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General Discussion => General Forum => Topic started by: barry on May 08, 2011, 12:13:55 PM

Title: "Floppage"
Post by: barry on May 08, 2011, 12:13:55 PM
I've read a good many posts on here where a bird is shot and NEVER flops.
I've been turkey huntin' over 30 years now and can only remember 3 birds that I have shot that never flopped and all 3 had some shot in the body/backbone area.
I've shot birds at point blank range filling the head/neck area with shot and they still flopped.
I've used copper coated lead most of the time and Win Extended Range the last 2 years.
I notice a lot of you guys use Heavy Shot, but can that be the difference?
Just wondering.
Title: Re: "Floppage"
Post by: Crappiepro on May 08, 2011, 12:23:50 PM
I've hunted for 10 years or so and have always used Federal or Winchester #4 or #5's. Ive yet to see one not flop around after a shot, even the ones that someone else had shot that I was with. I just think it's part of the dying process, I dont think it matters what shot size you use LOL.
Title: Re: "Floppage"
Post by: stinkpickle on May 08, 2011, 12:25:08 PM
There was discussion about this a while back...something about a pellet hitting the brain (or a certain portion of the brain) with the spinal column still intact.  I don't think it mattered what the shot type was.  I've had them flop and not flop with both types of shot.  In fact, the most destructive head and neck shots I've administered have all resulted in "floppage"...just like a chicken with its head cut off. 
Title: Re: "Floppage"
Post by: turkey_slayer on May 08, 2011, 12:32:55 PM
Quote from: stinkpickle on May 08, 2011, 12:25:08 PM
There was discussion about this a while back...something about a pellet hitting the brain (or a certain portion of the brain) with the spinal column still intact.  I don't think it mattered what the shot type was.  I've had them flop and not flop with both types of shot.  In fact, the most destructive head and neck shots I've administered have all resulted in "floppage"...just like a chicken with its head cut off. 

Yeah that was me that started the thread.  I think it was sugar ray that gave the answer.  It does make sense that you have to hit a certain part of the brain for the heart and lungs to stop suddenly.  If you dont then the lungs and heart can still work the muscles.  I've "stoned a few"  but most still flop but not nearly as much since shooting TSS.
Title: Re: "Floppage"
Post by: Snoody Bastid on May 08, 2011, 02:48:35 PM
Post-mortem vascular sporatic reflexes.
I just made that up but it sounds pretty legit huh?
Title: Re: "Floppage"
Post by: Muskie03 on May 08, 2011, 02:55:38 PM
Quote from: Snoody Bastid on May 08, 2011, 02:48:35 PM
Post-mortem vascular sporatic reflexes.
I just made that up but it sounds pretty legit huh?

Dr. Bastid I presume.
Title: Re: "Floppage"
Post by: 30_06 on May 08, 2011, 03:33:23 PM
Quote from: stinkpickle on May 08, 2011, 12:25:08 PM..In fact, the most destructive head and neck shots I've administered have all resulted in "floppage"...just like a chicken with its head cut off. 

That is what I have noticed as well. I dont know why, but it still suprises me.
Title: Re: "Floppage"
Post by: sugarray on May 08, 2011, 04:08:03 PM
Also, I have noted some delayed floppage.  I wish my FIL would have gotten it on the bird my son killed.  He shot that bird at 53 steps with 1 7/16 oz of TSS #9 from a 20 gauge.  He went right down and didn't flop at all.  We just watched and nothing.  I then worked another shell in, put it on safety.  We climbed out of the blind, 3 of us and started that way.  When you see us running he had just started flopping and went through the fence.  It was weird with that kind of delay.  His heart had to have still be beating for it to work like that.
My bird I killed 2 days ago did same thing.  I shot him at 40 yds, with 2 oz of TSS #8 and he went right down.  I got up, worked a shell in, put safety on.  When I got up there he started flopping.  Delayed.
Title: Re: "Floppage"
Post by: Tail Feathers on May 08, 2011, 04:15:25 PM
I've shot two that hit and didn't flop.

One then flopped when walked up and touched it, and the other began to flop on his own after about a minute without being touched.
Never had one that made it to the truck without flopping at some point.
Title: Re: "Floppage"
Post by: njdevilsb on May 08, 2011, 04:15:48 PM
My dad got one this morning with Hevi #7's at 30 yards.  He pulled the trigger and the bird just dropped.  We got up to him, looked at him for a second, then I grabbed his leg to see what he had for spurs, and he started going nuts.  It was a good head and neck shot.

The only one I remember not flopping at all that I got was the one I shot at 7 steps and all but took his head off.
Title: Re: "Floppage"
Post by: redleg06 on May 08, 2011, 06:01:13 PM
Im in the same boat... Been turkey hunting for about 20 years now and most of the time they do flop, regardless of range/distance, load, etc...

I've shot everything from Mag Blends to TSS and they still flop most of the time....even though they are dead as a hammer. 


I guess it may have to do with where I shoot them at (in the waddles) as opposed to in the head but even times when Ive shot them in the head (if they wouldnt come out of strutt or some other factor) they still flop more often then not.
Title: Re: "Floppage"
Post by: hobbes on May 08, 2011, 06:14:38 PM
Composition of the shot wouldn't have a thing to do with them flopping or not.

My son's eastern CO bird never flopped.  He was shot at about 25 yards with winchester xx mag #6 lead.  He went straight down, the fan came straight up, spread out, and that was it.  I may have had another do that, but that is the only one I remember.
Title: Re: "Floppage"
Post by: GOLD HUNTER on May 08, 2011, 06:41:29 PM
i've been turkey hunting for nearly 25 yrs I've shot them with everything from copper, hevi shot, TSS shot and they still flop.  Can only remember a few that did not flop and they too were shot with the same ammo.  I don't see that it makes a difference if they flop or not just long as you get your bird.

