5 Bow Hunting Turkey Tips That Will Help You Bag a Tom This Spring

Bow Hunting Turkey Tips for Beginners

Spring is in the air, and that means it’s time to start thinking about turkey hunting. If you’re new to bow hunting, or if you’re just looking for some tips to improve your game, then you’ve come to the right place. In this article, we’ll provide you with a comprehensive guide to bow hunting turkeys, including everything from choosing the right gear to scouting and calling in your prey.

So whether you’re a seasoned pro or a complete novice, read on for all the information you need to know about bow hunting turkeys!

Choosing the Right Gear

The first step to successful turkey hunting is choosing the right gear. Here are a few things to keep in mind:

* Bow: You’ll need a bow that’s powerful enough to take down a turkey, but not so powerful that it’s difficult to shoot accurately. A good rule of thumb is to choose a bow that has a draw weight of at least 40 pounds.
* Arrows: You’ll need arrows that are fletched with turkey feathers and tipped with a broadhead. The broadhead should be sharp enough to penetrate the turkey’s skull, but not so sharp that it will damage the meat.
* Rest: A good rest will help you to shoot more accurately. A two-piece rest is a good option for beginners, as it’s easy to set up and use.
* Sight: A sight will help you to aim your bow more accurately. A simple pin sight is a good option for beginners, as it’s easy to use and understand.
* Calls: You’ll need a variety of calls to attract turkeys. The most common calls include the yelp, the cluck, and the purr.

Scouting and Calling in Your Prey

Once you’ve chosen the right gear, it’s time to start scouting for turkeys. Turkeys are most active in the early morning and late afternoon, so this is the best time to go scouting. Look for areas where there is plenty of food and water, as well as thick cover.

Once you’ve found a good spot, it’s time to start calling in your prey. Turkeys are very vocal birds, and they will often respond to calls if they’re in the area. You can use a variety of calls, including yelps, clucks, and purrs.

It’s important to be patient when calling in turkeys. They may not come to your call right away, so you’ll need to be prepared to wait. If you’re patient, you’ll eventually be rewarded with a successful hunt.

Tip	Description	Example
Use a camouflaged blind	This will help you blend in with your surroundings and make it more difficult for turkeys to see you.	Wear a full-body camouflage suit and sit in a ground blind that is covered in leaves and branches.
Call turkeys in	Turkeys are very vocal animals and can be called in using a variety of calls.	Use a turkey call to make a variety of sounds, such as clucks, yelps, and purrs.
Be patient	Turkey hunting can be a waiting game. It’s important to be patient and wait for the right opportunity to take a shot.	Sit in your blind for at least an hour before you start calling. If you don’t see any turkeys, wait a few more minutes before calling again.

Introduction

Bow hunting turkey is a challenging and rewarding experience. It requires patience, skill, and a good understanding of turkey behavior. In this guide, we will provide you with all the information you need to get started on your own bow hunting turkey adventure.

We will cover everything from choosing the right equipment to scouting for turkeys and setting up your blind. We will also discuss calling strategies and how to make the perfect shot. By the end of this guide, you will be well-equipped to take on your first bow hunting turkey.

Equipment

The most important piece of equipment for bow hunting turkey is, of course, your bow. You will need a bow that is powerful enough to take down a turkey at close range. A good rule of thumb is to choose a bow that has a draw weight of at least 50 pounds.

You will also need a set of arrows that are specifically designed for turkey hunting. Turkey arrows are typically shorter and lighter than other types of arrows. They also have a sharp, broadhead tip that is designed to penetrate the turkey’s skull.

In addition to your bow and arrows, you will also need a quiver, a release aid, a sight, a stabilizer, and camouflage clothing.

Quiver

A quiver is a device that you use to carry your arrows. It is typically made of leather or nylon and has a number of pockets to hold your arrows. You will want to choose a quiver that is comfortable to wear and that has enough pockets for all of your arrows.

Release aid

A release aid is a device that helps you to release your arrow smoothly and accurately. It is typically made of metal or plastic and has a trigger that you use to release the arrow. Release aids can help you to improve your accuracy and consistency.

