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To Shoot or Not? (Video Included)

Wade's World Hunting: How many turkey hunters have called a gobbler into shotgun range, then missed or failed to execute the shot properly. The truth is, most turkey hunters have “been there, done that.” And the reason most have failed to execute is because they didn’t prepare mentally for making a good shot when the opportunity to do so arrived. Here are some tips for taking the shot when a longbeard steps into range.

First, rehearse taking the shot before actually heading afield. Many professional athletes “visualize” successful results, and turkey hunters should do likewise. Prepare and practice following a mental checklist for taking the shot.

Aim your shotgun like it’s a rifle. Because of their shotgun’s broad pattern, some hunters are haphazard about aiming. Instead, be very deliberate. Take your time. Think consciously about getting your check snug into the stock and lining the sights up precisely.

Aim for the point where the turkey’s head joins its neck. This will give full pattern coverage of the lethal head/neck area.

Think about “pressing” the trigger instead of pulling. Push the trigger back with the pad of the first joint of your index finger. Imagine a rod running from the trigger back through the stock to your shoulder. Instead of “pulling the trigger”, think about “pushing” that rod backward into your shoulder. This will preclude jerking the trigger and yanking the shotgun off alignment, leading to a scared gobbler running very fast to get away!