The most popular big birds to hunt are turkey and geese. Many hunters like to hunt and kill their own wild turkey for Thanksgiving dinner; doing this makes a special occasion even more memorable. Bid bird hunting isn't as easy as stepping out into the woods though, there are some special precautions to take that wouldn't necessarily apply when hunting for smaller birds.



The most important issue to address is one of safety. People don't generally think of birds as being dangerous, but this isn't always the case; when hunting for smaller birds, a human can easily overpower them, but big bird hunting is an all together different story. Turkeys and geese can be dangerous; When aggravated they can become very aggressive, and while they cannot kill a human, they can inflict a lot of pain with their sharp beaks.

For this reason it is important to be sure the bird is dead before approaching it. Birds have very dense layers of feathers, so it is not uncommon to only stun or wound a bird. Many hunters assume that if the bird hits the ground it has been killed, but if the hunter makes a mistake and approaches the bird before being sure, panic can ensue. Hunters that receive the most injuries from big birds are the ones that underestimate their power and aggressive personalities.

To ensure a clean kill, choosing the right gun is essential. When planning your big bird hunting trip, know what you plan to use the bird for, this will aid your decision in choosing a gun. If you plan to eat the bird, using a shotgun will not be the best choice. A shotgun projects dozens of tiny pellets that will become lodged in the flesh and impossible to find upon cleaning. Be sure to use a gun that shoots only one bullet, this way it will make finding the bullet easy when cleaning the bird.

Bow hunting is also permitted on big birds, and your local outfitter will be able to assist you in choosing the right arrows. As always, safety is always the main concern in the field, so be sure to wear hunter orange vests and caps, and if hunting for turkey, avoid carrying anything that is blue, red, or white, as these are often colors associated with turkeys.