Sight

A sight is a device that helps you to aim your bow. It is typically made of metal or plastic and has a series of pins or dots that you line up with the target. Sights can help you to make more accurate shots.

Stabilizer

A stabilizer is a device that helps to reduce the vibration of your bow. It is typically made of metal or carbon fiber and is attached to the end of your bow. Stabilizers can help you to improve your accuracy and consistency.

Camouflage

Camouflage clothing is essential for bow hunting turkey. It helps you to blend in with your surroundings and makes it more difficult for turkeys to see you. You will want to choose camouflage clothing that is made of a lightweight, breathable material.

Pre-Hunt Preparation

Once you have the necessary equipment, you need to start preparing for your hunt. The most important part of pre-hunt preparation is scouting. You need to find a good spot to hunt and learn the habits of the turkeys in your area.

When scouting for turkeys, you will need to pay attention to the following things:

* The type of terrain that the turkeys are using
* The time of day that the turkeys are active
* The calls that the turkeys are making
* The food sources that the turkeys are using

Once you have found a good spot to hunt, you need to set up your blind. A blind is a structure that you use to hide from the turkeys. You can either buy a pre-made blind or build your own.

When setting up your blind, you need to make sure that it is camouflaged and that it provides you with a good view of the area. You also need to make sure that the blind is comfortable and that you can stay in it for long periods of time.

Choosing the right time to hunt is also important. Turkeys are most active during the early morning and late afternoon. You will want to choose a time to hunt when the turkeys are likely to be out and about.

Scouting

Scouting is the most important part of bow hunting turkey. It allows you to learn the habits of the turkeys in your area and find a good spot to hunt.

When scouting for turkeys, you will need to pay attention to the following things:

* The type of terrain that the turkeys are using
* The time of day that the turkeys are active
* The calls that the turkeys are making
* The food sources that the turkeys are using

The best time to scout for turkeys is in the spring, when they are starting to come out of their winter roosts. This is when they are most active and easier to find.

To scout for turkeys, you will need to get out in the woods and walk around. Pay attention to the tracks and droppings that the turkeys leave behind. Listen for the calls that they make. And look for the food sources that they are using.

Once you have found a good spot to hunt, you need

Hunting Strategies

Bow hunting turkeys is a challenging but rewarding pursuit. It requires patience, skill, and a good understanding of turkey behavior. If you’re new to bow hunting turkeys, or if you’re looking to improve your success, here are a few tips to help you get started.

Stand Hunting

Stand hunting is a popular method for bow hunting turkeys. It involves setting up a blind or other type of cover in a location where you expect turkeys to be. Once you’re in position, you can wait for turkeys to come to you.

When choosing a stand location, it’s important to consider the following factors:

* The terrain: Turkeys prefer to travel through open areas with scattered trees and brush. Look for areas where you can see a long way in all directions.
* The vegetation: Turkeys like to feed in areas with thick vegetation. If you can find a spot where there’s a mix of open areas and thick cover, you’ll be more likely to see turkeys.
* The wind: The wind direction is important when hunting turkeys. You want to be downwind of the turkeys so that they don’t catch your scent.

Once you’ve found a suitable stand location, it’s time to set up your blind. You can use a variety of blinds, including pop-up blinds, ground blinds, and brush blinds. The type of blind you use will depend on the terrain and the amount of cover available.

When setting up your blind, make sure it’s camouflaged and that you have a good view of the surrounding area. You should also be able to get in and out of the blind without being seen.

Once you’re in position, it’s time to wait for turkeys. The best time to hunt turkeys is during the early morning or late afternoon. This is when turkeys are most active.

When a turkey comes into range, take your time and aim carefully. A missed shot could spook the turkeys and ruin your chances for the day.

Blind Hunting

Blind hunting is another popular method for bow hunting turkeys. It involves setting up a blind in a location where you expect turkeys to be, and then calling them in.

When choosing a blind location, it’s important to consider the same factors as you would for stand hunting. You want to be in a location where you can see a long way in all directions, and you want to be downwind of the turkeys.

