Spring Thunder: 15 Must-Have Turkey Products

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I was set up in the perfect spot. There was a tom on the ridge to my left and one on the ridge to my right, and they were obviously competing for the attention of the lonely hen that was positioned in front of my blind. No matter what sequence of calls my slate produced, both responded with thunderous gobbles.

As if I had written the script myself, both longbeards showed themselves at opposite ends of the small field in all their spring glory. They were wound so tight, I did not think calling was even necessary, but with each series of yelps and purrs I sent their direction, they thundered a little closer. For nearly 20 minutes we went back and forth before one finally committed to the blind date. Seconds later my 20-yard pin was burning a hole through his chest, putting an end to the love-sick affair.

Although turkeys are not at the top of my to-do list every spring, I certainly enjoy the challenge and excitement they bring to the table. Just hearing their gobbles makes the endeavor worth the effort, and with the quality gear options available today, it’s never been easier to find success.

Take decoys. There are a lot to choose from and virtually all can get the job done. At just 22 ounces, the Miss Purrfect XD Hen ($79.99) from Montana Decoy Co. is a good pick if you’re looking to shave weight but still have an extremely realistic fake. It sets up in seconds and features taxidermy-quality eyes, a fabric that imitates the natural iridescence of feathers, and with the company’s Perfect Pose Technology, you can fine-tune the hen’s posture. To spice it up, you can add Montana Decoy’s Wiley Tom 3D ($129.99) to the mix as well. It’s designed to be used either as a full-bodied 3-D strutter, or 2-D if the situation calls for it. Plus, you can add even more lifelike appeal by replacing the printed fan with a real one.

Using a sub-dominate jake decoy can also be a trick up your sleeve during the early season, and the LCD Half-Strut Jake ($149.99) from Avian-X is a solid option. Its sub-dominate posture looks extremely realistic, and it easily folds up for quick setup and transport.

If you’re a fan of Ultimate Predator’s Stalker Turkey Decoy, you’re going to love their new Run-n-Gun Combo ($149.99) setup that pairs their legendary, bow-mounted strutting tom with three of their Wind-Drifter decoys. Not only will you have the same effectiveness that the bow-mounted decoy provides, with the Wind-Drifters added to the mix, you’ll have an ultra-realistic setup that toms will find hard to resist. Designed for the bowhunter who desires maximum mobility, the Run-n-Gun combo weighs less than two pounds and is available with either a lighter Merriam’s/Rio or darker Eastern tom, plus resting hen, feeding hen and jake Wind-Drifters.

A solid blind is a must as well, and Primos went to the drawing board with the crew from Raised Hunting to develop the new Double Bull Raised Hunting Ground Blind ($599.99). With 300 degrees of SurroundView one-way, see-through mesh, you won’t miss any of the action, and with the zipperless Double Wide Door, slipping in and out is seamless and virtually noise-free. Shooting opportunities are limitless as well with the large vertical windows that can be configured to your needs, plus the all-new horizontal window — what I like to call a “kill window” — in the front corner for optimized shooting opportunities. Also worth noting is the multifunction, open-style blind bag that securely carries the blind, chair and stakes.

If you’re a little on the tall side and worry about the top limb of your bow hitting the blind when shooting, Browning’s new Envy ($399.99) blind is your answer. With a 6-foot, 10-inch center height, and a shooting width of 74 inches, you’ll have plenty of room when it’s time to drop the string. Plus, with the company’s Silent-Trac window system, coupled with the large, magnetic QuickConnect door, the noise when setting up isn’t an issue either. The blind is constructed from a durable 600D polyester fabric with large adjustable windows throughout.

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When comfort outweighs a run-and-gun approach, it’s hard to beat Millennium’s G450 Ground Blind Chair ($245). It’s super comfortable and at just over seven pounds, and with a weight rating of 400 pounds, it’s built like a tank. The chair sports an adjustable height range of about four inches and is finished in Mossy Oak Bottomland camo.

