Can you hunt turkey with a 22 rifle?

It’s spring turkey season, and many turkey hunters are gearing up for their annual hunting trips. But one question remains: Can you hunt turkey with 22 rifle?

The answer is yes! The small caliber doesn’t scare the turkeys, but they’re still able to kill them.

This article will provide some insight on how to hunt turkey with a 22 rifle. We’ll cover everything from legal concerns to techniques.

Legal concerns to consider before hunting turkey with a 22 rifle

There are ground rules for wild turkey hunting. It doesn’t matter if it’s spring turkey hunting or fall turkey hunting. So, before you gear up, it’s important to do your research.

You see, the question as to whether you can hunt turkey with a 22 LR also depends on the laws of your country or state. After all, each one has different regulations regarding turkey hunting, especially the eastern turkey.

If you’re a resident of Colorado, for example, hunting turkey with a 22 LR is perfectly legal. But for states like Texas, the same isn’t illegal.

Hence, as a turkey hunter, it’s good to check local regulations to ensure you’re doing things legally. Also, you can call the state department of the area you want to hunt in before heading out.

States that allow turkey hunting with 22 rifle include Colorado, Florida, Maryland, Montana, Missouri, Oklahoma, Utah, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wyoming.

Techniques for hunting turkey with a 22 rifle

Best range for turkey hunting with 22 LR

The 22 rifle has an effective range of 150 yards. However, practical ranges tend to be less. So, what’s the best range to get a clean shot when hunting turkey?

Well, for a turkey hunter, we recommend you zero your rifle for 75 yards.

Where to aim

As much as you want to have a kill shot, you need to have as much of the meat intact. That said, tremendous success is achieved when you shoot the turkey on the head or neck.

Tips for successful turkey hunting

Use turkey call

A good way to get close enough to the birds is to use a call. But if you’re not skilled in bird calling, don’t worry. There are plenty of calls that will sound just like a real turkey. This method can be very effective if you want to hunt turkeys without having to take too many shots.

Invest in a riflescope

It’s also important that you have a long-range scope on your firearm so that you can see the turkeys before they hear the shot.

FAQs

Can I use a large caliber rifle for turkey hunting?

There’s an argument of whether it’s practical to harvest a turkey with a large-caliber rifle.

The answer is no. The brute power of a large caliber rifle means you wouldn’t have much of the meat left, even for a gobbler. So, there has to be a limit to ensure the quarry is still intact and edible. In fact, I recommend a .223 rifle at the largest.

Conclusion

I hope this article answers your question. Turkey hunt is not just about a crossbow, compound bow, handgun, or shotgun. A turkey hunter can also take down a turkey with a 22 rifle, preferably an air rifle.

However, to be on the safe side of the law, ensure you observe the ground rules of your location and get a turkey permit. Also, ensure you take the shot from a good range, aim at the right places, and use a turkey call to lure the elusive bird.