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2024 Turkey Thread
- Thread starter Bowtie747
- Start date
It's definitely a win. Around me the population is catastrophically down. They just shortened our fall turkey season down to a week from what used to be almost 3 weeks of hunting to try to help.
It was nothing on our 1k acre piece of private to have 10+ gobblers on it every year. Id get both my spring tags and fall tag filled out every single year from 2009-2016. Nowadays we have 1 MAYBE 2 the entire season on the property.
It's not about not scouting enough, not hunting hard enough, and not trying enough. The birds simply aren't around anymore.
Man, I got it on my mind something fierce! Going to get a new gun today. Already got a Burris FF3, choke and some TSS ordered. Gonna put it all on a Tristar viper g2 20. Went through my gear and got it all situated.
I started trapping raccoons last year and caught around 55 off our place along with a dozen or so possums. I think that has greatly helped our turkey population. I have noticed an increase of poults as well as 1-2 year old birds. Love to see the local population doing well and my boy love to go check traps
I started trapping raccoons last year and caught around 55 off our place along with a dozen or so possums. I think that has greatly helped our turkey population. I have noticed an increase of poults as well as 1-2 year old birds. Love to see the local population doing well and my boy love to go check traps
peteherbst
Well-Known Member
Dang this thread started early! I got my preferred draw here in Wisconsin, but we’re over a month out from my opening day.
I was somehow able to drop 3 birds last year, so that’ll be a tough one to beat. But I’m always up for the challenge!
I was somehow able to drop 3 birds last year, so that’ll be a tough one to beat. But I’m always up for the challenge!
Couldn’t take it any longer! Haha good luck bud. I was at 2 last year. Hoping to break that this year!
peteherbst
Well-Known Member
I was still deer hunting in January!
peteherbst
Well-Known Member
For what it’s worth on the red dot discussion, I’ve tinkered with my 870 12ga quite a bit, and ended up with the truglo magnum gobble dot. I also can’t bring myself to pay for tss, so I go with the Winchester Long Beard XR 3 inch #6 shot.
I’ve never felt more confident in that gun. Here is a spread of different patterns of brands at different yardages.
I’ve never felt more confident in that gun. Here is a spread of different patterns of brands at different yardages.
What choke? Looks like that gun setup like the XR's.
peteherbst
Well-Known Member
It’s does. My 50 yard shot was low, but you get the idea.
Using a primos tight wad choke. But I’m pretty sure any .660 choke that accepts lead will do, as the XR load is lead.
I shoot a Remington as well, but a 20 gauge. I run a Carlson tss .555 and it does alright with LongBeard, federal 3rd degree and Apex TSS. I hate paying for the tss, but I also figure it’s more deadly and with more pellets, gives me wiggle room. If I’m not shooting #9tss, I prefer 6 over 5 or 4 shot.
This was from my fathers SP 10 gauge with 2 5/8oz of 9 tss. The number is too high to be 40 yards away. I stepped it off for 40 yards that day as I forgot my rangefinder. Probably closer to 35. 873/ 10 in circle 
peteherbst
Well-Known Member
Does anyone shooting TSS with those tight chokes worry about close shots? I hunt hardwoods for part of my season which requires close shots, so I’ve always tried to find a balance.
Absolutely, I shoot my guns at around 10 yards. I also usually always shoot a more open choke. In my .410 I shoot a .390. In a 20 gauge I’m gonna try to setup I’ll shoot a .585
Here’s my .410 at 13 yards
Attachments
Anyone got a recommendation for youth turkey guns? I got a single shot 20. Does someone make a lighter load a 9yr old can handel? I may have to see if I can add a choke to the gun...
A regular #6 will work. Don't need anything special, just a good pattern at a workable distance.
My daughter shot her first at 8yo with her xbow.
Mengle
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Jul 14, 2017
- Messages
- 623
Aim small, miss small!
I usually aim a little bit lower on the neck if they are close real close, but I sighted my gun in right before this hunt and was feeling confident.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
I believe Apex has a 2-3/4” 20 gauge tss load! And are you saying you need another gun too?
I had the crossbow last few years we tried. Never had one come in. After I shot a turkey with my bow last fall I was not pleased with the result. Lot of room for error. Did she do a head shot or a body shot? Which Broadhead?
@Mschmeiske don't we all need a other gun??
But I have an old 20 sitting at my parents house. Figure if I can use it. Why not.
.410 with tss. Give them a more open choke like a.390
Stevens 301 is super light. Top it with a red dot
If you do 20 consider 2 3/4” shells for lighter recoil! You don’t usually lose much payload
Might touch base with Brice Hensley of Fox Trot ammunition. He has a 1 3/8 2 3/4" and if I remember right has made up some lighter loads. Worth an ask.
I need to check my notes, can't remember Hal Abbot had some light loads he sent me or not