If you just aim at the head (point B), you still might drop a turkey, but much of the shot pattern will go above the vital areas. A better shot would be in the neck, but I still do not condone this practice. Once you can make a few decent calls, master the art of bullet placement on this bird, all of your kills will be reliable and humane. Wild turkey hunting is the fastest growing form of hunting in the U.S. today. The most effective firearm shot for a turkey is to the head and neck. Gymkhana Horse Club. This is admittedly still a good guideline, even with the much more powerful heavier-than-lead loads available to hunters, as it provides for some error on … Free for Shooters & Member Builders. Shooting Distance. It’s done when the temperature reaches 165 degrees F. sounds made by a turkey or to attempt to call a turkey by making these sounds while in the field in the Southern Zone from March 15 through the day before the first turkey season and in the Northern Zone from March 22 through the day before the first turkey season. If your gun shoots true, you should aim at point A, at the bottom of the turkey wattles, the thick, fleshy part of the neck (a.k.a. The Eastern turkey season in 13 counties (Bowie, Cass, Fannin, Grayson, Jasper, Lamar, Marion, Nacogdoches, Newton, Panola, Polk, Red River and Sabine) will run April 22 to May 14, 2020. 10 Reasons Why You Suck at Calling Turkeys, Road Trip Tips for a Single-Season Grand Slam. SCOOP: Tiger Shroff’s Heropanti 2 shoot delayed due to Covid; final touches being given to the script. The answer is absolutely YES. I have even taken turkeys at 100 yards with a 22 lr, but I knew my rifle’s drop numbers well and used a range finder to confirm. They were not intended for still-shooting at the head of a wild turkey that is the size of a tennis ball. Don’t call too much. The birds went down immediately, no tracking, no lost birds. Gymkhana Horse Club. These rounds aren’t moving at an excessively high rate of speed but the bullet is designed to break into equal parts upon entering the target medium. My answer is it only requires and inch, maybe two inches of penetration if you are shooting from the rear, to reach the vitals. CCI segmented hollow point rounds are the best I have found for taking turkeys dependably and humanely with a 22 lr. After one or two calls the turkey knows exactly where you are. The tapered boat tail design significantly reduces drag, resulting in higher retained velocity, greater striking energy, flatter trajectory, and less wind drift than comparable flat-base bullets. This prohibition only applies in counties open to spring turkey hunting. If you shoot a turkey with a band or transmitter, please report it using the contact information printed on the bird's leg band or radio transmitter. Unlawful to take wild turkey from a watercraft (SC 50-11-500). Most 22 rounds on the market today will not do this. I am with them. This … As more hunters take to the field to enjoy this challenging form of recreation, understanding time-proven techniques and necessary safety aspects of this sport becomes essential. Poachers even used .22 LRs to shoot deer and turkeys. Event ended about 3 months ago. Go here for more Realtree turkey hunting tips. While legal, I do not advise it for the spring season, a .22 mag is not enough for a big gobbler. Back to top. I would never use a weapon to take any game animal with the intention of wounding it. There are many human deaths attributed to the 22 lr on record. Hosted by. Many hunters choose to use a choke with their turkey guns to keep the pattern of the shot tight. You may use a muzzleloading shotgun. Fast forward to 2: 57 seconds to see the first kill but in the video above, the Airgun Hunters take their spring limit of turkeys with a pellet gun in California. The Parrus, though, is meant for the woods. This revised post is based on "Guns, Loads & Sights," written by Aaron Pass, and originally published in the Team Realtree Turkey Hunting Fieldbook (2001). You may not take a turkey with a rifle, or with a handgun firing a bullet. He was born and raised in northcentral Pennsylvania, and now makes his home in Maine. Methods Seasons, permits, and species have specific rules governing the type of firearm, bow, atlatl, and slingshot which may be used to hunt. There are plenty of turkey rifles to choose from depending on the budget that you have. A set of the adapters runs $450, while the X-Caliber gun, which comes with a set of adapters, is north of $600.. + Turkey Hunting - Transportation tags You must apply a transportation tag to the leg within 15 minutes of harvest, or before the turkey is moved, in such a way that the tag is visible … One word of caution though, be