Turkey hunting

[dcross]

I've been told not to bother hunting turkeys with a 20 gauge. What do you all think?

[JPK]

I've been told not to bother hunting turkeys with a 20 gauge. What do you all think?

I think you'll have a lot more trouble bagging a bird with a 20 than a 12.

You are also more likely to injure than kill which is not a situation you want to be in.

If you can, anti up and get a 12g

A local shop here has a bunch of 12g's for under 300 that are in very good/servicable condition.

[iddee]

Gauge has nothing to do with it. The size of shot, and the choke determines the knockdown power. I have deer hunted with a 20 gauge.

I have killed squirrels with a 410 using #4 shot, when #6 in a twelve wouldn't touch them.

PS...Bow season for deer opened in NC today.

[JPK]

Gauge has nothing to do with it. The size of shot, and the choke determines the knockdown power. I have deer hunted with a 20 gauge.

I have killed squirrels with a 410 using #4 shot, when #6 in a twelve wouldn't touch them.

PS...Bow season for deer opened in NC today.

Volume of shot and powder in a 20 v 12 is much different and frankly I've seen turkeys that are tougher to take down than deer due to that load of feathers.

[Ravenseye]

A 20 is fine. Shot for shot size, remember that you just put more pellets out there with a 12. I'm a Hunter Ed instructor and we get this question all the time. The answer is to pattern your shotgun so you know what the pellets do at a certain range. Then, shoot ONLY up to that range. If you're ever unsure of the shot, just pass on it. Wounding is not hunting, it's shooting so know what you're capable of and stay on the conservative side of it. Good luck!

[iddee]

>>>>due to that load of feathers.<<<<

Turkeys are taken with head shots, not body shots. No feathers.

[JPK]

>>>>due to that load of feathers.<<<<

Turkeys are taken with head shots, not body shots. No feathers.

Shooting a moving tom is sometimes more challenging.

2 of the 3 I took in the last few years were moving birds.

12 guage will do the job in many circumstances that a 20 wont

[iddee]

>>>>12 guage will do the job in many circumstances that a 20 wont<<<<

Definitely...and a 410 will do the job in many circumstances that a 12 won't.

As I said before, gauge doesn't determine the outcome. Set up right, with the right ammo, any gauge will get the job done.

[J-Bees]

I like a 22 in the eye.

[iddee]

A 22 in the eye may be alright in Maryland, but in NC it is $1500.00. Shotgun only, no rifles for turkey or migratory birds.

[JPK]

Definitely...and a 410 will do the job in many circumstances that a 12 won't.


Huh?

is this a misprint where you really meant to type '10 guage" :D and a "4" snaked its way under your finger?

The Tim Allen/Tool Time principle usually applies with all things that go boom or go fast.....bigger is better. {insert Tim Allen laugh here}

[Scrapfe]

I've been told not to bother hunting turkeys with a 20 gauge. What do you all think?

Well decross, that depends on how badly you need a turkey. A turkey hunter of yore explained that it was best to hunt wild turkeys with a .22 rifle shooting only short ammo. His rational was that you could kill more turkeys with it than any shotgun including the 12 Gage. I suppose that with his reasoning he would have chose the 20 gage over the 12 gage and the .410 first. Remember, chose the proper tool for the job.

I might add that this old timer was in the woods 24-7-365. His business was feeding his family, and harvesting furs, ginseng, wild honey etc to supplement his meager pay as a carpenter. Here is how his daddy taught him to hunt turkeys. This is also the Native American way to harvest turkeys, only the weapons have evolved.

Wait until the fall when most of the leaves have fallen and the turkeys have flocked up for the winter. Study the sonar tables and select the week when the moon will be at its fullest. About 2 hours before Sun down slip quietly into the woods. Sit down on the ground in an area that has a lot of turkey scratching. Be very quite and near nightfall you will hear the turkeys flying up to roost, believe me they make a heck of a racket. Mark this area carefully. Slip quietly into possession beneath the turkeys, keeping the turkeys between you and the rising moon. A clear night is best for this because the moon is brighter and you are able to move quieter. Remember the old “”Hunters Moon” or “Harvest Moon” expression, well here is where I feel it came from.

