Scopes Picked Enhance Your Turkey Hunting Experience

Turkey hunting is a cherished tradition, as Thanksgiving is coming. Wild turkey is the food for those early American settlers. The turkey hunting and turkey eating are the integral parts of the Thanksgiving. Quality scopes would enhance your turkey hunting experience, creating memories that last long well beyond the holiday.

The ideal shooting range for turkey hunting is typically 20–35 yards. A red dot sight is often preferred over a rifle scope because it offers a more intuitive aiming experience. Hunters don’t need to look through a tunnel-like stuff for precise aiming. There are several features you may need to consider before making the purchase decision.

The very first thing is what is your turkey hunting gun. Many hunters prefer shotguns, such as the Mossberg 500, 410, 835, SA-28 Tactical Turkey, Remington 870, Benelli M2, etc. Others think pistol is well enough to handle. For guidance on red dot installation, refer to our previous blog post,How to Install a Red Dot on Your Pistol, andHow to Install a Red Dot on a Rifle. Apart from ensure the compatibility with the footprint and the rail, a red dot sight with robust shockproof construction is essential, especially for pistols, which may require stronger recoil resistance compared to rifles.

Secondly, when choosing a red dot sight for turkey hunting, dot size is an important factor. For fast target acquisition at close range, larger dots like 5 MOA or 6 MOA are often preferred. They allow you to quickly center your aim on the bird, which is useful in the typical shooting range of 20–35 yards. For precise hunting at some distance, smaller dots, 2MOA or 3MOA, offer great precision, which is valuable for ethical and clean shots. Most people hunt turkey not only for fun but also for food. If hunters conduct the shot a bit downside to turkey's breast, the meat may get some pellets. you would need to pick the pellet out before serve. Therefore, in order to preserve the quality of the meat, shot to the head and neck is ideal, avoid spoiling the meat with pellet damage.

Adjustable illumination is essential for hunting wild turkeys, as it ensures a clear aiming point across various lighting conditions. In dense brush or heavy cover, where low light is common, it helps maintain a visible reticle for accurate targeting. Conversely, in open fields under bright sunlight, strong illumination prevents the reticle from washing out, providing a sharp, high-contrast sight. A scope with versatile illumination settings allows hunters to quickly adapt to changing light, enhancing accuracy and visibility in any environment.

The fourth consideration is window size. Both large and small windows have their advantages. A large window provides a wider field of view, allowing hunters to quickly locate and stay with the dot for faster target acquisition. When jakes or toms appear suddenly, a larger window enables hunters to react rapidly and accurately in a short amount of time.Conversely, smaller windows can be more compact, which may further reduce the overall weight, which could be beneficial for long hunts.

The last thing is the extended battery life. Apart from the battery itself, a red dot with motion sensor feature can significantly conserve battery life. The sight would automatically turn off when not in use. Additionally, the red dots with bottom battery trays will require re-zeroing after replacement. A side-loading battery tray is generally better for convenience, as it preserves zero.

Considering the features above, we would love to recommend some VE red dot to advance your turkey hunting experience.

Binocular, Rangefinder Recommendation for Turkey Hunting

In addition to red dot sights, other essential gear can enhance your turkey hunting experience. While shots on turkeys rarely exceed 70 yards, many hunters enjoy observing their target for a while before taking the shot. For this reason, lightweight and portable binoculars and rangefinders are highly recommended. Compact binoculars allow you to scan for movement and keep an eye on turkeys without adding unnecessary weight.

Some hunters may find a portable rangefinder useful. This is because it enables quick, accurate distance measurement, ensuring ethical shot placement within range.