"Gearing Up For Spring Gobblers"

With record numbers of new turkey hunters trying this addicting sport, I'm often asked, where do I start? What equipment do I need? Well, like most other hunts you will need at least 3 things. A weapon, camo, and calls. I will also cover a few other items that are beneficial to a turkey hunt.

To start with you will need a gun with preferably at least a full choke. The target on the gobbler is the head/neck area, therefore you want to throw a very tight pattern. I use a camouflaged Mossberg 835 12 Gage with a 24 inch barrel with an extra full choke. This gun can chamber from 2 3/4 - 3 1/2 inch loads. The 835 gives me tight patterns at the longer distances too. The Mossberg 835 in my opinion is the ultimate turkey gun. As far as shot size, my gun patterns best with 6 shot although other 835 gun owners swear by the 4 shot. The pattern varies from gun to gun so I strongly suggest you pattern both and see which is best for you. Turkey hunting most often comes down to 1 steady shot, therefore, I use a scope on my gun. Specifically an Aimpoint scope which provides me-with pin point accuracy. The Aimpoint scope has an adjustable red illuminated dot on the inside of the scope which shows up great on game. A scope also eliminates the common over shot problem caused by looking over the bead on the gun's barrel.

If you are looking for a challenge and a half, perhaps you will want to try turkey hunting with a bow. This is the ultimate call - lenge and my favorite. I use the same equipment that I use for deer with the exception of the broadheads. I use an Alpine - Oak Ridge Hunter solo cam bow, and Beman carbon arrows. Tipped
on the arrows are expanding Gobbler Stopper broadheads made by Bloodtrailer Broadheads which fly like a field point and open on impact. A string tracker is a must as there is no way to track a gobbler, especially when he takes to flight after the hit. Saunders Archery makes a great string tracker called the Trophy
Tracker. If you are going to bowhunt, you should seriously consider a portable blind. The hardest part of bowhunting the wild tu rkey is not the shot, its trying to get away with the movement it takes to draw your bow. Lucky's tent company makes by far the easiest and quickest blind to set up. Lucky (Robert Peruski) boasts that he can set the blind up in 6 seconds or he will give you a hundred dollars. I can set the blind up in 8 seconds myself, and that's a 6X5 blind with a top and shooting windows! It folds up even quicker and weighs only 7 pounds.

No matter if you are hunting with a gun or bow, you will need to be camouflaged from head to toe. The wild turkey relies heavily on its eye sight which is 1OX better than that of a human. Color of camo depends on the area you are hunting. If you 'are in an area that has a lot of Maples, I would recommend a gray pattern. For all other situations I prefer a brown pattern. I use a new camouflage that blends in with all environments. It's called Elusive camo made by Hunters Instinct in Hurtsboro, Alabama. Wait 'til you see this camo, you'll want it.

What about decoys? Do they really work? Absolutely! I never leave home without them. I like the new Flambeau collapsible decoys that are light weight and fit in my pocket. They move with the slightest breeze and are the most realistic looking turkey decoys I've ever seen. Personally I prefer to use 2 hen decoys over 1 hen and 1 jake. My theory being that any species would rather make love than war. What would you rather do? Of course there are exceptions, but for the most part I find it to be a good theory.

Last but not least we come to the all important turkey calls. This subject can be a story in itself, so I will just try to keep to the basics. There are so many makes and models that it is easy to get confused. I encourage hunters to carry at least 1 long distance, and 1 short distance call. I recommend starting with a box and/or mouth diaphragm call for long distance calling, and again a mouth diaphragm call-and/or a push button yelper for your medium to short range calling.

Box calls are easy to learn and some make different tones on each side of the box -a plus. Diaphragm calls require a little more practice than the other calls, but once mastered, they can perfectly imitate the sounds of the hen turkey. They also keep your hands free to be on your weapon. If I were cornered into suggesting only 1 call, especially for the beginner, it would definitely be the push button yelper. Not only is it the easiest to operate, it is also very deadly, especially in close. I don't consider this a beginners toy. I am a professional caller and guide, and consider this call a very valuable part of my arsenal. This call requires only I finger to operate and can actually be tape to your gun. This call excels when the gobbler is-in close and movement must be kept to a minimal. I prefer a push button call with a pin. Pin operated calls can be adjusted for tone where as rubber band and spring operated push buttons can not. I of course use the calls produced by my company, A-Way Hunting Products. Being a small company, I'm able to put a personal touch into all the calls. They are all hand tuned for the best sound quality, adjustable, and affordable. There are times when the gobbler prefers the sound of the raspy old boss hen, and times when he prefers the sound of the higher pitched young Jenny hen. Being able to adjust your call for pitch in the field is a big advantage. New for 97 we are introducing a patented cedar double sided and double chambered box call, it sounds awesome!

To learn what sounds to make, and how to make them I recommend getting yourself a cassette or video tape. Quaker Boy puts out a good cassette tape on calling, and I just came out with a video tape. The video covers in detail how to use all turkey calls on the market for both beginners and advanced callers. It also covers turkey hunting techniques. I think you would enjoy this instructional video.

Gearing up is fun. It gets you fired up for the season. But the real treat awaits you in the turkey woods. For further information on the products in this story, contact the companies below.
Good Hunting and Shopping!



Aimpoint/Springfield (309) 944-1702
Alpine Archery (208) 764-4717
A-Way Hunting Products 989-435-3879
Elusive Camo (334) 667-0260
Flambeau Decoys (216) 632-1632
Lucky's Tent Company (517) 658-8686
O. L. Mossberg & Sons (203) 288-6491

Pucketts/Austin Bloodtrailer (304) 265-1500
Saunders Archery (402) 564-7176
Quaker Boy (716) 662-3979