16 Nebraskaland • April 2024
If someone tells me they've
never missed a turkey, I
typically figure it's because a)
they haven't shot very many
turkeys, or b) they're lying.
The reality is, it happens, and
the longer you hunt turkeys,
the better your odds of missing
one. I've certainly missed more
times than I'd care to admit
over the last three decades
of turkey hunting. When I
was younger, a miss would
certainly derail me, but not
anymore. Here are some ways
I've learned to manage my
misses.
First of all, if you shoot a
shotgun with adjustable sights
or a scope, something might
have gotten knocked out of
alignment. That's why it's
so important to pattern your
shotgun before each season,
just like checking a rifle before
hunting deer. If a miss does occur, go back to the patterning
board, check your sights or switch loads or chokes. Do
whatever it takes to get back on target.
If your trusty old shotgun is still trusty, analyze what
happened. Maybe some unseen obstacle was in the way.
This happened to me a few seasons ago. I called in a
gobbler and thought he was in range, but at the shot
he scampered off, unscathed.
Upon reflection, I still felt the
distance was good, but then
spotted several branches
between the turkey and me
that I hadn't noticed before.
That was the culprit. A few
branches, sticks or even tall
blades of grass or weed stalks
are sometimes all it takes to
disrupt a pattern.
Also, consider bird
movement. To the uninitiated,
turkey hunting involves
shooting at a stationary
target, but veteran turkey
hunters know better. Turkeys
rarely stand completely still,
and if they take a step or two
at the last second, a miss is
almost inevitable, especially
with today's tight-shooting
turkey chokes and loads.
If — or when — you miss,
remember that patience
and persistence are a turkey hunter's two best friends.
Sometimes you don't even have to wait a day or two to
rectify a failed attempt. Like I saw during a hunt with my
dad a few years ago, an early morning dud can quickly turn
into a banner day still celebrated.
Remember, you miss 100 percent of the shots you never
take. And if you do miss, simply keep trying.
By Jarrod Spilger
AFTER THE MISS
TOP: A hunter, out of arrows, watches a tom walk away.
BELOW: A small obstruction can lead to a wayward shot.
JEFF KURRUS, NEBRASKALAND
IN THE FIELD
JEFF KURRUS, NEBRASKALAND