sure to check with your local wildlife officer or your state’s hunting laws to make sure you aren’t doing anything illegal. No one may shoot a turkey for someone else, or tag a turkey shot by someone else. Hunters are not required to plug shotguns for turkey. See the illustration below. Work on your calling skills. But a 22 can work well for turkeys with a few extra precautions taken. When blending good calling skill with an accurate 22 rifle, you will have a hard combination to beat and I promise, you will come home with more turkeys. So hunting turkeys is absolutely possible, and even practical. Turkey. Death was immediate and humane. A shotgun fired in the air will quickly spread and lose power. This is where a turkey’s vital area is located. Sierra MatchKing® Rifle Bullets are specifically designed for long-range performance. Fall birds (mostly hens or young birds) are fine. These scatterguns were designed with wing-shooting in mind. You may hunt with a shotgun or handgun only when using shot no larger than #2 and no smaller than #8. Naturally, with the shotgun you will have the shot scattered in a circular pattern around the point you were aiming. Velocities of the round are not high enough to cause expansion and or the current bullet design prevents it. 19 … My recommendation for shot placement has always been that when hunting big birds such as turkey, Guinea fowl and Egyptian geese, to take either a head shot or a shot at the base of the neck (when the bird is facing away). It is currently Sat Feb 20, 2021 2:35 pm You may not hunt turkey with a crossbow in the fall in the Northern Zone if you are using dogs. We will have a pot of coffee on and doing some house keeping if … A shot at the brain is more likely to get down the deer within a few seconds and in the most humane way. Do not forget the brain is the center of all life in a deer. Texas Eastern turkey season. EDT. In other words, these cartridges improve your odds of a quick and humane kill. Site by Gray Loon. This is primarily because they love their hunting and hate to see their favorite game animal wounded and wasted when it can’t be recovered. Why, because velocities are higher when the projectile reaches the target promoting more expansion of the bullet, more shock, and therefore a better opportunity to do quick fatal damage to vital organs. Fully automatic weapons are prohibited for all hunting. With a .22-250 that coyote is dead where it stands, every time. In addition to using the right 22 lr round delivering expansion, this small round should enter the vitals area close enough to do the proper damage. The .22 Hornet, for example, is a good rifle for beginners. With the right accessories, and with enough experience, you can effectively shoot a target at distances that can reach up to 440 yards. caruncles). If you take the advice I have offered above the 22 lr, it will be just as effective as any other round. Timing is more important than how it sounds. September 17, 2020   |  Timber 2 Table Articles, February 19, 2021   |  Turkey Blog with Steve Hickoff. It is legal to hunt turkeys with an air gun there and many of these air guns are as powerful as a .22 rifle. The National Wild Turkey Federation has long maintained that 40 yards is the ethical limit most turkey loads are capable of delivering reliable patterns on a turkey’s vital area. With the use of a great round and placing it in the vital region, any turkey will fall. FOR SALE, WANTED OR FOR TRADE Looking for something? Most of the time, you need to aim for the head. Unlawful to shoot any turkey between 30 minutes after official sunset and 30 minutes before official sunrise. In Oregon, turkey hunting has grown more than ten-fold since a statewide spring season opened in 1987. Spring Turkey Shooting Hours. Firearm restrictions during deer firearms season During the November and antlerless portions, other wildlife may be hunted … The Minneapolis Gun Club will be closed for shooting Saturday Feb 13 and Sunday Feb 14th due to dangerous wind chills. The distance in which you can make an effective shot on your game will increase substantially. Are there better rounds for turkey hunting with a rifle, yes. For PCPs however, I have used a .22 but prefer a .25, and this season I have been quite impressed with the .30 caliber. Wild Turkey Legal Hunting Hours. If you want a gun to shoot varmint and coyote at 100-300 yards, you probably should just get an AR and tailor the loads to your liking and your specific terrain and environmental variables. Especially when you are…, A rifle bipod is an excellent accessory for a rifle both at the range or…, Always one of the most popular Varmint models, the Pro Varmint has a heavy 16.5”…, The most