Turkey hunting forum for turkey hunting tips

Warning!  This post will make you think, calculate and may cause minor shock.
Well, how much gear do you have?  I'm talking lifetime purchases of gear, not trips and such.  No one wants to add all that up!
For a sport where you carry everything you need to do it on your back on somewhere in a pack, I have accumulated a lot of turkey specific hunting gear.
Probably 15 box calls, 20-odd pot calls, dozens of strikers, trumpets, wingbones, vests, dedicated turkey shotguns, decoys, chairs, camo, camping gear for trips...oooh boy!   :z-dizzy: Not to mention my modest stash of TSS ammo. :lol:   No wonder my vest is so heavy!!! :character0029:
Many of my calls were gifts, some I purchased.
After typing all that up I'm gonna guess I've spent, and been gifted, somewhere around $7500 in turkey hunting gear since 2001 when I started with two calls, my duck guns and a box Winchester XX shells.
I have no doubt someone on here has that amount in turkey guns alone. :toothy9:
What's your estimate.  AND NO ONE, I MEAN NO ONE, IS ALLOWED TO SHOW THIS THREAD TO THEIR WIFE!!!

I would say I could buy a pretty nice house with what I've spent on gear and stuff. Just counting calls, I probably spend 2 to 5k a year. Not counting vests. Those are my two big money item. I've got about 600$ in my shotgun. If I'm counting vests since 2013 when I turned 18 and really went wild I'd say I've owned over 2k in vests easily, I have owned nearly all of them at some point. Calls since 2014 I'm sitting at over 40k and that's custom calls, not mouth calls.


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I've probably spent a couple more dollars than Happy and Crow on Turkey Hunting Gear..  :OGturkeyhead:

Lol .... at 67 years old ....heaven only knows
Ive only turkey hunted for about 20 years all total. I have 4 dedicated guns with optic
More blinds than my truck can hold... 1 gun safe full of calls of every description and lots of other paraphernalia.  And i waterfowl hunt in 3 states.
I dont even want to think about it.
I have a headache

Nah. Not today devil. Don't even want to add all that up  :toothy9:

More than I would care for my wife to know and I don't regret any of it.  I hunt turkeys, ducks, deer, quail, pheasants, doves, coyotes.  If you call and say let's go hunting, I'm in.  I also have 2 kids that hunt.  Now, you have to have at least 3 guns for every outing.  We also have all the necessary archery equipment.  Then, you have blinds, trail cams, 4 wheeler, boat, cases, waders, vests, seats and the list goes on.  Turkey calls have been quite an addiction.  I have amassed 83 box calls, 72 trumpets, 40 pot calls, dozens of strikers and a handful of scratch boxes and push pins.  I hate to think of the license and trip fees over the years.

My name is Notsoyoungturk and I am a hunting addict.  I currently have no plans to attend Hunters Anonymous and I fully intend to share my addiction with other like minded individuals.

Does it really matter? I've got totes full of turkey calls. Plenty of ammo, hunting clothes and everything else you can think of all for a hobby that I really enjoy. In my opinion the fun I have had is priceless.

I don't think 7500 would cover most longer time guys but there are lots worse we could do with our time and money. Thank God He made turkeys

I don't even want to know..and not nearly as much as some of you guys

Quote from: callmakerman on July 05, 2025, 07:36:04 PMDoes it really matter? I've got totes full of turkey calls. Plenty of ammo, hunting clothes and everything else you can think of all for a hobby that I really enjoy. In my opinion the fun I have had is priceless.

I don't regret it, I consider mine money well spent.
Notsoyoungturk, I wouldn't want to add what I've spent on deer and waterfowl hunting...and what I have spent taking grandkids hunting.   ;D   Again, money well spent IMO.

Quote from: Greg Massey on July 05, 2025, 05:59:45 PMI've probably spent a couple more dollars than Happy and Crow on Turkey Hunting Gear..  :OGturkeyhead:

We pride ourselves on getting the job done by using our wits and good looks, and we're cheap, but not easy.

