| Turkey hunting is one of the most exciting and | | | | waterproof as you'll likely encounter a lot more mud |
| challenging experiences in the outdoors. A couple of | | | | and water in the Spring. Its a good idea to have |
| things contribute to this. First of all, turkeys aren't | | | | boots with camouflage as they will probably be |
| extremely large animals so the target area is about | | | | exposed as you sit down. For many you may also |
| the size of a golf ball if hunting with a gun. Because | | | | need some type of special snake protection as they |
| of that you have to get within very close range in | | | | are very active in the Spring. |
| order to get a shot. Turkeys also have great vision | | | | - Headwear- You will need a hat and full head or |
| and can pinpoint movement or something that looks | | | | face netting to conceal you. Without covering your |
| out of place from long distances. They also | | | | face completely there's a good chance a big gobbler |
| generally travel in groups so you've got more than | | | | will pinpoint your movement. |
| one set of eyes that can detect you at any | | | | - Gloves- Finally, don't forget this key piece of |
| moment. The challenge of getting an extremely | | | | camo. Your hands will be doing nearly all of the |
| weary animal with great eye sight into very close | | | | moving as you work your call, look through |
| range and hitting a tiny target makes turkey hunting | | | | binoculars, check your rangefinder, and ready your |
| so exciting. Not only that, you also have to learn | | | | gun or bow so it is essential that you have a pair of |
| how to speak Turkey in order to call them into | | | | camouflage gloves to prevent from being seen. |
| range. | | | | Make sure the camo matches the type of camo |
| There aren't many animals we get the opportunity to | | | | your shirt and jacket are made from. |
| hunt more than once a year but most states allow | | | | Blinds for Turkey Hunting |
| turkey hunting in both a Fall and Spring hunting | | | | |
| season. Generally, however, Fall turkey season is | | | | Using a blind for turkey hunting can really improve |
| overshadowed by deer, elk, and other large game | | | | your chances of getting a gobbler. I did most of my |
| hunting seasons. Spring gives us the chance to | | | | hunting as a kid behind crudely made blinds from small |
| focus on turkeys and for most of us will be the last | | | | branches and trees I cut down. Today there are |
| chance we get to go hunting for almost 6 months. | | | | many great affordable pop up blinds available that |
| In order to get the most out of the experience you | | | | work great at concealing you from game and |
| need to make sure you've got all of the right gear. | | | | protecting you from the elements. You can simply |
| Experienced turkey hunters have a good idea of | | | | use something like camo netting or some of the new |
| what is required but for those new to the sport or | | | | pop up blinds to stay hidden from game. The pop |
| looking to get that turkey hunter in your life a gift, | | | | up blinds are easily carried, lightweight, compact and |
| this Gear Up for Spring Turkey Season guide will give | | | | can be set up and taken down in seconds which |
| an overview of all of the gear and equipment you | | | | allow you to move from one place to another. With |
| need before heading into the woods. | | | | these you can also move around a little more if you |
| Turkey Guns and Archery Equipment | | | | are sitting for a while and they allow you to bring |
| The first place to start, of course, is with choosing | | | | more stuff with you that might keep you occupied |
| your gun or archery equipment (it's kind of hard to | | | | during the slow times. |
| get a turkey into knife range). The firearms of | | | | Turkey Calls and Decoys |
| choice for turkey hunting are generally shotguns in 12 | | | | As I mentioned earlier, in order to be very successful |
| or 20 gauges. 12 gauge is the most common for | | | | turkey hunting you need to learn how to speak |
| seasoned turkey hunters but for those who don't | | | | Turkey. What that means is that you are going to |
| handle the recoil well a 20 gauge shotgun will do the | | | | need how to properly use turkey calls to lure the |
| trick as well. Many shotgun manufacturer such as | | | | birds within gun or bow range. Turkeys are very |
| Winchester, Mossberg, Remington and others offer | | | | vocal creatures so clucking, yelping, cackling can get |
