When it comes to gear, turkey hunting can be as minimal or maximal as you choose. Many of the early, fabled turkey hunters needed little more than basic camo, a call or two, and a shotgun. Today, a lot of turkey hunters don habitat-specific camo, shoulder turkey-specific shotguns, and set ultra-realistic decoys. Depending on who you ask, what constitutes a necessary piece of turkey hunting gear will vary wildly. Ultimately, the gear you need depends on your hunting strategy. If you prefer waiting a tom out, you might not mind lugging a ton of equipment into the woods. But if you plan to run and gun, packing light is the way to go.
Regardless of your approach, I’ve compiled a list of turkey hunting gear (some necessary, some luxury) that can make your time in the woods more efficient, enjoyable, and, hopefully, more successful. I’ll cover everything you’ll need or want this turkey season, including:
If you already have a shotgun, there’s no need buy a turkey-specific gun when you’re just starting out. But, if you’re like me and don’t need a good excuse to buy another gun, you can find the best turkey hunting shotguns to scratch that itch. There are plenty of options in this list to fit budgets, brand loyalties, and preferences. Here are a few options to consider:
As an avid turkey hunter, I know that having the right gear can make or break your hunt After years of trial and error in the field, I’ve narrowed down the must-have items that should be in every turkey hunter’s arsenal In this article, I’ll share my picks for the most essential turkey hunting gear based on my personal experience.
Calls
Calls are arguably the most critical piece of gear for bringing in weary gobblers. I always carry an assortment of friction, box, and mouth calls in my vest.
-
Friction Calls A good slate, glass, or aluminum pot call is a must-have Being able to make lifelike purrs, clucks, yelps, and cuts on a friction call takes practice, but it’s a skill worth mastering I recommend having 2-3 friction calls in different surfaces.
-
Box Calls Nothing grabs a gobbler’s attention like the loud, raspy tones of a box call. The simplicity of box calls makes them perfect for beginners but they can also produce very realistic turkey sounds in the hands of an experienced caller. Have at least one box call handy.
-
Mouth Calls: Extremely portable and easy to use, mouth calls produce great yelps and clucks. They allow you to call softly with minimal movement. Mouth calls are my go-to for bringing in gobblers from close range. Keep several mouth calls in different reeds/tones.
Shotgun
Your shotgun needs to be equipped for the short-range shots required in turkey hunting. I look for a setup with:
-
A 24-26 inch barrel for quick handling in close quarters
-
A Full or Extra Full turkey choke for tight patterns
-
Fiber optic sights for fast target acquisition
-
A Sling for safe carry through the woods
I’m currently using a Franchi Affinity 3.5 turkey model and it has performed flawlessly on my last few hunts.
Ammo
You can never go wrong with a classic 3 inch #4 or #5 turkey load, but modern tungsten or bismuth-based ammo takes the lethality up a notch for longer shots. I like to carry a mix of traditional lead and non-toxic loads like Winchester Longbeard XR or Federal Heavyweight TSS. Consider ammo with densities of at least 10 g/cc for knockdown power.
Camo
The right camo pattern and coverage is critical for not spooking turkeys. Look for lightweight, quiet fabrics and a good camo pattern like Mossy Oak Bottomland or Obsession that blends into the spring woods. A full suit and gloves will conceal more of your skin. Make sure to also get a facemask or headnet to break up the solid white of your face.
Decoys
Nothing sparks a tom’s competitive nature like seeing another longbeard encroaching on his territory. Carry at least one realistic hen decoy and a strutter decoy if legal in your state. Set up your decoys where they’ll be visible when the tom approaches. I’ve had great luck with the Avian-X LCD Lookout hen and the Primos B-Mobile strutter decoy.
Vest
A well-designed turkey vest lets you comfortably carry all your gear while keeping essential items within quick reach. Look for a vest with ample storage, removable seat pad, sling, and call pockets/holders. The Primos Will Primos vest is an excellent choice.
Boots
Sturdy boots with ankle support help you navigate uneven terrain quietly. Snake protection boots like the Lacrosse Alpha Agility are great for areas with high snake populations. Opt for knee-high rubber boots if crossing creeks or wet fields frequently. I wear lightweight hiking boots most of the time.
