(Photo by Thomas Allen)
April 20, 2018
By Thomas Allen
Here are some exceptional turkey hunting gear choices that can bring confidence and reliability to your hunt.
I'm a gear junkie. I'm happy to admit that, even on a public forum.
I like to have the latest and greatest pieces of hunting and fishing equipment guaranteed to help me catch more fish, or shoot more deer and turkeys …
If only such a product actually existed. (Sighs heavily)
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What I have learned in my lifetime, however, is that spending a little extra money on quality will eliminate the need to keep replacing broken or defective pieces of equipment.
Nothing is more frustrating than spending hard-earned money on something only to have it break during the first or second time out of the vest.
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The following list includes exceptional gear that will not only make you more productive in the spring turkey woods, but you can have confidence in the quality.
A quality, reliable vest is a turkey hunter's best friend. The Nomad vest is one of the finest the author has used. Lots of storage, convenient adjustments and the kind of durability dedicated turkey hunters require out of their gear. (Photo by Thomas Allen)
Nomad Turkey Vest, $129.99 I've had multiple turkey vests over the years, and when the time came to upgrade, I knew exactly what I wanted. The Meleagris gallopavo (Mg) vest fit the bill exactly. In fact, this is the best turkey vest I've ever seen or used. I love the many strap adjustments that are within an arm's reach, you can make it fit no matter how many layers you have on.
Along with a ton of storage, the vest also features:
Padded, reinforced shoulder straps with a chest harness
Triple mesh panel removable back cushioning for extra comfort and breathability
Multiple internal pockets
External and silent box call sheath
ThermaCell storage pocket (Genius idea)
Removable 3-inch thick seat complete with magnetic and buckle connections.
Available in three camo patterns Look, this vest isn't cheap, but if the quality Nomad is already known for is any indication, I'm confident you'll be happy with it — even if it costs a little bit more. Plus, it's on sale right now for $97.49 via the company's website.
Nomad.com
ThermaCell MR450 Repeller, $34.99
Biting insects seem to be more than abundant in the spring, and when a hunter is working to kill a wary gobbler, the last thing you want is to shoo a bug from your face and spook the approaching turkey. ThermaCell has you covered, literally. (Photo by Thomas Allen)
Nomad made a stellar decision to include a ThermaCell pocket on the outside of their vests. Springtime bugs can be insane, and they've been known to ruin a perfectly good hunt prematurely.
Honestly, I was skeptic before I used one of these things. But now I don't hit the turkey woods without it.
Staying comfortable will keep you hunting longer, and that means more chances at a nice bird.
These things are very efficient, and even easier to use:
Effectively repels mosquitoes and other biting insects by creating a 15- by 15-foot zone of protection
Tough, rugged design was created with the dedicated outdoorsman in mind
Evaluated by the EPA for safety and effectiveness
ZoneCheck indicator tells the user when it's at max efficiency
Silent, no open flame and odor free
Uses ThermaCell butane cartridge refills
Uses repellant mats that last four hours each Bugs suck, literally. And they are typically at their angriest during the spring when the turkeys are gobbling the hardest. This is one of those luxury accessories that you'll get plenty of good use out of. The bugs will fear you.
ThermaCell.com
Cabela's Hunting Lounger, $29.99
Extended comfort in the turkey woods is paramount; the Cabela's Lounger is just the ticket to keep you comfortable longer. It quickly and quietly deploys and folds up in seconds for easy toting, plus it'll keep you butt happier than sitting in the cold, wet dirt. (Photo by Thomas Allen)
We just talked about bug-free comfort, but how about comfort for your keister? I could give countless examples of when patience killed a bird over calling and decoys.
Patience means sitting it out for an extended period of time, and this ultra-mobile and very comfortable fold-up chair fits the bill. But it isn't just for long sits.
It quickly and silently deploys and folds back up in a snap, making it a perfect tool for the run-and-gunner, too. I won't go to the woods without it anymore.
The chair comes standard with a shoulder sling that easily fits alongside your shotgun.
