Friday, February 15, 2008

Archery Vs. Shotgun

Before I begin this post I want to make it clear that I respect other peoples sport and as long as it’s legal and ethical I wish everybody a happy hunt. We all make personal choices about the style in which we hunt. With that said, here is my take on bow hunting for turkey. Before my first hunt most of the information I had came from a book called "Some Turkey Scratchings" by Dwain Bland. It’s a good book with a lot of interesting stories and information. In the book Dwain talks about Archery hunting for turkeys. He doesn't say very favorable things about it. He like me isn't against bow hunting for turkey per se. The reason there is any question is that the turkey has a very small vitals area. Combine this with the fact that the vitals are in an unusual place and you have a very difficult shot to make. I have been to the archery range many times and am sad to say that William Tell or Robin Hood would not be proud. That’s not to say that there aren't many very good archers hunting, but the majority of people that I've seen shoot don't have the ability to make an ethical shot on a turkey under reasonable circumstances, myself included. If you are one of the few people that can make the shot, well ok, have at it. Even amongst the folks who think they can make the shot, there are some that probably can not perform when put to the test. There are several reasons why people bow hunt. One reason is it opens opportunities. Here in Arizona the fall turkey season has over the counter licenses for bow hunting turkey. Another reason people bow hunt is to practice a stronger fair chase ethic. Third, people sometimes bow hunt because it is a more pure form. Ethically, I would submit that the shotgun is a better choice because you are more likely to make a clean kill. As far aesthetics, I think the shotgun is again a better choice because it is difficult to draw a bow while turkey hunting without the use of a ground blind. While I have nothing against blinds from an ethical standpoint, I think they contradict the pure form that archery brings to hunting. There is a special broadhead that can be used to make headshots. It is two rasor blades configured in a three inch wide "X". Either you hit the turkey and it is decapitated or you miss, making for a much cleaner kill, thus a more ethical shot. The problem with this broadhead in my opinion is again aesthetics. This broadhead seems practical, but not pretty.

When I told everyone about killing my first turkey last spring many of my non-hunting friends asked me if I had done it with a bow. When I said, “no I used a shotgun", my friends said, "oh" and the tone suggested that of less achievement. I wonder if my choice of weapon isn't influenced by peer pressure from my non-hunting friends. I've many times heard non-hunters say such and such uncle is a serious hunter because he uses bow only. When it comes to turkey hunting my gut says that the bow is the wrong choice. I really feel like I'm respecting the animal more when I use my shotgun.

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