iDoHunting.com: Bowhunting Tips and Strategies for Turkeys

Scouting will pay off!

OK you’ve taken a few mature gobblers with your shotgun over the years and now you want to try it with a bow. Here are some tips and strategies that I’ve learned from others and out in the field that will help you fill your bow tag this spring. I’m not going to get into what equipment you should such as your bow, blind, broadhead style, decoys etc… Use what you feel gives you the most confidence!

Scout, scout and then scout some more.

No matter what weapon you choose, I feel the most important factor that will lead you to success is learning the habits of your turkeys on your property. I don’t care how good a caller you are or how many decoys you use, or how good you are with your bow, if you are not in the core area of where your turkeys spend time, you will not have success. For the deer hunters out there, how many hours do you spend scouting for your buck? Well, when it comes to hunting turkeys you should do the same and pattern them as much as possible. Try to spend numerous days before your season and find out where they like to roost, which way they usually fly down, where they feed, where they dust themselves and where they like to strut. I like to do this without using a call because I don’t want to educate them any more than possible. It’s so important to pattern them so you can get ahead of the turkeys when it comes time for your hunting season. You should also have pre-defined areas where you can set your blind up along the way and intercept them. Knowing the terrain of your land and any given obstacle that can alter their direction (such as fences, streams, ditches, and ravines) is also very important.

I like to use my Covert Ground Blind when bow hunting for turkeys!

When bowhunting for turkeys - use a ground blind.

This doesn’t mean that you can’t kill a tom without one. However, your odds will increase if you use a ground blind simply because they will not be able to see you draw your bow. If you did your homework and scouted the area, you should be in a good spot so that you can use a ground blind. I’ve also learned it can help to shoot through a mesh that’s attached to your ground blind window. This will ensure that you will not get busted by a tom’s keen eyesight when you draw back your bow. Also, don’t be afraid to run and gun with a bow while using your ground blind. This can be very effective but you must practice carrying it and practice setting it up in a short amount of time. Do this in your backyard until you get quick at it an also try putting it up in the dark. When I do run and gun with a blind, I don’t worry about using decoys or hauling a chair around. Bow, ground blind and your calls is all you need because you'll either hear them or see them and you will not have a lot of time to react and you must get set up immediately. The other thing I like about hunting out of a ground blind is that you can set it up virtually anywhere and even in the open (unlike using a shotgun where you need a tree for a backrest). The turkeys will not spook because of the blind and many times will walk within a few feet of your set up.

This is what happens when you don't prepare!

Be patient when it comes to bow hunting turkeys.

And even more so than using your shotgun simply because you are not as mobile with a bow. If you did your homework and you scouted diligently, you should be in a good spot with turkeys around you. Many times the morning hunt comes to an end and we get impatient leaving the area looking for better opportunities. Try to stay put and wait it out a few more hours especially if you had a tom gobble back at you during the morning hunt but just wouldn’t commit. Many times after the hens are done feeding, they will go and sit on their nest and then that same tom will return to the area where he heard you earlier in the morning and possibly come check you out this time around. Prepare yourself for a long sit by purchasing a comfortable chair or stool (I like a back rest), pack a lunch with water along with a book or a magazine. Set a goal of how long you are going to sit regardless of what happens and stick to your plan.

Prepare and anticipate your kill.

At the moment of truth, all you should be doing is going through your routine that you have previously imagined and practiced. It takes a lot more effort to draw back a bow and release an arrow versus pulling a trigger on a shotgun so you must account for the extra movement. First, you should try and envision where the tom will come from, when you will draw back on him and where you will release your arrow. It’s important to set up your decoys very close to your blind (5-10 yards) so if your tom hangs up a bit, he will still be in range. Take a rangefinder with, mark your distances with a stick, clump of grass, a rock, corn stalk or whatever you can find and know your distances from the blind so you can identify your kill zones. You should also have a 5 or a 10 yard pin on your site that you’ve already practiced with just in case your tom runs right into your decoys. When you get into your blind, it’s important to draw your bow back a couple of times making sure that you are in the proper shooting angle and so you can check to see if you have enough room without hitting the side of your blind with your elbow. Determine what you are going to do if the tom approaches from the left or the right – are you going to shoot from your chair or drop down on your knees? Know where you are going to aim on a turkey is also extremely important. The old saying “hit him high - he’ll die and hit him low – he’ll go” helps but take some time to look at the attached picture and know how to locate each of these kill spots. If you’re going to shoot a mechanical or fixed blade, know the vital locations of a bird no matter how he stands. Practicing all these little things will help you increase your chances of a kill.

Have a good attitude and have fun with it!

Remember, the reason you are trying to kill a tom with your bow is because it’s more of a challenge. It’s not always about the kill. Some of my best memories of hunting turkeys is with a bow because the encounters were so close but yet for some reason or another, I just couldn’t get a shot off. Don’t cheat yourself and grab your gun after a couple of days of unsuccessful attempt with your bow just to fill that tag. Stick with it and I guarantee you that it will be worth it when you finally connect!

Shooting a mature tom with my bow has taken my love for turkey hunting into a whole new level. It also is one of the most rewarding hunts that I’ve experienced. Hopefully this article will entice you to give bow hunting for turkeys a try and also be able to put one on the ground!