Buying Guide
THE ESSENTIALS – WHAT TO BRING
Taylor Wright, Bass Pro Shops & Cabela's Canada Ambassador
TURKEY HUNTING GEAR – CHECKLIST
Shotgun Hunting
Bow HuntingTURKEY VISION
Eyes like a hawk? More like eyes like a turkey.
Though turkeys are not known to be the brightest animals, they are incredibly alert and have a very keen sense of sight. They have a 270° field of full-colour vision and can see 3× better than a human with 20/20 eyesight.
As a hunter, this means camouflage is especially important since a turkey will get spooked if it sees you.
Our Top Picks
Bear® Archery Legit Compound Bow Package
Bow — considerations:
- Using a crossbow or compound bow with camo stock
Stevens® 301 Turkey Obsession Shotgun
Firearm — considerations:
- Using a shotgun with camo stock
- Find a longer barrel for added accuracy at long distances
Top Pick: Winchester® Longbeard Turkey Shotshells
Ammunition — considerations:
- Accuracy at longer distances
Top pick: Rage® Xtreme Turkey Mechanical Broadhead — 2–Pack
Top pick: Redhead Men’s Classic Turkey Vest
Vest — considerations:
- Variety of small and large pockets to store everything from calls to decoys
- Ensuring the vest is comfortable, as you’ll be wearing it all day
- Orange safety strip so other hunters can see you when you leave with your big Tom
Top pick: Hunter's Specialties Strut Raspy Old Hen Box Call
Calls — considerations:
- Each type of call has its pros and cons
- Consider how much time you have to practice beforehand
Top Pick: Everything True Timber® Strata
Clothing — considerations:
- Dressing in layers, as it may be cool in the morning but warmer during the day
- Sticking with one camo pattern, like True Timber® Strata, Kanati, or VSX
- Covering your hands and head with gloves, hat and facemask or face paint
Top Pick: Muck® Unisex Wetland™ Field Boot
Footwear — considerations:
- Comfort is key as you will likely be doing a lot of walking
- Be prepared for wet weather with a waterproof boot
- Go for an uninnsulated boot so your feet don’t get too hot, and opt for merino wool socks to help with temperature and moisture control
Top pick: Vortex® Diamondback® Binoculars
Binoculars — considerations:
- Make sure bridge is wide enough for your eyes
- A harness is a must-have so your binoculars aren’t bouncing around as you move
Top pick: Avian-X Half-Strut Jake and Breeder Turkey Decoy Combo
Decoys — considerations:
- If walking, go for a collapsible decoy to ease in transportation
- Realism
- Unlike waterfowl hunting, less is best – go for quality over quantitiy