On Taking the Shot

[silvestris]

Shot size is a personal decision, but a decision in which there are definite rights and certainly wrongs when the turkey runs off dragging a wing. Usually the wrongs occur at the moment of the shot, but occasionally at the point you place a particular shell shell in the chamber. The unseen close sapling that you cut in two usually only results in hurt feelings. The crippled and lost bird tends to haunt you for the rest of the season and sometimes longer. We all have an obligation to the bird and ourselves to make clean kills and if we are unsure to take the pressure off of the trigger. It is much better to later be telling yourself that "I probably could have killed him" than asking yourself "why did I take that shot?"

[dirt road ninja]

Yep. I've let many get by me that I'm pretty sure I could have killed.

[paboxcall]

I've let several walk too, and I never regret doing so.  Good topic.

[Bowguy]

On the other side I've had kids asking me where the shooting lane was when the whole upper part of the bird, neck n head was all exposed n well within range. Those were easy kills n the kids/guys wouldn't shoot

[mgm1955]

If you let a questionable shot walk the bonus is you get to hunt that bird again. The challenge of the hunt is what it's all about to me. Once the trigger is pulled the hunt is over, IMO a bittersweet moment. Of course I enjoy harvesting a gobbler after battling with him, but I think too much emphasis is placed on the kill and not enough on everything that led up to the point where an ethical shot was possible,

[Marc]

My father gave me some good advice some years ago about waterfowling that also holds true with turkey hunting...

"If you 'think' you can kill the bird on any given shot, do NOT shoot.  Wait until you 'KNOW' you can make the shot.  When you miss, it should be due to poor shooting, and not because of shooting at 'marginal' birds."

Had a tough season last year, and on the last day, I let a bird walk at 45 yards...  Pretty sure I could have made the shot, but something in my brain made me hesitate, and that hesitation made me hold off.    I do not regret the decision, but I sure would have had some regrets had I pulled the trigger and not come home with the bird.

When you take a longer shot, the odds are almost certain that you will put some pellets into the bird.  Maybe he will recover from non-vital hits, but maybe he will die a slow lingering death.

[Farmboy27]

My father gave me some good advice some years ago about waterfowling that also holds true with turkey hunting...

"If you 'think' you can kill the bird on any given shot, do NOT shoot.  Wait until you 'KNOW' you can make the shot.  When you miss, it should be due to poor shooting, and not because of shooting at 'marginal' birds."

Had a tough season last year, and on the last day, I let a bird walk at 45 yards...  Pretty sure I could have made the shot, but something in my brain made me hesitate, and that hesitation made me hold off.    I do not regret the decision, but I sure would have had some regrets had I pulled the trigger and not come home with the bird.

When you take a longer shot, the odds are almost certain that you will put some pellets into the bird.  Maybe he will recover from non-vital hits, but maybe he will die a slow lingering death.

Your father gave you excellent advice. We should all follow it.

[turkeyfoot]

I have no problem letting one walk just for the simple fact I get to hear him again tomorrow morning if the shot ain't right. I never shoot through any saplings or brush when I sit first thing do is ensure clear lanes if he steps in em great if not oh well I think there is lot of desperation in woods these spring days way to many feel they have to get that kill can't wait to brag and post them pics makes for danger for the birds and the hunters. Turkey hunting is fast growing sport lot people teaching themselves

[catman529]

I don't stretch iffy shots like I used to, but I still have a problem of pulling and clean missing because I get so worked up in the moment. Couple that with a heavy trigger pull and recoil, makes it worse. Then there are times I shoot great. Just depends on the situation I guess.


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[ilbucksndux]

My rule is if I cant see his eye, I dont shoot. Im not sure how far I can see a turkeys eye with my eyes but anyway.......... Three years ago I had been taken to school by this turkey 3 days in a row. The last day I got into the woods ad he was in a different place than I expected him to be He was on a high ridge and there was no way I was gonna get any closer than about 200 yards at the bottom of the next ridge over. I called him all the way down the hill and across the valley(with the help of some hens behind me) . He was coming through some brush and I had a perfect shot at him. I could see him blink his eye so he was in range,but I wanted him to walk about 4-5 feet more so I didnt shoot. When he went in the brush again he was gone .

[HFultzjr]

Some of the most exciting birds I've ever called, I didn't get a shot at...............................LOL
Still remember them.
They won, I lost. I'm over it.
LOL

[wvmntnhick]

Some of the most exciting birds I've ever called, I didn't get a shot at...............................LOL
Still remember them.
They won, I lost. I'm over it.
LOL

Pretty much summed up my entire last season.

[Marc]

My rule is if I cant see his eye, I dont shoot. Im not sure how far I can see a turkeys eye with my eyes but anyway..........

You mean see the black spot where his eye is, or clearly see detail of the eye?

I know I could see the dark color of an eye of a bird that was well out of range last year...  Not in any detail, but could see his eye...  Could be a decent range finding technique though...

I noticed the eye on my turkey decoy is similar to the actual eye of a turkey.  I will have to set it out, and see how far and what detail I can see on it.

[J.D. Shellnut]

I pick a spot in front of me where I think he's gonna come out. When he hits that spot I pull the trigger. Unless I want to watch the show!