shotgun. I didn\u2019t like the tunnel-vision effect, and found magnification unnecessary at turkey-shooting distance.  I have experimented more with reflex (red-dot) sights. They are extremely effective, especially for older eyes, with increasing trouble resolving the front bead. If your shotgun has sights of any type, then it\u2019s essential to, literally, check zero, adjusting the sight to ensure your pattern is exactly where you want it.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Throughout most of the country April is prime time for turkeys. I am not an expert turkey hunter, and a mediocre turkey caller\u2026on my best days. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":2109,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":"","_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false},"categories":[101,21],"tags":[19,32,114,111],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.wholesalehunter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/9R0A0428.jpg?fit=1330%2C886&ssl=1","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.wholesalehunter.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2107"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.wholesalehunter.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.wholesalehunter.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.wholesalehunter.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.wholesalehunter.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2107"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.wholesalehunter.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2107\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2125,"href":"https:\/\/www.wholesalehunter.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2107\/revisions\/2125"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.wholesalehunter.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2109"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.wholesalehunter.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2107"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.wholesalehunter.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2107"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.wholesalehunter.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2107"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}