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I find myself currently living next to an area that allows turkey hunting. I have always been interested, but this is the first time I've had opportunity. The only suitable shotgun I own is a Stevens single shot 20ga that I picked up at a Sherrifs auction a few years back for $5. Yep, $5. It needed a firing pin which Numrich supplied, and it needs some stock work (read throw away plastic factory stocks and make new ones) which I will do myself (being a skilled master carpenter has it's perks ). I have no idea what the choke or lack thereof is, don't really know much about that. I'm not sure why, but I really love to shoot that little piece of stuff. It's fascinating to me in it's simplicity yet it still goes bang. I inherited a large amount of 20ga ammo some time ago so I have a good supply of playing around stock. I can tell you I am impressed by how much felt recoil the little bugger has since there is no butt pad on the hard plastic stock.
So, how well will this ratty little shotgun work? From what I've been able to tell about turkey hunting, it's all bout how you hunt, not what you hunt with. I've also been told that the type of turkey we have here are the dumb ones, as in easy to call in.
"He has erected a multitude of New Offices, and sent hither swarms of Officers to harass our people and eat out their substance." Declaration of Independance, July 4, 1776 11B30
I think your little gun will do just fine. I have used a variety of antique and older shotguns for turkey. It is most imporant to pattern it on a turkey target. Determine the range that is keeps enough shot on the turkey to be fatal, and become familiar with the sight picture to get the point of impact where you want it. Then, hunt within those limitations. You might consider trying a bunch of different turkey loads to see what works best. I have had good luch with #4 shot in one of my 20b guns if I limit myself to 30 yards. Let us know how it goes.
The only thing I'd add is this: When I patterned my shotgun this year I took 6 loads and shot for patterns at 20 yds, then took the two best and backed up and tried again with those. You might try backing up at 5-10 yd intervals to see what your max effective range is.
I think you're gonna be fine with that gun. If that's what I had, I wouldn't hesitate to use it.
I'd for sure pattern it with the heaviest load of 4's 5's or 6's that it shoots well. Wally world usually has good turkey targets to see where your pattern is going, or you can make one on a paper plate or cardboard box by making a fist and tracing it and your wrist/arm. Approximates a turkey's head/neck. As for catching up to those turkey's and getting them in your sights, I'll let others chime in here .
But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8
Like the guys said.....your gun will do just fine...
but you will have to get the birds in close...
practice your calling....
where camo head to toe....
build a good blind....and dont move a lot....
and most of all....have fun
Last week I downloaded the 08 turkey regs pdf while looking at the elk regs. I now have mobile hunting regs on my laptop. So, looks like I can take 1 turkey in spring, and one in fall. Spring season starts mid April an runs to the end of may, so I better get to work on that 2x4 stock. I really like the idea of full camo. Looks like I need to start studying up on turkey calling. No recordings allowed. I'm going to go as low tech as possible to match the old Stevens single shot. Interesting note, fall season allows pistols, rifles in center or rimfire, either sex. Spring is shotgun only, male only. Shot is #2 or smaller. I'm really looking forward to hunting this new area since I can get into some deep wilderness within a 1/2 hour. Natl Forest boundary is 2 blocks away. Praise the Lord and pass the ammunition!
"He has erected a multitude of New Offices, and sent hither swarms of Officers to harass our people and eat out their substance." Declaration of Independance, July 4, 1776 11B30
I am no expert turkey hunter, but one of my buddies is. This is what I have learned from him.
To get a turkey you have to locate where the toms are roosting. Then, before the sun comes up sneak in there as close to the roost as you can without spooking them. Maybe 75-100 yards away.
They will start gobbling on the roost a lot of times before they fly down. You can hear them fly down in the dark. Once they hit the ground call them. It is better to call a little than a lot and never call a turkey you can see.
Pick a set up where you can shoot as soon as the turkey is in the clear and have your gun up when he is coming in.
It is easier to call a turkey the way he wants to go, but they always seem to go a different way every day. Turkey hunting is exciting when a gobbler is coming in, cutting your call, and really loud!
Once a gobbler gets with some hens you can't call him away so get out there early. Your 20 gauge should be fine. I would try a few loads. If your gun will handle 3" shells that is a plus. Wear a mask for sure.
Last edited by Dave on Thu Mar 27, 2008 8:41 pm, edited 1 time in total.
I am no expert but I usually get a gobbler or two each spring in heavily hunted Massachusetts.
I'll tell you what I have learned over the years about turkeys in a nutshell. Let us start out with the shotgun. Ok. It is a 20 guage.That means you will have to be on the money a bit more than someone who hunts with a 12 or a 10. Pattern your shotgun on a turkey target. You need to keep in mind that to kill a turkey humanely you need to get several pellets in the head and neck. I am ashamed to admit it but I have lost a couple of birds in the past with body shots. They can take a lot of punishment but can't take it in the head and neck area. That is the spot you need to focus on.
Patterning your shotgun will tell you what the maximum range of your gun will be. I will guess that it will be no more than 30 yards. I personally will not shoot more than 35 ,although I have taken a bird at 38 paces, with my single shot 12 guage 3.5" chamber.
You have to use your shotgun like a rifle. You have to aim at the head and neck area. I have an Aimpoint on the barrel but will be putting on a scope. I discovered a reason why a trophy has been hanging up on me for the last three years at this one spot. He may be seeing my red dot from the muzzle end. You will have to find a way to use the front bead like a sight. Keep in mind that you need to aim at the head.
