Shot Placement

[WCTaxidermy]

Hello everyone.  Turkey season is right around the corner.  I just finished mounting a full strut Tom which had extensive feather damage due to the timing of the shot.  This was a beautiful Turkey but the hunter shot him while he was in full strut which caused the damage to the saddle feathers and the top of the tail feathers.  Had the hunter waited until the Tom "let down" which they all usually do, those feathers would have been very nice and smooth like they should be which makes for a better looking mount.  So I thought I would share this information to everyone who wants to have the tom they shoot mounted.  I added some pictures of the Tom I just mounted with the feather damage, then added a photo of one I mounted with no feather damage to show the difference.  Hope this helps...........John
Feather damage.



No feather damage.

[yelp]

Thanks for the tip!  I got lots of parts does that count for anything? 

[Tom Tamer]

Thanks for the tip!  I got lots of parts does that count for anything? 

 Yeah he can build you. " Frankenturkey"

[yelp]

Thanks for the tip!  I got lots of parts does that count for anything? 

 Yeah he can build you. " Frankenturkey"

I am sure he can..LOL

[turkeydancer]

Just what we need, another log truck eating "Frankenturkey" stalking the woods ....

[Limhangerslayer]

So when I get my slam this year I can put the beard and spurs of my eastern, the body of my rio and tail of my merriams so I can (have them all mounted) but save money?   

[WCTaxidermy]

Thanks for the tip!  I got lots of parts does that count for anything? 

 Yeah he can build you. " Frankenturkey"

I am sure he can..LOL

Do I even want to ask????lol

So when I get my slam this year I can put the beard and spurs of my eastern, the body of my rio and tail of my merriams so I can (have them all mounted) but save money?   

Hmm, that would kind of look awesome really.  After you post the picture of it, I wonder how many would even notice.

[turkeydancer]

WCT - By the way excellent looking work ... thanks for sharing your tips. 

[sneakyjake]

For new shooters, if you give 2 or three sharp putts right before the shot, the gobbler will drop strut and stick his neck way out and look right at you.  It is not the easiest thing to remember in the heat of the battle.  You will eventually lose a bird if you shoot them while they strut.  Not fun. 

When you go to pattern your gun, make the putt with your call before each shot and visualize the turkey putting his head on a platter for you.

[turkeydancer]

 
And Sneaky is the foremost expert at putting around the mountain ...

[carpsniperg2]

As always great work john

[WCTaxidermy]

Very well stated sneakyjake.  Thanks carp and turkeydancer for the compliments.......John