The Proper Hunting Licenses, Permits/Tags, and Other Documents

Every turkey hunter needs the proper documents to hunt wild turkeys. Unless younger than the state age requirement to complete the hunter’s education course, or old enough to be grandfathered in without need to complete it, all hunters must satisfy the hunter’s education requirement. For example, a state agency might require anyone 12 to 65 to complete the course and obtain their “orange card,” as it’s commonly referred to.

It's important to note every state handles licensing and tags differently. Some require a hunting license and turkey permit. Others require a license and tag. Still, others might require a license, permit/tag, and stamp. And some states might just require a license. Essentially, it’s crucial that turkey hunters study state wildlife agency and DNR websites, or call them, to determine the necessary hunting documentation.

Turkey-Centric Shotgun (and Accessories)

It’s obvious, but a shotgun is necessary for turkey hunting. Most shotguns that are chambered for turkey loads should work just fine. Types of shotguns include single-shot, pump-action, and semi-auto shotguns.

That said, some are designed specifically for the turkey hunter. One example includes the Benelli Super Black Eagle 3 Turkey Performance Shotgun. Those with slightly lower budgets might opt for the Super Black Eagle 3, M2 Field Shotgun, or Nova Pump-Action Shotgun.

There are various types of turkey shotgun sights on the market. Some use a single bead sight. Others use a front and rear bead system. Still, other hunters might prefer a red dot sight, such as the Burris FastFire 3. It’s important to try various options and see what fits best.

In addition to the shotgun, and the sight, it’s important to pair it with a good turkey choke. When patterning the shotgun, some turkey chokes do better than others. Testing can reveal what gun-choke combination produces the best results.

Turkey-Centric Ammo

Likewise, ammo matters as well. Lead ammo was the traditional option. However, modern turkey hunters are turning more and more to TSS (tungsten), such as Winchester’s new Long Beard TSS. Because TSS is smaller and denser, it has more pellets within loads, meaning more pellets on target, and it gets better penetration. That’s a win-win-win for turkey hunters, effectively dethroning lead as the best option for killing turkeys.

Archery Gear for Turkey Hunters

Some turkey hunters might head afield with bowhunting in mind. If so, it pays to carry a good bow in hand. The Mathews Lift X is an excellent option, and that’s true for numerous reasons. First, the 29.5-inch axle-to-axle measurement is ideal for sitting on the ground or hunting from a ground blind. Furthermore, these stick slingers are notoriously quiet, which is important for jumpy turkeys.

Those wanting the specs should be pleased to know it has a 6-inch brace height, draw weight range of 55-80 pounds, draw length range of 24.5-30 inches, and let-off of 80% or 85%. The bow weighs only 3.99 pounds, making it light to carry when running and “gunning” for turkeys.

Furthermore, turkey hunters might opt for the bow limb bow stand, namely the Engage Exo Limb Legs, which are good for keeping the bow in the upright position and ready for drawing, aiming, and releasing the arrow. It allows for minimal movement if a turkey enters the scene.

Hunting Blind and Chairs

A lot of turkey hunters choose to hunt from a hunting blind, such as those by Rig ‘Em Right. Hub-style blinds like the HydeOut or HydeOut XL are ideal for single or multiple hunters. These provide full concealment and a blacked-out interior to hide hunters. Additionally, some might prefer the HydeOut Go, which is a two-panel pop-up system made more for the run-and-gun turkey hunter.

In addition to blinds, don’t forget chairs. Include one for every turkey hunter in the blind. These are easy to forget, so deploy chairs at the same time you stake the blind.

Camo Hunting Clothing

Camo hunting clothing is important for multiple reasons. While it’s needed for deer hunting, it’s even more important for turkey hunting. Turkeys have significantly better eyesight than whitetails, and given the up-close nature of hunting turkeys from the ground, camo is essential. All things considered, Optifade Cover is an excellent camo pattern for turkey hunters.

Sitka offers specialized gear for hunting wild turkeys. They offer multiple options for tops, bottoms, and other important items. These hunting clothing garments come with camo patterns that conceal hunters, and having dedicated hunting clothes increases the odds of maintaining the items in peak form (for turkeys, deer, and other game).

Examples of quality turkey hunting garments include the Equinox Guard Hoodie, Equinox Guard Pant, etc.

Other items needed includes the Equinox Guard Gloves, Core Neck Gaiter, Travers Cap, and more. Of course, other items might even be necessary. For example, a black Equinox Guard Hoodie when hunting from inside a blind.

On a similar note, one of the most underrated gear items is insect-repellent clothing. With cases of Lyme’s disease on the rise, and the infamous Alpha gal (red meat) allergy sweeping the nation, it’s never been more important to protect yourself from ticks. Of course, mosquitoes are bad news, too, but are largely a nuisance for now. All things considered, it’s a good idea to use insect repellent and to check yourself regularly for ticks.

Fortunately, Sitka also offers treated clothing. One example is the Equinox Guard Collection, which includes insect-repellent properties.