When it comes to camoflage, you need to make sure it is thorough. The biggest mistake I see is when hunters don't cover their hands or face. A headnet and pair of gloves are paramount to success. The birds can assimilate movement and things that stick out when you are hunting them very well.Personally, I wear a Rancho Safari ghillie suit.
Calling is something that takes a lot of practice. I would recommend you get a good wooden box call. Get a tape or instructional video to learn the different calls. I use a diagprham call but it takes practice and you can screw up a good call session with it if you make a mistake.
Personally I don't like to call too much. I like to use a loud call and play hard to get. One series of yelps every fifteen minutes on a gobbler seems to work best for me. It can be a real test of patience .
i love turkey hunting. your twenty is going to be just fine! in fact i know a bunch of guys that prefer a twenty due to better patterns.
you have received great advise above and i would like to add some to help you pattern your gun.
there are several variables that matter brand of shell, shot number, and shot components.
i would first try the range at 40 then 35 and then 30. i would also try one at 20.
some people erroneously will count how many pellets are in the head and neck of a given target. the problem is that each shot is different. one shot may give 5 and another may give 10 but both be the same shells and the same range. what you need to look for is space. look for golf ball size spaces that do not have a pellet hole. the shells that deliver the greatest coverage is the shells for the hunt. i have seen guys spend literally hundreds of dollars on shells and chokes trying to find the magic combo. i have been able to find it most of the time with a couple boxes of shells and a good choke.
another issue when patterning your gun is take a close range shot. there have been many birds live by the pattern being too tight and missing the close bird. you need to know where your mass is when you pull trigger. it may off a little from your bead.
Thanks a lot for all the good tips and encouragement guys. I was looking at ghillie suits and head nets today. Want says ghillie suit, budget says headnet, but I'm excited about the prospects.
"He has erected a multitude of New Offices, and sent hither swarms of Officers to harass our people and eat out their substance." Declaration of Independance, July 4, 1776 11B30
This is gonna be my middle sons Turkey gun. It is a Wards Western Field(maker unknown) folding shotgun in 20 Gauge. I think they were made in the 20's.
But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8
My uncle was almost without peer as a turkey hunter - having done it all his life. Here's a couple of things I have not seen posted yet:
Uncle W used #2's or BB's. A head or neck shot is ideal but once in a while you have to shoot them on the fly and the larger shot punches through the feathers. We always used full choke if possible but modified will work if you get close enough.
Another trick, which I have used with great success during spring season, is to walk at a normal pace through the woods and "poot" on your call every ten to twenty minutes. Keep your eyes peeled but don't worry about the wind or being overly quiet. Once you hear a gobble, sit down against a tree and call once more. If he does not come within a few minutes, call once again. If he sounds like he's leaving - or doesn't answer, get up and run toward the last place you heard him. Run about 50-75 steps and call once then sit down again. More often than not, the gobbler will come at full tilt or at least a fast walk. Going toward him is what a hen does when she wants to mate so he's usually happy to meet her halfway.
Face and hand camo is very important as they will pick up the off colors - I also sit down with the shotgun mounted on my knees so I don't have to move much. They can't smell you but their eyesight is like an eagle. However, they can't pick out much detail. Several years ago, I was bowhunting for deer with a longbow and leaning on my bow in open ground when a flock came up and walked around me as though I were a tree in the way. I stood quietly and moved nothing but my eyes - they came close enough to touch and never spooked; there were probably 40-50 in the flock.
No wild turkey is dumb and they are great fun to hunt on their terms.
Your shotgun will work.Like the others have said "pattern"a few targets.I like a challenge myself.In Alabama it is legal to use a opensight centerfire handgun for Tom turkey.My weapon of choice is a ruger single six bird'shead 32 H&R magnum,call'em in close.
"Those who hammer their guns into plows will plow for those who do not."
Uncle W used #2's or BB's. A head or neck shot is ideal but once in a while you have to shoot them on the fly and the larger shot punches through the feathers. We always used full choke if possible but modified will work if you get close enough.
Here in the northeast most states prohibit any birdshot larger than no 4 for turkey hunting.
Back in the mid 1990's I worked at a large school where the superintendent was accidentally shot and killed while turkey hunting.I knew both . the man who ran the school system and the idiot who shot him. He was calling birds and the idiot shot at a sound in the bush. He was hit at 29 1/2 feet with a duplex load of 2's and 4's. The man left a wife and six children.
The state jumped in and made it illegal to use duplex loads as well as anything larger than no 4 shot. Also they make all hunters put a "safety " sticker on your shotgun. It is a little green dot that has printed" Shoot Safe" on it. The other thing that happened is that a town that was 90% open to hunting became all posted in a year.
So Dad and I use no. 5 shot for all our turkey hunting.
). I have no idea what the choke or lack thereof is, don't really know much about that. I'm not sure why, but I really love to shoot that little piece of stuff. It's fascinating to me in it's simplicity yet it still goes bang. I inherited a large amount of 20ga ammo some time ago so I have a good supply of playing around stock. I can tell you I am impressed by how much felt recoil the little bugger has since there is no butt pad on the hard plastic stock. 
.
