Aiming Points on Turkeys

There are two schools of thought when it comes to where to aim on a turkey with a bow: a head shot vs. a body shot. If you’re going for its head, let the bird get super-close. Fortunately, when a spring gobbler is excited and his head is pumping with blood, the head is as big as your fist. This shot can work wonders, especially if he’s in full strut and spinning slowly around your decoy. Broadheads such as the Guillotine, for example, are specifically designed for humane head shots with the intent of severing the turkey’s head on impact.

For a body shot, a broadside shot is ideal as it is for other species of game. As a tom approaches, focus on where his legs adjoin the body. Aim for the upper half of the body just in front of that point to hit the heart. A slightly higher shot hits the lungs. If the bird’s facing away from you, shoot him where the wing adjoins the body. If he’s strutting while walking away, aim right for the base of the fan—his butt. If the tom’s facing you, the frontal shot is a tougher one that I’d personally pass on because not only does that mean his laser-like eyes are directed toward me, there’s little margin for error. If something goes wrong and you don’t hit the bird just above the beard, you risk wounding him.