Hunting is my only hobby but I hunt a lot of different birds and animals with different weapons.

Almost any time I head out to hunt the gear I'm wearing and using is worth more than the truck I'm driving. And I have a nice truck...... you do the math.

Well I was reading about a fella yesterday who has over 400 Neil Cost calls so that made me feel a little better about my call spending.

Now, when you say "turkey hunting gear".......

Is this stuff that I actually have USED in the turkey woods ??   Or does this include accumulated calls and art work, etc that'll never see the woods ??

I plead the 5th on me, but I know a great friend on here (anonymous) that could sell his trumpet collection and buy a Caribbean Island!! Lol :funnyturkey:

I don't even want to add up what I spent in the last year let alone a lifetime. My wife might demand an equal amount for her fun money and we'd be broke.

Having been at it for over sixty years now, just in all of the costs associated with turkey hunting alone...or turkey-related "stuff"...I suspect my investment is approaching six figures by now. Add in all the other hunting I do/have done and I am sure it is well into the six-figure range.

Quote from: Tail Feathers on July 05, 2025, 05:47:45 PMFor a sport where you carry everything you need to do it on your back on somewhere in a pack...

This comment made me think about the dollar value of what I actually have "on me" when I am turkey hunting, including everything from clothing to hunting gear and related accessories. I suspect I am on the low-end of that particular scale in that, adding it up, I come up with a figure of roughly $1,200 of which about half is in the binoculars alone. If I forego carrying them, I can get down to about $650...including clothing/footwear, gun, shells, calls, and sundry items in the daypack I use in lieu of a vest.

Based on what I see some folks on here have indicated they spend on those things...and throw in vests, decoys, blinds, chairs, high-dollar call assortments, etc...I suspect I would be considered to be a pauper in the turkey-hunting world.

Nevertheless, over the decades of hunting, no matter how frugal one might be, the total...if one dares to calculate...is likely going to end up best being described as "frightful", especially if one has the courage to quote that figure to one's significant other. I, for one, most certainly go out of my way to avoid any such discussions...  ;D

Gobblenut, I won't tell my wife a number. She may decide to play catch up in the spending dept! :o

Quote from: GobbleNut on July 06, 2025, 09:09:33 AMThis comment made me think about the dollar value of what I actually have "on me" when I am turkey hunting, including everything from clothing to hunting gear and related accessories. I suspect I am on the low-end of that particular scale in that, adding it up, I come up with a figure of roughly $1,200 of which about half is in the binoculars alone. If I forego carrying them, I can get down to about $650...including clothing/footwear, gun, shells, calls, and sundry items in the daypack I use in lieu of a vest.

I think THIS line of thought would make it's OWN great topic.

Never kept up with it. It is what it is, I love the outdoors and will be there with a little or a lot.


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Nowhere nary as much as most.

In 14 years, buying turkey hunting paraphilia only, including guns, optics and ammo, less than $2,000.

Quote from: Greg Massey on July 05, 2025, 05:59:45 PMI've probably spent a couple more dollars than Happy and Crow on Turkey Hunting Gear..  :OGturkeyhead:

If I was to hazard a guess. I would say I have spent around 7-8 grand in the last 20 years on turkey hunting. That's counting 3 shotguns, ammo, calls, licenses, boots, clothing and gas. And Crow nailed it. He knows what it takes to succeed.

after spending 6 or 7 years wandering the woods in 2 different states just trying to see or hear a turkey, I missed the 1st Tom I had a chance at, shooting an 870 express with a loose-fitting camo wrap on barrel, caused me to shot over Tom, went home and bought a camo semi, new light weight camo clothes and chokes for gun. So well over 1800 for the 2nd shot at a Tom, 20 some years later, that was cheap investment that started a money spending obsession that the wife is okay with. She always knows where I am and what I am doing. 

10's of thousands  on licenses and fuel through the years. I camp and hunt public so very little on lodging and hunts. 

I buy a couple mouth calls each year. Load 15-20 shells out of the reloading stash. And call it good.

