Crossbows & Gobblers: A First Turkey Tale

The addictive hobby of turkey hunting offers incredible opportunities for hunters and creates memorable stories that last for years. Read how one hunter trusted his Ravin crossbow to take down his first turkey, right in the middle of some early-season whitetail action.

What got you into crossbow hunting?

I’ve been hunting for close to 50 years now, and for most of that time, I was your standard weekend gun hunter when it came to whitetail deer. Outside of deer season, I spent the majority of my time waterfowl hunting and retriever training — something I absolutely loved. Now that I’m retired, I’ve got plenty of time on my hands, and I wanted to try something new.

The world of compound archery never really captured my interest, but I was always curious about getting into crossbow hunting. At first, I didn’t know where to start, especially since crossbows were initially restricted in Wisconsin. What drew me in was how they extend the hunting season, opening up incredible opportunities throughout the year. As I began researching crossbows, Ravin quickly stood out. Being a Wisconsin-based company was a huge plus, and everyone I spoke with had nothing but praise for their gear.

I initially started with the Ravin R20, which was a great bow, but finally decided to move forward with an R500, Ravin’s top crossbow model at the time. It took a little to get used to due to the speed it shoots at, but once I was confident behind the bow, I realized how it truly was an amazing weapon that had so much power. Even the R20 was an incredible bow, but I wanted to go all out and treat myself. To top it off, I added the Garmin Xero X1i crossbow scope, making those longer shots feel effortless. 

Tell us about the hunt!

Ironically, I ventured out to my tree stand for an early October deer hunt and happened to have a turkey tag on me during that time. My property follows along a river here in Wisconsin, creating an ideal mix of private hunting land bordered by public refuge. The location features lush food plots to my left, well-worn trails to the east and west, and the kind of diverse habitat that draws in both deer and turkeys in good numbers.

As I sat in my stand, I noticed two small bucks in the food plot to my left. Then, out of the corner of my eye, I spotted four toms making their way down a little path straight toward me. They were still out of archery range, but I decided to keep an eye on them. I wasn’t calling or trying to attract them. This go around, I was primarily hunting whitetails, but since I had a turkey tag in my pocket, I figured if the opportunity presented itself, why not? It was early in the season, and taking a turkey wouldn’t necessarily ruin my deer hunting.

I hadn’t brought a shotgun, but I knew my crossbow was more than capable. I’d never taken a turkey with a shotgun, let alone a crossbow, but as I watched the toms move closer, I realized this could be my chance. I snapped a picture of all four of them walking in a line, heading straight for me. As they started crossing from right to left into the food plot, the deer remained further west.

I quickly scanned the toms, trying to pick out the biggest one, but they all looked about the same size. With my blind window open and the perfect opportunity in front of me, I readied myself. The shot was within 30 yards, so I had to be careful not to spook the birds. If they locked eyes on me, they could scatter in an instant. I slowly raised my bow, placed the dot from my Garmin Xero X1i crossbow scope on the target, and focused in. 

The tom was moving slightly but wasn’t alarmed. I flipped the safety off, steadied my aim, and squeezed the trigger. Boom. Feathers flew and I knew I hit him hard. He took off running, but it was clear he was hit solidly.

The two deer nearby stood frozen for about five seconds before reacting. The bow made a slight twang, but nothing like a gunshot, so their initial response was minimal. The other three turkeys scattered, heading west toward the thicker cover, and the hit bird followed. A few seconds later, the deer finally spooked and bolted. I was confident in my shot, but I stayed put, watching carefully.I sat tight for about 15 to 20 minutes, scanning with my binoculars, trying to spot any movement. Finally, I decided to go take a look. 

I walked around for a little and, sure enough, just five yards into the woods, there he was, dead as a doornail. The arrow had passed clean through him, but I couldn’t find it since it had buried itself in the mud or food plot debris. I picked him up and thought about how exciting that was. I  was finally able to shoot my first turkey! It was an incredible moment, especially since I was out there for deer. I carried him back and set him down at the base of my stand, deciding to finish out my deer hunt for the day. There was still plenty of season left, with prime archery hunting ahead. But at that moment, I had my turkey, and that was more than enough.

Have you always cooked your wild game after hunts?

Wild game has always been something I’ve enjoyed, whether it’s waterfowl, deer, or other game. I don’t butcher my own deer, though. I usually take them to a local processor who makes me sausage and handles all the cuts. They do a great job, and it’s important to take care of the meat properly.

Right now, I’m trying new ways to cook the legs on a turkey. I’ve heard they can be really tough, so I’m thinking about making something like pulled pork. I might also pressure cook them first to help cook them to perfection. I’ve seen some great wild game cooking shows that are always giving some amazing recipes to try. For instance, tips like keeping the skin on, like with a plucked duck that still has its fat, makes a huge difference in moisture and flavor. I’m really enjoying experimenting with new ways to prepare it, and the overall cooking process after the hunt is extremely rewarding. 

How did the R500 perform? What steps do you take to maintain the bow?

The R500 is truly an amazing weapon. Its capabilities are unbelievable and the deer I’ve shot with it hardly stand a chance. Those arrows pass through like it’s nothing and the shot always amazes me, whether practicing on my land or in my stand during the actual hunt. Like I mentioned, even my older R20 shoots at incredible speeds and has done wonders for me over the years. 

In regards to crossbow maintenance, I’ve never had a single issue with my Ravin Crossbows. I think it's because I always treat them with the respect they deserve, just like a firearm, if not more so. I replace the strings when necessary, and the Garmin scope even tracks the number of shots, which is a great way to monitor wear and tear. Regularly inspecting the bow for any signs of damage or wear is crucial to ensuring everything stays in top shape.

Proper storage is just as important. You don’t want any weapon bouncing around in the back of a truck or exposed to extreme temperature changes. I treat my bow like a firearm because, at the end of the day, it’s a serious piece of equipment. Some people don’t give archery gear the same level of care as their firearms, but they should. It’s deadly equipment, and you have to be mindful of that.