| guns designed solely for the needs of turkey | | | | that big gobbler's attention and bring him in looking |
| hunters. These are generally pump or auto loader | | | | for a fight or maybe a date. There are several |
| shotguns which have a camouflage coating to | | | | types of turkey calls that you will need to learn to |
| prevent the turkeys from detecting any glare off of | | | | use to improve your chances. These are the box |
| a barrel or any movement when you're getting into | | | | call, diaphram call and the slate call. |
| place for the shot. 3 inch to 3.5 inch are the | | | | Mix vocal(calling) with visual(decoys) and you really up |
| standards for hunting turkeys with a load in the 4-6 | | | | your chances of having a successful hunt. Decoys |
| range. The key is to try several to see what | | | | come in various styles from life size 3D decoys to 2D |
| shoots best in your gun and what you are most | | | | turkey photos plastered on cardboard. The former |
| comfortable with. | | | | is obviously the superior type of decoy and but the |
| Unlike hunting turkeys with a firearm, there really | | | | later can work just as well if you're hunting a location |
| aren't any bows that are made specifically for turkey | | | | where the birds will only be coming from one |
| hunting. You will be trying to hit a smaller vitals area | | | | direction and you can place the cutout where the |
| than if you were hunting large game so the key here | | | | incoming turkeys can see a good profile view of the |
| is to make sure you can get a shot you are | | | | decoy. In more open country or where the birds |
| comfortable with. | | | | could come from any direction you most likely want |
| Camouflage for Turkey Hunting | | | | to use one of the more lifelike decoys. Depending |
| Because of a turkey's great eyesight, having the | | | | on how you want to call in the gobblers you can |
| right camo to conceal you might be the most | | | | choose jake, gobbler or hen decoys or a combination. |
| important thing that will help you be successful. | | | | Turkey Hunting Accessories |
| Spring turkey season can pose some challenges in | | | | To wrap up there is some other gear and equipment |
| that a lot of areas across the south will be | | | | that you will likely need. Since you are more than |
| experiencing warm weather this time of year but | | | | likely going to be sitting on the ground to have a |
| you will still have to be dressed out in full camouflage | | | | good view and minimize your profile you'll need some |
| from head to toe to stay concealed. One | | | | type of pad or seat to sit on. Sitting on the hard |
| suggestion is to dress in layers of lightweight, | | | | ground, acorns, sticks, rocks and other debris can |
| breathable camo so that you can adjust you dress as | | | | become very uncomfortable and lead you to move |
| the day goes on. Here is a list of the camo gear | | | | around which could alert some animals of your |
| you will need for your turkey hunt: | | | | presence. Optics are also very important. A good |
| - Long Pants - Most of the time you call in a turkey | | | | pair of binoculars so that you can pinpoint the |
| you will be sitting down and your legs will actually be | | | | turkey's location before he sees you is critical. Also, |
| covering most of your body. It is essential that you | | | | a rangefinder so that you use the correct sight pin |
| get pants that blend in well with the environment | | | | on your bow or shoot at a suitable distance will |
| that you will be hunting. | | | | reduce the risk of injuring or missing a bird when you |
| - Shirt/Jacket- It's recommended that you wear a | | | | finally get a shot. |
| couple of layers of upper body clothing so that you | | | | Turkey hunting can be a very fun and challenging |
| can adjust it throughout the day. Make sure that | | | | experience. If you gear up with all of the right |
| you've got a camouflaged long sleeve shirt on | | | | equipment, the right gun, good camo to keep |
| underneath your camo jacket in case you get to hot | | | | concealed, good optics, decoys, a realistic calling |
| and have to remove it. | | | | strategy, and everything else mentioned throughout |
| - Boots- Spring turkey hunting means you footwear | | | | this article you should have a great time and maybe |
| needs are a little different than in the Fall. You | | | | even harvest a long beard. |
| probably don't need the insulation any more but you | | | | GearDeals.net Your source for the best deals on |
| need to make sure that your boots are 100% | | | | hunting, fishing and outdoor gear. |