Wild Turkey Hunting and Patterning Workshop Scheduled

Pontiac Lake Shooting Range

A Wild Turkey Hunting Workshop and Patterning Day is scheduled at the Pontiac Lake Shooting Range on Sunday, April 12, in cooperation with the Oakland County Beard and Spurs Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF). The Hunting Workshop begins at 1 p.m. Shotgun patterning will be immediately following the Workshop, but those shooters who wish to pattern before the Workshop can do so. The trap field will be set only for patterning. 

Patterning a shotgun for wild turkey is similar to sighting in a rifle, except the shooter checks the density of the shot pattern as it hits the target. 

The DNR range officers, along with NWTF members, will assist shooters one-on-one through the process of patterning their shotgun. Bring number 4, 5 and 6 shot and a turkey choke too. If you don't have a turkey choke, bring all the chokes you own for that shotgun. Bring several wild turkey patterning targets so you can check and compare which shot and choke combination works the best for your shotgun. Wild turkey targets can be downloaded from the DNR shooting range webpage at www.michigan.gov/shootingranges by clicking on the Print Targets link. 

Questions can be addressed to the Range Officer at 248-666-5406 or Dan Potter of the NWTF at 248-548-2036. 

A Recreation Passport is required for entry to the range, and there is a $4 shooting fee. Recreation Passports can be purchased at Secretary of State offices, DNR Park and Recreation offices, and as a self-serve envelope at the range. 

Come out to the range and get ready to harvest that big Tom Turkey!

Mary Benson
Shooting Range Specialist
Department of Natural Resources
bensonm6@michigan.gov