Spring has officially arrived, waving in turkey-hunting season in the Midwest. If you’re planning a hunting trip, now is the time to pattern your shotgun to ensure your experience in the woods is successful. Here’s a list of tips to guide you as you visit your local gun shop for ammunition and prepare to hunt turkeys. 

4 Gun Patterning Tips for Turkey Season

1. Use Turkey Targets

To improve your aim, invest in anatomically-correct turkey targets. Having a target shaped like the animal will help you grow familiar with how to shoot it and where to aim to strike every time.

2. Test Different Shells

There are many options of turkey shells carried at gun shops. Before committing to a brand, visit your local provider and ask for recommendations based on your needs. Try a few brands, sizes, and materials to discover what option works best for you. 

3. Set Up a Shooting Rest

When turkey hunting, shooting from a stationary position will increase your odds of hitting your target. Pattern your shotgun by shooting from a rest, such as a bench or a portable folding table. Practicing from a resting spot will also limit the kickback from your weapon, preventing you from flinching.

4. Practice From Proper Distances

To prepare to go hunting, practice from 40 yards away from your target, the farthest recommended distance for shooting turkeys. By growing accustomed to shooting from the toughest range, you’ll have a sense of how your weapon performs with its ammunition and increase the likelihood that you’ll be successful from shorter distances, too.

If you’re planning a turkey hunt in the Greater Kentucky Tri-State area, Glauber's Sports is your one-stop gun shop. Family-owned and -operated since 1863, this historic business is known for its vast inventory of quality guns, ammunition, crossbows, and hunting apparel and accessories. Visit this gun shop’s website to explore their brands, or call (502) 732-4005 to speak to a knowledgeable team member.