Top 5 Mistakes Nobody Likes to Admit as a New Turkey Hunter
Thunder chickens, longbeards, Mr. Wattles or whatever name gets you fired up over the approach of spring turkey hunting, as a new hunter, it's important to be aware of common mistakes that can set you up for failure in the field. In this article, we’ll cover the top five mistakes that nobody likes to admit, but can have a major impact on whether you successfully harvest a bird.
Bad Shot Placement
My very first turkey was also the very first one I lost. It was a heartbreaking experience. I had just gotten into gobblers and had a successful week running around the woods and calling with my cousin during the mornings and trout fishing in the afternoons. One morning, while I was at-bat, a nice tom came into our single jake decoy. I had a bow at the time, and the excitement got the better of me. He was just beginning to strut and facing perfectly away from me. Unfortunately, I let the arrow fly before allowing the turkey to fully enter the strut, and I hit the bird low. We tracked the blood for 150 yards before losing it on property we didn’t have permission to enter (we tried). That was a hard lesson to learn, and it really drove home the need for patience in the woods.
What is the lesson here? Be patient with your shot and know your shot placement regardless of how the bird looks, and olnly take a shot if you are confident.
One of the most crucial aspects of turkey hunting is shot placement. Turkeys have a small vital area, and it can be challenging to get an accurate shot. If you’re using a bow, don’t aim for the head; instead, aim for the base of the neck where the head meets the body. A turkey strutting away, you’ll aim for the base of the fan. Facing you, aim for the center of the chest, just above his beard. And broadside, you should aim for just behind where the wing meets the body, again aiming for a clean pass through the vital organs. Learn more about bow hunting turkeys.
With a shotgun, it’s a little more straightforward but, arguably, not easier. Keep the bird’s head above your bead (aim for the wattles, the old timers will tell you) to get a proper headshot, if your shotgun has been patterned correctly. Learn more about patterning your shotgun below.
Arriving Minutes Before Shooting Light
Turkeys are incredibly vigilant birds, especially when they are roosted. Arriving late to your hunting spot gives turkeys a distinct advantage, as they can see and hear you approaching. It's crucial to arrive well before dawn to give yourself enough time to set up and wait for the birds to start moving.
Remember, their sight and hearing abilities are what we’re trying to outmaneuver, and it’s what makes the hunt so sporting. Getting in position well before sunup will greatly increase you chances of success, so think about totting that tom out of the woods before hitting snooze on the alarm clock!
Singing Like A Canary
For the most part, turkey hunting is a calling game, and this is what makes it fun.
Therefore, the temptation to call loud, long and proud can be overwhelming at times, but often to the detriment of the hunter.
As the adage (or maybe it was just my old man) goes, 'know when to shut up.' Sometimes, turkeys need time to approach, so knowing when to be quiet and let them come to you is key. Learn more about calling wild turkeys.
Not Patterning Your Shot
It happens (especially in this market), your usual supply of 12-gauge turkey loads are out, and you pick up whatever is left. The truth is, as much as the gear heads will try to convince you otherwise, there's nothing wrong with this practice, as long as you take the time to pattern your shot before the hunt.
Whether you are using TSS or whatever is left at the store, patterning your shotgun is crucial. Understanding the triangulation between your shotgun, choke and ammo allows you to understand at what distances and under what circumstances you can take an ethical shot.
Failure to Adapt
When you make a mistake in the woods, be it from calling too much or trying to set up on a bird a little too late, it is important to learn from that experience. Failure to adapt will have you stuck in a vicious cycle of continually making mistakes. Whether a tough lesson like the one about patience and shot placement I learned on my first bird or head scratchers like why no birds are coming in even though you’re calling like a kazoo, learning and adapting from previous mistakes is essential.
Take the time to prepare for these common first-time blunders of the new turkey hunter, as they were all mistakes I made my first turkey season afield. Also remember that turkey hunting requires you to be adaptable and willing to learn from your mistakes. Spending time outdoors and gaining firsthand experience is invaluable. It's essential to learn from each hunt and adjust your tactics accordingly.