Melissa Bachman Dials in on Massive Midwest Turkeys

When it comes to turkey hunting, every step counts. One forgotten move could be the difference between bringing home a fan of feathers or letting that gobbler live to see another day.

One of the most important—and commonly skipped—steps that turkey hunters make is patterning the shotgun prior to the hunt. Knowing your pattern is like studying for a test back in school. Sure, you can try to succeed without the preparation…but you’ll increase your odds in achieving the goal if you’re ready every step of the way.

You want to make sure your pellets deliver consistent patterns at various ranges. The key is to target the turkey’s nervous system: the brain and the spinal column. This shot is lethal and drops the turkey down right on the spot. Distance won’t be a problem when you’re locked and loaded with Long Beard XR. Now you just need to understand the capabilities of your shotgun, shotell and choke combination.

Winchester has made it easier than ever to pattern your shotgun. The innovative, free Winchester Pattern Board app allows you to see different patterns based on distance and ammunition. Enter your information and see how the pattern looks. The results aren’t guesses…they are based on actual data made by actual shots by Winchester engineers.

When you pattern your shotgun in the field, make sure to keep an eye out for certain variables. How does the pattern change at different distances? Does the point of impact shift? Do you see holes in the pattern? Shoot several times to confirm the pattern. One and done is not the way to go in this instance. Certainty breeds success. If you see a need to improve, make changes to the shotshell, shot size or choke tube in order to close those gaps. Be patient.

Winchester Long Beard XR can maintain the dead zone at longer distances. By pre-patterning your shotgun, you’ll know exactly what your shot will look like at every distance….and Winchester will do the rest.

For more information, visit the Winchester Long Beard XR ammunition page or the Winchester Pattern Board App.