Posted: 3/23/2012 11:57:19 AM EDT
| I'm going to use archery equipment to hunt turkeys for the first time this year. I've shot plenty with the shotgun, so I'm looking for a little bigger challenge. Anyway, my questiion is - should I turn down the poundage of my bow to help the arrow remain in the bird? My bow is set for about 60lbs now for deer hunting. I'm going to be using some retracable 100gr broadheads. |
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Quoted:
You always want a pass through. Animals bleed out better when there isn't an arrow stuck in the hole slowing down blood loss.  You know I highly respect you, but I'm not sure I agree on this one. I turn my bow for turkey hunting down to about 50# as I'm not near as worried about a pass through on birds as I am shot placement. The only reason for turning it down is b/c the likeliness of having to hold at full draw is higher than when I'm deer hunting (purely based on my set ups and how I hunt) A turkey isn't going to bleed like a deer and they can go an incredible distance without leaving a drop of blood on a solid hit (unfortunately I learned that the hard way). A good shot at the butt of the wing is not only fatal but will also break it's legs, further rendering it's escape less likely. The vitals of a turkey are pretty small and the tendency of most people is to shoot far to far forward in the breast area which results in little to no blood loss, but there are a couple of shots that deliver a boiler room hit as well as breaking the legs, wing or spine which I believe to be crucial on a bow hit to a turkey. If the shot isn't just perfect, the arrow remaining in the bird inhibits it's ability to run for fly, which I personally believe increases probability of recovery over trying to find a blood trail on a turkey. Just my thoughts. |
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Quoted:
Quoted:
You always want a pass through. Animals bleed out better when there isn't an arrow stuck in the hole slowing down blood loss. You know I highly respect you, but I'm not sure I agree on this one. I turn my bow for turkey hunting down to about 50# as I'm not near as worried about a pass through on birds as I am shot placement. The only reason for turning it down is b/c the likeliness of having to hold at full draw is higher than when I'm deer hunting (purely based on my set ups and how I hunt) A turkey isn't going to bleed like a deer and they can go an incredible distance without leaving a drop of blood on a solid hit (unfortunately I learned that the hard way). A good shot at the butt of the wing is not only fatal but will also break it's legs, further rendering it's escape less likely. The vitals of a turkey are pretty small and the tendency of most people is to shoot far to far forward in the breast area which results in little to no blood loss, but there are a couple of shots that deliver a boiler room hit as well as breaking the legs, wing or spine which I believe to be crucial on a bow hit to a turkey. If the shot isn't just perfect, the arrow remaining in the bird inhibits it's ability to run for fly, which I personally believe increases probability of recovery over trying to find a blood trail on a turkey. Just my thoughts. +1 I've been fortunate enough to whack two birds with my bow. One while deer hunting and the last while turkey hunting the other day from a blind. I didn't turn down my bow, but that's a great point about the longer draw hold. It's set at 66lbs and is an older bow. ( '05 Diamond ) As mentioned above, both birds had to deal with an arrow sticking out both sides of their body and that makes it difficult to move away fast. I also think it's a good idea to remain still after you make the hit, like we do when deer hunting. That lets them remain focused on dealing with the arrow and not trying to escape from immediate persuit. When I whack a Turkey with my shotgun, I jump right up, go to the bird, and watch while it expires. Follow up shots are easy with the shotgun. |
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