Now duck hunting is another story.

dadgum....i like turkey hunting more than anything. but no i have not spent the amount of money you guys have. I do collect certain vintage calls, and i have paid an astronoimical amount for one....however it is that rare, and i could sell it today for what i paid for it. as far as my gear...i dont just buy random new gear every single year. the only real disposable part of turkey hunting for me is diaphragms, gasoline, shells or reloading componenets, and bug spray. I use stuff til it falls apart. i try to get 3 seasons out of my clothes before i buy more ...and then i keep that pair as back up. so im fairly economical about it.....

The exact dollar amount is unknown, but I would guess it is the perfect amount as I have fun and spend a lot of time throughout the year. This works for me, I bring the wife hunting with me, so all my spending is forgiven.  :funnyturkey:  Z

Just in turkey only "gear" its probably approaching 20k easily. If I had to add up tags and travel costs I wouldn't have a clue and don't even want to know that figure. I was told many years ago "you have to pay to play the game".

Let's just say you can't put a price on memories.

I am totaly the opposite... I have spent very few dollars on turkey specific gear. I have 3 potcalls, one box call and 2 diaphragm and all of those are cheap items. Less than 30$ each. I have 3 decoys, wich add up to 250$ maybe... And that's about it honestly. My biggest expense is shells... That, I have a few too many, to be honest  ;D 

But honestly, turkey hunting to me is a very simple hunt... In my mind, you don't need very much gear...

I wear the same camo i use for other hunts, same backpack, same gun for other birds...

life time... Less than $300 (My wife may be watching)  ;D

Quote from: Muzzy61 on July 08, 2025, 09:12:36 AMlife time... Less than $300 (My wife may be watching)  ;D

Smart man.   ;D

$299.99 sounds even BETTER to the wimmin-folk.    :toothy9:

Some live a lavish lifestyle with boats, race cars and summer homes. I got turkey stuff.  :funnyturkey:

Quote from: zelmo1 on July 07, 2025, 04:59:42 AMThe exact dollar amount is unknown, but I would guess it is the perfect amount as I have fun and spend a lot of time throughout the year. This works for me, I bring the wife hunting with me, so all my spending is forgiven.  :funnyturkey:  Z

Not a bad idea. If only my wife could handle this, I'd be able to spend more. :lol:

My wife has never complained about what I have bought over the years for gear to turkey hunt. Just like I never complain about her taking expensive trips traveling with her girl friends and family. SO I guess you could say we have a mutual understanding. 

A few years ago, she took an expensive cruise to Alaska and I went out and bought a new 4 wheeler, so you have to learn how to take advantage of these situations..  :TooFunny:

My wife has never complained about the travel or the money spent.  She knows what it means to me, she's very supportive.
But then, most of the year I'm almost as perfect as Happy, so she forgives me this one vice. :TooFunny:

 :TooFunny:

If I make it to next Spring's season, it will be my 50th. I think I have owned 5 turkey vests, still have 3 of them, one was clearance for $15 at Walmart twenty years ago, another for $20 at Bass Pro outlet store. I don't really use them anymore, have downsized to chest and hip packs, 3 total, less than $100 invested. The bulk of my camo through the years was clearance at one place or the other. I have a pair of pants that are probably over 20 years old that I wore on cool mornings this past season.

The most expensive call I ever bought was less than $100. My guess is the retail value of every call I own, new and not so new, is less than $500. I have 2 dedicated turkey guns, neither high end, one is 35 years old. Total investment including sights , well under $2,000.

Of course, like most, through the years, I've bought my share of "accessories", like blinds, seats, etc., some of which worked out, some of which didn't, but even adding all those things into the total, I am guessing my total expenditure for gear would be less than $10,000.

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Another point. For most people, their gun is their single most expensive piece of gear you can tote around. It's also the most likely to be used long term. My old 1187, which has gone through various iterations with a replacement barrel, stock, and improved sights and chokes over the years represents perhaps close to $1,000 total investment, but divided by the 35 years I've owned it, it has cost very little annually.

