John Klingenberg
Well-Known Member
I used to hunt them with a BSA Martini in 218 Bee. It's great fun in my opinion.
Rifle Hunting Turkeys; Anyone here do it?
- Thread starter Reel Assassin
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What happens when you miss the shot low? To say that you miss the headshot, you missed the bird is amazing. Apparently you only miss high, left or right but, never low.
It's legal to shoot blue grouse with a rifle in Idaho and I have seen more than one large area covered in bloody feathers when I was elk hunting. I imagine that it was supposed to be a headshot as well!
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How many turkey poorly hit with a shotgun go on to die?
86alaskan
Well-Known Member
I would try it, but in Missouri it's illegal. I imagine it's mostly due to safety reasons, as people seem to get shot with shotguns during the season, so a rifle would only be worse.
I can see where it would greatly improve your odds of harvest, but I can't say I've ever actually turkey hunted with the intent to harvest for harvest's sake. I turkey hunt in MO to get out out after a long winter, see the woods come to life, and to get up close and personal with one of the wariest of game species around. I like to carry a light 20ga SKB o/u and wait for them to get close. You get way more of the caveman adrenaline rush when you're 10yds from a turkey than you do plunking one at 200yds outside of their danger zone.
I can see where it would greatly improve your odds of harvest, but I can't say I've ever actually turkey hunted with the intent to harvest for harvest's sake. I turkey hunt in MO to get out out after a long winter, see the woods come to life, and to get up close and personal with one of the wariest of game species around. I like to carry a light 20ga SKB o/u and wait for them to get close. You get way more of the caveman adrenaline rush when you're 10yds from a turkey than you do plunking one at 200yds outside of their danger zone.
Actually it's an over-harvest issue here in Idaho and I agree about the rush you get from decoying and calling them in. Quite a rush! I've had them within a few feet from me and to watch a Tom pounding a Jake decoy for 10 minutes is crazy...
J E Custom
Well-Known Member
It would be illegal and it would not be fun at all if the game warden saw you and besides, it is dangerous to shoot a rifle at water level.
I killed my first turkey with a red rider BB gun and that was definitely sporting at sever years old.
Where I hunt, the turkey's are wary from being hunted and will run from a call during the fall.
And if you are lucky enough to get one within 40 or 50 yards, a head shot with your carry pistol will challenge your shooting skills.
It's all fun.
J E CUSTOM
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wyowinchester
Well-Known Member
We shoot prairie dogs at 200yds plus. Know you rifle, your load, your distance. Don't miss low. The hardest thing to do is getting their head to hold still long enough for a quality squeeze.
Equalizer
Well-Known Member
I believe it was Jack O'Connor who wrote that the 22 Hornet was the best turkey hunting round in his opinion.
"I remarked, a man who shot game with a shotgun was no good." Tom Horn
Just hackin on ya man no harm meant. Me personally I'd rather use a rifle over a shotgun any day. I do like shotguns but I like rifles a lot more. I do realize it's not legal to use rifles in some if not most places and I'm not advocating illegal behavior.
"I remarked, a man who shot game with a shotgun was no good." Tom Horn
Just hackin on ya man no harm meant. Me personally I'd rather use a rifle over a shotgun any day. I do like shotguns but I like rifles a lot more. I do realize it's not legal to use rifles in some if not most places and I'm not advocating illegal behavior.
eastbank
Well-Known Member
I've taken more turkeys with my 270 from the time I was kid. Stands and feeders in Texas. You just use FMJ or hard copper bullets and go for body shots. Later I shifted over to my super accurate 243 win. Nothing like watching the toms fanning in a feild so far away that they don't even know that you are there and you pull out the legs on your tall Harris bypod and just start taking them all out
The only thing about that is you miss what turkey hunting really is and yes it all taste the same
74sharps
Well-Known Member
I do love gobbler hunting in the spring. Come fall the 223 rules.
Yes I have done my share of calling and stock in the forests. What you don't have is biting down on a piece of bird shot, destroyed birds, and actually having feathers pushed down inside the beautiful breast meat. I've managed to do some head shots with my 12 gauge.
Oh, I almost forgot. My dad had an Olympic model bull barreled High Standard 22. Always had it in the pickup for what ever might wonder across the road. So I got some with 22's
