Whether you have a lot of experience hunting turkeys or are just beginning to look into it, this article will cover all the gear that will make it the best hunting experience you have.
From turkey calls and blinds to whether you want a gun or bow, you’ll find what you need here.
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Comparison of the Best Turkey Hunting Gear For Beginners
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Is Camo Necessary for Turkey Hunting?
In most hunting situations, camo can be optional, but when it comes to turkey hunting it is highly recommended that you wear full camo gear. Turkeys have extremely sharp eyesight and are very paranoid birds that will always be on the lookout for something that doesn’t seem right in their environment.
To avoid being spotted you need to have camo gear that matches the environment that you are hunting in. Different regions have may have similar trees and brush types, so you need to check in your area to find what camo would best match the environment in the season that you are hunting in.
How to Choose Gear for Turkey Hunting
When you are looking for what gear to use for hunting turkeys, there are some main facts that you should keep in mind while finding just what you will need.
Visibility
Turkeys have an incredible sense of sight and are always on the lookout for anything suspicious. To counter this, you should try to find gear that has camo patterns that match your hunting environment; if camo isn’t an option, try for dull colors that don’t reflect a lot of light.
Weaponry
Whether you are using guns or bows, make sure that your weapon is good quality and durable so that it will last you many seasons of good use. Also, try to make sure that it is something that you can easily carry with you without making too much of a disturbance.
Calls and Decoys
If you are going to use calls, make sure you know how to properly use them. For decoys, make sure that they are realistic and stable to draw in other birds; they should also be easy to transport.
Review of the Best Turkey Hunting Gear
Now that you know a bit more about what you are looking to see in good quality turkey hunting gear, we will cover the best items from guns to calls to blinds so you know what you need.
Best Overall and Best Turkey Vest:Knight & Hale Run N’ Gun 200-Turkey Vest
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PROS
- 10-point adjustment system to fit anyone, regardless of size, age, or gender
- Snug fit around midsection without any loose areas to avoid catching on branches
- Seat cushion is attached with adjustable straps and can be cinched up while walking
CONS
- None
This turkey vest is a great quality choice that has been made to fit anyone who might be using it. It allows you to avoid snagging on branches by fitting closely, unlike many other vests that have baggy sides that can hook on trees and brush and give away your position. This vest also has many pockets on it to allow you to carry everything you need with you and a small backpack portion as well with straps to hold extra gear.
Bottom Line
The Knight & Hale Run N’ Gun 200-Turkey Vest is an excellent investment for beginners and experienced turkey hunters alike. With its 10-point adjustment system, it will fit anyone perfectly while also being built without excess baggy fabric to avoid snagging; this means you will be able to blend into your environment with its camo design as well as hold all the gear you might need in the pockets and backpack portion.
Another great feature of this vest is that it comes with an attached seat pad; you can cinch it up against the backpack while walking around and then pull it down to sit and wait for the right moment to catch your bird. The Knight & Hale Run N’ Gun 200-Turkey Vest is a quality item that every turkey hunter should have, with the usefulness and durability to last through many seasons.
Best Turkey Gun:Remington 870 Express 28” 12ga Laminate Stock Pump Shotgun
PROS
- Has a magazine capacity of 4 rounds
- Built to last many years from solid steel
- Barrel is covered with a matte black, nonreflective metal finish
CONS
- Built to be most comfortable for right-handed people
This shotgun is an excellent quality choice for any turkey hunter. Made from a solid steel block and quality wood-laminated stock, it is exceptionally durable and will perform well for years. It has a nonreflective metal finish to ensure that it doesn’t shine in the sunlight and give away your position.
A four-round magazine capacity makes it so that you don’t have to worry about carrying around too much extra ammo in your pack. This weapon has a built-in recoil pad that reduces the recoil of a shot by up to forty-five percent.
Bottom Line
The Remington 870 Express 28” 12ga Laminate Stock Pump Shotgun is a great choice for anyone looking to go turkey hunting with a shotgun. Built from extremely durable steel and wood laminate, this weapon will last for many seasons without wear. The barrel is coated with a matte black, nonreflective metal finish so that light shining off the barrel will not give away your position while in the middle of the hunt.
This shotgun also has a magazine capacity of 4 rounds, which should be plenty for you to get your shot off and take down your target. The only downside of this weapon is that it is built to work best for right-handed people; of course, considering that most guns are built this way, many left-handed people have learned to shoot right handed, making this a small price to pay for the quality of this gun.
Best Turkey Choke:Tru Glo Bone Collector Smackdown Choke Tube
PROS
- Helps reduce recoil for consistent shots
- Works with the recommended shotgun above
- Has a consistent 10-12-inch pattern at 30-35 yds
CONS
- Sleek finish could be reflective
This turkey choke is a great choice for both experienced hunters and beginners. It puts a tight pattern on where your shot is and helps keep the spray of shot in a tight area to do the most damage.
