Do you pull bird out of strut to tip him over?

[turkeyfeathers]

Just curious if you "putt" him out of strut so he sticks his head up outstretched . If he's displaying I'll give him a verbal "putt" so he's like WTF. It's the last thing he ever hears. I've shot one bird many years ago in strut. Took off most of the beard and riddled the breasts pretty bad. I don't get why on TV other than for good video why the shoot em all puffed up with head tucked low. Gotta say if anyone touches one off with these new Winchester XR's at close range that bird is toast.

Edited April 15, 2016 by turkeyfeathers

[grampy]

I too prefer to wait until he comes out of full strut. Gives a nice clear view of the head and neck.

[ants]

Me too. I give a putt, or just wait until he comes out of strut.

[deerpassion]

Depends for me. First available shot I roll em.. Preferably wait till he comes out of strutt but if he gives me a full frontal view , even if his head is tucked he's history , but only if he's close , say within 15 yds , the pattern is so tight at that point aim for the beak n never really had an issue with pellets in the breasts. I've had a few heartbreakers that went bad giving them a cluck and all out haul ass outa there ... But I try to let it play out , if I think he's loosing interest or smells something fishy I'll give a few soft yelps so he sticks his kisser up to look ...

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Edited April 15, 2016 by deerpassion

[Five Seasons]

I'm just happy to get a shot and usually don't have the patience lol.

[Chris B]

I have never had to but I'm in the mindset that if I have a strutter in range, I'm gonna putt a couple times to get his head up.

[G-Man]

I was gonna mention the amount of bird ov tv shot in strut, I was taught to put or wait till their head was up.. and I still don't shoot in strut to this day.

Edited April 15, 2016 by G-Man

[maytom]

Years ago, I was faced with this very situation. The gobbler was following a hen right towards me. Never came out of strut even with me calling. Took the shot at his head area only to find out afterwards that because of his head tucked down low into his body, I shot the dang beard clean off!!! Lesson learned the hard way for me, never again will I try that shot.

[dbHunterNY]

sharp putts to pull them out of strut have burned me.  i'll do more of a locating or contact cluck or even get them to gobble which at times pulls them half way out of strut for a second when they bring their head back in, which is enough.  only if they're really close do I shot them in full strut and they have to be pretty much facing me.

[Pygmy]

I prefer to have his neck stretched, but if he's close enough I just kill him. If he is in good range, I don't screw around..I kill him.. I have had too many encounters go bad at the last second..

I remember a quote from "The Old Pro Turkey Hunter" by Gene Nunnery..

" Whenever you are in contact with an adult gobbler, there are events taking place every second, any one of which may result in your winning or losing the game ." Or words to that effect.

Did I mention the fact that when he is in range and I can get my gun on him, I KILL him.?

[Lawdwaz]

I prefer to have his neck stretched, but if he's close enough I just kill him. If he is in good range, I don't screw around..I kill him.. I have had too many encounters go bad at the last second..

I remember a quote from "The Old Pro Turkey Hunter" by Gene Nunnery..

" Whenever you are in contact with an adult gobbler, there are events taking place every second, any one of which may result in your winning or losing the game ." Or words to that effect.

Did I mention the fact that when he is in range and I can get my gun on him, I KILL him.?

 

110% agreement here...........when the time seems right, TT.  (Tripped Trigger)

 

If that Tom is in range, I'm ready and the shot is clear, I'll shoot. 

 

As I'm thinking about it, I'd guess that most birds aren't in strut when I shoot.

 

[wooly]

Never even thought about it to tell you the truth.

When I see his white noggin behind the bead.., instinct takes over no matter what he's doing.

The last thing I'm thinking of is making any more calls when he's that close.

 

[Buckmaster7600]

I make them come out of strut unless I have the bow.

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[Bowguy 1]

A bird in strut just shouldn't be taken if possible. Think about it if he's in range n in strut he's got to come out or you can make a small noise n make em pop his head.

Today's loads are very tight patterning, thus a small target isn't good. The neck being outstretched gives much more to shoot at. Aim for the wattles n half the shot goes up the neck, half down. Vital area totally centered in pattern.

[turkeyfeathers]

And yet again this morning I threw on a TV show and guy whacks the bird in full strut.

[nyslowhand]

Regardless whether the tom is strutting, looking around, pooping, whatever - if his head & neck are extended, he's in range and it's clear behind him - KABOOM! That's the plan, but it becomes a different story after you've been calling to him for some time and then suddenly there he is within range...!