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Another
helpful technique is the use of decoys. Some Bowhunters argue that the
most important ingredient in taking a gobbler with a bow is a good decoy.
They believe that a mounted hen turkey is the best decoy for bowhunting.
If taking hens is legal in your state, then harvest one. If not, find a
domestic hen about the same size as a wild one, and ask the taxidermist
to paint the tail and wing feathers brown, so they look convincing. (But
first be sure that using decoys is legal in your state.)
Make sure the taxidermist does not mount the turkey on any kind of stand. Instead, there should be heavy-gauge wires, 6 to 8 inches long, coming out of the feet. When forced into the ground, these wires will support the mounted turkey.
To save money, find a taxidermist who's just learning his craft. The mounting does not have to be top quality. All that's needed is to get the feathers in place and the head stuck on the correct end of the bird. Even the ugliest, rattiest, garage-sale mounted turkey can provide a good decoy.
Another necessity is a blind. This can be camo netting, or you can build a blind on the site if you find enough bushes. Most Hunters prefer the netting, since it's quick and easy to use. With bow and arrows, a turkey decoy, camo netting and a good call, you're ready to hunt.
When you hear a turkey gobble, move into position just as you would if hunting with a shotgun. Choose a tree with a trunk wider than your shoulders to hide behind, and set up your blind beside it. Then you can step from behind the tree and into the blind to shoot.
Place the decoy 8 to 10 yards in front of you. It should face toward you, so the gobbler won't be able to see its eyes. You have to bring the gobbler in close, and he won't continue to come if he sees the eyes, since they lack that live sparkle.
Next, tie a piece of black string to the wires on the feet. This allows you to give the decoy some movement. Let out enough string so you can get behind the tree and work the decoy.
Now you're ready to start calling. You should be able to call the gobbler close enough for him to see the decoy. When you think he's spotted it, pull the string gently. The movement of the decoy will drive him crazy. He'll think, "Why won't that goofy hen come on out here and mate? We've already talked about it, and she said okay."
But the stuffed hen will just stay where she is. And before long the gobbler will come in. Occasionally gobblers jump on top of the decoy. But usually they come in and start strutting really close to the decoy, often only 5 to 10 yards from it. In bowhunting, unlike gun hunting, you do want to shoot the gobbler when he's strutting.
The shotgun hunter's best target is the tom's head and neck, because when small shot is put in this area, the bird will go down quickly. When a turkey is in the strut, his neck and head are laid back into his feathers. Therefore the target that the gun hunter has to shoot at when the bird is strutting is much smaller than if the bird is not strutting. So for this reason, most shotgun hunters prefer not to shoot a turkey in the strut but wait until the turkey breaks strut and has his head and neck fully extended to expose more target area.
However, for the bowhunter, the best shot for you is when the gobbler
is in full strut, tail fanned and back to you. Then he can't see you draw.
Also, he'll think the noise you make stepping from behind the tree to shoot
is the hen. Aim for the base of the tail so the arrow will pass through
the whole body.
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Again, check to ensure that decoys are legal in your state. Please feel free to email me any questions, comments or suggestions.