This choke works with the Remington 870 Express 28” 12ga Laminate Stock Pump Shotgun, which we just discussed above as a great choice for shotgun hunters. The combination of these two great pieces of equipment will give you the advantage of having some of the best gear in the field. This choke also works with all turkey loads including Hevi-Shot.
Bottom Line
The Tru Glo Bone Collector Smackdown Choke Tube is a great quality choke that attaches to the end of the barrel, protrudes about 2 inches past the end of the barrel, and helps with keeping your shot in a tight 10-12-inch pattern, even at a distance of 30-35 yds. As this choke works with the Remington Shotgun, it is a great pair to use; both are extremely high-quality tools that will last you a long time and many uses.
This choke also helps to reduce recoil, which can be useful if you need to get off a second shot quickly and accurately. One possible drawback to this choke is that it doesn’t have a nonreflective finish on the metal and can possibly reflect light, giving away your position. However, compared to the overall quality of the Tru Glo Bone Collector Smackdown Choke Tube, this is a small fact that can be overcome in the face of all its benefits.
Best Turkey Decoy:Avian-X Lookout Hen Turkey Decoy
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PROS
- Decoy has extremely realistic paint scheme
- It is made of Dura Rubber to prevent creasing and denting
- Has folding stakes that make it easy to set up and sturdy against wind
CONS
- None
This turkey decoy is one of the best that you can find. Made with an extremely realistic and detailed paint and feather scheme, it certainly looks like the real deal.
Made with Dura Rubber to ensure that it can last many seasons, this decoy is easy to inflate and deflate when you are moving around and trying to find the best place to set it up at. Its folding stakes work well to keep it stable and prevent any spinning in wind. This decoy works to rile up other hens and calm down a tom.
Bottom Line
The Avian-X Lookout Hen Turkey Decoy is a great choice for anyone looking to use decoys in their turkey hunting. It is easy to set up, with folding stakes that keep it standing upright and steady in most conditions; this helps convince other turkeys that it’s the real deal, especially with the incredibly realistic, detailed paint scheme and high-quality detailed feather designs.
This decoy is made from Dura Rubber, which helps prevent creasing and denting of the decoy and makes it very easy to blow up quickly if you find a good area to wait in. As easy as it is to set up, it is just as easy to take down; just let the air out and fold it up to store in your pack while you are moving to a different location. If you are looking for a decoy to use on your hunt, the Avian-X Lookout Hen Turkey Decoy is the perfect choice for you.
Best Turkey Seat:Browning Camping Strutter Chair
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PROS
- Low chair with camo pattern seat fabric
- Padded shoulder strap for carrying when chair is folded up
- Rotating feet on chair legs provide stable seat on uneven terrain
CONS
- Can be difficult to get into carrying bag
This chair is a great choice for someone who is looking for an easy to transport, low profile, comfortable chair to take hunting. It is of superb quality and will allow some discrete comfort while you are hunting.
This chair has padded armrests and folds up easily to either be fit into its carrying bag or carried by the attached, padded shoulder straps. The fabric is camo and the high strength metal frame has a matte black finish to avoid being seen. This chair is a great choice for anyone as it can support up to 300 lbs.
Bottom Line
The Browning Camping Strutter Chair is an excellent option for anyone looking to have a little bit of comfort when they are out hunting for hours on end. Built with a high strength metal frame and padded armrests, this chair sits low to the ground and has quality camo fabric to help you blend in with the environment.
It also has rotating feet on the chair legs to provide a stable seat on uneven terrain. The only downside to this chair is that it can be difficult to get it into the carrying bag; however, this is not a big problem, even if you are in a hurry to move, as the chair has a built-in padded shoulder strap that can be used to carry it around folded up without the carrying bag.
Overall, this chair is a great product that can make turkey hunting a little more comfortable for a long time.
Best Turkey Call:Primos Hunting “The Gobbler” Turkey Shaker
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PROS
- Very loud and easy to use by anyone
- One-handed or two-handed operation to call in different birds
- Patented silencer cap to prevent untimely calls while you are walking around
CONS
- Can be too loud if close to other turkeys
This turkey call is one of the most convenient and easy to use products of its kind on the market. A simple shaker call that can be used with either one or two hands, it is extremely loud and useful to call to turkeys from far away. This call also has a silencer cap, which can be very useful as it would work against you if it called while you were walking through the woods trying to find a place to set up.