Consists of tough 600-denier polyester for extended durability
Breathable mono-mesh seat increases ventilation and keeps you dry and comfortable
16mm and 22mm powder-coated rigid steel frame
A small clip snaps the legs together when folded up to keep it from expanding during transit
The chair features a low profile that easily blends into trees, bushes and other cover hunters need to use as backdrop camouflage. With this chair, you now have options to sit anywhere the cover is, regardless of type. (Photo by Thomas Allen)
You can kill a turkey without this chair. But, if you've got back issues like I do, this will save you a tremendous amount of pain. It's an extra thing to take with you, and creates a little more bulk than what we've discussed so far, but the comfort is worth it. Period.
Cabelas.com
Burris Droptine Binocular 8x42, $299 As you're stalking through the turkey woods hoping to strike a bird, keeping an eye on the next hilltop could mean the difference between killing a bird and running one off. Quality glass is irreplaceable. I carry Burris binocs and I can't say enough about how much I love them. Not only do they look fantastic, they are clear and comfortable to look through.
Nothing beats quality glass on a hunting trip. The rugged, durable Droptine binocs from Burris reduce eye fatigue and keep clarity at the forefront as you inspect approaching birds, or scout tomorrow's destination. (Photo by Thomas Allen)
The 8x magnification provides detail and a wide field-of-view.
Robust metal eyecups for unusual ruggedness
Nitrogen filled for waterproof and fog-proof performance, even in harsh weather
Rubber armored with unique no-slip texturing
Bak-4 glass for optimum resolution
Dielectric coated for maximum light transmission Whether you spend your free time in the fall deer stand, or during the spring chasing turkeys, extended vision is critical to staying stealthy. Knowing what's out there before you get there will make you more effective in the woods. I've gone through many pairs of name-brand binocs, and these are by far my favorite. And they're very affordable.
BurrisOptics.com
Hunters Specialties All-Terrain Decoy Stand, $9.99 I swear the stakes that most, if not all, decoys come with are insufficient. They bend; they break; they take the lifelikeness out of a decoy's posture — until now.
The All-Terrain Decoy Stand puts posture control back into the hunter's hands with a simple, easy and very portable solution. In fact, I've replaced every stake I have with these things.
The only time one got destroyed was during a turkey in Iowa last year when the decoy was viciously attacked. Watch here .
Kiss decoy stake frustration goodbye with the HS All-Terrain Decoy Stand. It easily expands and stows thanks to the nylon internal strapping, and it keeps balanced realism in your decoys as suspicious gobblers approach your set up. (Photo by Thomas Allen)
Bring your decoys to life.
Designed to fit most decoys
Bungee cord system opens and folds down quickly, which is much like a modern tent pole
Stows easily, deploys in seconds.
Allows decoy to move naturally when the wind adds motion
Durable, rugged and reliable If you rely heavily on your turkey decoys to add a visual component for an approaching turkey, these stakes will only take your game to the next level. Plus for only $10 bucks, you can't go wrong.
HunterSpec.com
BONUS Wicked Handsaw and Pruners, $34.99 and $24.99 If you love to chase turkeys run-and-gun style or from a blind, being able to quickly and quietly trim obstructing brush is essential to making the right shot when it presents itself. Wicked changed the game when they built rock-solid handsaws and pruners that are very rugged and dependable.
There is no substitute to quality when it comes to hand tools. The Wicked Handsaw and Pruner are very durable, and allow for quick and easy trimming of brush for a blind set up or a ground ambush. They are very sharp, make short work of any obstructing limb, and they come with a lifetime warranty. (Photo by Thomas Allen)
The saw features:
Rugged cast aluminum handle construction — good luck breaking it
High-carbon steel blade resists bending and breaking
Fail Safe Lock Design with hardened steel lock-pin and hardware
No plastic
Lifetime warranty The pruners feature :
Ergonomically friendly grip that won't pinch your hand
Sturdy jaws that can cut up to 1-inch diameter branches
Effective locking feature that keeps jaws closed during transport
Solid aluminum frame that will stand up to daily use and abuse
Lifetime warranty I can't tell you how many saws and pruners I've broken over the years. Even the expensive types you can buy at the local hardware store just won't stand up to the abuse a hunter puts them through. It's been a frustrating piece of gear to own, until now. Look, these things are not cheap, but they are worth every penny and won't let you down. I don't go turkey hunting, or deer hunting for that matter, without these in my pack.
WickedTreeGear.com
More Spring Turkey Hunting Tip s[bookyourhunt species="Turkey" title="Book Your Turkey Hunt"]
