Hunting Basic Needs? starter Kit?

[BehindTheIronCurtain]

Hey folks, I am going for my hunters education class in April and going to do some spring turkey hunting in may. Problem is, I don't know what I need. I have my mossberg 500 home defense shotgun ready for the hunt, it's a short barrel, but some here say that should be fine. If I find a problem I'll spring for a longer replacement barrel just for hunting and switch back when it's in my closet.

Other than that, I have no mossy oak, no shootingmshirts, no boots with their salt for hunting and tracking through the woods.

What are some must haves for a first time hunter? Thanks!

 

[MtnCreek]

Full choke for your shotgun and a box (or two) of shells (#4's or #5's). Confim your pattern on paper to find out your POA and how far you can shoot and don't shoot at a turkey any further than that. Cheap camo 'mesh' mask and some camo mesh (it's like $30) to make a ground blind. Unless you're hunting swamps, tennis shoes should work. I would also get a slate call and practice a little with that, just don't call too much.

The biggest thing you need is knowledge. Where are the turkeys going to be. Figure that out and be there...

Take everything I said w/ a bit of salt because I'm Not a good turkey hunter.

 

[Art Eatman]

While camo clothing helps, the main thing is sitting very still and wearing dull, brownish and greenish clothes which sorta blend in with the vegetation. I'd start out at Goodwill, myself. One of the biggest "giveaways" for hunters is a shiny face. Even without actual camo clothing, the little mesh dealie head covering ends that problem and doesn't interfere with vision.

A full choke barrel would be a Good Thing. Or, if your hunting use will be just for turkeys, there is an even tighter "Turkey Choke" which might be available for your brand of shotgun.

 

[Freedom_fighter_in_IL]

Ok first off, lets deal with the mesh for the face, since this will be a spring hunt, you will NEED one that will deal with the bugs. Those little noseeums have cause more "busts" than probably anything else. Don't know how many times I have gotten busted by deer that I hadn't heard yet because I was wiping a gnat out of my damned eye. And since we had a fairly mild winter, the bugs will be out in FULL force. They have leafy camo net suits that are very reasonable in price and are made to keep the little buggers off you. It's all I use in the early archery seasons. As far as everything else, pretty much what Art and creek said.

 

[shaggy430]

I've had good luck with regular woodland camo for spring turkey hunting. Also, an owl hooter and a box or slate call are good for beginners.

 

[infmp32]

All good advice so far. If the gun patterns well don't even sweat the longer barrel. At the ranges that turkeys are usually killed a short barrel shotgun will perform admirably. I'll second the easy to operate calls. Although if you pick up a mouth call now you'll have some time to practice with it.

Turkey eyesight is ridiculous. While camo isn't necessary, like Art and others said covering the glaring human skin is a must. Light weight gloves and a head covering are two things you'll want. And most importantly, learn to sit REALLY still. If you have to fidget around too much once a gobbler is in range, your odds of getting busted go way up.

 

[Art Eatman]

Lotsa little stuff: A boonie hat is better than a gimme cap, since the shape doesn't change when you turn your head.

Whatever moves you must make, make them slowly. Think "Ooze" and don't do anything in a jerky manner.

 

[22-rimfire]

I would pop for a full choke barrel 26 or 28". Camo is not a bad idea for spring turkey. If nothing else it makes you feel like you blend in. Hunting is a mental game and if the camo makes you feel more confident, then I would wear it.

I would probably get a slate turkey call and practice. The call is the hard part. You have to know how to use it.

Boots/footwear that fit your terrain. I personally would wear hiking boots, but knee high rubber boots make a lot of sense especially if you might encounter snakes or have to walk through swampy, very wet areas, or cross creeks.

A sling might be useful for your shotgun when you lug that 20 lb turkey out of the woods. It would be even better if you plan on using a shotgun for deer hunting.

Yes, to the mesh face covering. I would get some camo paste for your face and hands.

Remember turkey's are not color blind like deer. They have incredible vision and sense the slightest motion.

 

[BehindTheIronCurtain]

Thanks for all the help so far guys, and forgive all the typos, I'm on an iPad.

