Few things are more exciting than the approach of spring turkey hunting. For many hunters, it marks the end of a long winter and a much-needed return to the field. Often, spring turkey is one of the first hunts for youth hunters and one of the most accessible hunts for aging sportsmen.
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.
If we’re being honest, you don’t need much to bring home a bird for your freezer. People have been doing it for generations in nothing but jeans and a flannel while toting an old 12-gauge. This stuff will just help up the odds of putting fowl on the dinner table.
In short: With the increased availability of modern turkey hunting gear, we wanted to give you our take on items that will help you be successful while hunting wild turkeys.
Turkey hunting is an exciting hobby that takes skill, patience and the right gear. Having the proper equipment can make the difference between going home empty-handed or bagging that big tom. As an experienced turkey hunter, I want to share my list of must-have turkey hunting gear that has helped me find success season after season. Whether you’re a novice or veteran hunter, equipping yourself with these essentials will increase your odds in the spring woods.
Camouflage Clothing and Outfits
The number one thing you need for turkey hunting is effective camouflage. Turkeys have incredible eyesight and the slightest bit of unnatural movement or color will spook them. A good camo outfit that matches your hunting environment is essential. Look for camo patterns like Realtree or Mossy Oak that incorporate realistic textures and shades to help you blend into the scenery. A complete camo outfit includes pants, shirt, jacket, gloves, hat, and face mask or balaclava. Breaking up your outline from head to toe is key. Brands like Sitka Gear make high-end technical hunting apparel with amazing camouflage abilities. For more affordable options, the Mossy Oak or Real Tree lines at sporting goods stores get the job done on a budget.
Turkey Vests and Backpacks
A quality turkey vest or backpack is a must for carrying all your gear into the field. Turkeys are most active in early morning when you’ll likely be hiking in the dark, so having a vest to keep everything organized and accessible is crucial. Look for a vest with pockets specifically designed for calls, ammo, slate, water, and other hunting accessories. The Primos Gobbler Vest and Tenzing TZ TP15 Turkey Vest are excellent choices with plenty of specialized storage. For extra comfort, a seat cushion built into the vest lets you sit for hours patiently waiting. If you prefer a backpack, go for one in camo with enough compartments to neatly stow equipment.
Decoys
Decoys are extremely helpful for luring in wily old toms during mating season. Set up a lifelike hen decoy in a visible area and it will draw in lovesick gobblers looking to show off and chase a mate Using a decoy takes the focus off you while bringing the tom directly into shotgun range The best turkey decoys are lightweight, collapsible, and have realistic feather detailing. Carry a hen, jake (young male), and/or tom decoy to appeal to a turkey’s territorial nature and competitive instincts. Top brands like Avian-X and Flambeau make superb decoys that are easy to transport.
Turkey Calls
Knowing how to mimic various turkey sounds is vital for spring hunting success. Carry an arsenal of turkey calls so you can replicate yelps purrs, cuts, and gobbles to interact with birds and pull them in close.
The four essential calls every turkey hunter should have are:
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Box Call: Easy to use for beginners and produces loud yelps/cuts that get attention. The Primos Box Call is a classic.
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Slate Call: Inexpensive and hand-operated using a striker/peg for yelps and clucks that sound like a hen.
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Diaphragm Mouth Call: Hands-free option that takes practice but can create extremely realistic turkey sounds.
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Owl Hooter: Hooting stimulates a shock gobble response from toms in the early morning.
Be sure to check state regulations on electronic calls, as some prohibit their use. Mastering various call types will let you mimic turkeys of any age and gender for specific hunting scenarios.
Shooting Supplies
Naturally, you need the proper shooting gear to harvest your bird. For shotguns, a reliable 12 or 20 gauge camo pump-action or semi-auto is perfect. Be sure your shotgun is equipped with quality turkey choke tubes to deliver tight shot patterns at range. For ammunition, effective turkey loads include copper-plated #4, #5, and #6 shot shells, or heavier tungsten or bismuth options. For archery, use broadheads specifically made for turkeys like the G5 Deadmeat or Magnus Bullhead. Whichever you choose, patterning your shotgun and dialing in your equipment before opening day is critical.
Ground Blinds and Scents
Setting up near feeding or breeding areas in a ground blind helps conceal your presence. Pop-up blinds are light, portable and easy to set up in the woods or fields. They allow you to stay hidden while giving you windows to spot approaching birds. Bringing along a turkey fan, feathers orcommercial scents like Hunter’s Specialties may also help mask human odors and attract gobblers.
Miscellaneous Gear
Some small but important items include:
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Face Mask/Gloves: Conceal exposed skin.
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Knife: For field dressing.
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Field Dressing Kit: To clean your harvest.
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Thermacell: Repel insects.
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Flashlight/Headlamp: For pre-dawn hiking.
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Emergency Blanket: Stay warm if weather turns.
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Binoculars/Rangefinder: Spot and range birds.
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Multi-Tool: Performs various camp tasks.
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Toilet Paper: For obvious reasons.
