Turkey Hunting for Thanksgiving

Turkey hunting is a cherished tradition, especially as Thanksgiving approaches. Wild turkey is was a primary food source for early American settlers. Turkey hunting and turkey eating are integral parts of the Thanksgiving. Quality scopes can 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 a purchase.

Features to Consider

The very first thing to think about is what type of turkey hunting gun you'll be using. 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 installing a red dot, refer to our previous blog post, How to Install A Red Dot on Your Pistol, and How to Install a Red Dot on a Rifle? . In addition to ensuring compatibility with the footprint and rail of your firearm, it’s crucial to choose a red dot sight with a robust, shockproof construction—especially for pistols, which may require more 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 help you quickly center your aim on the bird, which is useful at the typical shooting range of 20–35 yards. For more precise shooting at longer distances, smaller dots, 2MOA or 3MOA, offer great precision, which is valuable for making ethical, clean shots. Most people hunt turkey not only for fun but also for food. If a hunter shoots a turkey in the lower breast area, the meat may be damaged by pellets, and you would need to pick them out before serving. To preserve the quality of the meat, a shot to the head or neck is ideal, as it avoids 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, making it easier for hunters to locate and track the dot, which is helpful for fast target acquisition.  When jakes or toms appear suddenly, a larger window allows for quicker, more accurate reactions. 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 extend battery life by automatically turning off when not in use. Additionally, the red dots with bottom-mounted battery trays may require re-zeroing after the battery is replaced. A side-loading battery tray is generally more convenient, as it preserves the 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 prefer to observe 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 and accurate distance measurement, ensuring ethical shot placement within range.