The turkeys will likely be roosting on limbs about 40 feet off the ground and in rows like at a shooting galley, or like one is advised to have ones ducks. Now the purpose of the .22 short ammo becomes apparent. Carefully align the front and rear sights of your rifle against the full Moon and transfer this “hold” onto a turkey. The quite report of .22 short ammo will not likely cause the whole flock to fly off into the night so you should be able to repeat the above scenario until you have all the turkeys you can carry. Oh, I might add that this method of turkey hunting will likely land you in the county jail, and result in a hefty fine, the forfeiture of your weapon, your automobile, and perhaps your hunting license. Don’t do it.

That said, I find nothing in my game laws that prevent me from scouting for turkeys using this method. Do your own research of your own game laws. A real bonus for me is observing the woods transiting from day to night and the wildlife you see that normally remains hidden during the day. There is nothing unethical about using this scouting method to find and setting up before daylight to hunt turkeys after they come down from their roost during legal shooting hours. If you intend to hunt Fall turkeys it is the best method because calling is almost impossible at this time of year.

If your 20 gage is capable of shooting 3 inch Magnum ammunition, and shoots a dense pattern with appropriate, choke, shot size, and load weight, (Size 71/2 or 6 shot and at least 11/4 ounces of it) and if you wait until the turkey is in range, (Where the turkeys head and neck is your primary target) then I think a 20 gage is a very good turkey gun. If you do otherwise a 105mm howitzer will not provide you with even a drum stick for your Thanksgiving table.

For professional advice Private Message Bullseye Bill in the scenic hills? of Kansas.

[Zane]

I know of many toms killed this spring alone w/ a 20 gauge from the kids in Jr. High School. My Daughter uses one w/#6 shot in a magnum. These kids out here start pretty early and my neighbors boy's first tom was shot when he was 7yrs old w/ a 410 gauge. Now he bow hunts for them!!! 20 gauge will work but I still use my 3 1/2" 12 when I can! Fall firearms turkey season starts in 17 days here but who's counting? Good Luck hope you get a tasty one or two

[dcross]

Thanks for the input everybody, I'm going to pick up a box of shells and some targets.

[JPK]

Thanks for the input everybody, I'm going to pick up a box of shells and some targets.

Can I suggest some larger pieces of cardboard as well?

The cardboard will help you see what sort of pattern your gun is shooting without completely desintegrating the paper targets do....and they are usually the right price (free) if you have any boxes lying around.

[Ravenseye]

Huh?

is this a misprint where you really meant to type '10 guage" :D and a "4" snaked its way under your finger?

The Tim Allen/Tool Time principle usually applies with all things that go boom or go fast.....bigger is better. {insert Tim Allen laugh here}

A .410 is a shotgun that happens to be measured in caliber, like rifles and handguns. Most shotguns are measured in gauges. A .410 shotgun shell is a very small diameter indeed!

[JPK]

A .410 is a shotgun that happens to be measured in caliber, like rifles and handguns. Most shotguns are measured in gauges. A .410 shotgun shell is a very small diameter indeed!

Tx
I guess my sarcasm didn't come through :D

Its sorta like the quote from the movie "Spinal Tap'

"These knobs go to 11"

"Why not make 10 higher"

"Because 11 is one better than 10!"

[iddee]

>>>>"Because 11 is one better than 10!"<<<<

NOT....If you're receiving lashes from a cane. :p

From a slug to 7 1/2 shot, there's never been a better all around shotgun then a 410.

[dcross]

Can I suggest some larger pieces of cardboard as well?

The cardboard will help you see what sort of pattern your gun is shooting without completely desintegrating the paper targets do....and they are usually the right price (free) if you have any boxes lying around.


