What is your spring turkey loadout (call, gun, ammo etc.)?

[HOOfan_1]

I've used a Lynch Box call, a Quaker Boy push pin call but my most success is with a Hunters Specialties triple glass slate type call. I also have a mini HS Slate call as back up

So the HS Strut Triple Glass is basically all I use now and until this year I have been able to call them in really well.

I use either a Mossberg 500 12 gauge or a Mossberg 5500 MkII 12 gauge. 3" Magnum Federal #4 copper plated/buffered shot.

The only turkey I have taken all the way to my stomach though I shot with the Mossberg 5500MkII during fall season with #1 buckshot.

Head to toe camo.

My season is over for this year. Due to work, weather and college lacrosse I only got 3 trips this year...and it rained during 2 (no good calling in the rain). Only heard gobbles on my first trip, but the bird would not move 1 inch closer to me. Today was my last try. I called from 6:30 to 12:00PM and didn't hear a peep. As I was walking out of the woods, I flushed one about 100 feet in front of me and 50 feet from the edge of the woods. It made a huge racket and was clucking as it flew off. Couldn't tell the sex, but I am sure it was a gobbler.

 

[pps]

My "box call" is a piece of plexi-glass roughed up with 80 grit sandpaper and a rounded dowel to make the hen squeak. I have a 10 dollar primos gobbler call and a couple decoys.

Gun: Benelli super-nova and a turkey choke. Fed 3 1/2" Magnum #4 turkey load (I really do think 3 1/2" is overkill...but I have a bunch of the stuff)

 

[natman]

Mossberg 500, 12 ga, 3 inch, 20" barrel. Now has a Star Dot choke. Fiber optic sights, nice soft recoil pad.

Light, compact and powerful.

Ammo:

Winchester 3" 2oz #4

http://www.winchester.com/Products/shotshell-ammunition/Advanced/Double-X/Pages/X123MXCT4.aspx

Within 40 yards, which is a LONG shot in the woods where I hunt, this ammo is deadly. HTL ammo may be better in theory, but dead is dead.

I'm still using the Realtree Xtra Brown camo I started with. I've enhanced it with Sneaky Leaves. A few of these in places where they are less likely to get snagged on something do wonders to help you blend in. I've thought about getting a leafy suit, but after the time a squirrel climbed down the tree I was sitting under and jumped on my hat on his way down, I decided that I was sufficiently camouflaged.

 

[jmr40]

I stopped using box and slate calls a long time ago. I only use mouth calls so I can keep both hands on my gun and call when on the move.

I ususally carry a 24" Benelli M-1 that I bought used, but on occasion use my 21" Remington 870 turkey gun.

Winchester 3" turkey loads with #5 shot.

I only made it in the woods once this year. I had knee surgery 1 day after the opening. My knee hurt too much to hunt opening day and I sure couldn't do any woods walking for at least a month after. Finally made it in the woods 1 week before the season closed. I hunt public land, and that late in the season nothing was responding to calls. I did see 4-5 young jakes and heard 1 gobble.

 

[HOOfan_1]

I stopped using box and slate calls a long time ago. I only use mouth calls so I can keep both hands on my gun and call when on the move.

.

I had a horrible gag reflex when I was a kid. I would spew when I had to keep that mouthguard which the dentist used to apply flouride. I haven't had the guts to try the mouth calls.

 

[jmr40]

It does take some getting used to. I struggled at first with the same thing. Even now the 1st few times each season I'll gag a bit. But after I get it in my mouth and have a few minutes to adjust I just leave it in during the entire day's hunt. If I start climbing a steep hill and breathing hard it has to come out.

 

[natman]

My hunting buddy uses a mouth call and I've heard the terrific calls he makes with one. So I decided to try it. I don't gag, but as soon as I put the thing in my mouth, I start to drool like a Newfoundland with a spoonful of peanut butter in his mouth. I have to take the darn thing out in order to keep from drowning.

So it's box calls for me. I have a couple, a regular sized and a mini because I like to vary the sound occasionally. I also have a tiny box call that mounts on the barrel for when I have both hands on the gun.