http://www.LouisianaSportsman.com April 2015 | Louisiana Sportsman 23
“Some hunters don’t use a decoy, but my experience is that the
majority of them do,” Loupe said. “I certainly use them — usu-
ally a hen and jake.”
If he has to pick only one, he goes with the hen every time.
Decoys start in the $20 range, but move up in price depend-
ing on the realistic touches. There are even some with battery
operated fans.
Top choice: Avien X Breeder Hen5) Shotgun — Unless you’re going to shoot one with a sling
shot, you need a shotgun in which you have confidence.
“Many people use what they already own, but some hunters
want guns designed specifically for turkey hunting — in terms
of camo, ergonomic design, chamber length and even weight,”
Loupe said. “In the last few years, for example, there has been a
move toward lighter, shorter 20-gauge guns that pack a lethal
punch out past 30 yards but make the last couple of miles out
of the woods or hills a lot less tiring.”6) Turkey shells — Can you kill a turkey with the old No.
6 lead you’ve got laying around the house? Maybe, but these
birds are tough. That’s why there are shells manufactured just
for turkey hunting.
“There are an increasingly wide array of shotgun shells
designed for turkey hunting,” Loupe said. “Typically, they
attempt to achieve knock-down power at up to 40 yards.
Although some hunters shoot and kill birds at greater dis-tances, an ethical hunter needs to know the effective range
limit for hit shotgun and shells.
That means you really have to pattern your shotgun, using the
shells with which you plan to hunt.
“The best way to determine (knock-down power) is to pattern
your shotgun at 20, 30 and 40 yards,” Loupe said.
Turkey guns usually come with chambers designed to accom-
modate at least 3-inch shells, but many even allow 3 1/2-inch
shells — the better to reach out and knock that bird’s head
clean off.
And there are options other than lead, like Hevi-Shots’s tung-
sten allow, that will really do some damage. ■