Beating the Odds: One Hunter’s Perfect Missouri Turkey with the Ravin R10

For many hunters, the woods serve as more than just a place to pursue game — it’s a place of healing and achievement. For Michael Callahan, his journey back into the field after a battle with cancer was about more than just hunting, it was about reclaiming a part of himself. Equipped with a Ravin R10, Michael took to the woods and made a memory that will last a lifetime.

Why Did You Choose the Ravin R10?

What really got me looking into crossbows was after I found out I’d have a lot of extra time on my hands. In 2023, I was diagnosed with stage four colon cancer, and I went through a lot with it. My wife kept pushing me, telling me, “You’re going to be back out there pretty soon,” and, by the grace of God I was! I’m still cancer-free today.

I started doing a lot of research online, talking with friends who are pro hunters, and Ravin Crossbows kept coming up as the best option for me. Then I made the mistake of shooting one. And when you do that, it’s over. Coming from a compound background, it was like, “holy smokes!” The accuracy and speed is unbelievable. The quality and the precision of those Ravin Crossbows – that’s what sold me. 

The R10 I used has even gotten my dad in the game. He’s never been a bowhunter, but now he also has a Ravin. I’m getting my strength back now, and I’m sure I’ll shoot a compound again, but I can tell you what, I won’t ever be putting my Ravin down.

Tell Us About Your Experience on This Hunt.

When I got the news that I was cancer-free, my wife told me, “You need to take off turkey hunting and just go running around all over.” So I did. I took off to Missouri, and of course, that’s where I got the bird we’re talking about today. The next day, I killed another color-phased turkey in Kentucky. This whole hunt turned into a little celebration tour through Missouri, Kentucky, and back home to Arkansas.

The Missouri hunt happened on the third or fourth day of the season. If you hunted Missouri last year, you know it was raining almost every day. I was hunting with an older gentleman who works for me, and after sitting in the rain with him long enough, I finally told him,”I’m going to Kentucky.” But 45 minutes down the road – while still in Missouri –  the weather cleared up. I was near Mark Twain National Forest, where there’s plenty of government land, so I found an old road, pulled over, and gave it a shot.

I had never been in that area before, but I got out, fired off a call, and 45 minutes later was walking out with a turkey of my dreams. Getting to see a bird like that in the woods, much less take it with a crossbow, was incredible. I worked a pair of gobblers, and once they came into sight, I knew which one I was going after. The other bird had twice the beard, but it didn’t matter. Something about this one just felt right. It was like I was outrunning the storm – both literally and figuratively –  it was meant to be. I think there are times that when you go through enough the good Lord smiles down on you and says, "Hey, here you go – get after it." And like I said, this was a spot I had never been before. Heck, I’ve never been within 20 miles of that area. It was just meant to happen. I’ll be going back there this upcoming season.

When I got back to the truck, a Missouri Game and Fish officer had just pulled up. He was actually the one who took those pictures for me. He was great –  just as excited as I was.

How Did You Like Using the R10 for This Hunt?

It was a 25-yard shot, and the bird never knew what hit him. He went 15 feet in the air, came back down, and I got up, thinking I’d have to chase him, but he just kicked a little and was done.

I’ve killed several turkeys with a compound, but the speed of the Ravin is unreal. That arrow hit, and the bird never had a chance to react. At 25 yards, that’s not far, but if you’ve hunted turkeys with a compound bow, you know that can still be a tough shot.

The accuracy of the Ravin R10 made all the difference. If you don’t hit a turkey exactly right with a bow, you’re running through the woods trying to track it down. And let me tell you, blood-trailing a flying turkey isn’t easy. I typically hunt public ground in the mountains, so I'm used to more of a run-and-gun style of hunting instead of setting up in a blind on a field. This Ravin R10 is perfect for me – the size and weight make it great for my style of hunting. 

I’ve been shooting archery since I was 12, and I’ve seen a lot of changes over the years. But the speed of these Ravin Crossbows is ridiculous. I don’t know how you could get any faster without having to dip your arrow in water before it takes off just to keep it from catching fire.

And as far as accuracy? It’s as accurate as any rifle I’ve ever shot.