|
|
 |
|
|
|
Top 10 Makers of Shotguns Specially Designed for Hunting
Turkeys
For the purposes of this
collection, I will include only manufacturers whose guns are
specifically called "turkey guns," or those which have a
camo finish and are suitable for turkey hunting. Many of
these guns are available in traditional finishes as well,
which does nothing to hinder their effectiveness on turkeys
- but if they are included in this listing then they were,
at the time of publication, available in camouflage finish
and suitable for hunting turkeys.
Benelli makes a variety of
turkey guns, all of them camo. One signature feature is
a pistol grip on the stock, which they call the
SteadyGrip™. This is now available on both their autos
and pump guns. Available in 12 gauge (3" and 3.5") and
20 gauge. According to Benelli, "select models" are
drilled and tapped for scopes or red dot sights.
Beretta's turkey guns are
not particularly called "turkey guns" by the company.
They are included here because they are available in
camo finish. All of them are 12 gauge autos. The AL391
Urika is chambered for 3" shells, while the A391 Xtrema2
is chambered for 3.5" shells.
Browning offers camo
shotguns in auto, pump, and over/under actions. All
actions offer a choice of 3" or 3.5" chambers. BPS pump
guns are available in 10, 12, and 20 gauge, and certain
models feature the NWTF (National Wild Turkey
Federation) logo and fiber optic sights. All BPS turkey
guns are drilled & tapped for scope/red dot sight. Mossy
Oak and Break-Up camo patterns.
Franchi's auto models I-12
is available in 12 gauge (2.75" & 3"), and the 720
offers a choice of 12 or 20 gauge. Notably absent from
their 2006 lineup is a 3.5" chamber model (they formerly
offered the 912). Franchi is another company with a wide
variety of special turkey shotguns, but in this case
they are all automatics. Timber HD and Max-4 camo
finishes.
H&R makes some of the most
practical, simple guns there are. They are familiar to
many of us, and have started many a hunter on his
journey to becoming a true sportsman. I'm talking about
their break-action single-shot guns, of course. They've
been known by many names over the years, but Topper is
one of the most recognized of them. These days, they're
called Pardner, and they even come in camo.
They also market a
semi-auto model called Excell, which is available in a
turkey-specific model. I didn't see any specific camo
patterns mentioned on their Web site at press time, but
that hardly matters. Shopping camo patterns by brand
name is not for me. If it works, it works.
Ithaca's legendary model
37 pump shotgun is the backbone of the current company.
In fact, the model 37 is their lineup. Currently,
they offer the Turkeyslayer. Featuring a choice of their
own weird-looking pistol-grip stock with large butt or a
traditionally-shaped stock, it comes in either Mossy Oak
or Realtree camo.
Mossberg offers 12 gauge
turkey guns in pump and auto actions. Pumps include
models 535 (3.5"), 835 (3.5"), and 500 (not specified,
probably 2.75"-3"). They even have a camo Model 500
Bantam, for smaller hunters, listed in 2006. Autos are
the 935 (3.5") and the 930 (2.75"-3"). Available camo
patterns include Mossy Oak and Advantage. One of
Mossberg's best and enduring features is the placement
of the safety - on the tang where it belongs, worked by
the thumb from either side (ambidextrous).
At this time, Remington
lists a number of variations of turkey guns on their Web
site, both pump and auto. The model 870 pump is
available in 12 gauge (2.75"-3", with a "super mag"
chambered for 3.5" shells), or 20 gauge. Their 11-87
automatic turkey guns are 12-gauge, again with one model
designed for 3/5" shells. The SP-10 is a 10 gauge
autoloader. Camo patterns vary, and include Mossy Oak.
Weatherby currently lists
their SAS semi-auto shotgun in two specialty variations
with camo finish - one in Mossy Oak Break-Up, and one in
Shadow Grass. Both have 3" chambers, but only the SAS
Break-Up model includes tight chokes designed for turkey
hunting.
Winchester makes semi-auto
turkey guns, their pumps having been discontinued by the
closing of their New Haven factory. They offer one
Super-X2 turkey model, which bears the NWTF brand and
has a 3.5" chamber.
|
|
|
| |
|
Ultimate
Hunters presents
Turkey Hunting Tips
Turkey hunting tips
Turkey hunting tips
Turkey hunting tips Turkey hunting tips
Turkey hunting tips
-
Don't attempt an approach closer than 100 yards.
A turkey's eyes, ears, and awareness are many times
better than yours,
-
enabling him to spot danger and
escape before you have a chance to call to him.
Also, you never know when there may be
-
another
hunter close by, who might mistake you for the
turkey.
