Having the right gear is essential to enjoy turkey hunting
Turkey hunting is growing in popularity in America.
By JIMMY HOUSTON
ITJ
3/25/2008
Turkey hunting is far more complex than the average person really realizes, and yet it is one of the fastest growing hunting sports in the country.
I love it. It’s a favorite pastime for me in the springtime and I have learned a lot of my skills from seminars, books, videos, DVDs and just plain ole getting out in the woods.
So I would like to take this space this month to tell the basics of turkey hunting and then you can research the rest on your own.
To begin with, I think one of the most important elements in your turkey inventory of tools is a good and I do mean good, turkey hunting vest. I know that sounds sort of elementary and not all that important to you, but it is.
If you want to go turkey-hunting season after season, then you don’t want to be dreading how tired you are going to be in the woods and how uncomfortable you will be while turkey hunting.
First, get a turkey vest that has a built in back rest.
Yes, they do make them. This keeps you going. Keeps your back from stressing out on you while in the tree stand.
In addition to the backrest, get a turkey vest with lots of pockets. You can pack food, beverages snacks, your cell phone, camera, topographical map and all the other things you need to drag along out in the woods. Don’t forget your hunting licenses. The right vest will give you a lot of mobility as opposed to carrying a tote bag or a hunting gear bag. You got what you need right against your body. After a few trips you begin to edit what you carry.
In addition to the backrest and the pockets, your perfect turkey vest should have a nice detachable cushion to sit on. Yep. Got to keep your butt dry, warm and rested. Nothing will run you out of the woods quitting more than being unable to be comfortable physically and having no place to sit down comfortably. This can make you come to hate turkey hunting.
Secondly, one of the primary elements of turkey hunting is a good camouflage outfit to wear in a pattern that is indigenous to where you are hunting. I won’t go into patterns here, but there are plenty to choose from out there. I wear Mothwing. I love it, but you choose the one that is best for you in your area where you hunt. Then once you get a good pattern, rig yourself out with good coveralls, pants, shirts, hat or cap, gloves and a face net. These are all necessary for good turkey hunting because, I will tell you now that turkeys can see really well.
Thirdly is a thing that may seem a little trite to you and kind of goes against the grain of what is sold in catalogs when it comes to hunting apparel. Buy yourself a really good set of rubber boots. That’s right. Not galoshes, but rubber boots designed just for hunters that are waterproof and lined. Arch supports are a given. Now, why the importance of rubber boots you might ask. Well, for one thing, the early spring mornings are usually chilly and the ground is covered with a fresh dew. This dew will soak your regular boots and make your feet miserable.
In addition to the dew, spring rains can make any hunt miserable; if you have to walk around with wet feet then you are in for a miserable day.
The boots should be lightweight. I know rubber boots and lightweight don’t seem to go together but such a boot is made by several manufacturers and at logical and affordable pricing. So, take a little time to find them and if necessary buy them off the Internet.
Lastly, in regard to the boots, make sure the boots are the high top types. You will need high tops. There is a thing in springtime known as briars and these briars can tear your legs up…. so be prepared. Don’t forget other spring time prey that you need high top boots for…such as snakes, more snakes and then again snakes plus poison ivy and other nasty plants. Also, they just keep your feet warm.
Lastly, carry a good knife. I don’t care what brand name, what size blade or whatever, just make it a sharp knife. You will need it for doing a little field dressing, for preparing your turkey hunting site and other various areas that a hunter needs a knife. Also, get one just in case you lock your keys in your truck.
These primary tips can help you enjoy turkey hunting much more than if you throw on a pair of jeans, pair of hunting boots and a cheap hunting vest. Make the sport something you can’t wait to get into and you don’t want to end. If you do that, you will gain a whole new respect for doing something the right way and the proper way not that you don’t now, but no short cuts and you will never regret that decision.
Enjoy this season… I think it may be a great turkey season.