Once you’ve found a suitable blind location, it’s time to set up your blind. You can use a variety of blinds, including pop-up blinds, ground blinds, and brush blinds. The type of blind you use will depend on the terrain and the amount of cover available.

When setting up your blind, make sure it’s camouflaged and that you have a good view of the surrounding area. You should also be able to get in and out of the blind without being seen.

Once you’re in position, it’s time to start calling. There are a variety of turkey calls available, including yelpers, purrs, and clucks. The type of call you use will depend on the situation.

When calling turkeys, it’s important to be patient and persistent. It may take a while for turkeys to come to your call, but if you’re patient, you’ll eventually be rewarded.

Spot-and-Stalk Hunting

Spot-and-stalk hunting is a challenging but rewarding method for bow hunting turkeys. It involves finding turkeys, stalking them, and then taking a shot.

Spot-and-stalk hunting is most effective when turkeys are moving. This is usually during the early morning or late afternoon.

To find turkeys, you’ll need to be able to read the landscape and identify the areas where turkeys are likely to be. Look for areas with thick vegetation, as this is where turkeys like to roost and feed.

Once you’ve found a group of turkeys, you’ll need to stalk them carefully. Be sure to keep downwind of the turkeys and avoid making any noise.

When you’re within range, take your time and aim carefully. A missed shot could spook the turkeys and ruin your chances for the day.

After the Hunt

Once you’ve harvested a turkey, it’s important to field dress it and transport it properly.

Field Dressing

Field dressing a turkey is the process of removing the internal organs and cleaning the carcass. This is important to do as soon as possible after harvesting the turkey, as it will help to prevent the meat from spoiling.

To field

Q: What is the best time of year to bow hunt turkeys?

A: The best time of year to bow hunt turkeys is during the spring and fall seasons. During the spring, turkeys are more active and easier to spot. In the fall, turkeys are more aggressive and will be more likely to come to your calls.

Q: What is the best bow for turkey hunting?

A: The best bow for turkey hunting is a lightweight, fast-shooting bow with a draw weight of 40-50 pounds. A compound bow is a good option for turkey hunting, as it is easier to shoot accurately than a recurve bow.

Q: What kind of arrows should I use for turkey hunting?

A: You should use sharp, lightweight arrows with a broadhead tip for turkey hunting. The broadhead tip will help you to penetrate the turkey’s skull and kill it quickly.

Q: What kind of calls should I use for turkey hunting?

A: You should use a variety of calls to attract turkeys, including yelps, cluck, purrs, and kee-kee runs. The type of call you use will depend on the time of year and the mood of the turkeys.

Q: How do I set up a turkey blind?

A: You should set up your turkey blind in a location where you can see a large area of open ground. The blind should be camouflaged to blend in with the surrounding vegetation.

Q: How do I approach a turkey?

You should approach a turkey slowly and quietly. Try to stay downwind of the turkey so that it doesn’t smell you. If the turkey sees you, freeze and wait for it to calm down.

Q: How do I shoot a turkey?

You should shoot a turkey in the head or neck area. This will ensure a quick and humane kill.

Q: What should I do if I miss a turkey?

If you miss a turkey, you should wait a few minutes and then try calling it back. If the turkey doesn’t come back, you should move to a new location and try again.

Q: What are some common mistakes that turkey hunters make?

Some common mistakes that turkey hunters make include:

* Shooting too early or too late.
* Not using the right calls.
* Approaching the turkey too quickly or too loudly.
* Not being patient.

By avoiding these mistakes, you can increase your chances of success when bow hunting turkeys.

Conclusion:

bow hunting turkeys is a challenging but rewarding pursuit. By following the tips in this article, you can increase your chances of success.

* Scout your hunting area well and learn the habits of the turkeys you’re targeting.
* Use a camouflaged blind or ground blind to conceal yourself from the turkeys.
* Choose the right bow and arrows for the job.
* Practice your shooting skills regularly.
* Be patient and wait for the right opportunity to take your shot.

With a little effort and practice, you can bag a turkey with your bow this season. Happy hunting!