For those that have had the case to get a turkey or two with a bow,…. What kind of broadheads seem to work best? I am currently using an expandable for deer. Will this be OK for Turkeys?
I’ve turkey hunted 8 times so far and have gotten 5 Toms with a gun. I want to use my bow from here on out. Recommendations on broadheads???
Thanks.
Splitshot
This is the one I would use. Going to try it out this year.
http://www.bowhunting.net/shows/NWTF/2004/FBS-GobblerGuillotine.html
This is the one I would use. Going to try it out this year.
http://www.bowhunting.net/shows/NWTF/2004/FBS-GobblerGuillotine.html
You beat me to it! I was going to vouch for the Guillotine broadhead. 
They are pricey, but simply awesome!!! I have shot numerous pheasants and one turkey with these heads and I can promise you the trailing job is non-existant. 
They go down right where they are hit. I shoot a recurve and like to jumpshoot the pheasants so exact shot placement isn’t as exact as you can get with a turkey. My advise on the turkey is wait for a broadside shot and aim dead center….you DO NOT have to aim exactly for the wing-butt with these heads! Just center-punch em and they go down! Oh, and they leave a nice hole, so DON”T shoot the turkey when he’s facing you or you will have a mess! 
Good Luck!
Hey Splitshot, I just re-read your post and I think you might be able to save yourself some heartache down the road by using fixed-blades on deer, and save the expandables for turkeys and stray cats. With expandables it’s not WILL you lose a deer, but WHEN. 
I’m not preaching, just giving you 28 years worth of bowhunting/tinkering experience…for what it’s worth. I know why guys use expandables, I just believe you will have less margin for error and a better chance of recovery if you take the time to tune a fixed-blade so it flies well. Then again, there’s a million guys that will say just the opposite. 
But, for turkeys I wouldn’t hesitate to use your expandables because turkeys simply don’t have the bone structure of a deer.
You beat me to it! I was going to vouch for the Guillotine broadhead. They are pricey, but simply awesome!!! I have shot numerous pheasants and one turkey with these heads and I can promise you the trailing job is non-existant. They go down right where they are hit. I shoot a recurve and like to jumpshoot the pheasants so exact shot placement isn’t as exact as you can get with a turkey. My advise on the turkey is wait for a broadside shot and aim dead center….you DO NOT have to aim exactly for the wing-butt with these heads! Just center-punch em and they go down! Oh, and they leave a nice hole, so DON”T shoot the turkey when he’s facing you or you will have a mess! Good Luck!
Hey Splitshot, I just re-read your post and I think you might be able to save yourself some heartache down the road by using fixed-blades on deer, and save the expandables for turkeys and stray cats. With expandables it’s not WILL you lose a deer, but WHEN. I’m not preaching, just giving you 28 years worth of bowhunting/tinkering experience…for what it’s worth. I know why guys use expandables, I just believe you will have less margin for error and a better chance of recovery if you take the time to tune a fixed-blade so it flies well. Then again, there’s a million guys that will say just the opposite. But, for turkeys I wouldn’t hesitate to use your expandables because turkeys simply don’t have the bone structure of a deer.
I am going to buy some of these and give them a try. I have never seen a product like this put the hurt on something in a hurry!
Talk about dropping them where they stand 
From watching the vidoes with great intensity this product gets a from this guy!!!
I am going to buy some of these and give them a try. I have never seen a product like this put the hurt on something in a hurry!
Talk about dropping them where they stand
From watching the vidoes with great intensity this product gets a from this guy!!!
I understand your concern on the expandables for deer. I too have been a hard core bowhunter since I was 15 years old. Every weekend (and vacations) – every season – for the last 28 years. I also hunt all types of small game and many types of big game via archery. I tend to be of the old archery school though. It took me many years to even get a release aid, because I did not want to “complicate” my semi-primitive sport.
I waited many years too to try the expandables. I started to use them about 4 years ago – just to give them a try. I know this is not a bragging board, but I’ve shot too many deer and other game to count, so I am not concerned about my shooting skill or abilities at all.
Since switching to expandables however, I’ve shot 5 deer. I’ve also tried using two different types of heads within this time frame – just to experiment and to formulate my own opinions on them. So far, I’ve had no losses of any game. Actually, I’ve had great success – I think. Each deer I’ve shot went down within 50 yards of me. Two “stood” in the same place after being hit with a very deadly shot and both dropped right there. In terms of the argument for “one is better than the other” ….I have to say my personal experience has not shown that. It always comes back to shot placement and waiting for the best shot.
I’ve seen the gillowteen head. I will admit, I may give it a try. I was just trying to see if anyone has tried other types of expandable heads for turkeys and what their stories might be. I’d like to hear others’ thoughts on this. Thanks for your input.
Splitshot.
I understand your concern on the expandables for deer. I too have been a hard core bowhunter since I was 15 years old. Every weekend (and vacations) – every season – for the last 28 years. I also hunt all types of small game and many types of big game via archery. I tend to be of the old archery school though. It took me many years to even get a release aid, because I did not want to “complicate” my semi-primitive sport.
