View Full Version : Record Wild Turkey harvest in Virginia
uspsmark
05-29-2013, 10:55
Spring turkey hunters reported harvesting a record 19,265 birds during the 2013 season in Virginia. The county I live in was number 6 overall (346 gobblers taken). I saw more birds than ever, killed one myself and both of my hunting buddies took one each (of course they shot them at long distance with a rifle, which is legal in Virginia). Not nearly as much fun as calling one in close and taking it with a shotgun in my opinion.
Habu-MFFI 175
06-07-2013, 18:46
That's a lot of harvested birds. Agree that bringing the toms in for a good look with a shotgun is more sporting than a rifle.:lifter
I've harvested lots of 'wild turkey' and never left the hooch....;)
uspsmark
06-07-2013, 22:53
I've harvested lots of 'wild turkey' and never left the hooch....;)
When I was at Bragg, I "killed" a bunch of "Wild Turkey" as well! Never fired a shot at any of them though, did it with my bare hands! LOL ;)
Rob_Frey
06-08-2013, 15:02
Wisconsin's Spring Turkey Hunt harvest was down this year.
I agree, the art of calling them in close is what is so appealing in Turkey hunting. We can only use shotguns here in WI.
Guymullins
06-09-2013, 03:53
Wisconsin's Spring Turkey Hunt harvest was down this year.
I agree, the art of calling them in close is what is so appealing in Turkey hunting. We can only use shotguns here in WI.
Is the preferred mode to shoot them while they are flying?
Is the preferred mode to shoot them while they are flying?
Guy,
Turkeys are ground based. The exception being most roost at night, in the trees. It's not impossible, but not likely you will ever get a shot in the air.
They have some of the best eye sight of any game birds, fantastic hearing, and good noses.
Shotguns are the only weapon, besides black power & bow-n-arrow, allowed in most states.
The kill shot is the head. They have a thickly feathered body that will stop the small dia bird shot. Using #2 - #6 and head shots are preferred.
MOST hunters will learn that camo is #1 to the hunt. Then learning to call then in.
Calling?? Here is a completion of the 2012 WORLD champion video clips..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uWF2HYyrI-g
It is not easy.. :munchin
Guymullins
06-09-2013, 13:15
Guy,
Turkeys are ground based. The exception being most roost at night, in the trees. It's not impossible, but not likely you will ever get a shot in the air.
They have some of the best eye sight of any game birds, fantastic hearing, and good noses.
Shotguns are the only weapon, besides black power & bow-n-arrow, allowed in most states.
The kill shot is the head. They have a thickly feathered body that will stop the small dia bird shot. Using #2 - #6 and head shots are preferred.
MOST hunters will learn that camo is #1 to the hunt. Then learning to call then in.
Calling?? Here is a completion of the 2012 WORLD champion video clips..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uWF2HYyrI-g
It is not easy.. :munchin
It seems the actual shooting part is fairly easy. Its to get them within range that is the challenging bit?
It seems the actual shooting part is fairly easy. Its to get them within range that is the challenging bit?
I wouldn't say the shot is easy on a target that is 3 inches ( 7 cm) across..
Here are a couple slides that show typical pattern spread from 20 to 50 yds..
Close is good,, VERY close is better.. :lifter
Rob_Frey
06-09-2013, 14:37
Is the preferred mode to shoot them while they are flying?
No. See everything JJ_BPK posted.
If rifles were allowed, I would use one.
Some guys hunt Turkeys with bows and shoot them in the body with the arrows.
I've had to break the necks on the Turkeys I've shot with 12 ga. 3" magnum #5 shot from my shotgun. They went down from the shot hitting them in the neck and head, but they were mostly just knocked out. One of my friends had an instant kill once, the head was only attached by a few strands after being shot, but that is only when things go perfectly.
Guy,
MOST hunters will learn that camo is #1 to the hunt. Then learning to call then in.
Calling?? Here is a completion of the 2012 WORLD champion video clips..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uWF2HYyrI-g
It is not easy.. :munchin
Most beginners try to be too complex with their calls. Some of the best turkey hunters I know use simple calls (hone to a fine edge with years of experience). There is a good thread on here about turkey tactics http://professionalsoldiers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=41614
That is a good number.
What's better about it is that a good Turkey population is a strong indicator of a healthy ecosystem.
The only time I've seen them fly was when avoiding a favorite hunting area for Bobcats.