I am interested in hearing opinions on draw weight for turkey hunting. I think I am going to try it with my bow this Spring. Right now my bow is set up for deer hunting. It is set at about 70lbs, maybe just a hair more. I would like to leave it where it is because it shoots really well, but I know that some people say you should shoot a lower weight, so the arrow stays in. I also shoot 3 Blade Muzzy 100g. I would also like to stick with them if I can. What are your thoughts?
I personally don't think it matters if the arrow sticks in, I think it's more about shot placement, and creating as much shock to the bird as possible. I keep my bow at the same weight as I use for deer which is 63 lbs, and this last Spring I tried New Archery Product's 2 blade Bloodrunner, and well they performed great. Your setup will do the job if you have good shot placement, but the kill zone is small on turkeys, and believe me you can have a good shot and they will still get up and fly sometimes. It will humble you as a bowhunter, when you can't find them. My advice, for whatever its worth, is if you shoot your draw weight comfortably, than stick with it, but try to put the biggest hole you can in a turkey, and it will better your odds, no matter what brand of broadhead you prefer. You can see the Bloodrunners in action on episode 3, and I believe some of the other staff members are using Gobbler Getters in episode 2. I hope it helps, it's just my 2 cents worth. Good luck on those Thunderchickens next Spring!
I am not much of a turkey hunter but I used to put rubber grommets behind my bowfishing-heads for shooting Gar to keep them from passing through. Don't know if it would work or not on longbeards.
Killed a good bird last spring with my Maxxis set at 65 lbs, shooting a Spitfire at 310 fps. Went right through, and the bird ran 15 yards. Shot placement is key. My bird was looking right at me, and my broadhead actually cut his beard off right at the base! Thinking about trying out some Guillotines this spring!
Kendall shot his turkey with his bow set up, which had about 90 ft lbs of KE. He put one of those grasshopper springy arm things behind his Muzzy broadhead. Still blew clean through the big tom. Turkey ran a little ways and dropped dead. Left a blood trail better than some deer I've seen.
