Turkey hunting can be easy at times, so some hunters choose to complicate the challenge. This is sure to test the skills, patience and temperament of the most seasoned hunter.

I have hunted turkey for more than half of my life, and find them to be the easiest and toughest game in town. I got tired of the sure-bet gun hunt years ago, and decided to test my bow hunting skills. Little did I know what I was getting myself into! The pain and struggle endured can only be enjoyed by the most die-hard of hunters. To say bow hunting turkey is a challenge is a major understatement, it's nearly an impossible feat. All that can go wrong tends to, and a normally tough hunt can be turned into a complete struggle.

Several years back I decided it would be a good idea to start hunting turkey with a bow. I had no idea what a rollercoaster ride it would be. It was becoming easy to harvest a bird that approached within 30 yards of my setup. Unlike when I started, I have a good turkey gun, and a miss is almost a non-issue. Modern choke tubes and ammunition have given the turkey hunter an advantage never seen before. We are able to reach out to 50 yards in most cases, and have multiple shot capabilities. This all takes a back seat when you decide to take a bow. How you prepare for the hunt makes all the difference. I would have harvested a bird much more quickly had I known what I do now.

That dang hindsight thing again.

One big reason I so enjoy writing about hunting is to help prevent others from making the same mistakes that I have. I can be someone’s hindsight by teaching what not to do. More often it's not what you do, but what you don't do that will ruin your hunt. If it's a bow that you will use, you need to prepare for a bow shot. You first have to choose what kind of shot on the bird you will take. There are special broad heads on the market with up to a four-inch fixed cutting diameter. They are specifically made for head and neck shots. You may also choose a conventional style broad head which will work for all shots.

I started off at the bow range in early April. I chose to use a conventional broad head, which shoots exactly like my field points. I started sighting in at 20 yards, and went out to 40. By the time the season had arrived, I was on the money. I was able to take hundreds of shots without a single bad hit. I felt I was more than ready and prepared for the hunt.