Quality, reliability and durability! These three things are imperative to the outdoorsman and his fruitful exploits in the wild. With the great recession still in full swing, our dollars need to stretch as far as they can without compromising on quality. As the waterfowl season starts to wind down all over the country, we as sportsman don’t stop hunting, we just change targets. The next big season in Oregon is turkey season. With a cunning attitude and a distinct gobble, you will need all your wits and some good gear to harvest the season bag limit of two turkeys. We put together a list of all the things you will need for a successful turkey hunt and the keys to your new found passion. Look for more information about turkey hunting at ODFW's website.
These are a few items that we as product testers either currently use or have field tested against other products in order to bag a turkey or two. There may be many others out there, but these stuck out to us because of quality, reliability, and company customer service. So read on and find out how to start turkey hunting.
Clothes- A good set of camo clothing can mean the difference between going home empty handed or having a lifelong memory.
Shannon’s Bug Tamer Big Leaf 3D pant
These Pants will offer you the comfort and durability you need while trudging through those wet spring meadows, but they also conceal your outline with mesh strands sewn throughout the pant. Creating a 3D illusion, these pants turn you into just another bush allowing you to go unnoticed throughout your hunt.
Shannon’s Bug Tamer Big Leaf 3D Hooded Jacket with Bug Shield
This Jacket will not only keep you hidden from even the most wary of game, but it will also save your hide from bug bites. With patented technology known as the double guard - double net system, this jacket will have you comfortable and bite free from start to finish. The big leaf design completely conceals your outline while still being breathable when the weather starts to heat up.
Cabela’s Tactical Tat’r Kickstand Turkey Vest
Get settled and get comfortable because it might be a while. Turkey hunting takes a toll on your patience as well as a toll on your backside when sitting for hours on end. However, many hunters have found relief with the Tactical Kickstand Turkey Vest. It has three different types of foam on the attached seat section and a kickstand to settle in against. Those big ol’ Tom’s won’t know what hit em’ while you’re wearing this vest, because of the two different types of camo patterns to choose from. Whether it’s Mossy Oak or Realtree, no one will know your there.
The Shot- A good reliable shotgun will go along way. A misfire can mean disaster when turkeys are involved.
Winchester Super X Black Shadow Field
This shotgun was built for Turkey Hunting. A 12 gauge 26in barrel pump shotgun is chambered for 3 inch shells and back bored to accept all the inventor plus choke tubes for accurate shooting. This incredibly simple yet reliable pump has a smooth bolt action and can put the smack down on birds up to 40 yards. Winchester also makes this gun in a camo pattern although it is a little harder to find, and at under 500 dollars this shotgun is a steal.
Designed by the world’s most innovative ammunition creator, the Hevi-Shot TRKY Choke tube will crush birds and competition, by putting more beards in your bag. This stainless steel, ported, extender choke tube features a black oxide finish and will handle abuse from steel or lead shot. Your patterns will be tighter and allow you to squeeze every bit of life from your ammo. Too bad we can’t say the same for the birds.
Once again the boys over at Hevi-Shot have come out swinging. These 3” 1550fps shells will devastate birds and make you wonder why you ever bought anything else. With a mixture of tungsten alloy, nickel and iron that is similar to lead. These shells will put 20% more lethal pellets in the kill zone and with hard hitting power. As they always do at Hevi-Shot, the shells are custom loaded to ensure quality and consistency.
Calling- Calling can make your trip out more productive.
Hunter Specialties Strut Ol’ Mama Hen Box Turkey Call Combo
This combination box and mouth call will be sure to bring in those Jakes and Tom’s looking for the red light district of turkeys. We tested this out and found it to be one of the best sounding calls for the least amount of money. The box call blends cherry and walnut hardwoods to ensure the richest and truest sounds of that old hen turkey. The mouth call is a standard diaphragm mouth call that is easy to learn and easy to blow but still has the sounds veteran callers will appreciate.
After the Shot- Sharing the fruits of your labor is the best part of hunting.
Rocky Mountain All Purpose Seasoning
Made in Redmond Oregon, this delicious secret recipe of herbs and spices will make even Colonel Sanders come back for a second helping. As a winner of the National Barbeque Associations coveted first place award for Dry Rubs, the guys at Rocky Mountain seasoning will make you look like you knew what you were doing in the woods. You can pick this stuff up direct from their website and give them a call, they love to talk shop.
How to- Tips and Ideas for a successful turkey hunt.
Public land hunting these days is like trying to find a needle in a haystack. You might think you have struck gold only to crawl around a corner and find out your in someones front yard. (believe me it happens!) The keys to success for a good turkey hunt start with detailed scouting. Look for wooded areas that might have a small meadow or grassy area. Turkeys like to come out from their roost to walk around in the mornings and evenings and with a little calling you can entice them right into range. Secondly, work on your calling. If this is what you plan to do, be sure the first sound you make doesn't remind them of a wounded beaver listening to old squealing jazz. And lastly find a good shooting lane with decent entry and exit points from your hunting location. There is nothing worse in my book than knowing you found a good spot and spooking birds as you walk to your stand.
With turkey season just around the corner, get out and do some scouting. There is no substitute for a good location, no matter how sweet your gear is.
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