Using a bow

[xwizard]

I have taken many of toms with a shotgun, going to try a bow this year, taking my blind. Practiced a lot shooting out of blind. Anybody got any advice?

[Seatown5]

My buddy brought his bow last year. No success, but came close. If no blind I suggest having someone call from a different location and or have your decoys away from you as well. This will help on your draw. 

[Mfowl]

When birds come in to your setup, be patient and wait for your shot opportunity. The only time I tried bowhunting from a blind, 6 Tom's came into my decoys and literally started a turkey tornado on my jake decoy. Being inexperienced I rushed my shot and missed at close range ...More than once. The Tom's didn't even notice but I was out of arrows. After a few minutes the 2 most dominate birds ran off the others and laid claim to my decoys spread. Unfortunately for 1 of them I had my shotgun in the blind to. Good luck and have fun!

[carpsniperg2]

I have killed a few birds with a bow. Make sure you have practiced shooting in your blind and you have room to draw etc.
First time I took a blind. I had a chair that was way to tall for my windows. When I drew back I could not get low enough to shoot out the windows sitting in that chair. I shoot a longer ata bow so just practice and make sure you are good to go. Try to take a shot with a relaxed bird because they are pretty twitchy when on edge and a inch or two off the mark can have a poor result.

[Russ McDonald]

Make sure when your shooting out off your blind remember your arrow is lower then your site.  So have clearance for your arrow.  First hand experience this morning.

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[Jonathan_S]

Calling turkeys and killing them with a bow (not in a blind) is terribly hard. I'm probably 2 for 50 

In a blind it's probably much easier. Just aim for center mass and the arrows kill them well

[carpsniperg2]

Calling turkeys and killing them with a bow (not in a blind) is terribly hard. I'm probably 2 for 50 

In a blind it's probably much easier. Just aim for center mass and the arrows kill them well

I ditched the blind I like to be more mobile. They catch me drawing almost every time they have such good eye sight.

A few years back I shot one and he still had a lot of fight left in him. I was chasing him around and went to step on him and he rolled when I stepped and also got a broad head trough my leg

I like hip shooting them get the spine or the hips and they are not going far.

[Jonathan_S]

That's brutal!

Good thing it wasn't a RAD, you'd have never made it.

[xwizard]

Thanks for all the Input, even though I have practiced a lot I know it will be quite the challenge to accomplish. Wish everyone a great season.

[carpsniperg2]

That's brutal!

Good thing it wasn't a RAD, you'd have never made it.

Dang right!!!! That van dyke would have gone through like butter

It wasn't to bad. Never made it past the chisel tip so more of a stick then a impale . I had the camo carharts on and that hung up the blades. Good thing I dint jump on him would have been shiska carp 

Sure made me be careful after that one.

[Jonathan_S]

Thanks for all the Input, even though I have practiced a lot I know it will be quite the challenge to accomplish. Wish everyone a great season.

If you're happy to stick a jake, I imagine you'll have more than one opportunity for a shot per season.

[Jimmer]

I've shot 8 with a bow. I tend to shoot low for the hip area as stated above. I have center punched toms that have flown off. Hit near the legs (hips) and they can't fly/run. It's been awhile since I've hunted them with a bow, but that was my go to.

[TriggerMike]

Get a good mechanical broadhead with the largest cutting diamater you can get if you're taking body shots. At least 2" cutting diameter. That leaves you a lot more room for error on such a small vital zone.

[ctwiggs1]

I'll never forget my first turkey with a bow - a hen during fall season.  She took off running full bore after I hit her.  My immediate thought was "ah crap, I can't believe I'm going to go try and track a wounded turkey". 

After 15 feet she face-planted full speed and tumbled 3-4 times and died before I could even walk up to her.

Quite the rush - good luck!

[The Gobble-stopper]

Patience is the word! Try and hold off when the tom first gets into range. He is already wary. It will take him a bit to feel confident that no danger is around. Drawing your arrow too soon can send him running or flying. Let him settle in and then try and draw, either when he gobbles or is facing away. If you have practice with blinds, then that may be your better bet. Run and twang works well too. Just a little more difficult to draw undetected. Try and position yourself behind some cover for the draw. I will be trying to get all three WA birds this year all with the bow. It will make my 14 year if it works out. Shotgun, Muzzleloader and now with the bow... We will see if I give up and go back to the gun, like I did last year.. I am new to bow hunting. And it is a lot of work. Good luck!

[tgomez]

Just don't pull when they can see you. Pull back when you know they are coming over the hill or wait until they are facing away from you. You can get them with no blind just be very smart about your movements.