Have your sights set on bagging a wild turkey soon? You’ll have to master the art of blending into the background!
Turkeys have impressive, keen eyesight. Even the slightest shine off your gun can give you away. In this guide, you’ll learn all about how to conceal yourself in the right turkey hunting camo so you can gain the advantage and take home that prized meal.
Turkey hunting requires specialist clothing and gear to stay concealed from these incredibly perceptive birds. Unlike deer turkeys have sharp vision and pick up on the slightest motions and anomalies in their surroundings. Therefore, choosing proper camouflage and attire tailored to your environment is critical for success.
In this comprehensive guide, I’ll walk through optimal clothing, accessories, and gear selections to disappear into the landscape and tag that elusive gobbler.
Camouflage Clothing and Patterns
Camouflage clothing that mimics the habitat is arguably the most vital component of turkey hunting attire
Turkeys have excellent color vision, so standard camo like woodland isn’t always ideal. The best patterns match the specific foliage and terrain where you hunt.
Recommended Camouflage By Season
Spring Greens, browns, and black blurred to resemble emerging leaves and vegetation Avoid light colors that can stand out
Fall: Golden brown leaf mimicking patterns and camo with blaze orange accents as foliage changes.
Fields: Grass, wheat, or meadow patterns like Grass Blades blend into open agricultural areas.
Marshes: Pixelated, blurred camo like Realtree Max-5 matches the tones of swamps and wetlands.
Avoid white, blue, red, and bright orange – colors turkeys can easily recognize. Stick to muted greens, browns, grays, and blacks that resemble natural surroundings.
Camouflage must cover the entire body to mask human outlines and silhouettes. This includes:
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Shirts/Jackets: Breathable with scent control features. Use layered systems for temperature regulation.
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Pants: Durable, flexible, and moisture-wicking. Knee pad inserts enhance mobility.
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Gloves: Tactical gloves conceal hand movements.
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Boots: Insulated and waterproof with rugged tread patterns.
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Facemasks/Headgear: Conceal exposed skin and facial definition.
Weather Considerations
The climate during spring and fall turkey season can vary widely, demanding specialized gear:
Cold Weather:
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Insulated and waterproof boots rated to -25°F or below.
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Heavily insulated bibs, jackets, and layers.
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Neck gaiters, facemasks, and insulated gloves to protect extremities.
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Hand and toe warmer packets.
Warm Weather:
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Lightweight, breathable camo layers that wick moisture.
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Short sleeve moisture-wicking shirts and pants.
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Mesh gloves and face masks to prevent overheating.
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Wide-brimmed hats and sunglasses for sun protection.
All Weather:
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Water-resistant outer layers and rain gear like ponchos.
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Windproof jackets and pants to block gusts.
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Thermal base layers for insulation as needed.
The key is clothing that adapts to early morning chills and warmer afternoons. Dressing in layers allows you to adjust accordingly.
Concealing Exposed Skin
Turkeys have a strong sense of smell but also hone in on exposed skin and movement. Use gloves, facemasks, and headgear to conceal:
Gloves: The motion of bare hands catching a turkey’s eye. Choose camo gloves with padded palms to dampen sound. Fingerless options enhance dexterity.
Face: The glow and facial definition. Masks, balaclavas, and face paint all work to diffuse skin outlines.
Neck: A bare neck sticks out. Hide with neck gaiters.
Head: The human silhouette. Camo ball caps, hoods, and head nets conceal.
Mesh or face paint is ideal to prevent foggy eyewear and overheating when calling.
Footwear for All-Terrain Hunting
Hunting locations vary from mountains to marshlands, demanding specialized footwear:
Mountains/Hills: Durable, insulated boots with aggressive tread patterns for traction. Look for waterproof boots with 400-800 gram insulation.
Fields: Lightweight upland boots with flexible soles allow stealthy walking. A 400 gram insulated option handles early mornings.
Wetlands: Full waterproof rubber boots with deep cleated soles for mud and muck. Neoprene liners or insulation keep feet dry and warm.
All-Terrain: A hybrid hunting boot with rugged soles, waterproofing, and insulation provides versatility across different lands.
No matter the terrain, proper fit enhances comfort for lengthy hunts. Pair with moisture-wicking wool or synthetic socks.
Turkey Vests, Packs and Accessories
Specialized hunting vests, backpacks, and accessories make long days afield more effective:
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Turkey Vests: Organize calls, ammo, and gear in designated pockets and holders. Features like padded seats and turkey hauling ropes prove handy.
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Backpacks: Carry extra clothing, food, and supplies. Seek muted prints that won’t startle birds.
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Calls: Grunt tubes, slates, box calls, and other devices produce turkey talk to interact.
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Decoys: Realistic hen or jake decoys draw in lustful gobblers during breeding season. Set up near your blind.
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Rangefinder: Confirm distance precisely for accurate shot placement. Useful in unfamiliar hunting terrain.
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Knife and Gear: Needed for field dressing, camping, and survival.
With essentials close at hand in vests and packs, focus efforts on strategy rather than digging for gear.
Final Turkey Hunting Clothing Tips
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Use scent elimination detergents and sprays on all apparel and gear.
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Maintain cleanliness to avoid unnatural odors that can alarm turkeys.
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Make sure clothing fits comfortably and allows unrestricted movement.