Blind/Brush
Having a blind, brush, or burlap to conceal your movements is key when birds approach from your position. Many pop-up blinds like the Ameristep Chair blind offer great concealment. You can also quickly make a blind from brush or burlap suited to your surrounding terrain. Just make sure to brush in the blind and wear camo inside.
Mapping App
Apps like onX Hunt allow you to scout lands, mark waypoints, determine property boundaries, and more. I use onX Hunt daily to navigate property lines and access lands I’ve gained permission to hunt. The ability to download offline maps and track hunts makes it well worth the annual fee.
Rangefinder
Accurately judging distance is difficult in the turkey woods. A quality rangefinder like the Leupold RX-650 helps you precisely range landmarks, decoys, and approaching birds so you know when to shoot. This prevents crippled birds or out-of-range shots. Know your effective range and stay within it.
Knife
A sharp, gut hook knife speeds up the process of field dressing your turkey. I use the rounded tip Outdoor Edge RazorLite EDC folding knife. The 3.5 inch gut hook blade zips through the thin skin without piercing organs. A good knife helps you tag out faster and get back to hunting.
WoodHaven Ninja Ghost Cut
The WoodHaven Ninja Ghost is a great mouth call for beginners or average callers. The three-reed design and ghost cut make it easy to run, and it produces crisp, realistic yelps. It’s not the most dynamic for expert mouth callers, but it requires minimal air pressure to make clean, consistent turkey sounds.
Shane Simpson offers a host of mouth calls with specific cuts, depending on your mouth’s air channel. Simpson also provides video instruction on how to determine which part of your mouth you consistently push air through, which is paramount to figuring out which call and cuts work best for you. He also designs every call, so quality remains consistent.
Fool proof for a reason, this box call is easy to run, and it’s forgiving if you happen to make a mistake. It’s hard to find a box call that doesn’t work, but I’ve been using this one from Lynch’s for almost two decades, and it still produces crisp, loud yelps.
With enough practice and care, you can make this call sound as beautiful as it looks. The Cherry Classic Crystal has a wide volume range, and as long as you give the surface and striker regular maintenance, it’ll sing. For soft purrs, clucks, and cuts, this call remains a staple in my turkey vest.
Not everyone can make a realistic owl call with their mouth. These locator calls from Hook’s Custom Calls make a great addition to your turkey hunting gear because they are easy to use, ultrarealistic, and aesthetically pleasing to the eye.
Decoys give a tom the visual confirmation he needs to close the distance to your calls, especially in open country. Decoys aren’t a necessity, and they’re no guarantee either, but they have advantages. When a tom comes into your setup, he’ll be focused on the decoy, which can allow you to move into position for the shot without drawing attention to yourself. And the best turkey decoys are lifelike enough to fool even the wariest gobbler into range. Unfortunately, they can fool other hunters as well. For that reason, it’s important that you transport decoys in a bag or pack when you hunt public or private ground with other hunters, and avoid using them in tight cover. Here are some of the most realistic decoys for turkey hunting in safe scenarios.
SITKA Equinox Guard Clothing System
I hunted out of this clothing system this past season in the deep South and quickly became a fan. For the most part, it keeps the bugs away anywhere you’re covered, though I still had to apply repellent to my head and face area. It’s a great option if you don’t want to lug around a Thermacell or coat your body in DEET.
When you need to breakout the big guns for buggy swamps, the Thermacell MR450 uses a repellent mat that warms over an element to keep mosquitoes away. It doesn’t work great for active movement, but if you need to stay stone-still while waiting out a tom, the MR450 does an admirable job of keeping pesky bugs away.
Spray your clothes instead of yourself. A single application of Sawyer’s permethrin should last you an entire turkey season. Just be sure to only apply the recommended dosage.
You might not want to use questionable insect repellent, so if you prefer the natural route, this eucalyptus oil from Murphy’s does an adequate job of keeping you bug free, and it smells great. Expect to reapply religiously.
If you’re new to hunting, taking a youth hunter, or bowhunting turkeys, the best turkey blinds can shield your movement while a gobbler strolls into your decoys. Blinds work best if you can set them up well in advance of your hunt, as they can be a pain to drag around. Still, they have advantages that are worth considering if cover is sparse or you’re hunting wide open country.
Turkey Hunting – Basic Gear | WHAT YOU NEED!
FAQ
What does every turkey hunter need?
What is the best thing to use for turkey hunting?
Do you really need camo for turkey hunting?
What do most people hunt turkey with?