rifle vs bow for turkeys

[mainecoon]

I am interested to go turkey hunting and am trying to decide between a bow and a shotgun. I imagine the shotgun would make things a little easier, but a bow would be a cool way to get into archery. For those who have used both, any preference?

 

[BoxC]

If you have not hunted turkey before you might want to consider a shotgun. Wild turkey are very observant and leary birds and getting one to cooperate can be difficult. One of my sons has hunted with a rifle, a shotgun and a bow. He considers the bow most difficult. I prefer to use a 22 with head shots only. If you want a real chalenge use an unscoped 22 pistol for head shots only. I do not recommend anthing smaller than a 22 mag for anything other than a head shot. A lot depends on what kind of experience you have and how good a shot you are.

 

[Freedom_fighter_in_IL]

As an avid archer (my absolute favorite hunting method) I can honestly tell you that if you are not already "into archery" then it would definitely NOT be a preferred method of turkey hunting. Turkey have eyesight that would put a white tail deer to shame. They are extremely leery and highly observant to any motion that does not belong. Unless your state allows you to turkey hunt from a tree stand (many states do not allow it) then it is pretty difficult to get drawn back on one. Then you have the problem of a VERY small target. Turkey are surprisingly tough. You have to hit them just right or you will not recover the bird. Again, not an animal to "get into archery" with. Even a really good blind that you have brushed in very well can still present all these problems. I know many many many highly skilled archers that have tried several times to connect on Turkey with archery equipment without success.

 

[nmlongbow]

Archery only for me. I'm not a dedicated turkey hunter but I've shot several with a bow on the ground and without a blind.

Shooting a compound proficiently takes very little time and you could probably learn to shoot and get a turkey from a blind by this spring. If you're considering a trad bow without a blind or decoys then it might take a year of regular practice just to shoot one from 20 yards. And it might take much longer than that.

I'm looking forward to spring and fall turkey this year and will hopefully be able to put in the time to locate some birds and get a shot or two.

 

[eastbank]

i use a .22 hornet in the fall and a 12ga shotgun in the spring. eastbank.