Turkey Set up for Youth

[3Coues3]

Just was curious to what set ups you guys have used. My son will be turning 10 at the beginning of next year and wanted to get him set up for spring turkey.

[Explorer]

Purchased a single shot 20 gauge for my ten year old for 70 bucks and cut the stock down. Added a recoil pad. Will get him a pump when he proves his skills.

[208muley]

Get a gun that fits him and that he can handle. Go out to the desert and practice set ups shooting paper targets with 2 3/4 shells (cheaper). Try it off of shooting sticks, knees etc. as he get stronger have him swing the gun slowly to shoot targets at an agle not directly in front of him. Once he can shoot accurately to 30 or so he should be good to go.

 

If he still struggles with movement and steadying the gun then scout a bunch and put him in a blind and call the birds to you.

[backcountry_brad]

I've used my Mossberg 500 in 20ga shootin 3" #5 shot loads since I started turkey hunting at 15 and it's been effective for me. I've put 3 birds on the ground in 3 years hunting with it

[IA Born]

Bought my daughter the Mossberg 500 Superbantam. It shoots up to 3" shells and has a 22" barrel. She loves it and has grown right into since she was 9. I put fiber optic turkey (rifle style) sights on it (https://www.truglo.com/firearms-turkey/tru-bead-turkey-universal-dual-color.asp) and an extra full turkey choke and she loves it. She shoots the HeviShot Magnum Blend (#5, #6, #7 shot). With her set up and the way she's practiced, I'd have no problem with her taking a 50 yard shot at a tom. The 500 Superbantam has spacers for the shotgun to grow with her. She's already said she doesn't want a new shotgun, even though I've offered to get her a semiauto now that she's stronger.

 

My son turns 10 December 2017 and I'll be getting him that same set up or the larger 500 Bantam (24" barrel).

[Red Sparky]

For me one daughter uses the Mossburg, like IA Born describes, in 20 gauge and one daughter uses the Remington 870 Youth in 20 gauge. It all depends on what fits them.

[IA Born]

For me one daughter uses the Mossburg, like IA Born describes, in 20 gauge and one daughter uses the Remington 870 Youth in 20 gauge. It all depends on what fits them.

 

Exactly. The 870 and 1187 youth models were too heavy for my daughter at 9 and 10 years old. 870s are a great option if youth have the upper body strength and reach (it was also too long in the pump for her).

[3Coues3]

Thanks guys for the info and advice.

[208muley]

One more thing. Put a holographic sight on whatever gun you get. Flat awesome for kids!

[cramerhunts]

I agree with all of the above. I started my daughter out with a Mossberg but since she's a little stronger now I built her a 870 youth with a truglo gobble dot scope. I liked it so much myself I built me one just like it since she wouldn't share! I've got great patterns with the Hevi-shot Mag blends. Tried the triple beards, 3rd degree, and just about everything else and other than the hevi 7's nothing came close. This set up with a set of short trigger sticks has proved quite deadly!

 

 

 

[IA Born]

In my next life, I'm coming back as Cramer's daughter!

[Allforelk]

I blew up the gun pic for a better look and completely lost interest when I saw the back wall. Beautiful.

[Coach]

Remington 870 youth in 20 guage. Shoots 3" turkey loads. My boys have stacked up a bunch of toms with this gun - probably 7+ between them. The others have been taken with a Mossberg 835 that shoots 3.5" 12 GA and kicks harder than a mule but kills anything in front of it.