2023 Turkey Hunting Thread

[Hall17]

If anyone is interested in where to purchase turkey call making material

pioneerturkeycalls

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[Tjraley2]

I’ve gone back and forth on switching to TSS but can’t justify the cost. Think I’m going to try Winchester long beard XRs this year. Supposed to be the longest “non-tss” shell out there.

You’ll like the longbeard xr. I dig em.

 

[peteherbst]

You’ll like the longbeard xr. I dig em.

I’m looking forward to buying a box to test the distance with different chokes. What’s your setup and do you have a max distance?

 

[Hall17]

I’ve gone back and forth on switching to TSS but can’t justify the cost. Think I’m going to try Winchester long beard XRs this year. Supposed to be the longest “non-tss” shell out there.

I have a box of Longbeard and they pattern almost as good as the TSS. I shoot an 870 with the Longbeard XR choke. Swore I would never buy TSS but when you see the results for yourself I bought in lol. However, I would shoot Longbeards any day of the week. They are also my 2nd and 3rd shell because if I do miss with the TSS I am certainly not shooting two more at that dang bird for the price!

 

[Swampwalker]

And for those of you who are bowhunting, heads up. Turkeys are infinitely harder to kill than deer. And some say bear. You must be right on in your targeting. And especially trad hunters. It's extremely tough to get through them feathers. I recommend nothing but fixed broad heads and educate yourselves on strict arrow placement. Also, look into string trackers. Can mean the difference between tagging and not.

 

[MA_PAdeerslayer]

Few changes this year,

1. new (warmer) Turkey clothes, our season has been chilly lately so warmer was a must so I can quit freezing out waiting for the sun

2. new gun. Savage 301 in 410, mossy oak obsession.

3. new spots, hopefully the turkeys cooperate

 

[Jammintree]

Few changes this year,



2. new gun. Savage 301 in 410, mossy oak obsession.

good on ya! Support the local economy!

 

[Dsabhunt]

They can be tough to kill with a bow as the vitals are about the size of your fist and seem to move when the bird is strutting vs not. I hunt with one of my buddies and while we've wounded a few over the years most go down within sight and we both use expandable broadheads.I shoot for the body and not the head. Haven't tried the guillotine style broadheads.
I use a ground blind and decoys. I like watching the tom kick the crap out of the decoy before I shoot him. Very interesting to see their reaction to the decoys

 

[Horn]

For guys using mechs are you going for extra huge cuts? I think I've got some swat heads that are like 4 inches total or are you just using something at more like 2 inches total?

Just curious, I got one with a montec last fall

 

[Bowtie747]

Making a run to Kansas for their archery season then back home in Oklahoma April 16th. Now which gun to shoot? Decisions Decisions. 410, 28, 20?

What kinda .28 u have?

 

[MA_PAdeerslayer]

And for those of you who are bowhunting, heads up. Turkeys are infinitely harder to kill than deer. And some say bear. You must be right on in your targeting. And especially trad hunters. It's extremely tough to get through them feathers. I recommend nothing but fixed broad heads and educate yourselves on strict arrow placement. Also, look into string trackers. Can mean the difference between tagging and not.

Seriously question here, you recommend fixed broadheads from a compound for turkeys?? Every bird I’ve shot with a bow has been with a big mech. Never even had a thought about not using a big mechanical…

For guys using mechs are you going for extra huge cuts? I think I've got some swat heads that are like 4 inches total or are you just using something at more like 2 inches total?

Just curious, I got one with a montec last fall

Whatever your set up will allow….I’ve used rage hypos and the rage turkeys. Also NAPs. All killed em dead.

 

[Dsabhunt]

I've used fixed heads and they work. I shoot mechanical for deer so I decided to do the same for turkey. I've used swhackers cause I found some for cheap on ebay. I use rage for deer. They have a 2" cut. If you hit them right they don't go far.

 

[Jammintree]

Do mechanicals reliably penetrate through wing feathers?

 

[Bwhana]

I plan to try my new HC Mini on birds next month. I have a friend that is a pro staffer for a well known call company and he recommended using regular, fixed blade that has been dulled slightly. It is not hard to shoot through a bird and he said that a dull blade puts them down faster due to more trauma. Take that as you will.

 

[MA_PAdeerslayer]

I plan to try my new HC Mini on birds next month. I have a friend that is a pro staffer for a well known call company and he recommended using regular, fixed blade that has been dulled slightly. It is not hard to shoot through a bird and he said that a dull blade puts them down faster due to more trauma. Take that as you will.

Interesting

 

[peteherbst]

I have a box of Longbeard and they pattern almost as good as the TSS. I shoot an 870 with the Longbeard XR choke. Swore I would never buy TSS but when you see the results for yourself I bought in lol. However, I would shoot Longbeards any day of the week. They are also my 2nd and 3rd shell because if I do miss with the TSS I am certainly not shooting two more at that dang bird for the price!

I’m shooting an 870 too. What would you say is the distance and pattern difference between tss and the Winchesters?

 

[woodsdog2]

I have been hunting turkeys as long as deer. I switched to bowhunting them exclusively now since 2018. Used to gun hunt them a lot but there is just something about being able to deer hunt for turkeys and just watching them come in, gobble, strut, and also the hens just love to see (and hear) the spring show. On the private I hunt we don’t run and gun them anymore for all season action. I’ll take my pop up blind and Waldrop Pac seat and a decoy or teo and hunt them like deer. Patience is the turkey bowhunter’s friend. Sometimes they come in right away, other times they ignore everything all morning and then bam…. They are in your lap at your decoys strutting and kicking away. I love that unpredictability of them. Last season was tough but I’m getting some decent pics now hopefully they stay in the area. Typically they do. This was a tough earned spring bow gobbler from last season. Although we can take two max during our spring season, I’ve vowed over the last two years to only taking one until our numbers pick back up. Our youth season begins 4/22. I use NAP Spitfires for both my crossbow and vertical bow. I aim for the speculum at the butt of the wing, the shiny copper part of wing when at full strut. Base of fan when facing directly away and at the base of the beard where it exits its chest for a frontal shot.

 

[Hall17]

I’m shooting an 870 too. What would you say is the distance and pattern difference between tss and the Winchesters?

Shot both at 40 yards. TSS was simply tighter. The Longbeards would do the trick. Full confidence with both at 40. Further than that I’m not too interested in. Maybe if it’s the last day lol

 

[Micneador]

What kinda .28 u have?

ATI Calvary and a franchi 48 AL

 

[woodsdog2]

HC-MINI and NAP Spitfire devastation.