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870 Wingmaster 20 ga pump (full choke)

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jlmustain

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That's the only shotgun I have. Is it good enough for turkey hunting? This is my first year to do it, so I don't know much.

I'd also love some tips on using my bow for turkey. Is there a special arrow or broadhead I should use?

Thanks, y'all!
 
as far as the gun yes it will kill turkeys just fine. I personally would use good ammo like Hevi13 or Heavy Weight but thats just me.

If you use regular lead i will be sure to keep it at or under 30yds.

as far as bow hunting them, there are some "turkey hunting broadheads" out there but my G5 strikers kill them just as good. Just be sure you study the anatomy of a turkey so you know where to aim with a bow. If they fly off you are gonna have a very hard time finding them as there will not be a blood trail usually.
 
Okay, perfect. Thanks for the info', Ren. I getting a lot more confident in my gun's and my broadheads' abilities to do this.

Now I'm not sure how to guage a good turkey. With deer, it's easier: bigger and older. With turkey is it a longer beard, fan, and spur?
 
its much easier with turkey, look for the Male to start with which will be bigger generally and a more black color with a white/blue/red head.

from there your only real aging guess is by beard, if it is over 6" he is considered an adult...if it is dragging the ground then SHOOOOOOOTTTT! lol. Beard is not definite as they can have beard rot.

once you get up to him the real age can be more closely determined by spurs, under 1" he is usually a 2 year old. 1 1/4" is what you are hoping for unless you are one of the select few that can get a 1 1/2" 4 year old.
 
Additionally, you'd be wise to stretch out a big roll of paper or cardboard box at least 4' x 4' (yes feet). Put a dot in the center of the target, aim for it and fire. You will see just how good the pattern is holding up out of your 20 gauge; and where the majority of the pattern is located (I've seen shotguns that shoot the bulk of the patter a foot low and a foot to the right, etc). You can also experiment by moving further back on subsequent shots to see how far your effective range is. I'd shoot at 25 yds first and then back up 5 or 10 and see what the limitations of your gun and your pattern are at that point.
 
And this, gentlemen, is why I love this forum.

Thanks, y'all. This is really valuable stuff.

Are the blaze orange requirements the same for turkey season? If so, how does that work with their eyesight being so good and with good turkey vests?
 
A good load to shoot in your gun would be the federal heavyweights in #7.
 
I'll agree with the heavyweight and hevi13 recommendations. "Hevi shot duck" will work great too in 20 gauge, it's real hevi shot unlike the 12 gauge version. However, if your gun is a fixed full there is a "possibility of barrel damage" shooting these loads.

If you go the lead route, Federal and Winchester offer 1-5/16 ounce loads, with the Federal having flitecontrol wad. The Federal would probably be the better lead load in a full choke.

Full choke is all I use anymore. That goes for 12 and 20 gauge.
 

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