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Quote from: Neill_Prater on July 11, 2025, 05:37:35 PMIf I make it to next Spring's season, it will be my 50th. I think I have owned 5 turkey vests, still have 3 of them, one was clearance for $15 at Walmart twenty years ago, another for $20 at Bass Pro outlet store. I don't really use them anymore, have downsized to chest and hip packs, 3 total, less than $100 invested. The bulk of my camo through the years was clearance at one place or the other. I have a pair of pants that are probably over 20 years old that I wore on cool mornings this past season.

The most expensive call I ever bought was less than $100. My guess is the retail value of every call I own, new and not so new, is less than $500. I have 2 dedicated turkey guns, neither high end, one is 35 years old. Total investment including sights , well under $2,000.

Of course, like most, through the years, I've bought my share of "accessories", like blinds, seats, etc., some of which worked out, some of which didn't, but even adding all those things into the total, I am guessing my total expenditure for gear would be less than $10,000.

Your history is similar to my own, Neill. I've accumulated a lot of stuff over the years but most of it on the inexpensive end of the scale. Altogether though, put enough mileage in timewise and it adds up.

Your Walmart vest comment gave me a chuckle. Like yourself, I picked up quite a few of those $15 vests from the clearance rack there back when they stocked them years ago. ...Still have a couple of them, brand new with tags and all, hanging in a closet (never worn them...and likely never will). In addition, our turkey club gave away quite a few of them as door prizes at our annual banquets and seminars. :D

I guess Walmart finally figured out that turkey vests were not a hot item...at least around these parts...because I haven't seen one in the stores here for quite a few years now.  Seems like they figured out that having to end up selling them at clearance prices every year...and with "vultures" like me circling until they did...was not a wise business decision.  ;D

I wish I had, even, a rough guess.  But, I do not.

I'm still a young man.  Not like some of our resident OG geriatrics.  ;D  But, Ive been buying turkey stuff for 47-ish years.

Over that time, I've bought quite a few dedicated turkey guns.  Won one at a raffle.  I have bought some rather expensive guns.  The one I use now cost me less than the choke tube & threads in the barrel and less than the red dot on top.  Maybe $6K total for all my dedicated guns combined.

For years I used calls I made.  Then I was pro-staff for a call company.  Never bought more than a few dollars in calls all those years.  Since then..... Well....  Let's just say I never had over $1K in calls with me in the woods, yet.

My jackets, I buy new-with-tags (but vintage) off eBay.  That is..... good, quality stuff, but out dated.  Boots, shirts, bibs are new.  All in, I may have spent $1K in 47 years.  Most of that being boots.

Binos, rangefinder, couple vests way back when, choke tubes to try, shells to test, shells to use.....  maybe another $2K, tops.

So, $10K or so, plus my forgetfulness factor....even at 50% would put me undee $15K for 47 years enjoying the best activity a man can undertake, bar NONE.

Depends who's asking but if you ask my wife she would say about $300.  :drool:

If I were to exclude expenses such as the total cost of going to and from distant locales, or even closer ones, then I could bring the cost of turkey hunting down considerably. ...And if "wishes and buts were candy and nuts" we would all live happily ever after in our turkey hunting world. It don't work that way, fellers.

Tell momma that your turkey hunt only cost a couple of hundred because all you bought was a license and went to the woods with grandpappys hand-me-down gun...while all the associated costs of getting there and back...and all the sundry expenses therewith... was a couple of thousand and you might find yourself getting some quizzical expressions about your math skills.

Delve a bit deeper into that turkey-hunter brain, add up ALL the expenses related to our turkey hunting obsession, and see what number that roulette wheel lands on. Yes, it is cheap entertainment comparatively, especially for those of us that love doing it, but for most of us that do a lot of it and have done so for a long time, ain't no way it is going to fall into the "few thousand dollars" category.  ::)  ;D 

The biggest expense is definitely gas for me, since I scout fields for a whole months almost everyday before the season starts, and then I hunt those fields during the season... So that alone could be a good expense every season, but I do a lot of side jobs so it covers my cost of hunting  ;)  ;D