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Turkey Hunting Tips => Turkey Bowhunting /Bowhunting Forum => Topic started by: Magdump on February 14, 2023, 10:44:49 AM

Title: Gobbler archery body shot, shot placement opinions please!
Post by: Magdump on February 14, 2023, 10:44:49 AM
I am going to attempt body shots once again and want to be absolutely scientific about it to help prevent losing a gobbler to a poor shot.  The Magnus Bullheads have worked great for me but I want to try body shots again so I have more shot options.  Will be using the Rage Xtreme Turkey broadhead.  (Which shoot very very well with super heavy arrows out of my 70# turkey bow).

These two photos are printed mesh archery target overlays and as I start practicing with them, I want to be absolutely sure I am aiming at the correct location.

I have attached two photos with what I think are the correct shot placements indicated (red dot) and I have attached two photos without the aiming point so that you can copy and correct if/as needed.

Do I have the shot placements correct?  Any adjustments needed?

Thanks in advance for your experience based opinions!

(https://photos.imageevent.com/magdump/misc/websize/Strutting%20gobbler%20archery%20target%20face%20photo%20w%20ideal%20shot%20placement%20shown%2002%2014%202023.jpg)

(https://photos.imageevent.com/magdump/misc/websize/Walking%20gobbler%20archery%20target%20%20fact%20photo%20w%20ideal%20shot%20placement%20shown%2002%2014%202023.jpg)




(https://photos.imageevent.com/magdump/misc/websize/Strutting%20gobbler%20archery%20target%20face%20photo.jpg)

(https://photos.imageevent.com/magdump/misc/websize/Walking%20gobbler%20archery%20target%20face.jpg)




Title: Re: Gobbler archery body shot, shot placement opinions please!
Post by: donjuan on February 14, 2023, 10:59:55 AM
I don't know how to edit the photo but I would slide the quartering to shot to be centered between the legs, but at the same level the dot is (if that makes sense?)  Just and inch or two left
Title: Re: Gobbler archery body shot, shot placement opinions please!
Post by: Magdump on February 14, 2023, 11:10:36 AM
I don't know how to edit the photo but I would slide the quartering to shot to be centered between the legs, but at the same level the dot is (if that makes sense?)  Just and inch or two left

Like this?

(https://photos.imageevent.com/magdump/misc/websize/Strutting%20gobbler%20archery%20target%20face%20photo%20w%20shot%20placement%20between%20legs.jpg)
Title: Re: Gobbler archery body shot, shot placement opinions please!
Post by: donjuan on February 14, 2023, 11:24:03 AM

Yes
Title: Re: Gobbler archery body shot, shot placement opinions please!
Post by: CAPTJJ on February 14, 2023, 11:38:26 AM
IMO that is still a little low on the quartering to shot, it still goes through the breast. That Y of lines in the feathers makes a great aiming point and will put the broadhead right into the vitals and he won't go far.

(https://i.postimg.cc/sxtrv625/P82-A2898-zpsixfdl3rb.jpg)

On the broadside shot, the vitals are directly behind the short feathers at the top of the wing, and I aim for the middle of them. That aim point will kill the tom, but I would go up and back an inch or so to have more room for error. Just remember the vitals are up pretty high, some guys like to take the legs out, but I've found that if you miss them and hit guts the turkey will be difficult to find.

(https://i.postimg.cc/zG0P78BV/20220305-101542.jpg)
Title: Re: Gobbler archery body shot, shot placement opinions please!
Post by: Magdump on February 14, 2023, 01:39:23 PM
CAPT JJ:

Any chance you can illustrate your preferred point of aim on the photo(s)? 
Title: Re: Gobbler archery body shot, shot placement opinions please!
Post by: jmart241 on March 04, 2023, 02:02:59 PM
Get on national bowhunter education foundation get advanced anatomy with overlays helped me know where shoot all the ones i shot with a bow goodluck
Title: Re: Gobbler archery body shot, shot placement opinions please!
Post by: CAPTJJ on March 13, 2023, 08:39:09 PM
(https://i.postimg.cc/KYgNvRVj/ea20d68a945e8397dcf59f7911c550ee.jpg)

Most of the shots I get are at toms strutting up to my jake decoy, this picture with the vitals is pretty good. They are behind the shorter feathers at the top of the wing and up high. You can't really go too high, will get spine; too low and forward is breast, low and back is guts and you may not find him. Some like to take the drumsticks out but if you miss either side....
Title: Re: Gobbler archery body shot, shot placement opinions please!
Post by: Mossyguy on March 13, 2023, 09:56:16 PM
In 2016 I shot one at the base of the tail as he was facing away from me. He ran about 10 yards and fell over…quickest kill I’ve ever seen
Title: Re: Gobbler archery body shot, shot placement opinions please!
Post by: RiverBuck on March 14, 2023, 09:54:10 PM
Another pic for reference

Title: Re: Gobbler archery body shot, shot placement opinions please!
Post by: AndyN on March 17, 2023, 10:42:20 AM
In both of those pictures I'd be up and left from your point of aim. I see too many articles mentioning shooting the top of the beard on a bird facing you. That's too low and will result in a breast shot bird, learned that the hard way. Legs are the easiest thing for me to reference off of. Broadside I'm straight up the legs then forward about 3", 3" below the back. Quartering away I'm generally hitting the upper edge of the bronze/copper feathers on the wing. If you haven't taken many body shots I'd avoid shooting a strutting bird. Wait it out and shoot him in the back walking away. Lots of good youtube videos out there.  Watch them over and over again.