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Anybody hunt turkey with a crossbow? What is its effective range? I am interested in getting one. What brands should I look at? Thanks, 253shotgunner
Back in college I spent some time in a part of the world where turkeys are considered a nuisance and killed A LOT of them with a crossbow. I'd recommend a heavy bolt/broadhead. Crossbow bolts are smaller and therefore don't carry as much energy downrange as a compound bow. I hit a turkey near the base of the wing with a crossbow it shrugged it off. Surprised the hell out of me. Using a new/sharp broadhead and it didn't penetrate at all. It just bounced off and fell on the ground. The flock didn't even spook until I stood up in disbelief. After that I've only used the compound bow. Not to say crossbow can't be done--just be careful.
Quote from: jamesfromseattle on January 24, 2021, 07:20:34 PMBack in college I spent some time in a part of the world where turkeys are considered a nuisance and killed A LOT of them with a crossbow. I'd recommend a heavy bolt/broadhead. Crossbow bolts are smaller and therefore don't carry as much energy downrange as a compound bow. I hit a turkey near the base of the wing with a crossbow it shrugged it off. Surprised the hell out of me. Using a new/sharp broadhead and it didn't penetrate at all. It just bounced off and fell on the ground. The flock didn't even spook until I stood up in disbelief. After that I've only used the compound bow. Not to say crossbow can't be done--just be careful.Never seen a bolt bounce off an animal. Don't know what xbow or bolt you were using but it doesn't sound right. I have seen them go right through a bird and the bird not even flinch cause of a bad shot. But the follow up shot is usually a killer.Sent from my SM-G935V using Tapatalk
Quote from: emac on January 24, 2021, 08:44:58 PMQuote from: jamesfromseattle on January 24, 2021, 07:20:34 PMBack in college I spent some time in a part of the world where turkeys are considered a nuisance and killed A LOT of them with a crossbow. I'd recommend a heavy bolt/broadhead. Crossbow bolts are smaller and therefore don't carry as much energy downrange as a compound bow. I hit a turkey near the base of the wing with a crossbow it shrugged it off. Surprised the hell out of me. Using a new/sharp broadhead and it didn't penetrate at all. It just bounced off and fell on the ground. The flock didn't even spook until I stood up in disbelief. After that I've only used the compound bow. Not to say crossbow can't be done--just be careful.Never seen a bolt bounce off an animal. Don't know what xbow or bolt you were using but it doesn't sound right. I have seen them go right through a bird and the bird not even flinch cause of a bad shot. But the follow up shot is usually a killer.Sent from my SM-G935V using TapatalkIt was a cheap one. I don't remember the brand or draw weight because it was a long time ago, but I do recall the draw weight was on the light side for hunting crossbows (because I was in college and was poor). Don't remember the weight of the bolt, but I believe the broadhead was a Muzzy 100g. Killed plenty of deer and pigs with the same setup just fine before and after that. I would have thought it was some sort of optical illusion, but a buddy was there and saw the same thing. It just sort of thudded and the bird shivered and bounced it off. I'm sure he was a little sore the next day, but we followed the flock and couldn't tell which one it was. Turkeys are are tough birds.