Bowhunting for deer and shotgunning wild turkeys share many similar attributes of short-range big game hunting pursuits. One is the chance to intimately learn the quarry hunted, through close observation. On the other hand, there's the certainty that any mistakes made on the hunter's part spell trouble if your intentions are more than just observing a bouncing whitetail's flag or watching how adept wild turkeys are at flying. With either pursuit, range estimation is one of the biggest areas where miscues turn into missed opportunities.

The guns and loads available today for turkey hunting translate into a 40-yard-and-less pursuit. Estimating when a gobbler is within range is easy, if you practice.

Range estimation is a skill that must be learned through repetitive practice. A lot of novice turkey hunters do their homework-practice calling, pattern their guns and outfit themselves in full camo-only to go a field without a skill that is equally important.

It has been proven in military field tests that the average person estimates range with a probable error of 30 percent. Even with intense training, visual range estimation gets no better than 15 percent of actual distance.

If the average untrained person has a 30 percent-error handicap, it's a pretty sure bet that a lot of turkey hunters go afield ill prepared.

the Ranging Model 75 Rangefinder

Borrowing a tool from the bowhunting fraternity is the simplest way to accurately judge distance. Several rangefinding devices are available to help you estimate distance. I've used a Ranging 50/2 Mini Rangefinder for bowhunting and turkey hunting for more than a decade and like its compactness and light weight. Ranging also offers a TRL 75 model that accurately measures distance from 10 to 75 yards. These devices use a system of mirrors to produce split images of an object. Look at the images through the viewfinder, adjust the distance indication know until the images become a single image, then read the distance indicated.

Another device I tested several bow seasons ago was Brunton's Laser 70 Rangefinder This device is about the size of a bologna sandwich, weights less than 10 ounces and can be worked with one hand. It is accurate to within one yard between five and 70 yards. In the years since, Brunton discontinued this model of rangefinder. DME Rangefinders in McKewen, Tennessee, was Brunton's original supplier and has since continued manufacturing under its own name.

When a gobbler is coming to your call is obviously not the time to try out a rangefinder. If you go the route of using a rangefinder, don't make the mistake of trying it out the first time the morning you go turkey hunting. A little practice at home will go a long way toward later success.

Once you're in the woods and setting up to call in a longbeard, find various landmarks, trees, rocks, etc. to note distance when you first set up. By the time a tom strolls within range, you should be ready to shoot rather than squinting through a peephole.

Accurate range estimation could help you in another way as well. I've found that there's a threshold at about 25 yards where mistakes, usually hunter movement, seem to be more critical than when a gobbler is beyond this distance. When a bird approaches this "hyper zone," practically any hunter movement can spell disaster. On several occasions I've watched birds within gun range, but beyond 25 yards, hesitate when they saw something else to confirm their fears. Inside 25 yards, a gobbler's best judgment is full retreat if he becomes suspicious. This isn't a hard-and-fast rule, but it's something to consider when afield.

A little practice will make you a better turkey hunter, so take the opportunity now to sharpen your range-estimation skills before the next hunting season rolls around.

Ranging Tips

There's another method that works well if you don't choose to use a rangefinder.