-
Select a tree that is wider than your shoulders
and body to sit against. This protects you from any
hunter who may come in f
-
rom behind you, mistaking
you for a real turkey. This also conceals you from a
bird that decides to circle you and come in
-
from the
rear.
-
Don't hide so well that you can't see what is
happening. Blinds are a good and productive tool for
the turkey hunter, but when
-
constructed so well that
vision is obstructed, it is no longer a blind, it is
a hiding place, as beneficial to the turkey as it is
to you.
-
Select a calling site that gives at least 40
yards vision in all directions. At 40 yards the bird
is in shooting range. Anything
-
over that is too far.
At 40 yards you can identify your turkey and anyone
who may approach you.
-
Refrain from using a gobbler call. This call can
sometimes be productive, but also very dangerous. In
areas of high hunter
concentrations, you will call
many more hunters in to you than turkeys.
Scattering the
birds by running toward them and yelling is
a common fall tactic. But never run with a
loaded gun. If you want
to bust a flock by
firing your gun, sneak as close as possible
and shoot into the air.
Just like in
spring, never wear the colors red, white or
blue where they can be seen. Use total
camouflage and sit against
a large tree or
rock wide enough and tall enough to shield
you from hunters approaching from behind.
If another hunter approaches your setup,
call out in a loud, clear voice. Never wave
to alert another hunter of your
presence.
Turkey hunting tips
Turkey hunting tips
Turkey hunting tips Turkey
hunting tips Turkey hunting
tips
HERE ARE SOME GREAT FACTS ABOUT TURKEYS.
Physical
Characteristics
The
wild
turkey
is a
large
bird
that
measures
3 to 4
feet in
length
and has
a 5-foot
wingspan.
Males
weigh an
average
of 16 to
18
pounds.
Some may
weigh
upwards
of 25
pounds.
Females
weigh 9
to 11
pounds.
Both
males
and
females
have
dark
brown
and
black
plumage;
however,
females
are
smaller
and
duller
by
comparison.
Males
can also
be
distinguished
from
hens by
the
presence
of a
beard,
wattles,
spurs,
and
snood.
The
beard is
a
hair-like
attachment,
usually
5 to 10
inches
in
length
that
protrudes
from the
chest.
Wattles
are
fleshy
growths
that
hang
beneath
the
chin.
Spurs
are
bony,
spear-like
projections
found on
the back
of each
leg. The
snood is
a flap
of skin
that
drapes
over the
bill.
Home
Range
The
wild
turkey
has a
home
range of
500 to
2,000
acres,
depending
on
habitat
quality.
Feeding
Behavior
The
wild
turkey
forages
on
ferns,
grasses,
buds,
grapes,
berries,
insects,
and nuts
during
the
spring
and
summer.
Acorns
and
other
mast
make up
the
majority
of its
diet in
the fall
and
winter.
Geographic
Location
Wild
turkey
population
numbers
have
declined
due to
habitat
loss. By
1900,
the wild
turkey
population
in the
United
States
numbered
less
than
100,000.
Today,
however,
the
prolific
bird has
responded
well to
wildlife
management
practices
and the
population
has
grown to
nearly
4.5
million.
The wild
turkey
is found
in all
states
except
Alaska.
Habitat
The
wild
turkey
inhabits
wooded
areas
with
scattered
openings,
prairies
where
food and
cover
are
available,
and
mountain
forests.
Reproduction
Mating
occurs
sometime
between
April
and May.
A
polygamous
animal,
the male
performs
an
elaborate
courtship
display
each
spring,
strutting
and
twirling,
hoping
to
attract
hens.
After
mating,
hens
search
for a
secluded
spot for
nesting,
usually
a
leaf-lined
hollow
in the
brush or
woodlands.
Hens lay
a
typical
clutch
of 10 to
18 eggs,
which
are buff
white
with
brown
markings.
After an
incubation
period
of 28
days,
all the
eggs
hatch
within
24 hours
of each
other.
Hens
raise
one
brood of
“poults”
(newly
hatched
turkeys)
each
year.
The male
does not
assist
in
caring
for the
young.
The
young
are
mobile
and able
to feed
soon
after
hatching.
Young
remain
with the
female
for up
to 4
months.
Did
You
Know?
-
The
wild
turkey
can
fly
at
speeds
of
55
mph.
-
Gregarious
or
social
birds,
6 to
40
roost
together
each
evening.
|
|
|
|
Please send us all of your turkey hunting tips
today. If we post one of your tips online, you will
receive a
$100 gift card to Gander Mountain. Send your tips to
webmaster@Ultimatehunters.net
|
© 2008 UltimateHunter.Net
All Rights Reserved |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