Bottom Line
The Primos Hunting “The Gobbler” Turkey Shaker is a great quality, easy to use shaker call that anyone can use. It is a very loud call that is used simply by shaking it. You can either shake it with one hand, which produces a call that works best for Jake gobbling, or you can use it with both hands to make a call that works best for mature gobbling.
While being easy to use, this call also comes with a patented silencer cap to prevent untimely calls due to the call being jostled while you walk. The one downside to this call is that if you know there are turkeys nearby, it can seem too loud to the turkeys, causing them to be suspicious; however, if you are only using it to try and draw them to you from afar, this call should work perfectly for you.
Best Turkey Hunting Blind:Barronett Radar Ground Hunting Blind
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PROS
- Easy to set up and simple to take down, like an easy tent
- Camo mesh windows can be easily opened to shoot through
- Lightweight, durable, water-resistant camo fabric with black interior
CONS
- Only fits two people
This turkey blind is a great choice, both for someone who is new to using blinds or for someone who has been using them all their hunting career. It is made from high-quality durable material that comes in a few different camo patterns so that you can choose the one that best matches the environment that you are going to be hunting in.
This blind is simple to set up and take down and comes with a pack to put it in for easy transportation. This blind is also very lightweight to make transportation even easier. It has durable, water-resistant fabric and a black interior to make it less noticeable.
Bottom Line
The Barronett Radar Ground Hunting Blind is an excellent quality turkey blind that is made of durable, lightweight, water-resistant fabric that comes in a few different camo patterns to best fit your environment. It is as easy to set it up and take it down as it is to transport. This blind also makes hunting extremely easy with its quiet, easily opened camo mesh windows that are on all sides of the blind.
The only possible downfall is that if you like to hunt with more than just one companion, this blind is only big enough for two people. However, hunting in large groups is likely to make the task harder than it needs to be, so it is best to go in small numbers anyway.
Best Bow for Turkey Hunting:Samick Sage Takedown Recurve Bow
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PROS
- Draw weights vary from 25 lbs to 55 lbs
- Can have either right or left-handed orientation
- Made from hard maple wood and laminated fiberglass for durability
CONS
- Has the option to add gadgets that can get in the way
This bow is an excellent option for both beginners and experienced archers. It is made to last, with extremely durable hard maple wood layered with fiberglass in the limbs, meaning that this bow will not experience limb twisting over time.
It has a varying range of draw weights, which allows for it to be used by many people of different levels of strength and skill. This bow can be used both for target shooting as well as practical hunting. For the use of hunting, it would be better to have a higher draw weight since it would put more power behind your shot.
Bottom Line
The Samick Sage Takedown Recurve Bow is a great quality bow for users of all levels of skill, strength, and experience. Built to last and to avoid limb twisting, the limbs are made from layers of hard maple wood and laminated fiberglass. These materials will last and remain in good condition for years if the bow is properly cared for.
The convenience of this bow also is a reason that it is a great choice, as it can be oriented for either right or left handed people and has a varying range of draw weights so that you can pick the one that works best for you. Its one possible fault is that there is the option to add attachments to the bow that could get in the way if you are unfamiliar with them. Still, this bow is a great choice, no matter how you use it.
Best Turkey Broadheads:Rage Bowhunting CrossbowX Mechanical Broadhead
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PROS
- Durable stainless steel blades
- Ferrule Alignment technology helps promote aerodynamic flight
- Shock Collar technology to ensure the blades stay closed until hitting the target
CONS
- Need specific bolts to screw into
These broadheads are an excellent choice, no matter what type of prey you are after. Made from durable stainless steel, the broadheads are easy to care for and keep sharp so that they will last you many seasons of use. They have specific technologies to ensure that they have an aerodynamic flight and that the blades stay closed until they hit the target.
These broadheads ensure a large wound channel leading to a quick death. Most broadheads come with a practice head to make sure that you have a feel for how the broadheads fly before you go out after something on a hunt.
Bottom Line
The Rage Bowhunting CrossbowX Mechanical Broadhead is an excellent quality broadhead for anyone looking to use them. Made from durable and easy to maintain quality stainless steel, these broadheads will be able to give you many uses before they need to be replaced.
They are built with a few different types of technology to ensure a steady flight path and keep the blades closed until impact with the target, making them some of the most efficient broadheads on the market. Their only drawback is that you need to buy the specific bolts that the broadheads screw into, but that is to be expected. Overall, they are a great product that will work for turkeys as well as other game.
Best Hunting Backpack:ALPS OutdoorZ Matrix
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PROS
- Backpack has lots of pockets and storage options
- Multiple hooks and webbing for extra attachments
- Padded waist and shoulder straps for comfort and adjustable sternum straps for individual fit
CONS
- Rain cover is orange
This backpack is a great piece of equipment for anyone to use while hunting. Made to fit comfortably, it has padded waist and shoulder straps as well as extra adjustable sternum straps for the best individual fit. It has many pockets and places to store your gear.
