Turkey hunting gear can make or break a hunt. With gobblers having some of the best vision in the animal kingdom, and ears that can pick up details that humans can’t fathom, it’s imperative that hunters have the right equipment to get the job done.
Here is some of my favorite gear for 2018, which helped me harvest five turkeys just last season.
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Hevi-Shot Magnum Blend Turkey Load | $33
As the official ammo of the NWTF World Still Target Championships, the Hevi-Shot Magnum Blend for turkeys is as good as it gets. It creates exceptional groups, with hunters having the ability to take lethal shots beyond 60 yards. It’s loaded with buffered and moly coated pellets of #5, #6, and #7, ensuring deadly patterns at any range.
This ammo is more expensive than most, but there won’t be any need for follow-up shots if your aim is true. The 3.5-inch shells go 1,200 feet per second (fps) and have 20% more knockdown power than lead. The Magnum Turkey Load will be one of the best parts of any turkey setup, with over 99% of Cabela’s online reviewers giving the ammo a positive review.
https://www.hevishot.com/catalog/magnum-blend/
Montana Decoy Miss Purr-Fect 3D Hen | $50
For those that want realism, the Miss Purr-Fect 3D Hen is the way to go. It has feather cuts for genuine movement in the field and has an adjustable head that allows you to modify the decoy’s pose. It’s truly three decoys in one, with the option of portraying a breeder, feeder, or looker.
Like all Montana Decoys, this hen is made to be mobile. It weighs just over 1-pound and folds up to be not much bigger than a dinner plate. This is perfect for those that want to make run-and-gun setups and are tired of hauling around bulky decoys.
https://www.montanadecoy.com/hunting-decoys/turkey/miss-purr-fect-3d-hen-decoy
Sitka Gear Ascent System | $360
If I’m not carrying my bow, I’ll often turkey hunt without a blind. When that’s the case, I need to be sure my camo isn’t going to get me busted, as turkeys have some of the finest eyesight of all big game.
My favorite springtime pattern is Subalpine from Sitka. It has detailed shading and colorization that’s perfect for the foliage of April and also works well for early season whitetail hunting later on in the season.
The Ascent system is the lightest series that Sitka has produced, which works well for those warm afternoons in a blind or on foot. It’s not the cheapest clothing, but it’s some of the best.
https://www.sitkagear.com/subalpine
Badlands Water Proofing Spray | $15
Turkey season falls during the wettest time of year, almost guaranteeing you’ll get caught in a rain at least once a season. That doesn’t mean you have to quit hunting, though, and the Badlands Water Proofing Spray will help you stay dry.
This is one of the most useful pieces of gear I own, as it gets applied to all of my turkey hunting equipment, from boots, to the blind to my backpack. It even smells “natural” and doesn’t make me concerned about stinking up gear that I’ll later use for deer hunting.
This is one of my favorite investments, as it helps protect all of my other investments.
https://www.badlandspacks.com/gear/accessories/water-proofing-spray
Cabela’s The Zonz Specialist Ground Blind | $160
For what The Zonz Specialist has to offer, it’s one of the most economical ground blinds on the market. At just $170, you’ll be hard-pressed to find another ground blind that has all the high price tag features, like a tall ceiling, massive windows, and brush loops.
Most importantly, though, The Zonz has a two-panel horizontal slide system that allows you to silently customize your shooting lanes. It’s a detail that translates well to any kind of big game hunting, whether you’re chasing turkey, antelope, or deer.
The blind also has hooks on the ceiling and pockets on the side that help you store gear. This is advantageous for turkey hunters who often find their backpacks full of accessories.
https://www.cabelas.com/product/Cabelas-The-Zonz-Specialist-Ground-Blind/2338426.uts?slotId=3
onX Premium Mobile App | $30/year
You might have your opening morning turkey spot picked out already, but birds often change their habits as the season progresses. Where those big toms were roosting and feeding in the first week of April might not look the same as the last week of April.
For that reason, it’s important to have flexibility with your setups. Helping do that is onX mobile apps, which shows you land ownership boundaries, topo lines, campgrounds, water flow, points of interest, and much more.
For just $30 a year, you can access data that’s incredibly valuable, and might just help you land your next honey hole. It’s a no-brainer to own, whether you’re using iOS or Android.