Who keeps turkey hunting simple?


Curdog

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I dont carry much. Usually have a decoy in the truck, but the woods i hunt, your lucky to be able to move in without spookin the bird. If he's out from a food plot, i may carry a decoy in. I didnt kill a bird last year, and the only good one i saw was in the camp yard. I only needed a gun and a shell that day, and i didnt even get to that in time! :(

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For the past couple of years I've gone more toward going light more so than going simple. I went to Ol Tom turkey hunting clothing and accessory attachments so I don't need a turkey vest. I also updgraded to a Benelli SBEII last year that's several pounds lighter than my old 11-87.

Most of my turkey hunting gear either goes into the multiple pockets built into my Ol Tom outfits or an Ol Tom attachment or two like one that's made for 2 slate calls & strikers. For other items like a water bottle and my gobble call I wear a very small fanny pack off my left hip. I usually don't bother with decoys at all. I can't even remember the last time I killed a turkey using decoys.

On a typical turkey hunt these days I usually carry 3 diaphrams, 2 slate calls, a couple of extra strickers, 1 gobble call, a water bottle, pocket knife, small pruning sheers, a tiny flashlight, crow call, 2 pair of gloves, 2 mask, (I'm a pro at loosing strikers, gloves and mask), an OL Tom seat pad, a shotgun knee pad (It really helps keeping my shotgun on my knee), 4 shells and a short piece of 1/8" rope for slinging a bird over my shoulder. ;)

BTW, I also cheat by hunting out of my Ruff&Tuff 4wd electric cart. If I'm in a situation where I need to cover a lot of ground in a hurry...now problem. It's very quiet and yes cuts down on some walking but anything else I think I might need can be stowed away in my cart (like extra water bottles & some snacks). If I decide to add or swap out some calls, grab a snack, etc. during a day's hunt it's pretty handy to get to.

So you see when I'm burning boot leather to move in to work a bird my gear's light but I'm far from being what you'd call a simple turkey hunter. :D

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Equipment -

Cell phone, pocket knife, flashlight, 20 gauge shotgun, handfull of Remington Wingmaster HD shells, 3 mouth calls (Primos), Kits Cherry Box call, and collapsible hen decoy w/ peg leg.

Camo - Primos Randy Anderson predator vest w/ cushion attached, camo (pants, shirt, gloves, baseball cap) and a H.S. mesh headcover.

This year I may trade in the shotgun for my TechHunter Elite bow, or I may bring both of them if I'm going to a blind setup.

- Dan

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  Rhino said:

Most of my turkey hunting gear either goes into the multiple pockets built into my Ol Tom outfits or an Ol Tom attachment or two like one that's made for 2 slate calls & strikers.

BTW, I also cheat by hunting out of my Ruff&Tuff 4wd electric cart.

I also use the Ol Tom gear. I love it keeps you light. I also use a beard buster pouch on a tarantula belt from Cabelas. It has a water bottle pouch and pad on it. So in all I carry A slate, a glass, Crow and owl call, 3 strikers, and a Primos pouch around my neck for about 5 mouth calls.

I also us an electric cart to cover more ground. A bad boy buggie. Though I may not use it as much this year because I picked up a bunch of smaller leases around 80 acres. Really no need for the Bad boy in that situation.

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Gun

Vest w/ seat attached

2 slate style calls

3 strikers

1 box call

6 Mouth calls

3 extra shells

Crow call

Small owl hooter

Chalk and small piece of sandpaper

TP is a must!!!!!!

small folding seat with decoy bag attached

This year trying the primos Bmobile

Water

Sounds like alot but all i have to do is slip on the vest and slip the chair and decoy bag over my shoulder also grab my gun, away i go!!

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The first time I ever went turkey hunting (two seasons ago), I grabbed my 11-87, some shells a tan t-shirt and light weight camo-bibs,my NY Giants hat (bright blue) and my brand spanking new $10 slate call from Wally World. A half hour later I was calling in a large tom and several hens together. From the first time I heard him to the minute they approached the treeline was almost 45 minutes. It was so exciting and stressful all at the same time. I was hooked. Unfortunately, I started second guessing my position and shot so I doubled back into the woods and spooked them off after all that work! But it was still fun.

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As for as what I carry, I think I stay kinda light.

One slate over crystal Madhatter track player w/ a pair of strikers, 4 or 5 diaphrams, couple locators (Crow/Woodpecker), gloves, facemask (one extra), gps and record book/pen, headlamp plus extra, flashlight, batteries, rangefinder, binos, thermacell and refills, turkey wing, 1 hen sceery decoy, pruners, bottle of water, couple snacks (depending on the stay), camera, short piece of rope, small tape measure, usually a small land boundary map if hunting public, few extra shells, plus of course shotgun. Sometimes depending on location I may pack a cedar longbox too. Sounds like a lot now that i put on paper. Hum.

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As for as what I carry, I think I stay kinda light.

One slate over crystal Madhatter track player w/ a pair of strikers, 4 or 5 diaphrams, couple locators (Crow/Woodpecker), gloves, facemask (one extra), gps and record book/pen, headlamp plus extra, flashlight, batteries, rangefinder, binos, thermacell and refills, turkey wing, 1 hen sceery decoy, pruners, bottle of water, couple snacks (depending on the stay), camera, short piece of rope, small tape measure, usually a small land boundary map if hunting public, few extra shells, plus of course shotgun. Sometimes depending on location I may pack a cedar longbox too. Sounds like a lot now that i put on paper. Hum.

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Mobile Pro Bass Shop

I'm a mobile Bass Pro Shop.

Not really but I believe in carrying what "I might need".

Couple box calls, glass, slate 3 strikers, owl hooter, crow call, decoys sometimes, water, gps, binocs. chalk, sanding apparatus.

I'm still pretty light and quiet.

I'll lighten the load slightly if I'm in Montana where I know I'll be doing some serious walking.

I must end up with 6 pairs of gloves because I slip gloves over everything including box calls and slates etc so it can't bang together in my pockets if I'm running after a bird. PLus I know I'll always have a glove for the manufacterers suggested use.

Oh yea 3 extra shells in case I'm attacked.

Bobby

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Since our hunts in IL end at noon I never carry water.

My list:

Turkey vest with:

mouth call (rarely use)

slate call (number one call for me)

box call (on windy days)

digital camera

cell phone

owl locator call

knife

head net

mosquito spray

license/tag

about 8 shells

Shotgun on sling

Small flashlight on hat

Padded knee gun rest

Backpack with 3 folded decoys (1 jake, 2 hens)

Binoculars with harness (may leave them behind this year)

I bought a thermacell last year, but have not used it because the temps are generally cool enough in the mornings that the bugs are not too bad.

I wouldn't say this isn't real light, but I have no problem walking 5 or more miles with it up and down steep hills.

The decoys are very helpful where I hunt and worth the haul.

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