Why wouldn’t it be realistic to shoot turkeys with a crossbow? I wouldn’t recommend using those head chopper blades with a short crossbow bolt but other than that why not use it?
What did others say?

 

“just use a shotgun”. They said it’s really, really difficult to hunt turkeys with a crossbow. Almost made it sound like it wouldn’t be worth it for me. He said he went out a couple seasons and never used a crossbow again. I want to give it a shot but if I’m stacking the odds so far against me that it’s unrealistic I’ll have a chance then I’ll probably reconsider.

 

just use a compound

 

I've shot a lot more turkeys with crossbow and vertical bow than a shotgun.

 

Crossbow is the best turkey gun available. Quiet, effective and exercises the actual pursuit of getting closer to your game. The same crowd (most)that bashes crossbow use for turkey hunting will attempt to shoot a turkey at 60 yards with a new and improved shotgun load. They either kill or wound at those extreme distances. I wonder how many turkeys are lost due to a single pellet in the lungs or throat ?
I typically hunt with a compound but have taken some really nice gobblers with a crossbow. Usually in a run and gun style approach or sometimes a second bird when permitted.
One of my favorites was a double bearded tom that I was able to take while setting up behind an old Cockshutt tractor. Watching him through the gaps in the tractor. Lol. Good times. Any legal crossbow and I would suggest a quality cam over expandable broadhead. Just from my experiences.
Best of luck!

 

Crossbow is the best turkey gun available. Quiet, effective and exercises the actual pursuit of getting closer to your game. The same crowd (most)that bashes crossbow use for turkey hunting will attempt to shoot a turkey at 60 yards with a new and improved shotgun load. They either kill or wound at those extreme distances. I wonder how many turkeys are lost due to a single pellet in the lungs or throat ?
I typically hunt with a compound but have taken some really nice gobblers with a crossbow. Usually in a run and gun style approach or sometimes a second bird when permitted.
One of my favorites was a double bearded tom that I was able to take while setting up behind an old Cockshutt tractor. Watching him through the gaps in the tractor. Lol. Good times. Any legal crossbow and I would suggest a quality cam over expandable broadhead. Just from my experiences.
Best of luck!

Totally agree, AND in my state, with a shotgun you have to pick a season and it's for that zone and time period.
With "archery" license you get all seasons, statewide!

 

Duplicate post/bad cell service . Sorry

 

I'm not into turkey hunting, but since the tag comes with the license in PA, I decided to give it a shot with the crossbow to make it a bit more challenging
Made a shield for the crossbow with the small diameter brake line covered with 1/4" vacuum hose that was laying around. Slipped it through the pant leg cuff of an old pair of pants and added loops and pockets for natural cover material. Worked great. Hens walked back and forth in front of me. They knew something was out of place but couldn't put a toe on it and didn't spook. Then I saw the head of a tom go by out of range and I called it back to 20yds. Fun hunt

 

I going to try that this spring

 

Crossbows should be lethal for a turkey if you hit the fist size vitals in the body. If you miss the turkey will walk off and you likely wont recovery. The gun is the easier option because you aim for the head. I have killed lots of turkeys with a vertical bow, however I hit the vitals. More time than not I miss the vitals and they walk off. I blood trail them and then they run or fly off.

 

I see crossbows as being more difficult. But if i had one i wouldnt not use it. Put a slicktrick on and shoot a turkey in the vitals. Itll be fine.

 

I hunted turkeys with a shotgun and never got one. The couple of times I did shoot the recoil rattled my teeth. Went to a crossbow, got a tom that season and never looked back. My experience is the mechanicals broadheads work great. My advice is to look up the anatomy of a turkey and shoot for the vitals.

 

I hunted turkeys with a shotgun and never got one. The couple of times I did shoot the recoil rattled my teeth. Went to a crossbow, got a tom that season and never looked back. My experience is the mechanicals broadheads work great. My advice is to look up the anatomy of a turkey and shoot for the vitals.

this !!! It's lower than you might think