Shoot Your Gun!

[GobbleNut]

To preface: forgive me for getting on my soapbox for just a minute...

This topic is directed more at newer guys that may be thinking about taking up turkey hunting, but also for those "casual" guys that grab whatever shotgun they may have and go turkey hunting on occasion. (I know a number of them)

Right now...or between now and turkey season...is the time to take your gun to the range and learn how it shoots! At the very least, get a box of inexpensive game loads or less-expensive turkey loads, set up targets at various ranges out to forty or so yards, and see where your gun patterns and how it patterns. If that pattern is not centered based on the way YOU aim your gun, either change guns or put some sort of sighting device on your gun and get comfortable using it.

I have just seen too many turkeys missed...or worse yet, possibly crippled...from guys that just pick up whatever shotgun they own, grab a box of cheap "turkey loads" from Walmart, and go hunting. If you are gonna go, at the very least learn how (and where) your gun shoots. The turkeys you might shoot at deserve as much.

...now jumping off soapbox... 

[Notsoyoungturk]

Good soapbox GobbleNut.  Fail to prepare; prepare to fail.  Wild game is a precious commodity and one we shouldn't take for granted.  I go out every year before turkey, deer, etc and check my guns.  With my turkey guns, I will check the basic alignment with lead then a final shot with the TSS that I will shoot in the season.  There are a lot of variables in hunting; the accuracy and capability of your gun should never be one of them.

[Davyalabama]

Preparation over planning ---- It isn't just shooting it, that's almost a given, the bare minimum.  You also need to be able to move it, s-l-o-w-l-y, shoot at weird angles, possibly other shoulder than your dominant side, etc.  Preparation, turkeys will show up very rarely right in front of your gun, they love to do the odd things. 

Your plan: He's coming right this way, I'll pull my gun up, or have it ready, he will come past that tree, I'll be ready to drop him. 

Turkey's mind and plan: Why can't I see that hen or other gobbler, what's that blob on that tree I was picking those worms from yesterday, where is that hen or gobbler, my eyes aren't that bad, he/she was just all fired up now nothing?  Hmm, I think I will walk around out here a bit and move off this way and come back.  I'll move out this way and come in another direction and look for them.

You're still on your plan ----- nah, you better be prepared.

[Twowithone]

Great advice I also know a few of these people.Why just this deer season fellow shot at a deer 40 yds away missed both times said shot was low both times tells me he didnt hit the range cost him some meat and this nimrod hunts gobblers also Ill have to nudge him to the range.

[Tom007]

The soundest advice a turkey hunter can get. Prepare, prepare, prepare. During the moment of truth, you want your gun to perform at its best. Knowing your pattern, and POI is the most critical thing in getting a clean humane kill on a wild Turkey. I spend many hours and dollars on range time and ammo, but I know exactly where my gun will pattern and I know my effective range of all my turkey guns.

[Kypossum]

Very good advice. Pattern what you plan to hunt with.

[eggshell]

Hmmm what am I going to use for an excuse when I miss with a well patterned gun?

[Davyalabama]

A skeeter got in your eye just as you fired.