ANR-634 Pattern Your Shotgun For Wild Turkey
ANR-634, November 1991. By H.
Lee Stribling, Extension Wildlife Scientist,
Associate Professor, Zoology and Wildlife Science, Auburn University
Pattern Your Shotgun For Wild Turkey
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Alabama has one of
the greatest wild turkey populations in the United States, and
the number of Alabama turkey hunters is increasing each year.
Turkey hunters spend a great deal of time preparing for the turkey
season. They spend hours practicing calling techniques, scouting,
and purchasing all the clothing and equipment needed for successful
turkey hunting.
During these preseason preparations, the vast majority of turkey
hunters omit one essential item. The typical turkey hunter has
no idea whether his or her shotgun can place six pellets in a
vital area on a turkey standing 40 yards away. If it can't, the
turkey is likely to be wounded and may escape only to die later.
You can minimize the chance of this happening to you by patterning
your shotgun during your preseason preparations.
Patterning your shotgun is a simple thing to do and should be
repeated with each gun, choke, load, and shooting distance. Different
guns, even if they are the same model, make, and choke, can pattern
differently. Different makes of shells, even if they have the
same size and amount of shot and powder, can pattern differently,
too.
I. For Best
Results From Your Turkey Gun
To get consistent results when turkey
hunting, follow these guidelines:
- Use a full or extra-full choke shotgun.
A full choke will keep your pellets in a tighter group for a
greater distance, ensuring that more pellets hit vital areas.
If your shotgun has a modified or improved choke, you should
let the bird work in closer (20 to 35 yards) before shooting.
- Use a turkey load with #4 or #6 size
shot. The smaller the shot size (the larger the number), the
greater the number of pellets in a shell. However, the smaller
pellets weigh less, carry less energy, and penetrate less deeply
than a larger shot size. Turkey loads that have a combination
of #4 and #6 shot are available. In Alabama, it is legal to use
up to #2 shot size for turkey hunting.
- Wait until turkeys get close enough
for your shotgun. The effective range for most shotguns is between
20 and 40 yards.
- Aim accurately and at the vital areas.
Your point of aim should be just under the head in the middle
of the neck, as shown on Target 1. A turkey target is included
in the printed version of Circular ANR-634, which you may obtain
from your county office of the Alabama Cooperative Extension
System or by calling 334-844-1592. Make several copies of this
target for use in patterning your shotgun.
II. Equipment
Needed For Shotgun Patterning
- Shotgun you plan to use for turkey hunting.
- Shotgun shells you plan to use for turkey hunting.
- Several copies of the pattern target.
- Several 1 x 4's about 3 1/2 feet long and pointed on one
end.
- Hammer.
- Staples, tacks, or tape.
- Shooting or safety glasses.
- Hearing protectors.
- Pencil.
III. How
To Pattern-Test Your Shotgun
1. Choose an area to shoot that has a safe backstop, because
shot pellets can travel very far. Always wear shooting or safety
glasses and hearing protectors when shooting.
2. Measure 40 yards from where you plan to sit when test shooting
and use the hammer to drive one of the pointed 1 x 4's into the
ground about 6 inches. Use the staples, tacks, or tape to attach
the pattern target to the board. The center of the target should
be about 2 1/2 feet above the ground.
3. Move back and assume the normal shooting position you would
use when turkey hunting (usually sitting).
4. Chamber one round of the load you would use to hunt. Aim
at the center of the target and fire. Eject the spent shell and
leave the chamber open.
5. Examine the target to see if the point of impact is centered.
Determine if the center of your pellet pattern is above, below,
left, or right of the target center. Use your pencil and write
on the target that you aimed "dead on center." Attach
a new target to the target holder.
6. If your pattern was "off center," correct your
aim in the appropriate direction. Fire another round. If this
pattern was centered, record your aiming adjustments on the target.
You must remember your aiming correction when hunting in order
to get the most effective performance from your shotgun and turkey
load. Repeat this step as needed to get a "centered"
pattern.
7. When you get a centered pattern, count the number of hits
in the vital areas. You should get at least six hits in these
vital areas to get consistent results and decrease wounding loss.
If you are not getting six pellets in vital areas, you may want
to use a smaller shot size or move closer to the target. Shells
with smaller shot carry a greater number of pellets, but the smaller
size may require you to be closer to the turkey when shooting
to ensure adequate penetration.
8. Once you get satisfactory results at 40 yards, then fire
additional rounds at 25 and 45 yards. These rounds will show you
what you can expect at different distances and help you determine
your shooting limits.
Patterning your shotgun is
a simple process that can make for more successful turkey hunting.
Following these steps can ensure a more satisfactory experience
for the hunter as well as less nonfatal wounding of the birds.
For more information, call your
county Extension office. Look in your telephone directory under
your county's name to find the number.
For more information, contact your county Extension office. Visit http://www.aces.edu/counties or look in your telephone directory under your county's name to find contact information.
Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension work in agriculture and
home economics, Acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, and other related
acts, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The Alabama
Cooperative Extension System (Alabama A&M University and Auburn
University) offers educational programs, materials, and equal
opportunity employment to all people without regard to race, color,
national origin, religion, sex, age, veteran status, or disability.
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