The basic purpose of turkey hunting checklist is to remind you of each and every minor essentials you are going to need while you are in the field. Precaution of charting down the list as carrying the much needed things that are important will ease your hunt. So learn, prepare and pack everything that is on your checklist as hunting can be a hobby but it is a serious affair where you don't get a second chance.
Now, this was your checklist for turkey hunting. Remember the turkey hunting checklist cannot save you, if you forget to pack the items, so I suggest you go through the list carefully and if you feel something is missing, feel free to add. Besides, these essential things, do you have any lucky charm? I don’t think I need to tell you to carry it too. Wish you safe and happy hunting!
Learning About Your Checklist
When it comes to turkey hunting, it does not deviate from the nature of any other hunt. You need to make sure you are making it safe because any undesired incident not only kills the mood but can also result in unwanted consequences. Besides, I do not want you to end up in a very sad dinner without a gobbler. That would be unfair considering you spent a day on your hunch looking for little baggy freaks.
In this article, I am going to help you pack before you leave for your gaming with the most appropriate turkey hunting checklist. It will shush the fight between your voice telling you are taking the unnecessary thing, and the weigh will be an issue on the road and the other who is always paranoid about leaving something behind which you may need at the time of emergency.
You stick to this turkey hunting checklist, and you are good for a day. So let us begin with the thing you cannot miss on the game day. Once we are done with the names, I am going to help you pick the best types of the same, so it serves you entirely in the woods.
List of thing you must carry while turkey hunting:
• License and other legal documents and permission papers.
• Turkey calls of all kinds that you prefer and your location and season needs.
• Proper hunting clothes including hunting vest, jacket, face mask, gloves.
• Shells for shots.
• Hunting knife.
• Butt cushions if your vest does not include one already.
• Turkey decoys of your choice which is collapsible.
• Flashlight or headlamp.
• Bug repellent, hand warmer or alike accessories.
• First aid kit which I think I should write in red.
• A GPS device, map or compass to reach your location without hassle.
• Dry hunting socks of wool.
• Camouflage toilet papers.
• Snacks that provide you with high energy.
• Water or alike hydration option.
License And Legal Papers And Permission Details
History never tells a story where sincerity hurt mankind. You do not want to get into trouble while pursuing your hobby or spending a day with fun. Get your license ready. Put it in your internal pocket. Do it on the night before, so in no circumstances you forget it. If you have been doing this for a long time, check your license date, get it renewed depending upon your state policy.
If you need any other legal document, the land owner’s permission letter etc. I suggest you keep those too in your internal pocket. Avoid any legal dispute to save time and mood.
Turkey Calls
The most important item on your list should be turkey calls. How are you going to shoot one if you cannot get one close enough? Always pay detailed attention and make no compromise when it comes to calls. Start with box calls. They are essential and will help you in your hunting. Moving on to detailed calls, you will like to add diaphragm calls, tube call, push pin calls, tube call, glass call, slate or glass pot call, peg call, crow call which is also known as locator call, owl hooter call, wing-bone call which you may know as Turpin call, the best owl call for turkey hunting to your list. Depending upon the ground, you can choose other locator calls as well.
If you are in no way able to bring the list of calls, always keep the ones that make you feel very confident. I am going to share a trick with you. Get the best turkey calls for beginners, sandpaper, some chalk, abundant striker and spare rubber bands! And you have on point serenade for the day. You are welcome!
Hunting Clothes
If you have been hunting for quite a time, then you already know how vital your clothing is and what to wear turkey hunting. During turkey hunting, you must keep in mind that this bird has crazy eyesight. One glimpse of the skin or any unnatural colour in the forest and they are gone. They are very timid by nature and scaring them away is not very difficult. The pure and complete camouflage is your key to success. In no way, you can deny the importance of the absolute camouflage in turkey hunting.
Coordinate colour with your surrounding smartly. If it is the start of the spring or fall, go with something brown and grey, but if it is mid-spring with the extravagance of green, then you have to go for a dark green camouflage outfit. Shirt, pant, and jacket you will choose depending upon the weather or location, but buying the most excellent hunting vest that would accommodate your calls and gears and other necessary items. A face mask makes thing better and safer in turkey hunting. Your gloves should also follow the trend.
