Turkey Arrow Placement - Revisited

[Hotspotter]

Tombow and Buckblaster:

Thought I'd check this topic out again to see if there is still interest. You guys both gave very informative and well thought out posts on the subject a few weeks ago.

I would like to echo both of your statements on shot placement and penetration. From what little I've seen, the placement needs to be right on the money, and from what I've heard, any old arrow stuck in them will NOT immobilize the bird. Like you've said, it's a careful balance between too much penetration and not enough. With a fast shooting bow and carbon arrows, I think you'd blow right through a bird and lose it without the large expandables or some sort of drag enhancer. Hammerhead makes a 4blade model that opens way up and "corkscrews" its way into the bird that a buddy of mine has used with great success.

Another concern, which relates to what you've said on the drumstick shot, is shock factor. Bone crushing power and shock will cause the bird to freeze up a bit, and give you time to scramble out there and get it. I've seen a less than perfect shot turn into a kill, IMO due to the large cutting area of the 4 blades and all the shock they produce from hitting as much bone and vitals as possible. The more bone, ribs, and/or spine you can smack the better I think. However, if using a lighter poundage, you probably wouldn't get the penetration you need with a large expandable. I wouldn't be against using a heavier grain broadhead either if it didn't affect the trajectory so much.

A good story.
I hunt with a VERY experienced turkey hunter who guided in the Black Hills for many years and now hunts with stick and string. Last year, he smoked one at 17 yards standing profile in the hard part of the breast bone. The initial shock would have given him enough time to get out there and start dancing with it, but he was slow out the blind, and the bird took off after 10-15 seconds.

The best part was that later the same day, his brother called the very same bird within 20 yards and killed it with his gun.....only a few hundred yards away. What a bird! The right breast had been cut nearly in half, and the breast bone was cracked, but this thing still wanted to come to the call. Their ability to take a hit, bow or gun, still amazes me.

Joel

[TomBow]

I went out and bought the Hammerhead 3L 100gr expandable for this years turkey expedition. Seems I forgot all about the 4 blade version. I like the sharp tip on the Hammerhead, figuring that it'll give the initial penetration through feathers that I am looking for. I'm thinking strongly of doing a test run with a store-bought chicken and a wing from my first bird. (Then the neighbors won't WONDER if I'm a bit cracked, THEY'LL KNOW!! "Hey Marge, go tell him that chickens already dead!")
Thanks for the story, that IS amazing.

I plan on doing a full scale story of this years hunt complete with a solid review of the Hammerhead and how well it performed putting my first bow bird down!!

I did get a couple pictures sent to me yesterday from a friendly guy on the NWTF site of two birds killed with (not by) a Buckblaster (Rockets fixed AND expandable head. Let me just say AWESOME, almost didn't need to gut the bird!

Wish me luck and I say Best of Luck to you!!

[Ruttin' Buck]

Thanks Joel. Nice hearin' from you again TB. It's time for me to pull out my rig soon. I videotaped my own kill last year while 10 birds milled the field in front of me. I watched the tape the other day and now I'm wound tighter than a drum! I can't wait to strap on the boots on and do this for the 5th year in a row!

Hey TB, would you mind sending me those pics? Interested in seeing how the bird stands up to broadheads. [email protected]
Thanks.