Now you've got me thinking of making my own! Walnut on a pencil, right? :)

[Zane]

dcross,
I forgot to mention choke tubes. "IF" your shotgun has removable choke tubes and you can afford it(and if they make one for your gun!), you might consider gettting a "Turkey" choke tube. Mine helped considerably but they aren't cheap so you do your own math! Most shotguns don't shoot "perfect" So its a great idea that your going out to test your pattern. Mine shoots a little high and left, so I aim for the base of the neck, right after I give it a call to get its attention and get its head up looking around.
I think my conservation dept. webpage has a turkey target. I'll try to pm you one.

Holler when your ready for recipes. MMMMM turkey:D

[dcross]

I printed out the one from Remington, looks kinda big...

http://www.remington.com/library/downloads/paper_targets.asp

WI DNR recommends base of the neck, not the head as the aim point.

[Zane]

sent you a PM of the head target and an info story.

[dcross]

Thanks, Zane! The one you sent (http://mdc.mo.gov/nathis/birds/turkey/target.htm) is actually an inch smaller when I printed it out than the Remington version. I'll use yours, don't want to be over-confident on this.

[dcross]

Doing a little shopping, what would you all think of a Mossberg 600AT with a C-lect choke?

[Bizzybee]

I think it boils down to the skill of the shooter. .22 for the skilled hunters and 10 or 12 for the not so skilled or visually challenged. (now that's an interesting thought!!) :)
Unfortunately mortar rounds and bazookas aren't permitted by any DNR's I'm aware of for the hunting impaired! :D

[riverrat]

I cant speak for other parts of the country but here in Kansas one needs not a gun or a bow to bag a turkey. All one needs is a little bit of camo, a ear of corn, six pack of old milwaukees best, and a small ball peen hammer. Once all the above items are located and in place. Find a nice stand of timber where Turkeys are known to congregate. Setting oneself down on the edge of the timber making sure to blend in with your surroundings. (For those who live in the big city this means none of that sissy pink camo stuff). Set and listen while having a beer. Once you have seen and heard turkeys. With the left hand Dangle the corn out in full view of the turkeys while hiding the ball peen hammer behind your back using the right. The turkeys seeing the corn cant resist a free meal. Once you have them drawn into arms length range knock em in the head with the ball peen hammer.;) This work equally well with deer, however, for better results substitute the corn with a carrot and the camo for a pickup truck. Real rednecks have used this time proven method to bag turkey and deer for years. With all this being said. Remember the ole riverrat is an honest redneck. With a reputation of telling it 4 or 5 differnet ways before lying about it.:rolleyes: Oh!!! and one last thing just for those here on beesource that can cipher. You can now figure out why Bullseye Bill has to supplement his income by beekeeping :p

[Scrapfe]

And all this time I been a baiting deer with a plug-o-chawin-backi.

[papa bear]

all i know is i love my 20 gauge 870 pump Remington. and i have took a lot of different game with it.

a far as turkey goes. i can't go squirrel hunt without 30 or 40 of those buggers showing up


hey idee, i have people begging me to come shoot some turkey's. you want some. is nc the only state that only allows turkey shooting till after new year? you think it might be cause of the turkey industry?

hey look at nc wildlife magazine has bees http://www.ncwildlife.org/

[iddee]

Although you seem to have an abundance of them, in most of the state they are as scarce as turkey teeth. :(

I think the spring only season is to give the hens time to get bred before the gobblers are killed. That way they are replaced at a better rate. That is also why it is gobbler only in the latter season.

It's 90 mile from me to you. I would love to have some, but it would have to be 6 or 8 just to pay for the gas.
I'll pm you my number...Give me a call.

[dcross]

I cant speak for other parts of the country but here in Kansas one needs not a gun or a bow to bag a turkey. All one needs is a little bit of camo, a ear of corn, six pack of old milwaukees best, and a small ball peen hammer.


I think around here you could get a couple real easy by loading a honey wagon with rocks in winter. Wait till they gather round for a hot meal and then start the beaters...

Patterned the 20 ga., put 8 pellets into the bony skull and vert. at 16 yds., so I should be good to 20ish. Practicing with a diaphragm and watching for them to start visiting the garden.