Shotshells
This is another important point you must decide on wisely. I know common sense tells us to take as many shotshells you can carry so you can be on the safer side on an unlucky day. However, let me tell you the real scenario. If you are unable to shoot the target for a long time, you have to accept your need for rest for that moment. Take three shells for the gun; otherwise, you will weigh yourself down unnecessarily. Take another two for reserve but not more than that. Leave the rest in the car. If that amount is not enough for you it is better you take rest for some time and start again.
Butt Cushions
Butt cushions should not be on your list if you own the best hunting vest with the seat, but if you haven’t reached that far you need to put one cushion on the list. It is to provide absolute comfort and support to your rear. You cannot sit or position properly with a sore limb and to cure this situation I suggest you add this particular item to your list. You can look for support against some tree as well but vests these days provide that too. Many vests are available in the market which has back support as well. With better physical position and comfort, you can concentrate better and go one step closer to a perfect shot.
Collapsible Turkey Decoys
Collapsible decoys are to allure your game inside your zone. Decoys do visually what calls do on the audio field. There are various decoys available in the market. Choose one based on your budget and the look of the decoy. In some high-end decoys, the feathers are very realistic, and they collapse with very little wind. These types of bait are best to fool a turkey and make your shot perfect. You can use the hen or other kinds of decoys but make sure they are lightweight so you can carry them around the hunting field easily and the wind can do its job as well.
Flashlight Or Headlamp
I know you have come across people who are all into moonlight and woodman’s sign to find the way back to blind at night but trust me these are also the people that say “ no no wait, I think it’s the other way” or “I can hear the stream, just follow the smell”. You do not want to be that person while turkey hunting. No matter how well you know the location or how tight your plan of avoiding night is, you must always carry a flashlight or headlamp along with you to prevent unwanted encounters at night. People are still arguing over the most favourable lights for turkeys, but some study says that they are comfortable in red and green light. Make sure to take one with you to make it back to shelter safely.
Bug Repellent
Hunting is a wild game, and you all must have an excellent idea about the things you can find in the woods. Mosquitoes, bugs or other insects are hard to avoid in the open, and a bug repellant would make your hunting way bearable. Besides, you cannot stay still with flies or other insects bugging you continuously. Therefore, having a bug repellent will always add a decisive factor to your hunting.
Not only for sitting still, but there could also be insects carrying various viruses. You do not want to deal with any such nuisance let alone the itch and annoyance. There could be allergic reactions as well, so it’s better you have a bug repellent.
First Aid Kit
I am not going to elaborate on why you need to carry a first aid box with you while going on something serious business like gaming. I will discuss the things you must bring in your box. Depending on the location, your first aid box item will change. I suggest you research a bit about the local insects and reptiles because while hunting in the woods it would be improbable to meet a lion or tiger and given the situation your first air would not be of much help. You may also carry special snake kit with necessary antiseptics, gauge, cotton, disinfectant, scissors and bandages. Remember we never plan for accidents, but it is always advisable to be prepared for one.
GPS Map And Compass
Do not underestimate the nature to fog out your destination or way back to shelter. You must always carry a GPS device but have conventional maps, and compass is handy too, given the technology fails you. I will completely understand if you say you do not know how to use a compass. I advise you to look up for the basic rule or an essential guide on the internet or consult someone who already knows. The forest is never going to be your friend; it’s better you should be prepared with survival tricks for some lone fights.
Dry Woollen Socks
Cold feet had no history of serving mankind with goodness. Have your socks ready for a comfortable night or while having a quick meal. Having dry feet can boost your mood and make you concentrate better on the game.
Camouflage Toilet Paper
When nature calls, you answer! Find some septic safe camouflage biodegradable toilet paper, so you don’t scare the birds or other hunters.
High Energy Snacks
An empty stomach is not going to help you focus or staying energetic. Successful hunters always carry unique food items which are high on energy. You try some meat snacks, candy bars, granola bars, or energy bar while sitting motionless for the old tom. They would keep your stomach full, would not weigh you down much and hold your energy graph high.
Water And Hydration Options
Water is essential in hunting. You are not going to get a gobbler with a dry mouth. Dehydration does not only disturb you physically, but also hampers your focus. When you feel thirsty, science says you are already 1-2% dehydrated. Dehydration also plays a significant role in losing clear eyesight. The last thing you want in your hunting is a mirage. And let me tell you very confidently that running to truck all thirsty and exhausted is not the fun you have on your mind. Therefore, have a bottle handy and keep sipping once in a while.