 

[Redlg155]

A good call is a must. Learn how to do a "yelp" and a "cluck" and experiment from there. Just remember you are making love talk to a turkey. Calls are your own personal preference. I love a good box call. If you go the way of the slate, opt for a weatherproof plexiglass model. Don't even think of a gobble call. Use a owl hooter or coyote squealer to get a bird to gobble. Hunters are there can br idiots.

And remember, just talk to them in love talk. Pitch perfect calls are nice, but in reality they don't work any better than one with a sratchy sound. Of of the worse calls I have ever heard came from a turkey.

 

[targets from us]

Over the years hunting here in California on public land I have amassed a ton of hunting gear for the ever elusive California Deer.

I have tons of Camo in matching patterns,Cold weather gear.Boots,socks for hot and cold weather,hats.

Even bought into sent block for a while.

Tried a few different hunting rigs before finally settling on a Jeep.

Bought several different optics, binoculars, spotting scopes different rifle scopes.

Last year we decided to get into pack hunting and spent a ton of money on that gear.
Packed in several miles to where we had had spotted some nice deer only to find they had left for the season.

The next day we hiked back out and drove to a totally different area for an evening hunt. As the sun got a little lower we started driving to where we planned to hunt. Upon said drive I had noticed a deer of to my right that was trying to get cover in some trees. I stopped got out with the riffle and two bullets plotted an intercept course of where I figured it would come out and found him approximately 140 yds up hill. I could immeadiatly tell he was a legal buck and a nice one. In my excitement the first shot totally missed. Luckily the Buck acted as though nothing had even happened and continued his grazing. I loaded another round really took my time and setup the shot. Finally taking a deep controlled breath such as was taught at an appleseed shoot and let the sites fall on the area of the dear I wanted to hit while gently squeezing the trigger in proper form to release my final round.

I could tell right away the shot was good and called it a touch lower then where I wanted it but still good. I watched as the buck ran approximately 75 yds downhill into a clump of trees. I signaled my Father the direction he was heading and started making my way back to the Jeep some sixty yards away to gather gear and more ammo.

It was at the point that my Father was putting his rifle back in the Jeep and grabbing some rope and a knife that I had realized a few things.

1. the shot was good and the 140 gr Berger VLD in .270 wsm had done its job.
2. most of the camo I had ditched while we where driving around was not really necessary.
3. most of the other gear that was in the jeep. Shooting sticks,sent block. etc was not necessary.

4.I had after 15 or so years finally got my first California Deer with a rifle two bullets and some decent training on how to fire a riffle.

So to summarize all you really need is moderate gear and some good training on the firearm you intend to use. Basic first aid gear. A good hunting partner/mentor is an added bonus. Study the habits of the game you intend to hunt. Lots of man hours and determination. Less is sometimes more. In the end it's some what a matter of being in the right place at the right time.

Not so much a turkey hunting story but hope you get the just of what I am saying. After hundreds of dollars if not thousands it came down to making the shot,rifle and ammo.

 

[targets from us]

Pics of said deer.

Near where we had been hunting.

Area we packed out of a few hours prior.

 

[BehindTheIronCurtain]

I get what you're saying

Ive been doing Brazilian Jiu Jitsu for 4 years now, and I see the white belts who come in with $300 gis expensive Japanese made dry wick shirts, mouth guards, head gear, foot and ankle wraps, then they quit. For years I have had the same 2 gis I use a Walmart dry fit shirt that cost me 10 bucks and I can kick ass on the mat.

It's the same here I guess. I'm a noob to this, and well, gear is fun, expensive, but fun to buy and use. Lots of mossy oak, snake boots, duracoated guns. I want to be the hunter who leave the field with a kill, not just expensive gear with mud on it. Point very well taken.

And by the way, I will be hunting turkey this spring because it's all that's in season here in NY, but in the fall and winter, I will be going out for duck, and other game birds, and maybe even some deer if I can bring myself to shoot one. Oh, and some feral hogs have made there way to ny, might shoot me some Wilbur.

 

[tarosean]

^^^

Boots IMO are the one thing you should never skimp on..

 

[Freedom_fighter_in_IL]

Boots IMO are the one thing you should never skimp on..