Modularity and mobility are the trademarks of saddle hunting, and taking those concepts to the turkey woods, Tethrd developed the M2 Turkey Vest ($299.99). Based on years of development and tested by the Hunting Public crew, the vest comes in at just over three pounds and is constructed from a two-layer, laminated, proprietary fabric that is whisper quiet on the outside yet extremely durable on the inside. Its modular Molle loop system allows users to expand or minimize the vest for their particular needs. You can use whatever Molle-compatible options you already have, or trick out the M2 with Tethrd-designed options such as the Hydro Pack, Bird Bag and Vertical pouches.

Another pack for the run-and-gun turkey hunter is the Ambush Sling Pack ($59.99) from ALPS OutdoorZ. Checking in at just one pound, it has a single-shoulder ambidextrous design and is equipped with a Molle system on each side so you can expand if needed. Covered in Realtree Timber or Mossy Oak Obsession, it sports a smaller front pocket that’s ideal for slate calls, a main compartment for larger essentials and a pair of box call pockets. There’s even a removable, protective diaphragm call pouch that neatly fits on the shoulder strap for quick access.

Turkey calls are obviously a must, and when it comes to striking the right love-sick tones, nothing beats what a slate call brings to the table. Hunters Specialties has been at it for decades now, and the Drury Outdoors Signature Pot Call ($49.99) makes it easy for even an average caller like me to sound like a pro. Built with a native sycamore pot and a select grade of anodized aluminum, it’s designed to produce high-frequency locating calls, as well as soft and seductive yelps, clucks and purrs to draw them into bow range.

Putting good use to diaphragm calls is a must for bowhunters, and if you like the sound of a raspy old hen, Phelps offers the Raspy 3 Pack ($30.99). With three different reed designs, this trio delivers vastly different sounds that range from clear and extra raspy to everything in between.

Making the shot might be the toughest part of any turkey hunt, and Morrell makes it easy to dial in your rig with the realistic High Roller Foam Target ($249.99). It’s designed with Morrell’s Flex-Back self-healing solid foam so it can take a beating, and with a complete turkey on one side and a deer’s vitals on the other — with bull's-eye dots on each end — there’s no shortage of sweet spots to pound arrows home. Plus, with its offset bull's-eye design, there’s no worry of arrows passing through because of weak spots, and with its fade-resistant paint and weather-resistant construction, it will last for many seasons.

Another target option that will leave a greenback or two in your wallet but still provide some solid practice time is the Turkey 3D Target ($109.99) from Shooter. It offers a realistic design and size, and with the benefit of scoring rings, you’ll be thumping the 10-ring in no time.

Once you’re dialed in on the range, it’s time to choose a solid broadhead to finish the job. Stable, strong and highly accurate, Muzzy’s Trocar Ti ($49.99 per 3) is the next generation of the company’s popular broadhead line and features offset blade technology to maximize accuracy and arrow flight. With the new adjustable-blade technology, the razor-sharp blades can be adjusted with either right or left offset to match the arrow’s fletching setup. Plus, with a 1.25-inch cutting diameter and the strength-to-weight ratio of the titanium ferrule, users won’t have any issues penetrating the sweet spot for a quick kill.

More than once I’ve had venomous encounters in the turkey woods, so having a little piece of mind as you step can keep a good turkey hunt from turning into a disaster. Thankfully, there are some good options available, and the latest from Rocky Boots should be at the top of your list. Taken from their new Trophy Collection, the Slip-On Snake Boot ($185) sports a durable, multi-terrain rubber outsole with Rocky’s Air-Port Lite sponge PU footbed with memory foam for all-day comfort. I personally like the slip-on feature with YKK back zippers/snap closures, and with 16 inches of abrasion-resistant Snake Guard uppers that are wrapped in Mossy Oak Bottomland camo, they provide both the added protection and concealment needed in the turkey woods.

If you prefer rubber-style boots, the AeroHead Sport Snake Boot ($250) from LaCrosse can’t be beat. Offering all the creature comforts of the original AeroHead collection, it’s an extremely lightweight and waterproof boot with insulating polyurethane Aerofoam around the foot and flexible neoprene on the uppers. Sporting LaCrosse’s Brush Tuff finish, these boots are extremely durable and offer a moisture-wicking liner with flexible Snake Guard fabric sandwiched between liner and boot exterior.