Author Topic: Draw weight for turkey (Read 1211 times)

7br · « **on:** April 05, 2006, 03:04:48 AM »

My 11 yr old son would like to hunt turkey with a bow. He can keep 6 arrows in 6 inch at 15 yards with a 20 lb bow. I am confident he could place the arrow in the kill zone at the distance, but am not so sure about the effect.

Any suggestions/guidelines for setup for turkey hunting?

Please note: I realize that getting a shot would be akin to a miracle, but I would rather not have him get a shot and wound a turkey.

wijim · « **Reply #1 on:** April 05, 2006, 04:07:15 AM »

Quote from: 7br

My 11 yr old son would like to hunt turkey with a bow. He can keep 6 arrows in 6 inch at 15 yards with a 20 lb bow. I am confident he could place the arrow in the kill zone at the distance, but am not so sure about the effect.

Any suggestions/guidelines for setup for turkey hunting?

Please note: I realize that getting a shot would be akin to a miracle, but I would rather not have him get a shot and wound a turkey.

20#s might do it. but i prefer to be overgunned myself. i dont think i'd do it. i know the penetration my daughter gets with her bow at 22#s. i dont think its adequate.

dukkillr · « **Reply #2 on:** April 05, 2006, 05:51:25 AM »

it would be more than adequate if you took head shots... maybe you should try some of those wild 4" broadheads designed to decapitate your turkey.

wijim · « **Reply #3 on:** April 06, 2006, 05:30:02 AM »

20#s will lose kinetic energy so incredibly fast i dont think at 15 yards it would decapitate a turkey using guillotine broardheads.

wvbowman04 · « **Reply #4 on:** April 06, 2006, 02:23:58 PM »

I doubt 20#s would do it. Those feathers are awefuly tough and thick.

brianrull · « **Reply #5 on:** April 10, 2006, 07:01:35 AM »

I suggest using a ground blind, something large enough for the two of you. The pop-up blinds are pretty reasonable nowadays. Problem with archery turkeys is drawing a bow without being seen. Even in a treestand, turkeys can see me draw my bow. I read somewhere they had like 330 degrees peripheral vision. A ground blind eliminates the movement. Only other option is to draw when the turkey struts away from you and his fan blocks his vision - the white spot on his butt also makes a good target. Otherwise, you have to draw when he goes behind a tree and hold until he gets in range. I typically put a jake decoy about 10-15 yds from the blind - facing the blind (very important). Turkeys, just like deer will go out of their way to go head to head with a rival. Place hen decoys facing away as they will come around from behind to attempt to breed. I archery hunt with my dad alot - he backs me up with his Remington 870. I've yet to take a shot at one that got away (my dad does have a few "assists") Good luck and good hunting.