With the right selection of essential gear, your turkey hunt will be more enjoyable, successful and comfortable. As spring gobbler season kicks off, equip yourself with camo, calls, decoys, shooting supplies and other fundamentals. Doing your pre-season scouting, patterning your firearm, and brushing up on calling skills will also give you a leg up. Follow this turkey hunting checklist and you’ll be ready to head out opening morning in pursuit of that boss tom. Good luck tagging your bird this season!
Turkey Vests & Packs
You’re going to need some kind of pack to lug in your gear, be it decoys, shells, snacks, or tick repellent. Any backpack you already have on hand is perfectly capable of the job.
If you want to go all out on a turkey vest, the ALPS OutdoorZ Grand Slam Turkey Vest is a backpack, turkey vest, and seat, all in one. It’s essentially the Cadillac of turkey vests. Add-ons like designated call pockets, an integrated game bag, and more make this the ultimate gobbler hunting pack. Sitka Turkey Toolbelt; (photo/Adam Moore)
For those looking for a somehow both minimalist and maximalist turkey pack, the Sitka Turkey Tool Belt is everything you need in a bit more compact package.
What You Need to Go Turkey Hunting
The great camo versus solids debate often stops at turkey hunting. Turkeys have unbelievable eyesight. And though you can certainly fill your tag without wearing camouflage, many seasoned turkey hunters will recommend it from head to toe.
Camo can be as simple as a basic pattern that best fits your local surroundings to brands that incorporate texture into their camo patterns. First Lite Phantom Leafy Suit Top
An example of textured outfits for turkeys includes First Lite’s Phantom Leafy Suit Top ($90). The nice thing about this type of camo is that it can easily go over clothes you already own.
But you can also kill two turkeys with one stone here. Purchase something like the Scheels Outfitters Antler River Jacket ($140-145) and matching pants ($130), and now you have a techy and affordable outfit that can carry you into big game season as well. (Photo/SITKA)
And if you’re looking to level up for turkey season, theEquinox Turkey Collection from Sitka has been getting big acclaim from hunters chasing gobbles.
Your footwear is paramount to your success. No one wants to hunt in wet, blistering conditions. If your feet give out on you, regardless of the hunt, your hunt comes to an end.
Depending on where you’re hunting, a tall rubber boot might be your best option. As long as you have a comfortable rubber boot at home that has some support and won’t blister your feet, it should suffice for most conditions. If not, the LaCrosse Alpha Agility 17″ Boot or something similar is a great option.
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 ahunting 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. There are a number of low-cost balaclavas that will get the job done and really, any camo hat that won’t draw attention to head movement will do the trick. Turkeys pick up on movement more than anything else.
If you’re on a serious budget, head down to your local thrift or army surplus store. You’re likely to find camo options at a serious deal there. Or check apps like Poshmark, Craigslist, or Facebook Marketplace for budget options.
Additional items that can help keep you comfortable in the field are decent base layers, wool socks, and gloves.
Spring Turkey Gear List – Our Favorite Turkey Hunting Gear!
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?
- Shotgun (with sling) or bow
- Shotgun shells
- Bowhunting accessories (finger tab, release, arrows, broadheads, quiver)
- Turkey calls
- Locator calls
- Binocular
- Turkey decoys (where legal)
- Camo blind (where legal)
What to wear when turkey hunting?
- Wear camouflage clothing, including pants, shirts, and gloves
- Wear dark undershirts and socks
- Wear pants that are long enough to tuck into your boots
- Wear layers to adjust to changing weather conditions
What is the best thing to hunt turkeys with?
Turkeys, like most birds, are usually hunted with shotguns rather than rifles. Out to about 50 yards, shotguns are the superior choice. In addition, hunting them with rifles is illegal in some states. So check the law before trying it.
What gear is necessary for turkey hunting?
When it comes to turkey hunting, you can choose to keep it minimal or maximal. Basic gear includes habitat-specific camo, a call or two, and a shotgun. However, many modern turkey hunters also use turkey-specific shotguns and set up ultra-realistic decoys.
What type of Boots do I need for turkey hunting?
For turkey hunting, a pair of lightweight, uninsulated boots like the Irish Setter Ravine or the Danner Alsea is often sufficient. However, depending on your location, rubber knee boots or even snake proof boots may be your best choice.
What is the best clothing for turkey hunting?
For turkey hunting apparel, GameHide and Cabelas are top choices. If you hunt in an area where ticks are a problem, consider GameHide’s line of clothing that repels ticks. I always carry a bug suit and rain gear in my truck in case they are needed.
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.
What is a turkey hunting vest?
A turkey hunting vest is a core piece of gear for the turkey hunter. It helps you organize your gear and have it close at hand, and usually provides a built-in seat. There are a variety of styles and makers of turkey vests.
Is a shotgun necessary for turkey hunting?
In the past, turkey hunters only required basic camo, a call, and a shotgun for a successful hunt. Today, many hunters opt for habitat-specific camo, turkey-specific shotguns, and ultra-realistic decoys. The essentials for turkey hunting can vary greatly depending on individual preferences.