| A turkey's reaction to being shot with an arrow will vary. A
bird hit in the spine will collapse immediately. An arrow that pierces the heart or
lungs, without breaking a leg or wing, may require you to do a little searching. A
similar hit that does break a leg or wing will generally result in a quick recovery. |
A bird
hit in a non-vital area is nearly impossible to recover if you are not using a string
tracking device. No one knows for sure, but most hits are probably
non-vital. For purposes of this discussion, consider a liver hit the same as a
non-vital hit because the bird will definitely run or fly away. A liver shot is
fatal, but without a String
Tracker or Electronic
Arrow Tracking System to use, you will not know where to look to find the
very-dead turkey.
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If a
turkey runs or flies away, pursue it at top speed, keeping it in sight or within hearing.
Listen for the sounds of the bird running in the leaves or the flapping of its heavy
wings. It is easier said than done to keep a wounded turkey in sight. Most of
the time, a bird will get out of sight before you can get close. When you are using
a String Tracker
and Electronic Arrow
Tracking System , like you should be, it is not as important to pursue the
bird immediately.
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Regardless
of the situation, you should try to mark the direction of flight or running.
Try to pinpoint the landing spot or the direction of travel. If you heard the bird
make a crash-landing, pinpoint the location. The SECRET
is to use landmarks or sight on the landing spot with an Orienteering Compass.
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A
wounded turkey will normally find a hiding spot within 200 yards. It will
hide almost anywhere. You may find them in brush piles, under or by a log, in a
creek bed, under leaves or bushes, in tall grass, in a hayfield, under a large rock
outcropping or up against the base of a large tree. Generally there will not be a
blood trail to follow. A bow hunter should always search for several hours before
giving up on one of these trophies.
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There are a couple of things
I have found to be true most of the time regarding wounded turkeys. First, they will take the route of least resistance.
Generally, this means a running turkey will head downhill or stay on level ground versus
going uphill. Secondly, they will fly or run away in a fairly
straight line. If a fence interferes with the straight line path, a wounded
bird will usually follow it rather than try to go under or over. I have used a High Quality Compass to
help determine a predictable line of travel for a wounded bird many times.
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When you finally locate a
wounded bird, don't start yelling and patting yourself on the back and don't run at the
bird. Many turkeys have gotten away from such overly excited bow hunters. Calmly get within 15 yards of the bird. Try to shoot a second arrow
into the bird, but don't get too close before you shoot, because a wounded bird will not
hold its position forever. If the turkey does jump up and starts to get away,
run it down if possible. Having at least two persons following a wounded turkey is a
good idea. It may keep the bird confused allowing one of you to catch it.
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Wounded birds can routinely be
collected if you have a Turkey Recovery System in place and
know how to use it.
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