What do I need to get started turkey hunting?
If you are new to the great sport of turkey hunting, you are probably searching online to decide what gear you need to bag a gobbler this year. It can be hard to determine what gear you need to have versus what gear you want to have.
Buying accessories and gear is a fun part of turkey hunting. From turkey vests to turkey calls, you can grab your gear at any Walmart near you, making it easy for you to head out to the timber.
Turkey Hunting Essentials
Turkey Vest
Mossy Oak Obsession NWTF Edition Men’s Turkey Vest:
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Padded shoulders
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Ventilated foam back-support pads
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Face mask and glove pockets
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Two large slate-call pockets
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Mesh water-bottle pocket
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Zip closed storage pocket
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Mouth-call pocket with mesh dividers
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Striker holders with magnetic closure
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Box-call pocket with quick-release buckle closure
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Deep zipper pocket with elastic shell holders and blaze orange safety flag
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Removable drop-down seat cushion with quick-release buckles
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Lined game bag
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Blaze orange safety flag at back
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Machine washable
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Imported
A turkey vest holds and organizes a turkey hunter’s arsenal of gear. You absolutely need one to place shells, calls, face masks and everything else you need to carry with you. Turkey hunting can be an all-day sport, so be prepared to bring snacks, water and even reading material if you’re not hearing anything.
The good turkey vests will come with a cushion off the back so you can sit wherever you need to and rest comfortably. Sitting on the roots of a tree is never fun, so making the investment in a good turkey vest with a cushion attached is pretty essential.
Make sure the turkey vest you choose is loose enough to fit over a jacket for turkey hunting in the early season. It can be quite cold during the early part of the turkey season. Likewise, late-season turkey hunting can be warm, so you don’t want it too big either. Choose a turkey vest that will work all season long.
You will want to make sure that when you're sitting, you can easily get to your turkey calls, head net, gloves and water. A good turkey vest will let you get to these things without making a commotion. Every turkey hunter has their preferences, so make sure the pockets and attachments are in places you can easily get to.
Turkey Gun
A good shotgun is unarguably the most important piece of equipment you can bring. Most hunters prefer a 12 gauge to get the job done. We recommend the Mossberg 835 Pump Turkey Gun, available in-store at your local Walmart.
The Mossberg 835 Pump Turkey Gun is wrapped in Mossy Oak camo, which is crucial for making sure you stay hidden. We like to say that you might as well take every advantage you have to disappear into the woods and avoid tipping off spooky gobblers.
The Mossberg pump is a popular turkey gun, but make the time to become familiar with it. Buy it well ahead of turkey season and take it to the range. Pattern it with several different types of ammunition to see what ammo patterns best for you.
Turkey Chair
Mossy Oak Low Profile Turkey Hunting Gobbler Chair, Mossy Oak Obsession NWTF
- 24.5" wide and 16.5" deep seat features Breathable Mesh Fabric, Padded Arm Rests, 24.5" tall backrest, and Padded Headrest to keep you comfortable in the woods
- 8" tall low profile seat helps keep you out of site leading up to the moment of truth or when scouting
- Carry strap, slim 5.5-inch x 5.5-inch x 33-inch folded size, and 4.6 lb weight make it easy to pack in and out of the woods
- Mossy Oak Obsession NWTF camo is the most popular and proven lethal pattern to ever hit the spring woods, it features an enhanced background of mottled tree bark inspired by the original Mossy Oak Bottomland pattern, true-to-nature elements of limbs, pine and oak foliage, and lifelike color tones to match the turkey woods in spring and early fall
- Hook and loop strap that locks it closed when folded
- Durable steal frame and 300 pound weight capacity
A chair is important if you’re setting up camp in a single spot, or even if you’re moving around. A turkey chair is specially designed to sit low to the ground and minimize your chances of being seen. Choose one that will keep you comfortable during a long day of turkey hunting. If you plan on taking your children, you might want a smaller chair for them.
A camouflaged chair is also important to remain unseen. That bright blue chair you use for your kids’ baseball games won’t quite cut it in a turkey hunt. These chairs usually aren’t that expensive, but you can get as fancy as you want with chairs that swivel or have seat cushions.
Accessories: Gloves, Neck Gaitor, Face Mask
Mossy Oak Obsession NWTF Edition Men's Lightweight Gloves:
- Non-slip palms
- Form-fitting stretch fabric
- Touchscreen compatible
- 96% polyester, 4% spandex
- Machine washable
- Imported
Mossy Oak Obsession NWTF Edition Neck Gaiter:
- Mesh breathing panel
- Form-fitting stretch fabric
- One size fits most
- 100% polyester
- Machine washable
- Imported
Mossy Oak Obsession NWTF Edition Mesh Facemask:
- Breathable mesh
- Elastic cord for a secure fit
- Adjustable nose bridge
- One size fits most
- 100% polyester
- Machine washable
- Imported
If you’ve got the Mossy Oak pants and shirts to wear turkey hunting, you’re 70 percent of the way there. But you’ve got to think about those other exposed parts of your body that the bird will see from a mile away.
Gloves, neck gaiters and face masks are the last pieces of the puzzle to make sure you stay hidden. Any bit of exposed skin will alert the turkey, which is the last thing you want. You may want a cold weather set of gloves, neck gaiters and face masks and a set for the warm weather. An early-season turkey hunt can be chilly. Likewise, you’ll want ventilated gear for the warm late-season hunts.
The final piece of gear you absolutely need is a mouth call. Though you can use plenty of other types of calls — it’s all preference — we recommend the mouth call, as it’s easy to learn and easy to hide from suspicious turkeys.
The movement required with a pot call or box call can sometimes be detrimental, especially as your wary turkey comes in closer to check out the hen you’re imitating. With a little practice, your mouth call will fool any gobbler within earshot.
The Greenleaf Turkey call is a prophylactic focused mouth call with three latex reeds that provides medium to high range volume and raspy yelps. This model features a Mossy Oak Greenleaf finish and a modified turkey track cut.
I’ve got the gear—now how do I get started?
Check out our helpful and informative turkey content on Mossyoak.com and Mossy Oak GO to learn more about the sport!
For all your camo clothing needs, check out The Mossy Oak Store. We recommend Mossy Oak Obsession, Bottomland, or Greenleaf patterns for turkey season.