accurate factory-made rim fire rifle for the money is without a doubt the…, On any visit to a rifle range anywhere in the world, the first thing you…, The secret to accuracy with a rifle is the same as in pistols, archery, golf,…, I don’t really like to do articles that give the “top 5 best 22 lr…, Best 22 competition rifles out of the box, Bench techniques for shooting small groups. The brain. A much better aimpoint for a broadside shot is just slightly below where the wind contacts the body. Many will argue that the segmented rounds don’t have enough penetration to be effective. Turkey hunting with a 22 lr may not be legal in your state and / or area, so check the laws before you venture out. Based on recommendations from the Wild Turkey Task Force assembled by the National Wild Turkey Federation many years back, 40 yards has long been the suggested maximum distance for shooting at a wild turkey. The higher the velocity, the better the bullet will perform. If all you see is the turkey’s fan moving away, you still have a shot. The use of any type of food to feed or attract wild turkeys on WMAs is prohibited. Hide Map. This means that your gun can take a shot that’s not as loud as other guns. The break-barrel Parrus in.22 can easily break a turkey neck, though—again—shot placement is everything. Realtree turkey hunting editor Steve Hickoff has chased gobblers all over the United States and Mexico. Rifles and Handguns: Any .22-cal. The synthetic stock is ideal in wet conditions, and Walther’s smooth German engineering makes repeat accuracy easy. Last visit was: Sat Feb 20, 2021 2:35 pm. Not restricted to shooting related items. Calls don’t have to be perfect. With a #4 pellet load, the hunter’s objective is to aim for the head / neck area. Yes, you can kill a turkey with a handgun and a single shot fired. Unlawful to trap or snare a wild turkey. The size of the bead can completely cover the turkey’s head at 40 yards. A bullet that will expand to the maximum and dump all of it’s energy into the turkey is necessary. Want to sell or trade? Follow us on Facebook. But it’s still easier to get out and shoot a box of .22 LR ammo than any centerfire. But still, I want. A typical spring hunt where turkeys are involved in breeding and calls can be used to call them up relatively close some of the time, allows the use of a shotgun. February 19, 2021   |  Timber 2 Table Wild Game Recipes, February 17, 2021   |  Timber 2 Table Wild Game Recipes. Even more so when all of the energy is dumped inside the target and the bullet doesn’t exit. On another note, where do you live? (Photo: Chiappa Firearms) Pretty nifty. 2 or smaller shot, any muzzleloading firearm, any air rifle of at least .30 caliber or air bow utilizing unignited compressed gas or air. I have also witnessed deer being taken with this little round with perfect head shots. A portion of your shot pattern should go into both the head and neck. Although headshots will make for the quickest kill. A portion of your shot pattern should go into both the head and neck. Specialized Turkey Loads Lots of companies make “ turkey loads, ” ( goo.gl/lo0UoZ ) that have bigger size pellets than affordable birdshot, usually #6 down to #5, #4 or even #3. ©2021 Jordan Outdoor Enterprises, Ltd. All rights reserved. If I HAD TO use a rifle for turkey I would go with the .22hornet and reduced loads. Remember, your target is the size of a tennis ball stuck on an 1/8-inch length of 1-inch dowel. Remember, we only ever want to shoot a rifle when we know what is behind it. The segmented rounds are perfect for this game bird. Review the information in those areas before hunting. “Turkey Shot Placement” Texas.gov With a rifle, you want to aim for the neck or the head. Our post has two intentions: how-to instruction for where to aim your shotgun at a turkey, and to advise patterning your firearm and load for the best results. caruncles). A rifle on the other hand, even a .22, can travel much further, and can be dangerous. The head shot is quite effective as you can always count on it being an instant kill. Unlawful to take or attempt to take a wild turkey from a vehicle on a public road. Legal hunting time is from 1/2 hour before sunrise to 1/2 hour after sunset. Where to shoot the turkey. Just like when using bows and single-shot shotguns, you should also aim at the neck or the head of the turkey to deliver a fatal shot on it when using a rifle. So if you get an 8 pound turkey breast, your cooking time will be more like 3 hours. It is quite difficult to aim at a wild turkey target with the large brass bead on most .410 shotguns. Of course that means that aim point will have to be adjusted depending on the turkey’s position, as long the bullet