[Scrapfe]

all i know is i love my 20 gauge 870 pump Remington. and i have took a lot of different game with it.
is nc the only state that only allows turkey shooting till after new year? you think it might be cause of the turkey industry?
hey look at nc wildlife magazine has bees http://www.ncwildlife.org/

http://www.outdooralabama.com/hunting/season-limits/
Take a look. I don't' know now but at one time bama had the #1 or 2 wild turkey population in the states. :shhhh:

[Zane]

If you can get up to 16-20' good. I imagine 25-30' would even work. I dont know your birds. Here mine are a bit jumpy and they have a right to be!!!! They are creatures of habit so figure out their schedule and wait for them to arrive then BAM!!! get out the smoker, papa's smoking turkey!!!!
Regarding the choke, you want as tight(or small concentrated pattern) as you can get. Anything WILL work, but the tighter, more pellets per sq in" the better.
Good Luck

[Zane]

Its been a month. Any luck scoring a turkey?

[dcross]

I've had a great time, but have nothing but stories at this point:) I've gotten more chances than I have a right to expect and have screwed up every one of them. Still have a couple of weeks to go but my free time is pretty tied up. I'll elaborate when the weather turns, any day now.

[Sundance]

Turkeys are dumber than a bag of hammers here.......
Camo isn't needed...... Must be released birds that
just haven't gotten the survival skills.

[Zane]

My buddy in Iowa have them same kind of turkeys but mine around here are real cagey. I stay out of the woods(400acres or so)except turkey and deer season. They spot me 1000 yds away and off they go! so I wonder if its just the turkeys that are smarter(and quit callin me turkey!)

[Tom G. Laury]

At my parents house you can go and grab them by the neck...until season starts. Then they all disappear especially the Toms. Makes me think about my 22.

[dcross]

So, to sum it all up:

Spent one morning hiding in the weeds in my garden, hoping they would be attracted by all the canola and sunflowers. Learned how loud a pair of young raccoons can be when they are coming up behind you feeding on the wild grapes in the line fence. No turkeys.

My buddy then commented that he had several toms hanging around on his property and offered me a chance at them. Hadn't expected him to be OK with it, but headed out. Morning one, saw no turkeys but heard what I thought was a flock nearby.

Morning two, was sitting in the line fence at a hayfield corner when two BIG toms came into the field, out of range. They immediately turned away and dissappeared into a corn field. I watched closely, heart pounding, for a good half hour with no sign of them, then put the gun back down and picked my book back up. Two points for those of you who already know where this is going:)

Read a little, look around, read a little, look around... And make eye contact with a tom about ten feet away. They had crossed the hayfield on the other side of a hill and then come back tight along the line fence I was sitting in. The pair passed within easy book throwing range, then hopped the stone fence and GONE. Briefly contemplated leaping and grabbing, but my legs were asleep.:(

I spent the next four or five days playing leap frog with them (their schedule was very consistent, but not their paths). I would move, trying to anticipate their approach and departure of the corn field, they would vary it just enough to thwart me most days.

One day I had them approach head on, took a shot when the leader got to 20 yds. or so, they all looked around for a split second, then calmly stepped into the woods. Came back punctually the next day and was raising the gun on them when they spotted the movement and bolted in a panic. Pretty sure I was too excited and fired at the head instead of the base of the neck and ended up shooting high.

Anyway, it's safe to say I'm hooked.

[Scrapfe]

So, to sum it all up:... Anyway, it's safe to say I'm hooked.

Ain't turkeys fun? They are quick to pick up on movement to. When you are watching TV do a little S l o w m o t i o n aiming practice sans gun.
Use the commercials as your timer since they last longer than the show. Move like cold honey. Try to keep the muzzle moving at as slow a rate as the stock or forearm moves when mounting the gun.

[dcross]

Yeah, quicker to react to movement than a shotgun going off:)

[bejay]

you will probably have alot better luck in the spring when you can call a gobbler in to gun range, in the fall when you can kill either sex usually have the best luck by busting up a flock before daylight and then calling in the younger birds within gun range.