Bow hunting wild turkey can be very exciting and if done properly, fruitful as well. Hunting wild turkeys using a bow takes skill and patience, that is why not many hunters embark on this difficult adventure. If you are a big game fan, think of a bow hunt for wild turkey adventure as spring training. We offer you some tips regarding this particular type of hunting:
First of all, the draw weight: a confident bow hunter will always choose a draw weight that will not affect his ability to make an accurate shot, no matter what are circumstances in which he will make that shot. We recommend using a bow scale in order to check the bow’s draw weight, we like setting the bow to the high end of its draw weight, so make sure you get a bow that is comfortable for you to draw. The heavy vibrations that are produced during the shot can in some cases alter the limb bolts and will reduce the draw weight when you back the limbs way out to put bow on a lower weight, and also cause some unwanted noise and shock.
Second of all, the broadheads: the shot placement in wild turkey hunts is critical. Unlike the vast majority of the big games, the wild turkey’s vitals are about the size of a grapefruit. Many amateur hunters make the mistake of shooting arrows with field points and then after that they switch over to broadheads the day of the hunt. It is imperative to practice shooting with broadheads long before the day of the hunt. Regarding this issue, don’t forget about the diameter restrictions your state imposes so be sure to check them before the hunting day. We suggest a mechanical broadhead with a large cutting diameter although many turkey have been taken with fixed broadheads.
Moving on, three of the most vital aspects for you bow hunting success are: sight system, bowstring and the arrow rest. Your sights should have a light on them exspecially if hunting from a ground blind, and don't go cheap on your sights get the best you can afford. Don’t forget to give your bowstring a once-over the moment you have finished tinkering with your sights. Remember to look for cut strands because they can lead to inefficient shooting and God forbid, dangerous situations if the string breaks during the shot. Apply wax to your string on a regular basis and check the arrow rest in order to make sure that nothing has moved/loosened since your last hunting expedition. The arrow rests are very important as they can and do affect the flight of the arrow.
Many hunters make the mistake of not taking seriously into consideration the nock set. The slightest movement up or down where the arrow meets the string can alter the arrow’s flight as it comes off the string. We recommend using a bow square so that you can measure the exact point on the bowstring, we prefer a string loop over the conventional nock set, we tune and tighten the loop then tigh serving on top to keep it from walking up the string.
Placement is crucial for hunting wild turkey with a bow that is why in order to be an efficient bow hunter you have to put in the time. All turkey hunters that use a bow have to change their hunting tactics in comparison with the hunters that use the old-fashioned shotgun because shot gunners can easily plop down at the closest tree the width of their back and with no efforts, create efficient shooting lanes. A regular bow hunter can’t afford this luxury so the best setups are those that are thought well in advance.
Last but not least, practice makes perfect. If you are uncertain of your bow hunting skills you need to practice in order to improve your overall performance. Remember to shoot from both sitting and kneeling positions because in real action you will rarely have the opportunity of shooting a turkey in standing position but of course, a few shots from standing position won’t hurt anyone.
All in all, bow hunting wild turkey takes a lot of practice and patience but with proper training it can bring the excitement that all hunting enthusiasts are looking for.
