GETTING LUCKY ON TURKEYS WITH BLACK POWDER
How I Play The Game - Rules #4-7
 EDITOR'S
NOTE: When hunting with my black-powder shotgun, I always
wait until the bird comes in 10 to 12 yards closer to
me than I do if I hunt with a conventional shotgun.
My killing ground becomes 10 to 20 yards. I've chosen
to play the game of hunting turkeys with black powder
this way because I've bagged enough gobblers that I
don't need to shoot every tom I spot. I consider playing
the game fairly more important than bagging a bird.
The rules I set up for hunting a tom with black powder
help to stack the odds even more heavily in the turkey's
favor.
Rule #4: I Cock The Hammer And Prepare For The Shot
When The Bird Reaches 40 Yards Or More Away:
I don't put my finger on the trigger until the turkey
approaches 20 yards. When I reach for the trigger, I
want to look down the barrel and be ready to make the
shot.
Rule #5: I Use A Nipple Guard And A Muzzle-Protector
In Rain Or Heavy Dew:
Then I'm insuring that the powder won't become wet and
not go off when I pull the trigger. The nipple guard
fits over the top of the nipple because of its hard,
plastic, cylinder-like shape. Even if the hammer falls,
the nipple guard will keep the cap from firing. The
nipple guard also helps to seal out moisture on rainy
days. Over the muzzle, I usually use a finger cot that
 I
buy at a drugstore. You can roll this small, latex-rubber
cylinder over the end of the barrel to prevent moisture
from getting to the powder.
Rule #6: I Carry Speed-Loaders With Pre-Measured Shot
And Powder:
Then if I need to re-load in the field, I won't have
to carry a powder horn, a shot bag and a measuring device
with me.
Rule #7: I Enjoy The Turkey Before I take Him:
I like to watch gobblers strut, drum and show off their
feathers. I enjoy having the turkeys close and making
them come to the spots where I want to take them. For
this reason, I often see more gobblers than I  shoot
with black powder. I've had turkeys come into my 18-yard
killing ground that have turned and walked off before
I've hurried off a shot. If a gobbler gets in and out
of the killing zone, I won't rush the shot because I
want time to enjoy looking at the bird.
To learn more about turkey hunting, call Night Hawk
Publications, (205) 967-3830 or write 4112 Camp Horner
Road, Birmingham, AL 35243 to order John E. Phillips'
three turkey-hunting books, "Turkey Hunting Tactics,"
"The Master's Secrets to Turkey Hunting" and
"Outdoor Life's Complete Book of Turkey Hunting."
You can visit www.nighthawkpublications.com/hunting/hunting.htm
to read book excerpts.
TOMORROW: WHAT TO DO WHEN ALL
ELSE FAILS
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