2 Hens 3 Jakes and Mr Butterball

[wildcat junkie]

The turkeys put on quite a show for about an hour just after sun-up yesterday.

Unfortunately, I set-up about 100 yds too far to the east. I set up just in from the edge of the neighbor's field to the south.

2 hens came across the field @ I think they went on the nest where I flushed them early the evening before. The 2 Jakes & Mr Butterball followed, but It appeared that the hens wern't interested. The little bachelor group soon went back across the field W/the Jakes sparring in circles around the boss gobbler. They were soon joined by another Jake.

Since it seems that the hens are nesting, the Toms are really strutting around trying to attract some romance.

I have a pretty good idea of where to set up in the morning to intercept Mr Butterball after he flies down. I'm going to try just a few soft tree yelps when he 1st sounds off, them clam up. He seems to be call shy & he hangs up about 100 yds out.

If my 5mm Remington CF conversion was legal I'd settle his $hit in short order.

I think I could do a head shot @ 100yds consistently. Here's a 5 shot 100 yd group.

That was W/the 8# factory trigger. I now have breaking @ just under 3#.

[Mr VJP]

Head shot on a turkey would be a bad choice.  It's small, moves too much and too quickly.

 

Where hunting turkey with a rifle is legal, the base of the neck right between the shoulders is the preferred shot.  It doesn't move nearly as much and the shot breaks the spine.

[f3cbboy]

if only i could group em at 100 yds like that  nice shootin!!  too bad dec says no

[wildcat junkie]

if only i could group em at 100 yds like that nice shootin!! too bad dec says no

Well I can see why they ban rifles. It would be dangerous in foliage W/ hunters in full camo. In an open field where Mr Butterball like to strut it would be no more dangerous than shooting Grounhogs.

I agree on the neck/shoulder shot being a much better option.

The little 33gr .204 Hornady V-Max still groups well @ 200 yds & has as much retained energy @ 185 yds. as the 17 HMR has @ the muzzle.