Spring is finally approaching and that can only mean one thing, turkey season! The wild turkey is truly the come back kid here in North America. A native of the continent these species once roamed the land in abundance. However this all changed when colonization began to alter the habitat. So much in fact the future existence of the wild turkey was in great danger. Thankfully we recognized the threat, and policies across the United States were put in place to save the dwindling population. These conservation efforts were so successful that according to the National Wild Turkey Federation in 1991 turkey season was for the very first time open in every state containing wild turkeys. 

 Fast-forward to today and it is hard to believe these species were ever in danger. Take for example the state of Michigan, where in 1977 there were 400 turkeys harvested; this year it is estimated that there will be over 30,000 turkeys taken by hunters! Speaking of hunters hearing that thunderous gobble is a tell tale sign in every hunter’s mind that it is time to dust off the box calls, freshen up that diaphragm, gather the decoys, and start thinking about where to hunt come opening day. If hunting with a bow, selecting the right broadhead should also be on your list of to dos. With laser sharp vision getting to full draw on a big Tom can be challenging in itself so having confidence in your broadhead is critical.

 Head or Body?

The market is saturated with broadheads, so understanding which ones work well for turkey hunting is important. When a gobbler comes in all fanned out it can be very misleading on where the vitals are. A closer look at the anatomy of a turkey and you realize just how small of a target you have to hit when attempting a body shot. A bowhunter can also be successful at harvesting a turkey with a precise shot placement to the wattle or head of the bird.

Deciding on where you prefer to shoot the bird will be the first step in selecting the best broadhead.

Broadhead Selection

If you prefer to aim for the chest cavity a fixed or mechanical broadhead will serve you well. A fixed broadhead such as the Muzzy MX-3 or G5 Striker Magnum will provide knockdown power along with added stealth. Added stealth is in regards to hunting out of a ground blind with shoot through mesh. If you are using shoot through mesh you will definitely want to consider a fixed blade simply because a mechanical blade has a much higher chance of throwing your shot off when it passes through the mesh. If shoot through mesh is something you do not use then a mechanical blade may be the perfect option. With such a small target to hit having the extra cutting diameter of a mechanical blade can really increase your chances of a successful harvest. If using the same bow you hunt deer or other big game animals with the mechanical broadhead may also be your best bet because they fly like field tips and typically don’t require any extra adjustments to your arrows or bow. Some of the best mechanical blades on the market for turkey hunting include the Rage, Swhacker, and G5 Havoc. An added benefit to using mechanical broadheads is that on impact they quickly penetrate the feathers’ of the bird but at the same time typically stay in the bird offering continued cutting of the vitals. An arrow that stays in a bird will prevent it from flying away and continue to wreak havoc all at once.

If aiming for the body vitals on a bird seems too complicated then aiming at the wattle or head of the turkey is the best option. This shot offers an instant and ethical kill. If you choose this option you may want to consider a broadhead completely designed for this type of shot. When aiming for this area on a bird fixed blades like these are very popular:

Some of the best broadheads for headshots include the Guillotine fixed blade, the Tom-Bomb three-blade broadhead, and the Magnus Bullhead broadhead. What you want in a broadhead for these types of shots are a hard tip like the Guillotine, extremely sharp blades that the Tom-Bomb broadheads offer, and dependability, which a hunter cannot go wrong with when they purchase Magnus broadheads. In fact Magnus offers a lifetime warranty with a simple snap of the camera and an email there is very little work involved in the process. One thing to be aware of when shooting these types of broadheads is it may require you to use extra long arrows to ensure that you stay in front of your riser.

Whether you prefer the body or headshot, hunting turkey with a bow can be a very rewarding experience as it offers a great challenge to hunters and the ultimate adrenaline rush! If you are still unsure on which broadhead is right for you here is a helpful video that breaks down some of the most popular turkey broadheads:

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