I've had more to flop than not to flop.  :smiley-char092: 

Brian
Title: Re: "Floppage"
Post by: IowaNate on May 08, 2011, 06:58:44 PM
 I shot one at about 15 yards with 1-3/4oz of copper-plated #4's. It knocked him over, but then he stood up with his neck fully extended forward like he was trying to gobble (with no sound) while rocking back and forth like a drunken sailor for about 10 seconds. He fell back over and started to kick in circles for another few seconds. I'm sure he was dead when he first hit the ground, but his body just didn't know it yet.
Title: Re: "Floppage"
Post by: hoyt on May 08, 2011, 07:43:34 PM
All the ones I've killed have been floppers.
Title: Re: "Floppage"
Post by: longspur on May 08, 2011, 08:17:20 PM
Only one I ever shot that didn't flop had a lot of body shot in him. Saw two delayed flops. One was really blasted about 20 yds the other had his head peeping around a tree at me about 15yds and got 5 or 6 pellets in the head. He lunged backwards a few feet and lay still till I was there looking at him then flopped
Title: Re: "Floppage"
Post by: BOFF on May 08, 2011, 08:49:08 PM
Quote from: Tail Feathers on May 08, 2011, 04:15:25 PM
I've shot two that hit and didn't flop.

One then flopped when walked up and touched it, and the other began to flop on his own after about a minute without being touched.
Never had one that made it to the truck without flopping at some point.


^^^^^^^^^^This^^^^^^^^^^^^^^


Turkey hunted 25 plus years and never had a turkey not flop until the last one this year. I shot, he fell over, and nothing. I took several pictures from where I was sitting, got up, walked over to him approximately 2 minutes after shooting him, and he started flopping.  :o

God Bless,
David B.
Title: Re: "Floppage"
Post by: wisconsinteacher on May 08, 2011, 08:56:09 PM
So far with the three we have killed this year with HeviShot all dropped and did not move until they were picked up.  The two with #7 were shot at 35 and 40 yards and one at 45 with #6.  Before HeviShot, the birds shot would go down and then flop.  I don't know why thes start to flop when picked up, but they did.
Title: Re: "Floppage"
Post by: mike103 on May 08, 2011, 09:23:39 PM
Nine birds to my credit.

Five with lead duplex 4X6's, two with #6 hevi shot and two with magnum blend hevi shot.

All 12 gauge 3" magnum shells.

All under thirty yards.

All flopper's every one of them.
Title: Re: "Floppage"
Post by: Ozark Ridge Runner on May 08, 2011, 09:39:04 PM
I'm closing the gap on my 100th gobbler pretty quick and I can't remember one that didn't flop.
Title: Re: "Floppage"
Post by: turkey slayer on May 09, 2011, 12:34:29 PM
Quote from: Snoody Bastid on May 08, 2011, 02:48:35 PM
Post-mortem vascular sporatic reflexes.
I just made that up but it sounds pretty legit huh?
:TooFunny: :TooFunny: sounds good to me!! :TooFunny:
Title: Re: "Floppage"
Post by: trkehunr93 on May 09, 2011, 12:51:59 PM
I have never had a turkey not flop at some point, 2 this spring did not flop on impact but did once I picked them up.  I'm use to and expect them to flop.  Boot on their neck until they are done.
Title: Re: "Floppage"
Post by: Basser69 on May 09, 2011, 01:13:14 PM
I have never had one not flop of all of them that I have seen killed.
Title: Re: "Floppage"
Post by: drenalinld on May 09, 2011, 03:35:58 PM
I think it's similar to deer hunting. I have shot deer through both lungs and part of the heart at close range with a 300 magnum only to have them run nearly 100 yards.
I have seen two turkeys that did not flop. Can't explain it.
Title: Re: "Floppage"
Post by: natman on May 10, 2011, 03:24:09 PM
I've shot 27 turkeys, a few at very close range that turned their heads to hamburger and every single one flopped to one degree or another. Never had a DRT.
Title: Re: "Floppage"
Post by: beardblaster on May 10, 2011, 03:55:14 PM
 Never shot one that didn't have a boot print on his neck before he left the woods.
Title: Re: "Floppage"
Post by: BrowningGuy88 on May 13, 2011, 05:43:18 PM
I have killed 2 that did not wiggle after they were shot. Both were from behind. One at 7 feet from the gun barrel and the other 27 yards. Both were shot with Remington Nitro #5's out of a 20 gauge. I think they did not flop because I broke their backs, wings and necks. The one at 7', I shot right between the wings and the one at 27 yards, I shot right at the top of the feathers on the neck.

I have either pulled the trigger or been there when it was pulled on near to 100 gobblers and these two are the only ones I have seen not flop at all. I think it is just part of it. Shoot, run step on neck, wait til flopping stops, take trophy home!

Daman
Title: Re: "Floppage"
Post by: gobbler74 on May 13, 2011, 06:11:22 PM
I think its all in the nerves and varies from one to another..I have only seen a few "no flop at alls" I saw a bird get all but beheaded the first day with a 10 ga and Hevi 6 x 7 Nitros at 10 yards it was gruesome...about 3/4 inch of skin flap holding the head on and he still flopped around for 3-4 minutes till the heart died I guess. I got video of the action just after the shot but just not something I use as public entertainment...so I spared yall for the last 5 weeks. no flop situations are few but they still happen..raised near chickens as a kid..when granpa took an axe to an ole rooster or hens head he lopped it off to feed the family. Unless you've seen a chicken run circles with no head you wouldnt understand how it happens