Shoot or Don't Shoot?
Take this 10-question picture quiz and see if you're ready to be a safe turkey hunter.
Mastering the art of ethical wild turkey hunting takes many skills, and one of the most important to know when to shoot and when to ease off the trigger. Judging distance accurately is critical to knowing if a bird is in range. But even if a gobbler is within 30 yards, it doesn't necessarily mean you should take the shot. Why not? You'll see. Keep track of your answers, and we'll let you know at the end of our quiz how you did.
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Photo 1 View Answer
Shoot! We thought we'd give you an easy one to start. This adult gobbler is well within shotgun range, standing still, and you can clearly see his beard. When you take this shot, remember to aim for the base of the bird's neck, and squeeze the trigger, don't jerk it. |
Photo 2 View Answer
Don't Shoot! Pull the trigger here and you would kill a jake (a legal, year-old tom), but you would also hit the building behind the turkeys with some of your shotgun pellets. Also, can you see a beard on either one of these birds? |
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Photo 3 View Answer
Don't Shoot! Even though this shot is tempting, these two gobblers are way too close together. Shoot one, and you'll likely kill both, which is illegal in most states. Let the birds separate a few yards before pulling the trigger on one or the other. |
Photo 4 View Answer
Don't Shoot! A gobbler can't see you when he has the back of his fanned tail turned in your direction, but neither can you see his head and neck, so you don't know where to aim. Let him turn around before taking this shot. |
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Photo 5 View Answer
Shoot! This gobbler is walking slowly left to right, but still close enough to offer a great shot. If you can get him to stop before pulling the trigger by calling to him, so much the better. But if not, go for it! |
Photo 6 View Answer
Don't Shoot! If you pulled the trigger here, you just shot a hen. During fall turkey-hunting seasons hens are legal, but not in the spring. If you knew this turkey was a hen when you first saw it, you answered this question correctly. |
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Photo 7 View Answer
Don't Shoot! This turkey gobbler is well out of range, more than twice the distance you should be shooting. He's also in strut, with his head pulled down into his shoulders. A turkey with his head up is a much better target. |
Photo 8 View Answer
Don't shoot! In most states, it's illegal to shoot a wild turkey in a tree, plus this bird is a hen. |
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Photo 9 View Answer
Shoot! It's okay to shoot a gobbler through very light brush, just make sure you can clearly see the entire bird, and especially his beard and head. |
Photo 10 View Answer
Shoot! It doesn't get any better than this. This turkey gobbler is at close range, walking toward you with his head up, and you can clearly see his beard. Aim at the bottom of the red of his neck, and try not to get too excited! |
How did you do?
8 to 10 correct: Well done! Consider yourself a longbeard. You're ready to go turkey hunting.
5 to 7 correct: Pretty good. Consider yourself a jake. You're ready to go turkey hunting, but need to study a little more first. Spending time in the field watching live turkeys and viewing turkey-hunting videos at home will help.
1 to 4 correct: Not so hot. Consider yourself a bearded hen. You need to take a Hunter Education course before going turkey hunting.
Something to remember…
Notice that in our turkey hunting picture quiz we had more "Don't Shoot" correct answers than "Shoot." That's because in actual turkey hunting situations you don't shoot far more often than you actually pull the trigger. For instance, you might go an entire turkey hunting season and only shoot once or twice, if at all. So if you're just starting out, don't be discouraged. Even the best turkey hunters come home empty-handed more days than not. Keep at it, and you'll eventually get your bird. Just remember to hunt safely and have fun.
