TSS: Changing the Turkey Hunting Landscape

This type of scenario is playing out more and more with the use of tungsten super shot (TSS) in turkey hunting. Effective range, caliber and efficacy are all increasing because of it. The game is changing. The question is, is it a positive or negative change? 
 
TSS is effective because of its density and penetration. TSS: 

• Is 60% more dense than standard lead shot. A denser shot means farther down-range flight and penetration into a target.  
• Is smaller in pellet size than lead or steel—it stays in a tighter pattern for a longer distance. 
• Does not flatten out like lead in flight and after hitting a target. 
• Can penetrate 1 to 1.5-inch in fowl-equivalent ballistic gel at nearly 70-yards, according to studies. 

Do we really want to be taking sixty, seventy or even farther shots to harvest a bird? To many, the joy of turkey hunting and filling a tag comes with getting a tom close, within the 40-yard range. It requires woodsmanship skills, good calling, an excellent hide and other intangibles one perfects while learning how to turkey hunt. On the other hand, being able to lethally take down a gobbler can expand hunting opportunities, decrease the instances of wounded birds, and is a trusted, effective shell. 

David Holzknecht, an avid turkey hunter since he was old enough to hold a shotgun, thinks there are some issues.

“TSS is allowing people to kill turkeys at ranges once thought impossible and with smaller bore shotguns, leading to unethical shots and practices while in the turkey woods,” he said. “I see it changing the focus to shooting a turkey rather than hunting them.” 

Lisa Beumer, a longtime NWTF member and former JAKES coordinator, thinks TSS is a great tool if you use it correctly.

TSS allows the use of smaller bore shotguns to effectively take down a turkey. Being able to use a .410, 28, or 20 gauge opens the door to hunting for youths and older folks alike. She has been using TSS for the last few years with great success.

“My main reason for using TSS is I use a youth 20-gauge shotgun which fits me well,” Beumer said. “With the amount of vacation time and money spent on gas to go hunting, why not use the most effective load?”

“The positives are fewer wounded birds, as long as you’re taking good, ethical shots. The negatives are there, with taking unethical shots, too far distances and losing the excitement and the thrill of harvesting a bird in your face, but it’s effective!”

TSS is a great tool when used properly. 

Much like forward facing sonar that is taking the fishing world by storm, it is all in how you use it. Use without abuse, as I say. At the end of the day, TSS is another asset in the turkey hunter’s belt, and with the right approach, attitude, and mindset it is deadly and effective.  

“No doubt about it, I have seen more turkeys harvested since the popularity of TSS,” said Beumer. “I see it going hand in hand with OnX, lifelike decoys and fanning—it is in how you use the tools you have in your belt.”