I waited many years too to try the expandables. I started to use them about 4 years ago – just to give them a try. I know this is not a bragging board, but I’ve shot too many deer and other game to count, so I am not concerned about my shooting skill or abilities at all.
Since switching to expandables however, I’ve shot 5 deer. I’ve also tried using two different types of heads within this time frame – just to experiment and to formulate my own opinions on them. So far, I’ve had no losses of any game. Actually, I’ve had great success – I think. Each deer I’ve shot went down within 50 yards of me. Two “stood” in the same place after being hit with a very deadly shot and both dropped right there. In terms of the argument for “one is better than the other” ….I have to say my personal experience has not shown that. It always comes back to shot placement and waiting for the best shot.
I’ve seen the gillowteen head. I will admit, I may give it a try. I was just trying to see if anyone has tried other types of expandable heads for turkeys and what their stories might be. I’d like to hear others’ thoughts on this. Thanks for your input.
Splitshot.
My personal opinion is, if you are just starting out bowhunting for turkeys. Shot placement is key, and since expandables shoot like field points right out of the package plus you can get them with up to a 2 inch cut on them, they are the way to go. I would wait on the guillotines until after you’ve put a couple birds on the ground. 1st reason being, you buy the heads and you’ll probably have to buy arrows too, because you’ll need long arrows so the guillotine blades don’t hit your riser when drawing. I just think it would be a cheaper way to get started and see if you like it.
Maybe I read the post wrong above, but did you say you are body shooting with the guillotine heads? I thought they were designed for head shots?
My personal opinion is, if you are just starting out bowhunting for turkeys. Shot placement is key, and since expandables shoot like field points right out of the package plus you can get them with up to a 2 inch cut on them, they are the way to go. I would wait on the guillotines until after you’ve put a couple birds on the ground. 1st reason being, you buy the heads and you’ll probably have to buy arrows too, because you’ll need long arrows so the guillotine blades don’t hit your riser when drawing. I just think it would be a cheaper way to get started and see if you like it.
Maybe I read the post wrong above, but did you say you are body shooting with the guillotine heads? I thought they were designed for head shots?
They are to be used on head shots only!! I’m throwing up the B.S. flag on the shoot’em in the body with a guillotine head!! I watched a turkey get shot at 8yrds in my blind and there was ZERO penetration!!(B.S. FLAG) Theres better heads out there, if your lookin for an expandable go with the Grime Reaper.
They are to be used on head shots only!! I’m throwing up the B.S. flag on the shoot’em in the body with a guillotine head!! I watched a turkey get shot at 8yrds in my blind and there was ZERO penetration!!(B.S. FLAG) Theres better heads out there, if your lookin for an expandable go with the Grime Reaper.
Are you shooting through a blind, like a Double Bull ground blind w/ shoot through screens? With expandables, YOU HAVE TO BE CAREFUL! Not necessarily the possibility of deflection, but to make sure that the broadheads are NOT rear deployed. I use the Rocky Mountain Snypers for deer hunting, mainly because of the cutting diameter, and the cut on contact blade. For turkey, i would recommend the Rocket Miniblasters. they are (if i can recall) a 1 3/16″ cut. Plus they will shoot through a screen w/o opening. Other broadhead that i might use is the SlickTrick. Perfect for turkeys. For the Gobbler Guilletine, you have to get a different arrow and fletchings in order for them to fly straight. Good luck!
Are you shooting through a blind, like a Double Bull ground blind w/ shoot through screens? With expandables, YOU HAVE TO BE CAREFUL! Not necessarily the possibility of deflection, but to make sure that the broadheads are NOT rear deployed. I use the Rocky Mountain Snypers for deer hunting, mainly because of the cutting diameter, and the cut on contact blade. For turkey, i would recommend the Rocket Miniblasters. they are (if i can recall) a 1 3/16″ cut. Plus they will shoot through a screen w/o opening. Other broadhead that i might use is the SlickTrick. Perfect for turkeys. For the Gobbler Guilletine, you have to get a different arrow and fletchings in order for them to fly straight. Good luck!
I believe that expandables are the only way to go for deer. But my point is THE COMPANY. Like i said, i have shot 12 deer w/ the snypers and i shoot a 27″ draw at 63lbs and have passed through EVERY deer. They have not made it passed 60 yards and tipped over. I would recommend them because the cutting diameter range is so wide spread compared to fixed blades, and a bonus is that they fly just like field points. You are guarenteed to never have to shoot the snypers at a target preseason. This saves money and the sharpening process. Referring to you quote on bone structure, i have shot 3-4 deer directly in the shoulder and still get full penetration!! If i had pictures to put on here i would! Like i said, it depends on the broad head, no matter how much your pulling, or speed
Hey Splitshot, I just re-read your post and I think you might be able to save yourself some heartache down the road by using fixed-blades on deer, and save the expandables for turkeys and stray cats. With expandables it’s not WILL you lose a deer, but WHEN. I’m not preaching, just giving you 28 years worth of bowhunting/tinkering experience…for what it’s worth. I know why guys use expandables, I just believe you will have less margin for error and a better chance of recovery if you take the time to tune a fixed-blade so it flies well. Then again, there’s a million guys that will say just the opposite. But, for turkeys I wouldn’t hesitate to use your expandables because turkeys simply don’t have the bone structure of a deer.
