Turkey Shotguns for Spring Hunting

Turkey Shotguns for Spring Hunting

A guide to buying the right shotgun for spring turkey hunting.

There are lots more options available today when buying a shotgun for your spring turkey hunt than just a few years ago. Back in the day, load your scattergun with five or six shot and you were ready to go turkey hunting and if you were lucky you got a gobbler. Today just deciding on the right turkey gun is a hunt in itself, let alone the varieties of turkey hunting shells to choose from. And more shotgun choices arrive every year, just a sure as a new updated and better version; than before, computer or car. The shotguns of today are specifically designed for turkey hunting or whatever your wild game of choice might be.

Don't let the notion that turkeys are dumb fool you, they are one of the hardest targets for a hunter to choose. A clean kill on a spring gobbler hunt requires the placement of a dense pattern of shot into the bird's head at ranges reaching upwards of 50 yards, some times a bit more. Sounds easy, right? Yeah...not so much. In the real world it's a tough shot for anyone. That's why there are so many long faces at the turkey soot.

Back in the day, many hunters used the 10 gauge, thinking that the larger loads would give cleaner kills. But, that turned out to be a lot of gun to tote around after spring turkey. A 12 gauge with 3 to 3 and a half shells do the same job and is a lot lighter. I've even known some turkey hunters that use the 12 gauge 21/2 inch baby mag shells. The choice between semi-automatic and pump shotguns really boils down to the turkey hunter's preference. It's quicker to squeeze off a second shot with the semi-automatic, if a second shot is necessary. But many gobbler hunters, myself included, still like to hunt with a pump action repeater. The ease of the second shot is really the only difference I've noticed. You won't find many double barrel shotguns taken on a turkey hunt anymore.

A shorter barrel is preferred, as most turkey shots are taken from a sitting position. The shorter barrels make it easier to swing around and shoot freely without hang-ups. This is handy when a spring turkey comes in close earlier than expected, and the turkey hunter has to shoot quickly. A short barrel is also easier to carry through the heavy brush that is sometimes encountered on a spring turkey hunt. Recoil is the downside; a 3-inch round in a 20-inch barrel and your shoulder will definitely feel it.

Whichever length barrel you choose, long or short, a shotgun is not designed for accuracy. But you'll need to be somewhat accurate or come home with turkey burger, as you only want to hit the head and neck of the turkey you are hunting. Thus, a sight system added to your turkey gun would be a great asset. The simplest method is a series of beads on the barrel's ribs. It's not the best way to go, but at least it will give the hunter an aiming reference.