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Late evenings spent locating and roosting birds, followed by early morning hunts, are part of the joy found in turkey season. The time that we invest scouting and preparing significantly increases our chances of success while afield. As we gear up for the season, ahead investing time into our preparation ensures that we are equipped with the essentials and are ready for the hunt. When it’s time to hunt, just grab a quick cup of coffee and we’re ready to hit the woods!
Below is a list of must have items.
Binoculars For Turkey Hunting
When scouting or run and gun hunting, binoculars ensure that you will pick out those tiny red heads in thick brushy areas or feeding on distant hillsides.
Hunting Vest
Being comfortable enough to remain still is important when waiting for an approaching tom. A thoughtfully designed vest with a padded seat will keep you comfortable and insulated while sitting on the ground and will provide ample space to store items that you need on hand while hunting.
Shooting Rest
Having a solid shooting rest for your shotgun, like a tripod, will not only provide a stable platform for your shotgun, but it will also help reduce muscular fatigue, movement and increase accuracy. Hunters will be able to sit still longer and benefit from improved shot placement. Shooting rests are a must have for youth hunters and people with reduced or limited strength to support their firearm.
Variety of Calls
Whether roosting or locating a gobbler on the move, having a crow call or hooter could shock that tom into gobbling, and allow you to strategize and set up for your hunt. Other calls that you will want are an easy-to-use friction box call, slate call or diaphragm call that will help keep your hands free while hunting. Having a variety of calls will allow you to create a variety of sounds and find just the right tone to fire up a gobbler.
Turkey Hunting Decoys
Realistic turkey decoys can be used on their own or in combination with calling sequences for a more realistic scenario that will catch the attention and draw in a mature tom.
Range Finder
Knowing the exact distance to your decoys or other terrain features such as trees will help establish shot limitations lending itself to making accurate shots for the small vital zone found on turkeys.
Hearing Protection and Enhancement
Much of the joy from turkey hunting comes from hearing the gobble and drum of an approaching tom. Safeguard and optimize your hearing experience with technology like Tetra Hearing. Their unique technology that is engineered to optimize hearing for hunters while mitigating hearing loss risks.
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OnX Hunt is Great for Turkey Hunting
Beyond landowner information, OnX Hunt provides valuable tools to help increase success while turkey hunting with invaluable tools like compass mode. The compass mode tool allows you to pinpoint where you hear a gobble or see a distant strutting tom and use the rangefinder tool to add a waypoint to the location of a gobble. When you slip in to make your move on the tom, this enhanced navigation technique will ensure that you are correctly oriented and know the best spot to set up using the 3D mapping features.
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Face Mask and Gloves
Turkeys have excellent vision which is why it is important to limit movement and use concealment techniques while turkey hunting. A face mask or paint and gloves will help to blend in with the terrain and avoid being spotted by an approaching tom.
Hunting Blind
Conceal movement with a well-placed hunting blind. Blinds are great for archers, youth hunters, or concealing cameramen and equipment. Consider placing your blind and hunting chairs in advance of your hunt in an area near the roosting tree. If possible, position the blind so that the turkey’s approach from the back of the blind as they are less likely to pick up on movement from inside the blind.
Finally, other small items that you won’t want to forget are water, snacks, a small hunting knife, headlamp and of course, toilet paper. This list is sure to get you afield with everything that you need for a successful turkey hunt.