Protective Hunting Boots

Turkey hunters need quality boots. All of the walking can create blisters or turned ankles. The terrain can produce stands of water and dew-covered grasses to wade through. The right boots help protect against these challenges.

For example, Lacrosse offers several tall rubber boots that are comfortable and keep legs and feet dry. The Alpha Evolution, Alphaburly Pro, and others, are solid picks.

For those not in the rubber boot market, Lacrosse also offers other great options. One is the Ursa ES GTX Or, for those wanting a good snake boot, consider the Alpha Agility, Venom II, or Snake Country snake boot series.

Turkey Vest (or Other Pack)

Most turkey hunters choose to use turkey vests, which are the equivalent of hunting packs. These are ideal for carrying gear, such as calls, decoys, optics, and other items. Using these makes it easier to pack gear in and out of the field and frees up your hands and pockets.

Sitka offers the Equinox Turkey Vest, which is crafted from 75-denier brushed-face polyester woven fabric with a lasting water-repellent finish. It’s comfortable, ergonomic, and made for toting turkey hunting gear. It’s available in the Optifade Cover pattern.

A similar add-on item is the Turkey Tool Belt, which allows turkey hunters to carry additional items into the field. This is beneficial for those who tend to bring more than the average hunter. Or, if you don’t take enough to need an entire vest, this might be the right option.

Turkey Calls

Perhaps the staple turkey gear item, the mighty turkey call is crucial for turkey hunting. It’s the item hunters use to bring turkeys into bow or gun range. Oftentimes, hunters carry multiple types, and even multiples of the same types.

There are numerous types of turkey calls, including box, diaphragm (mouth), pot (glass or slate), push-button, tube, and wing bone calls. Box, pot, and push-button calls are within the friction call family. Diaphragm, push-button, tube, and wing bone calls require air pressure. Within each of the call types, hunters can choose from several variations.

Additionally, hunters carry call accessories. Sandpaper to condition pot calls. Chalk to condition box and push-button calls. Extra strikers for the glass and slate. Backup mouth calls with different reed cuts for different sounds. These have homes in a hunter’s turkey vest.

Turkey Decoys

Most turkey hunters carry turkey decoys into the field. These serve as visual aids to increase the odds of turkeys committing to a hunter’s setup. Oftentimes, these are used in conjunction with calling, or as a standalone tactic.

Some turkey hunters might use a single decoy, such as a hen. Or, a combination of decoys, such as a strutter (jake or tom), standing or quarter-strut jake, and/or hen. Most decoy types can be purchased in various forms, such as an alert hen, breeding hen, feeding hen, standing hen, and more. Jake decoys come in quarter-strut, half-strut, three-quarter strut, or standing.

Of course, decoy arrangements should match the time of season, general turkey behavior, and more. Overall, turkey decoy use is highly situational. Choose decoys accordingly.

For example, during the early season, when turkeys are more aggressive, is ideal for strutter decoys. Later in the season, when turkeys are less aggressive and pressured, a single or pair of hens should do the trick.

Regardless, turkey hunters tend to paint a deliberate picture with their decoy spread. Then, they match calling efforts to the visualization displayed with the decoys.

Binoculars

Optics are important for turkey hunters. In fact, turkey hunters tend to use binos even more than deer hunters. These are valuable tools when glassing to see if a turkey is a tom or jake, tom or hen, or if that’s really a turkey or just a conspicuously shaped shrub. Binos help answer these questions. Additionally, hunters might opt for a bino harness for easy access and improved optics protection. Generally, these also have an extra pocket or two for other items.

Knife

Every hunter needs a good knife. This is useful before, during, and after the hunt. It’s especially needed when breasting out that gobbler you just bagged. Finding the right blade can be challenging, though. Limiting it to a single purchase makes it even more of a task. But consider your primary objectives and choose a knife that best fits these purposes. Consider options such as the MKC MagnaCut Mini-SpeedGoat 2.0, SharpTailed in Orange, or StubHorn in Olive.

Hunting App

A good hunting app can do a lot. At its core, a quality hunting app can show property lines, display landowner information, show the landscape, overlay weather, and much more. The ability to study hunting lands via aerial, topo, and 3D are extremely valuable. Other tools, such as map building with dedicated app icons, are highly useful, too. As with most things, you get out what you put into it, and new and experienced turkey hunters can benefit from such a tool.

Other Convenient Gear

Essentials aside, hunters might also choose to use other gear. E-bikes are great for getting in and out of the fields, as well as navigating the terrain in a run-and-gun scenario. Rangefinders are solid for those who are bowhunting or just need assistance determining ranges. Hand pruners are ideal for trimming out a spot to sit on the ground or trimming limbs to add as cover around the setup. Nylon cord is good for any number of tasks but is something to always keep on hand. Game bags and rubber gloves are useful during the field processing effort. These and more are other convenient and handy items to have on a turkey hunt.

Let’s Go Turkey Hunting

Turkey season is here, and those who plan to chase thunder need the right stuff. The above outline is a great start, and aspiring turkey hunters can take it even further from there. No matter how you equip the arsenal, enjoy your time in the turkey woods. It’ll be here and gone before you realize it.