Turkey hunting requires specialized gear and equipment to increase your odds of bagging a turkey. As turkey season approaches, it’s important for hunters to evaluate their arsenal and ensure they have the essential items needed for an effective hunt. In this article, we will provide an overview of the must-have turkey hunting gear that both novice and experienced hunters should have in their repertoire.
Firearms and Ammunition
One of the most crucial pieces of gear for turkey hunting is having the right firearm and ammunition. Most turkey hunters opt for a 12 or 20 gauge shotgun due to the wider spread and stopping power needed for turkeys. When selecting a shotgun, look for shorter barrels around 24 inches, as this provides better maneuverability in the woods
For ammunition turkey specific loads in #4 #5 or #6 shot are ideal. These shells are engineered to provide dense, uniform patterns vital for clean kills on turkeys. Popular options include Winchester Longbeard XR and Federal Premium Heavyweight TSS turkey loads. Also, consider investing in a quality turkey choke tube to further enhance your shotgun’s patterning capabilities.
Turkey Calls
Turkey calls allow hunters to mimic a hen or gobbler sounds to lure in tom turkeys during the breeding season. There are various types of turkey calls to experiment with including box calls, slate calls, mouth calls, and push-button calls. Having an assortment gives you versatility to produce different turkey sounds based on the scenario. Popular and highly effective turkey call brands include Primos, Woodhaven, and Avian-X.
Decoys
Decoys are another tool used by turkey hunters to attract gobblers by simulating a competitive presence. Hen decoys tend to work best for pulling in territorial toms looking to chase out competition. When selecting a decoy, look for durable models that closely resemble live turkeys in size, shape and coloring. collapsible lightweight decoys like those from Avian-X and Dave Smith Decoys are ideal for packing in and out of the woods.
Camouflage Clothing and Outerwear
Given a turkey’s sharp eyesight, effective camouflage clothing is a must. Look for camo patterns and colors that match your hunting environment. Full coverage options like the Sitka Fanatic Suit or lightweight jackets and pants from First Lite are great choices. Also, have weather appropriate layers like insulating jackets and rain gear handy. Camo gloves and face masks can further conceal movement and skin.
Turkey Vests
A quality turkey vest like the ALPS Outdoor Grand Slam is an excellent investment. Turkey vests provide ample storage for calls, shells, decoys, and other gear while keeping necessities within quick reach. Features like a fold out seat, removable ammo bag, and pockets specifically designed for calls optimize organization in the field.
Hunting Pack
A hunting backpack or sling bag provides an alternative to a vest for packing gear. Look for durable packs with sufficient capacity, pockets, and moisture resistant fabrics. The Tenzing TZ TP15 turkey hunting pack is an excellent option purpose-built for turkey hunters.
Boots
Proper footwear is vital for staying comfortable during lengthy hunts. Waterproof boots with ankle support like Lacrosse or Irish Setter are ideal. For warm weather hunts, lightweight hikers excel. Snake protection boots like Danner Pronghorns add an extra layer of safety when hunting in high risk areas.
Hunting Knife
A reliable fixed blade knife with a 3 to 4 inch blade excels for field dressing turkeys. The Outdoor Edge RazorLite EDC is an excellent all-around option with replaceable blades. Havalon and Rada knives also make quality choices perfect for processing your harvest.
Gun Cleaning Supplies
Since firing multiple shots is commonplace in turkey hunting, having basic gun cleaning and maintenance supplies is recommended. Be sure to clean and lubricate your firearm after each hunt to keep it performing optimally. Useful items include bore brushes, cleaning solvent, lubricating oil, and lint-free cloths or patches.
Insect Repellent and Sun Protection
Don’t overlook sunscreen, bug spray, and protective clothing to prevent sunburn and bug bites. Products containing DEET or picaridin reliably deter ticks and mosquitoes. For treating clothes, Permethrin based sprays like Sawyer’s are very effective. Lightweight clothing and wide brimmed hats provide additional protection.
Other Useful Accessories
Some other handy turkey hunting gear includes a rangefinder for estimating distances, folding saw for clearing shooting lanes, portable hunting seat or stool, flashlight or headlamp, GPS device, binoculars, and a blaze orange vest for walking in and out of your hunting area.
Preparing with this well-rounded selection of essential turkey hunting gear helps set you up for a successful and rewarding hunt. Invest in quality equipment that matches your preferences and needs. With the right gear, your odds of bagging your spring gobbler greatly increase.
shotgun: 5
ammunition/loads/shells: 5
calls: 6
decoys: 4
clothing/camo: 6
vest: 3
pack: 2
boots: 3
knife: 2
cleaning supplies: 2
repellent: 3
accessories: 1
Our ranking of 37 deer-crazy states, backed by research and data.
Photo by Drew Warden
Hunting is a gear-intensive sport, and chasing longbeards in the spring is no exception to this. A minimalist hunter can get by with fairly little, but he or she will still need some basics—a shotgun, ammunition, clothing, boots, calls, etc. Those of us who pack a little heavier, meanwhile, may carry an array of gear into the field with us.
Whatever type of hunter you are, today’s manufacturers create a host of products to fit your unique needs. Over the past few years on hunts in several different states across the country, I’ve had the chance to use a number of these products first-hand in the field.
Below, I’ll highlight some of my favorites from several different categories ranging from guns and ammo to optics and clothing, and more. Hopefully, some of these products can fill a need in your own turkey hunting and can serve you as well as they have me.
Danner Recurve (Mossy Oak Bottomland)
Danner Recurve in Mossy Oak Bottomland. (Photo courtesy of Justin Brouillard)
I’ve worn the Danner Recurve boots on hunts across the foothills of Wyoming and Montana, the Pine Ridge area of Nebraska, the plains of South Dakota, Nebraska and Kansas and in the Ozarks of my home state of Missouri. They’re one of my favorite pairs of non-insulated boots for any type of hunting where you’re unlikely to encounter snakes or thick brush or have to wade through a significant amount of water or marsh.
The 7-inch boot has a durable full-grain leather and nylon upper and a waterproof barrier that lets moisture escape but prevents water from coming into the boot. It has a Vibram rubberized EVA midsole that is cushioned but features a resilient design that won’t break down as easily as standard EVA materials. The boot also utilizes a removable Ortholite foot bed that offers cushioning and support and better heat dissipation and airflow due to its open-cell polyurethane construction. A nice bonus for turkey hunters is that in comes in Mossy Oak’s Original Bottomland camo. $230 | danner.com
Must have TURKEY Hunting GEAR for Beginners
FAQ
What does every turkey hunter need?
The specific needs vary by state, as every wildlife agency and DNR does things differently. That said, in many cases, this includes a hunting license, turkey tags, habitat stamps, public land stamps, and a hunter education card, or at least a variation of these things.
What gear do I need to hunt turkey?
Packs and vests. You’ll need a way to carry your shells, turkey calls, first aid kit, extra gloves, lunch, water and other gear into the field.
What is the best thing to hunt turkeys with?
When it comes to the simplest, easiest and most effective way to hunt toms, I will always take my crossbow. Crossbows have several advantages over compound bows and firearms. For instance, if you happen to miss with a shotgun, the sound alone might scare off the turkey, where a crossbow strike is nearly silent.
What to wear when turkey hunting?
For turkey hunting, layered clothing is a good place to start. You can encounter a variety of weather conditions during a day of hunting – from early morning frosts to warm, sunny afternoons. Being able to add or remove a layer of clothing as conditions change will let you be comfortable throughout the day.