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Practice your motions wearing hunting attire to ensure no noise or limited mobility.
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Add blaze orange when walking into or out of your hunting area.
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Always put safety first!
Choosing the optimal camouflage clothing and gear tailored to your hunting environment is key to turkey hunting success. Avoid flares of color, noise, and movement that can spell failure. Become one with nature through specialized fabrics, insulation, concealment, and muted prints designed specifically for deception.
Follow this guide to assemble the best turkey hunting outfit. Then get out there, blend in, and finally tag that crafty gobbler who keeps eluding you! With the right attire, even the wariest bird doesn’t stand a chance.
Camo Shirt for Turkey Hunting
When turkey hunting, always dress appropriately for the weather.
- Consider wearing layers of clothing for versatility.
- In warmer spring conditions, a camo t-shirt can help you stay cool.
- In chillier conditions, opt for a long-sleeved camo shirt to provide added warmth and comfort.
Choose the Right Turkey Hunting Camo Pattern
Choosing the wrong camo pattern can make you stick out like a sore thumb to wild turkeys. Our guide below can help you choose the right camo pattern to blend into your environment.
| Turkey Hunting Camo Pattern Guide | |||||
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| Season | Region | Typical Conditions | Camo Pattern | Explanation | |
| Spring | Woodland | Wet | Mossy Oak Bottomland Original | The darker tones of this pattern are perfect for blending into the darker hues of wet spring woodland. | |
| Spring | Grassland | Dry | Mossy Oak Brush | Designed for arid environments, this pattern blends well with dry spring grassland. | |
| Spring | Desert | Hot, Dry | Mossy Oak Rio | Created for arid environments, this pattern is ideal for spring desert landscapes. | |
| Spring | Swamp | Wet, Muddy | Realtree Timber | Ideal for water and dark environments, this pattern is suitable for wet and muddy swamp areas in spring. | |
| Fall | Woodland | Cool, Changing Leaves | Mossy Oak Bottomland | With a mixture of earth tones, this pattern blends into fall woodland with changing leaves. | |
| Fall | Woodland | Cool, Changing Leaves | Realtree Edge | The detailed natural elements and mixed light and dark colors work well in cool, dry fall grassland. | |
| Fall | Desert | Cool, Dry | Mossy Oak Rio | The elements of brush, cacti, and yucca foliage are perfect for fall desert landscapes. | |
| Fall | Swamp | Cool, Wet | Realtree Timber | This pattern works well in fall swamps with its deep, dark, shadowy elements. | |
Depending on what point in the season you start hunting, the woods may be greener with foliage or less green. Choose camo patterns that mimic the colors found in nature at that time of year.
Its crucial to understand turkey behavior, their movement patterns, and their potential reactions to your presence. Its not just about having the right camo, but also about being in the right place at the right time and remaining still and silent.
Turkey Hunting – Basic Gear | WHAT YOU NEED!
FAQ
What clothes to wear for turkey hunting?
Turkeys have keen eyesight so you’ll want to cover your entire face and neck with something camouflage that’s comfortable to wear. Bowhunters often prefer camo face paint that won’t get hung up in the bow string like some masks can. Gloves or camouflage paint for your hands.
What colors not to wear while turkey hunting?
Never wear bright colors, especially not red, white, blue or black because these are the colors of a wild turkey gobbler. Watch out for red, white or blue on your socks, t-shirts, hooded sweatshirts, hats, bandannas, etc. Wear dark undershirts and socks, and pants long enough to be tucked into boots.
Do you need full camo for turkey hunting?
Turkeys see much differently than deer, and other big game, making good camo even more important for turkey hunting.
Do you have to wear hunter orange when turkey hunting?
Hunters are not required to wear orange when hunting in California. However, (again) we strongly encourage it.
Which hunting gear is best for fall turkey season?
And it’s fun. Toms are the most active in the spring, gobbling, strutting, and trying to chase down mates for the year. Though spring turkey hunting is a favorite of most, all this gear works equally great for fall turkey season. Much of it is crossover gear that will work double-time for other hunts.
Can you wear black while turkey hunting?
It is not advisable to wear black while turkey hunting because many turkeys are generally black. Wearing black could make it difficult for the hunter to blend in with their surroundings and may be confusing for other hunters.
How to choose the best turkey hunting pants?
For the best turkey hunting pants, you should wear something quiet, lightweight, and with a complete camouflage design. If you are concerned about the cold season, you can opt for insulating materials. You can also layer your pants with baselayers.
Should you buy a hunting boot for mountain turkeys?
But if you’re hunting mountain turkeys on public land in the Rocky Mountains, a boot designed for hiking is likely a good bet. The Irish Setter Vaprtrek 8″ Boot combines the durability of a hunting boot with the agility of a hiking boot, making it a great option for chasing birds in the mountains.
What is the best hunting boot for turkeys?
The Irish Setter Vaprtrek 8″ Boot combines the durability of a hunting boot with the agility of a hiking boot, making it a great option for chasing birds in the mountains. Most turkey hunters will also recommend camo hats and balaclavas to cover your face as you hunt.
How do you hunt a Turkey?
Turkey hunting is a close-up game. You need to call birds in and interest them in strutting for a while, all while staying concealed. There are unlimited calls, decoys, and blinds out there, so finding what works for you will take some trial and error. These recommendations are a good place to start.