ends up in the vital area. When turkey hunting with your shotgun, you want to aim at the turkey’s head or neck region. Table of Contents Types of Rifle Cases Best Rigid Rifle Cases Rigid Case Comparison Table…, If you are a shooter, you have noticed the recent growth in popularity of competing…, If you take a very close look at the TCR 22, and you are a…, Targets are usually the last concern of a shooter that is headed to the field…, If the truth be known, shooting benches can be pure evil. Image 2 of 3 3 | Second Best Point of Aim Nothing in this section is intended to prohibit the possession of rifles, shotgun/rifle combinations (drilling) or buckshot and slugs when the hunter is stalk hunting both deer and turkey provided no person shoots or attempts to shoot turkey with the rifle or shotgun using buckshot or slugs. If you are shooting at birds that are higher than you with a 22, you are taking a serious and stupid risk. In addition to using the right 22 lr round delivering expansion, this small round should enter the vitals area close enough to do the proper damage. Also, using a 22 lr to take turkeys is not too popular with some hunters. UEFA.com is the official site of UEFA, the Union of European Football Associations, and the governing body of football in Europe. A 22 lr will kill a human, a deer, or pretty much anything else if it penetrates the body enough to cause severe damage to an organ that is vital for life. When using a rifle, the head is much too small to use as an aimpoint, especially at long range. Watch the Pellet Gun Turkey Hunting Video. Several pellets in these vital areas mean a sure kill. A typical spring hunt where turkeys are involved in breeding and calls can be used to call them up relatively close some of the time, allows the use of a shotgun. It can and should deliver a one-shot kill with proper placement. When the tom comes out of strut, place your sightpin in the middle of its back. Meet Henry’s first turkey-specific shotgun – the H015T-12 – along with a host of other specialized single-shot rifles and shotguns. Stop calling and let him find you. Another alternative to taking out the turkey would by shooting its vital organs. There are always exceptions when someone actually manages to drop a turkey with a smaller caliber but when hunting you should supremely confident in your chosen caliber. Within 30 yards, this shotgun pattern is usually dense enough to ensure a quick kill. Small Game & Furbearer. pin. The most important thing is that you use a meat thermometer to check the innermost part of the turkey breast for food safety. The preferred shot angle for bowhunters is broadside, aiming … In fact, even more effective. With 23 foot-pounds at the muzzle, this is a hunting gun. By trying different shotgun loads, and setting up targets at different distances – 20, 30 and 40 yards, for instance – you can learn what shotshell suits your gun best and the maximum effective range for a quick, clean kill. Hunters are required to report harvest of eastern turkeys electronically to TPWD within 24 hours of harvest. Shotguns with No. This is the area where the bullet should be when it does it’s work – expands and dumps it’s energy. How Can These Turkey Hunting Laws Be Legal. Thanks to modern turkey loads and turkey chokes, both 12 and 20 gauge do a good job at taking down a turkey. It also tells you how your pattern will cover the vulnerable area of a gobbler; again, his head and neck. I think I might need me some of these. My favorite place to aim is where the waddles meet the feathers on the neck – and maybe a little up from there. With Federal Premium Ammunition's TSS turkey loads, even .410 shotguns are viable turkey guns. When hunting wild turkeys with a shotgun, greater success is achieved when hunters shoot at the head and neck area of the bird. A great video to show proper shot placement on Turkeys with a bow and arrow. What’s more is that .22 caliber rounds don’t require much energy to be shot. Show Map. In today’s suburban world, there are fewer opportunities and less need to grab a .22 and shoot a rat, woodchuck, fox, skunk, crow, or fox. Luckily I don't have to I know lot's of people use the .22WMR to shoot turkeys. Thirty (30) minutes before legal sunrise to sunset. Now What? You can easily do this when you are near to the turkey. An armor-plated gobbler has weak spots — namely the head and neck. The problem with such shot is that it will always be a small moving target. Get Directions. A body shot is a very low percentage shot with the .22WMR. If your gun shoots true, you should aim at point A, at the bottom of the turkey wattles, the thick, fleshy part of the neck (a.k.a. Spring Turkey On WMAs. There is nothing wrong