^^^ I agree with THAT statement 1000000000000000% Buy you the best boots you can afford, and break them in BEFORE you go taking long treks in the woods. Not much will stop a hunt faster than cold or hurting feet. To break them in, I would suggest some short walks around the neighborhood for about at least a couple of weeks before you take a long walk in them. And make sure they are waterproof. Wet feet can lead to some seriously icky problems down the road.

 

[Centurian22]

Another +1 on the boots. Learned this the hard way last november in Maine when I stepped in 33 degree water with non waterproof boots that were old, dog chewed, and had little to no insulation. Luckily I had on two pairs of socks, reg cotton and heavy wool. Also in my day pack, a dry pair of socks and some 'walmart' bags. Took the boots and all socks off, put dry socks on, a walmart bag on each foot, and the wet wool socks and boots back on and finished out my day. Learned the bag trick from a 'willy whitefeather kids guide to survival' book I read when I was I don't know how young.

Anyways: yes GOOD BOOTS and break them in. Next pick your ammo's and test them, learn them, pattern them and I did this in the jacket and with the backpack on I would be hunting with so I knew what to expect and how it would all feel. Depending on terrain, a map and compass and GPS if you already have one. I used my iPhone with the motion-x gps app, but printed a topographic and/or satelite map of my hunting area from google and kept it in a ziplock bag. Compass can range from $1.99 whistle, compass ect combo to $100+. I recommend (though have not yet bought myself) around $10-$15 for a decent compass as it can be the most important piece of equipment.

I would say all other equipment is climate based. I had a whole backpack filled with just the minimum of what I thought was a good idea for being in Maine woods in November. But 95% of it was stuff I already had or was able to put together from basic supplies. A few examples: bic lighter, heavy duty tin foil (3ft folded into a 4x6 square) ziplocks, walmart bags, a large black trash bag, emergency blankets (2, one for me one to make shelter), paracord (50'), other misc small rope, a cheap fixed blade knife, couple other knives, small fishing kit (hooks, lines, weights and a lure and or fly in an altoids can), dry socks and underwear, couple flashlights (even little keychain led's), water bottle, crystal lite mix for electrolytes, chewy bars, trail mix, and first aid kit.

Thats all I can think of for now but again most is area / climate specific. Hope this sheds some light on what can be done on a very limited budget but still being very prepared. Good luck and have fun.

 

[WayBeau]

Patience. . . .

. . . lots and lots of patience.

And good boots.

 

[Art Eatman]

Birds see color, so camo is definitely worthwhile. Granted, dull earth tones also work...

 

[rugerman]

Don't wear white, blue or red in the turkey woods- makes you too visible or a target. Good boots, good sharp knife,head net, camo to match the area or at least to help break up your outline, a call of your choice (use sparingly) and lots of patience. Good luck in your quest. Oh yea have fun!

 

[MtnCreek]

Rugerman,
You make a good point there. I had to do the Hunter’s Ed (or whatever it’s called) in late 80something. One of the stories told to us was about a guy turkey hunting and wiping his face with a red handkerchief. Another hunter saw that ‘red flash’ of color and shot him. Kinda strange that I remember that story well, but don’t remember the details of the guy that was in our class, getting his hunting ‘privileges’ restored after killing a man while hunting years earlier.

I haven’t turkey hunted in years, but I used to take a couple of trash bags along. They don’t weigh much and don’t take up much room and they’re very handy for bagging a bird for the trip out of the woods (don’t want to be carrying a target over your shoulder).

 

[taterwayne]

rent some tapes/cd's and watch,and watch and watch
get some calls,pratice and pratice and pratice
No shiny skin showing,camo face net,hands,it'll also help keep the skeeters from eating you alive !!!
As rugerman stated no white,red or blue,these could get you shot in a crowded area!!!
And myself(I live in the Deeeeep south)I won't go in the woods without my snake boots!!!

 

[whitethomas]

For a first time hunter I would strongly recommend that you pack a small portion of medical supplies just in case anything happens to you. Being out in the woods you want to make sure that you can protect against infection!

 

[Sav .250]

Your starting out with a turkey hunt? Not an easy hunt for a beginner or as you put it ," a first time hunter." I don`t think ,"what do you need" is you main consern. Rather experience is key here. Good luck though.