How to Hunt Turkey With Over/Under Guns

The wild turkey is a wily and intelligent bird.

An over/under shotgun has two barrels adjusted to different trajectories. These weapons are often used to hunt birds or fowl, such as wild turkey, due to being able to get two shots off at two different ranges. Use an over/under for turkey hunting to try getting the bird on the wing, and still have the extra shot should your first shot fail you.

Things You'll Need

• Shot shells with number-4, number-5 or number-6 shot, 3- to 3-1/2 inch length

Instructions

1. Load one chamber of the over/under with a 3-1/2 inch cartridge with number-4 shot. Load the second barrel, the shorter of the two, with the 3-inch cartridge with number-5 or number-6 shot.

2. Wear full camouflage and paint your face. Wild turkey have acute eye sight and are easily spooked. Hunt turkey as camouflaged as possible and as quietly as possible.

3. Shoot at the turkey when no more than 40 yards away. Fire the barrel with the number-4 shot first, particularly if the turkey is on the wing (flying). Try to aim for the head and neck to bring the bird down. Advance after your shot, providing that no other hunter is shooting at other birds in front of you.

4. Fire the short barrel if you advance to within 20 yards of your quarry. Use the smaller shot that has a larger expansion pattern when closer up. Shoot for the turkey's head and neck with the shot.

5. Fire the second barrel if the bird goes back on the wing as you advance. Again, aim for the neck and head.

References

• The Wild Turkey Zone: Shotguns
• Citori Gran Lightning
• Outdoor Alabama: Spring Turkey Hunting Tips