This pack also has hooks and webbing for extra attachments like the drop-down pocket to carry a gun or a bow. This backpack is made of sturdy material that comes in a camo pattern so as to stay discrete when trekking through the woods trying to find the best area to hunt in.
Bottom Line
The ALPS OutdoorZ Matrix backpack is an excellent backpack for all hunters to use. It has extensive pocket storage space and several extra attachments to help you carry either your gun or bow around, depending on your preference. It has quiver holders on either side as well as an organizational pocket inside the main opening to keep everything organized exactly how you need it to be.
The downfall of this bag is that if you want to cover it from the rain while hunting, the rain cover is orange, which can easily give you away if you are trying to stalk up on an animal. However, if you are not concerned about the bag getting a little wet, then this backpack is the perfect piece of equipment to hold everything you need when you go out hunting.
Benefits of Investing in Quality Gear
Now that we have covered a wide variety of gear used in turkey hunting, you need to consider why it’s necessary to have the best quality gear.
It Will Last Longer
Turkey hunting is a sport that can be participated in by many different ages. This means that you want quality gear that will last you a long time without losing any usefulness (or accuracy in the case of a weapon).
It Saves Time and Money
It is advisable to invest in the best quality gear, especially if you know that you are going to be an avid turkey hunter for years to come. Overall, this will save you both money and time that you may have wasted buying lower quality gear that wears out and fails after a few months or years.
Start the New Season With Confidence
Buying quality gear will mean that you can go turkey hunting whenever the season starts without having to worry about buying new equipment; nothing spoils the excitement of a new hunting season more than realizing that your low-quality equipment has quit working and needs to be replaced.
Aspects to Consider When it Comes to Turkey Hunting
How many times have you heard the phrase “this isn’t my first turkey hunt”? Well, for some people it is their first turkey hunt. A successful first turkey hunt hinges on several factors. One of those factors is having the right gear. My best piece of advice would be to hunt with an experienced turkey hunter or guide. This person will have the necessary equipment and the knowledge to utilize it. If this isn’t possible, read on. Getting started in turkey hunting can be intimidating but it’s not impossible.
Clothing
The first thing to focus on is gear. You’ll need camouflage clothing to suit the conditions you’ll be hunting in. A camo rain suit is also a worthwhile investment. Scent blocking clothing isn’t necessary because turkeys don’t possess the sense of smell that deer have. A padded seat will also come in handy while sitting in the woods. Many of them can be attached to a vest or jacket. Don’t forget a hat, facemask, and gloves. Exposed human skin is easy to spot for a turkey.
Get Yourself a Call
An aspiring turkey hunter will also need a call or two. A box call may be the easiest “real” call to learn and it’s incredibly loud so even if you’re not right on the birds, a box call can reel in distant turkeys. The push button style calls are frowned upon by polished turkey callers but they are very easy to use and are perfect for new turkey hunters, especially youth hunters. Listen to the sounds turkeys make and try to mimic them with the call. This link features an example of many of the common calls a turkey makes.
Invest in Some Decoys
Decoys are becoming increasingly popular with turkey hunters. There is a wide range of prices and features but if you can only afford one decoy, buy a hen decoy. A jake or tom decoy may spook a subordinate gobbler. When it comes to hen decoys, I prefer a decoy in a feeding posture. A motionless bird with it’s head up is a nervous bird. As hunters, we want our decoys to say “everything is great here, come on over.”
Choose the Right Turkey Gun
When it comes to guns, the twelve gauge is by far the most popular turkey gun although some purists like to hunt with 20 gauges. I prefer my turkeys very dead compared to mostly dead. There are several guns on the market specifically for turkey hunting but just about any shotgun will do. An extra full choke is recommended for maximum pattern density. Extra full turkey chokes are widely available at sporting goods stores and online retailers. Be sure to buy the appropriate choke for your gun. If your shotgun can chamber a 3.5” shell, use them. Otherwise a 3” shell with #5 shot is the standard. To test ballistic performance, it’s vital to pattern your gun before hunting.
Get a GPS
Depending on your area, a GPS, insect protection, or even snake boots may be required equipment. Ask someone who hunts in your area or call the local warden for more information. Now that you are all geared up, the real work begins. It’s time to find the turkeys.
Conclusion
Now that you know the reasoning behind camo in turkey hunting, the benefits of quality gear, and a wide variety of very high-quality gear that is used in turkey hunting, it is time for you to decide on what you need and get out there. We wish you a safe and successful turkey season!