Trying Something Different For Spring Turkey Hunting

If you talk to any turkey hunters these days, most of them will tell you they are using either a 10 gauge or a 12 gauge shotgun. Typically, a 10 or a 12 is what you want because you need that heavy knockdown power. But, that is not always the case. If you read yesterday's post about the Youth Hunt, you saw that Matthew got his first bird on Saturday using a 20 gauge. The point I am making is that it's really all about shot placement.

For the longest time, I have wanted to harvest a turkey using one of my 16 gauge guns. I have several 16 gauge guns, all of which I have purchased from WYRK listeners. A lot of folks know I collect guns, so from time to time people call me when they are selling firearms.

The gun I plan on using for Spring Turkey Hunting next month is a 16 gauge Ithaca model 37 featherlight pump action. The gun was manufactured in 1948, but she is a real beauty. My buddy Bush refinished the wood and it looks pretty darn sweet.

This weekend, I am going to shoot this gun and see what kind of a pattern it's throwing. I am going to try some Remington number 4's and some 6's. My gut is telling me the four's will be my final choice, but we'll see what the targets look like. As I stated earlier in the blog, everything comes down to shot placement.

I also want to remind everyone who turkey hunts to please send me photos of your birds. I want to put together a gallery for later next month that I will post here on the website. As always, Good Luck and Be Safe!

NOTE: This blog is dedicated to the memory of my long time friend Joel Thomas who passed away last night from ALS. Joel was a conservationist, hunter and friend to all who ever met him. Rest in Peace Joel.