crossbow for turkey?

[wabi]

Does anyone use a crossbow for turkey hunting?
If so, what do you think is a maximum range, what broadheads do you use, and what area do you aim for?

[Nut]

I believe that it is basically the same as if you were hunting for deer. Just like deer it is more important to make the right shot.
I wouldnt attempt a shot at more than 30 yards.

Since hitting the neck and head would almost be impossible you try to break thru a wing to disable it's flying ability or go for the rear shot at the "you know what".

I am not sure so maybe somebody else will be able to define it better.

[george tinkham]

its much easier to draw with the reae shot,without being seen

[M.Magis]

The biggest disadvantage to the crossbow is the noise factor. Because the kill zone is so small on a turkey, I would probably try to keep shots 25 yds or preferably closer. They will react to the shot just as a deer will, but they don't have to move as far to make a perfect shot a complete miss, or worse yet, a poor hit. Though I'm not a fan of expanding broadheads, I think the large cutting diameters of some out there are the best choice for turkeys. Nut explained well where to aim, but if you don't understand, look at a 3D turkey target. It's very importand to make a perfect shot, as there is almost no such thing as blood trailing a turkey.

[Thunderflight]

I'm planning on using expandables on turkeys this year. I just ordered a packet of Rocket Slammhead's. They have a 1 3/4 cutting diameter.

TF

[racm]

yes they are effective up to 35yds


www.ohiogobbler.com field editor

[lureboy98]

I don't turkey hunt with a crossbow, but I don't feel comfortable shooting any further than 30 yards with mine, whether effective or not. However, I would say if you are comfortable and can hit it in the kill zone at that yardage, go for it! :)

[wabi]

Accuracy is not a problem with my setup, but my concern is "string jump". I will not shoot at deer beyond 30 yards for that reason. I just don't know how turkeys react to the sound of the bow. I would probably wait for the rear end shot to prevent them from seeing the bow limb movement, but how about sound? My setup shoots at 275 fps., and I plan on using wasp jakhammer expandables with a 1 3/4" cutting diameter and possibly something to arrest flight with a hit.

[Basementdweller]

I have harvested turkey with an xbow. The bird is gonna fly. You are not going to to a one shot kill or knock it down in one shot so dont worry about it. Just try to keep an eye on where it is going. I wouldnt do anything different than with a deer as far as broad heads and bolts go.

Dont try for the head or neck. go for a solid center mass hit. You are going to loose some meat....but they are not that great to eat anyhow.

Here is the shot placement chart

http://www.braggingpost.com/turkey/turkey_placement.htm

Like everyone else mentioned keep your shots close and camo your bolt. I missed some last fall because they saw the vanes on my bolts.


Spitfire has a turkey broadhead. I never bothered. Just shot it with my regular setup. I would rather have the bird bleeding out of two holes instead of one with a bolt plugging it up.

Just my 2 cents

[Thunderflight]

I would think with a crossbow you could hunt like you would with a gun. That would be kinda cool.

Thunderflight

[george tinkham]

could hunt easy out of a tent blind too