I've always seen people shoot Turkeys in the head and thought that was the way to do it. I am going on my first turkey hunt tomo

[hunt_fish_sleep]

I've always seen people shoot Turkeys in the head and thought that was the way to do it. I am going on my first turkey hunt tomorrow and I am planning on shooting for the head, but I recently read that some hunters aim for the base of the neck. I want to hear from the "neck shooters" side of the argument, and why you guys shoot for the neck. What advantages does shooting for the neck offer? I am going to be shooting a Remington 870 Super Mag with Remington extra full turkey choke. Shells used will be Remington Nitro Turkey 3.5" 2 OZ, #5.

[herbie57_57]

You need to pattern your shotgun and see where the most pellets hit. They make targets with turkey heads on them, buy a couple and shoot at the head and the neck and see which one has the most pellets in it. My guess is you will kill a turkey either way though.

[Beekeeper]

HFS,

First of all make sure you pattern the chosen load with the gun and choke tube you intend to use. The old addage that different loads shoot differently in differnt guns is even more true with turkey loads. Just picking a load off the shelf can make for a disaster if your shotgun and choke tube don't like it.

Now for your question. Since most of today's turkey loads and chokes are capable of delivering incredibly tight patterns, the base of the neck or as I call it "the wattle hold", lets you make the most of the shot charge. Shooting at the eye ball lets half the shot load go over the birds head. By shooting at the wattles or base of the neck you will concentrate all the patten (or most of it) in the vital neck and head region delivering maximum shock to the vertebra of the neck, the brain and major blood vessles. I believe this shot really increases your chance of breaking the birds neck cleanly. Also, if you happen to crawl the stock, as a lot of excited turkey hunters do and shoot high, you have little extra margin for error. I've used this hold for nearly 20 years and have never heard a gobbler complain!

[kvlazer22]

With that gun and choke just put the bead anywhere around the head or neck and you have a dead bird.

[dukerjj]

You should try to buy targets with the turkey heads you can buy them simply at any outfitting store or even at wal-mart and see where the most pellets hit. i shoot the same gun and i shoot for the neck it just all depends.

[bill brown]

head or neck same result

[Jim in Mo]

Listen to Beekeeper he said it right.

[CPT BRAD]

the only advantage to neck shooting is half your shot is above and half is below. if you head shoot you lose half your shot over his head if you neck shoot then half goes into the breast. no "wasted shot" problem is the ones in the breast won't penetrate deep enough unless you are really close and I really hate biting into shot. good luck!

[kolbster]

head or neck = dead turkey

[PSEbowhunter]

shoot for the neck because it is a more still target and it will ensure a quick kill and a easier shot

[PAShooter]

How your gun patterns wil give you the best idea where to shoot.

[Don Milosch]

The idea of shooting at the base of the neck is simple, and easy to duplicate. If you aim at the head (paper or target) and hit right where you aim, half of your shot is in the air above the head. If you aim at the neck, and hit where you aim, the "wasted" pellets are in the body of the bird. Both perfect shots will kill the bird, the trick is which way is more forgiving of a miss. Aiming at the neck, you can miss high and you basically have your heard shot. Miss low, and you fill the bird with lead. Good Luck.

[rudyglove27]

The base of the neck!

[rudyglove27]

The base of the neck!

[tmike51]

Aiming for the base of the neck allows for you to miss a little high, or a little low and still deliver a killing shot.