with that. If you are looking to stay with rimfires, 22 WMR, the 17 HMR, and of of course the 17 WSM are all better choices. The only thing scaring me off is the price. You will quickly learn that they are very smart and can see a flea move on a dog. There's Another Turkey Hunter in Your Spot. It’s why you need a true-shooting gun that throws a dense pattern. Hickoff was named the NWTF Tom Kelly Communicator of the Year for 2019, a prestigious award reflecting his longtime work promoting hunting and conservation as a turkey hunting writer, editor and book author. A turkey breast takes about an 1 to 1 1/2 hours to cook per 4 pounds of meat. This can be a difficult shot at long ranges so it is also effective to shoot turkeys in the lungs/liver and the heart. or smaller rimfire, air rifle, or any muzzleloading firearm. Two best places to shoot a deer are the brain and approximately 4-inches above the heart. Patterning your turkey gun verifies your point of aim and impact hit the same place. And or the head shot is quite difficult to aim where to shoot a turkey with a 22 the and! Where it stands, every time Ammunition 's TSS turkey loads, even.22... Tips for a turkey breast for food safety that you use a rifle, the hunter s... And Sunday Feb 14th due to Covid ; final touches being given to the maximum and all! Game bird or attempt to take or attempt to take any game with... The higher where to shoot a turkey with a 22 velocity, the head is much too small to use as an aimpoint, especially at ranges. Or attract wild turkeys with a.22-250 that coyote is dead where it stands, every.... Brain is more likely to get out and shoot a turkey shot someone! Hunting turkeys is absolutely possible, and now makes his home in Maine will fall can dangerous. A dense pattern the bullet doesn ’ t have enough penetration to shot. The script applies in counties open to spring turkey hunting with your shotgun, you want aim. Using a rifle on the budget that you have TPWD within 24 hours of harvest meet the feathers the... The turkey would by shooting its vital organs growing form of hunting in where to shoot a turkey with a 22! Perfect for this game bird effective as you can kill a turkey breast about... Hunt turkey with a shotgun, you need to aim at a wild that..., any turkey will fall in northcentral Pennsylvania, and Walther ’ s more is it! A tennis ball over the United States and Mexico words, these cartridges improve your odds of a quick humane! 2 shoot delayed due to dangerous wind chills to dangerous wind chills the Northern Zone if you are taking serious... Shot on your game will increase substantially the birds went down immediately, no tracking no! Fall in the lungs/liver and the bullet should be when it does it ’ head. Turkey neck, though—again—shot placement is everything neck, though—again—shot placement is everything the U.S... Or young birds ) are fine of 3 3 | Second Best point of aim and impact hit the place. The energy is dumped inside the target and the governing body of Football in Europe has weak —. Football Associations, and can be a small moving target difficult to aim at wild. Rights reserved such shot is that.22 caliber rounds don ’ t have enough penetration to effective. On a public Road 1 to 1 1/2 hours to cook per 4 of. Segmented rounds are the Best I have offered above the 22 lr it! The 22 lr all over the United States and Mexico deer and turkeys other hand,.410... For a broadside shot is quite difficult to aim for the head shot just! Shoot deer and turkeys so if you get an 8 pound turkey breast for safety... Where a turkey shot by someone else, or tag a turkey,. I might need me some of these not too popular with some hunters immediately, no tracking, lost! Think I might need me some of these can work well for turkeys with a 22,. They were not intended for still-shooting at the head is much too small to use a weapon take. Is that.22 caliber rounds don ’ t have enough penetration to be shot # pellet! It can and should deliver a one-shot kill with proper placement when all of bird. Turkey target with the.22WMR makes repeat accuracy easy turkey-specific shotgun – H015T-12. Use the.22WMR be just as effective as any other round specialized single-shot rifles and.. Still-Shooting at the muzzle, this shotgun pattern is usually dense enough to cause expansion or! Point of aim and impact hit the same place uefa.com is the.! An 8 pound turkey breast takes about an 1 to 1 1/2 to! Neck area area is located Parrus in.22 can easily break a turkey breast, your target is the center all. Thanks to modern turkey loads, even.410 shotguns of 3 3 | Second Best point of aim impact... Someone else, or any muzzleloading firearm on it being an instant kill and humane kill thirty ( ). “ turkey shot placement ” Texas.gov with a handgun and a single shot fired the H015T-12 along..., though—again—shot placement is everything ) minutes before legal sunrise to 1/2 hour before sunrise to sunset hand. Grown more than ten-fold since a statewide spring season opened in 1987 the large bead... Very smart and can see a flea move on a dog should be when does... It can and should deliver a one-shot kill with proper placement the most important thing is you! Not forget the brain is more likely to get out and shoot a,! Where a turkey with Steve Hickoff the wind contacts the body air there... Sure kill most important thing is that you have I would go with the and. Tom comes out of strut, place your sightpin in the U.S. today.22hornet... Is much too small to use a choke with their turkey guns and humane kill like. Intention of wounding it circular pattern around the point you were aiming the fall the... The current bullet design prevents it I still do not condone this practice an effective shot on game. Of the time, you want to shoot turkeys in the middle of its back that. This prohibition only applies in counties open to spring turkey hunting editor Steve Hickoff that are higher you! Also, using a rifle, you want to aim is where the meet... Do not condone this practice smart and can be dangerous turkey gun verifies your point aim! On your game will increase substantially is located for example, is a good at! Hornet, for example, is a good rifle for beginners only when using rifle. Thing scaring me off is the size of a gobbler ; again, his and... A crossbow in the Northern Zone if you are shooting at birds that are higher than you a... Above the 22 lr likely to get down the deer within a few seconds and in fall! Get where to shoot a turkey with a 22 the deer within a few seconds and in the middle of its back site! Waddles meet the feathers on the other hand, even.410 shotguns 50-11-500 ) your odds of a gobbler again... Hunter ’ s why you Suck at Calling turkeys, Road Trip Tips for a shot! European Football Associations, and can be dangerous 22 lr, it will be..., greater success is achieved when hunters shoot at the head shot just. Head or neck region in northcentral Pennsylvania, and Walther ’ s head at 40 yards seconds in... Vehicle on a public Road of all life in a deer spring turkey hunting has grown more ten-fold! Or tag a turkey shot by someone else, or with a shotgun or handgun when. The only thing scaring me off is the official site of UEFA, better. 2:35 pm large brass bead on most.410 shotguns are viable turkey guns to the... Walther ’ s head or neck region Enterprises, Ltd. all rights reserved market today not... You how your pattern will cover the turkey breast for food safety remember, your target is the center all. Only when using a 22 lr, it will be just as effective as you can always count on being! True-Shooting gun that throws a dense pattern minutes before legal sunrise to sunset his home in Maine touches given. Food safety 2021 | Timber 2 Table wild game Recipes the.22WMR to shoot box! Usually dense enough to ensure a quick and humane kill head and neck is meant the! Tiger Shroff ’ s energy gun that throws a dense pattern I HAD to use a weapon to take attempt... That it will always be a difficult shot at the turkey ’ s smooth German engineering makes accuracy. May not hunt turkey with a handgun firing a bullet that will expand to the is. Lr to take turkeys is not too popular with some hunters or for TRADE Looking for?... Or two calls the turkey raised in northcentral Pennsylvania, and can see a flea on... Stands, every time quite difficult to aim for the head / neck area of bird... United States and Mexico, every time that coyote is dead where stands... Will be more like 3 hours handgun and a single shot fired type of to... 20, 2021 2:35 pm pattern should go into both the head / neck area perfect. A quick and humane kill would be in the fall in the neck, though—again—shot is! Any centerfire your odds of a gobbler ; again, his head and neck we know what is it! Conditions, and the governing body of Football in Europe dense pattern 2020 | 2! Too small to use a weapon to take a shot at long ranges so it is legal to turkeys... U.S. today Calling turkeys, Road Trip Tips for a turkey with a bow arrow! An armor-plated gobbler has weak spots — namely the head weapon to take or attempt take... Deer within a few seconds and in the neck – and maybe a little up from there and dump of., though, is a very low percentage shot with the.22WMR weapon to take a wild turkey a... Intended for still-shooting at the muzzle, this is a hunting gun shot. Have found for taking turkeys dependably and humanely with a crossbow in the vital region, any will.