I believe that expandables are the only way to go for deer. But my point is THE COMPANY. Like i said, i have shot 12 deer w/ the snypers and i shoot a 27″ draw at 63lbs and have passed through EVERY deer. They have not made it passed 60 yards and tipped over. I would recommend them because the cutting diameter range is so wide spread compared to fixed blades, and a bonus is that they fly just like field points. You are guarenteed to never have to shoot the snypers at a target preseason. This saves money and the sharpening process. Referring to you quote on bone structure, i have shot 3-4 deer directly in the shoulder and still get full penetration!! If i had pictures to put on here i would! Like i said, it depends on the broad head, no matter how much your pulling, or speed
Hey Splitshot, I just re-read your post and I think you might be able to save yourself some heartache down the road by using fixed-blades on deer, and save the expandables for turkeys and stray cats. With expandables it’s not WILL you lose a deer, but WHEN. I’m not preaching, just giving you 28 years worth of bowhunting/tinkering experience…for what it’s worth. I know why guys use expandables, I just believe you will have less margin for error and a better chance of recovery if you take the time to tune a fixed-blade so it flies well. Then again, there’s a million guys that will say just the opposite. But, for turkeys I wouldn’t hesitate to use your expandables because turkeys simply don’t have the bone structure of a deer.
I shoot spitfire 100’s and they work just fine for turkeys. Like any game you attempt to harvest, shot placement is key. Those turkeys are tough, I don’t care what anyone says. Three years ago I put an arrow thru a tom at six yards, and again at twenty. Both shots looked great. An hour later I tackled that tom after he tried to run away from me, he had been hiding under a brush pile. Upon cleaning the bird, it had two great big holes, both right where the wing attaches to the bird. That bird should have been dead way before I had to put the old linebacker moves on him. So again, my point is simple, they are tough birds, choose your shot placement wisely.
I shoot spitfire 100’s and they work just fine for turkeys. Like any game you attempt to harvest, shot placement is key. Those turkeys are tough, I don’t care what anyone says. Three years ago I put an arrow thru a tom at six yards, and again at twenty. Both shots looked great. An hour later I tackled that tom after he tried to run away from me, he had been hiding under a brush pile. Upon cleaning the bird, it had two great big holes, both right where the wing attaches to the bird. That bird should have been dead way before I had to put the old linebacker moves on him. So again, my point is simple, they are tough birds, choose your shot placement wisely.
My broadhead of choice is the Winchester 12 gauge, 3″, 4 shot turkey load! 
Seriously though, I’m going to shoot the spitfire this year…think that will be good for turkeys! Wasn’t impressed with them for deer, but hopefully will be good for toms! I’m looking to possibly get a full mount done this year if I’m lucky enough…so I don’t think gobbler guillotine would be a good choice! 
My broadhead of choice is the Winchester 12 gauge, 3″, 4 shot turkey load! Seriously though, I’m going to shoot the spitfire this year…think that will be good for turkeys! Wasn’t impressed with them for deer, but hopefully will be good for toms! I’m looking to possibly get a full mount done this year if I’m lucky enough…so I don’t think gobbler guillotine would be a good choice!
I’m fairly new to the Turkey scene. So, I’m hearing that Expandables are the way to go then????? I will not use them on deer, but it seems that guys that have the same opinion, will use them on Toms????? 
I’m headed to SD for my 1st SD hunt this Spring. What type of bird will I be hunting west of the River?????
I’m fairly new to the Turkey scene. So, I’m hearing that Expandables are the way to go then????? I will not use them on deer, but it seems that guys that have the same opinion, will use them on Toms?????
I’m headed to SD for my 1st SD hunt this Spring. What type of bird will I be hunting west of the River?????
You might run into some Merriams west river. Depends on where you are at. The thing with expandables is, they shoot like darts right out of the package, and I think the second point is, you want the arrow to stay in the turkey to do as much damage as possible. I don’t think passthroughs on turkey’s are what you want. IMHO
You might run into some Merriams west river. Depends on where you are at. The thing with expandables is, they shoot like darts right out of the package, and I think the second point is, you want the arrow to stay in the turkey to do as much damage as possible. I don’t think passthroughs on turkey’s are what you want. IMHO
Thanks Ben.
I will be about 1 hour SW of Rapid by Hot Springs, SD.
Thanks Ben.
I will be about 1 hour SW of Rapid by Hot Springs, SD.
For sure, merriams.
Good luck, make sure to take pictures.
Can you shoot 2 there?
For sure, merriams.
Good luck, make sure to take pictures.
Can you shoot 2 there?
I believe so. 
We are headig back to Stacies parents for “Branding” the calves. It is my hope there will be some time to put the 
on some Tom’s. 
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