:-\ This thought started while reading the various "using decoy" threads. Turkey has become very $ oriented, just like duck hunting has. More expensive guns, while the standard 870 has probably killed more turkeys than any other, $120 slates vs Wally world special, full body stuffers vs the foam folders, $2000 for a three day hunt? Lets get back to real life and talk about what we need, not what we want to use :smiley-char092: :smiley-char092:
By the way, I too do it, I've got a dedicated turkey gun w/ added sights, etc, etc.
I guess my point was that we need to emphisize to newbies that a $120 vest and 3 $80 decoys arn't necessary to start this game - use your old ball, bat and glove and go from there.
Quote from: Missed-Em on March 06, 2011, 11:13:50 AM
I guess my point was that we need to emphisize to newbies that a $120 vest and 3 $80 decoys arn't necessary to start this game - use your old ball, bat and glove and go from there.
Preaching to the quire. Most of my stuff is hand-me-downs people have given me. I look like a bum of a turkey hunter.
I've been told I need to upgrade my hunting attire by more than a few of the better dressed hunters I hang with. At least patch up the holes they ask. As for turkey guns, you can never have enough.
Quote from: Missed-Em on March 06, 2011, 10:20:34 AMLets get back to real life and talk about what we need, not what we want to use :smiley-char092: :smiley-char092:
Your point is valid, but if we only talk about what we 'need' this would be a pretty quiet forum. ;D There isn't a turkey walking that can't be killed by someone with a diaphragm, a break action 12 gauge with a full choke and 2 3/4" high brass #6's. If you have that and can sit still and make passable yelps you can kill turkeys.
That said, if someone gets more enjoyment out of shooting Nitro's through a $100 choke, or using stuffers or DSD's, or carrying $500 worth of custom calls then that's their business. I don't think I've ever seen someone here tell a newbie that they "had" to have any of the more expensive gear.
I'll also add that I would rather hear from someone who's excited about the gobbler that they smoked while it was whooping on their $400 stuffer decoy than read another post about how awesome someone thinks they are because they never use decoys, or blinds, or heavier than lead ammo, or scopes, or any number of other things. It's fine if you don't want to use any of that stuff, but some people need to stop acting like that makes them better than those who do. Turkeys just aren't that hard to kill, with or without the specialized gear, so using or not using any specific piece of equipment doesn't prove anything about how good of a turkey hunter anyone is. (Not pointing fingers at you in any way Missed-Em, just an observation on the condescending attitudes that occasionally crop up on some of the gear threads).
Good luck to everyone this spring, whether your gear consists of one diaphragm call in a faded camo shirt pocket or a semi-trailer worth of decoys, calls, and enough Hevi-shot to invade a small country!
:fud:
I must admit that I am one of those guys that likes having some nice stuff. I do have a good gun, a DSD decoy, good vest and a few good calls. I am not way over the top like some, but I have a lot more than others. Up at the cabin, I am the only one that has all this gear. Most of the guys are older and only carry one or two calls, no vest, no decoys or anything like that. Are they successful? Yes to an extent. Am I more succesful because of the gear, some of the times yes, sometimes no. I know how my gun will handle and know its maximum capabilities and I am comfortable and well equipped in the woods. I usually always have what I need and different calls for different situations. I really dont think that its necassary to have a ton of gear, however, I feel confident when I go into the woods. That I am more prepared than the next guy, which could give me the advantage. Its all about having fun and like it was said earlier, all you need is a gun and a call to kill birds.
If I didn't have all this fancy stuff, which I add to every year, I'd have to change my signature! ;D
I do not mind spending money on quality made items that I enjoy using and appreciate. What kills me is the amount of junk that the big companies come out with each year that are marketed as the "have to have item to bag that gobbler". While we may bring items to the woods that give us confidence, the best thing you can bring is woodsmanship. And you can not buy that at a store.
Quote from: jshively on March 06, 2011, 04:50:20 PM
I do not mind spending money on quality made items that I enjoy using and appreciate. What kills me is the amount of junk that the big companies come out with each year that are marketed as the "have to have item to bag that gobbler". While we may bring items to the woods that give us confidence, the best thing you can bring is woodsmanship. And you can not buy that at a store.
X2
x3
Quote from: jshively on March 06, 2011, 04:50:20 PM
I do not mind spending money on quality made items that I enjoy using and appreciate. What kills me is the amount of junk that the big companies come out with each year that are marketed as the "have to have item to bag that gobbler". While we may bring items to the woods that give us confidence, the best thing you can bring is woodsmanship. And you can not buy that at a store.
X4
However, I did just buy 2 boxes of Heavy shot! :-[
I understand where coming from Missed-Em. I think most everybody here knows you don't have to have the best gear to kill turkeys but there are many AVID hunters here who enjoy using them. I'm an economy hunter. Most of my gear I've collected over the last 15 years off of the sale racks. I usually hunt turkeys in the same camo I bowhunt in in the fall. My turkey hunting expenditures so far this year are 2 boxes of shells (lead) and 2 books. Knowledge and woodsmanship kills more turkeys than anything else. I haven't met a turkey that could tell the difference. Although that could explain my dry spell. LOL
the only thing i carry that is a MUST is a nice vest...turkey hunting aint to fun when you are uncomfortable the entire time. I am with you on most of the other stuff you mentioned..heck i still have the same set of foam decoys i got 10 years ago, i just keep repainting them to make them work.
clothing IMO can be different though. I am not a fan of all the dark brown and black camos out there. I like the light weight yellow/tan and orange stuff. I mean look at every true group predator in the wild and tell me which one is green/black or dark brown. Not many.
i have an 870 but but a new auto a few years back. its lighter and less recoil so to me it was something that made the hunt more enjoyable.
Calls however are getting way out of hand, i mean $10 for a diaphragm is a bit crazy imo
I agree with most of you, I still hunt with an Old JC Higgins model 20 12 gauge (mostly pheasants) though. I started with HM and Old Classic shot shells as a large portion of my area is now closed to lead or will be soon enough. Turkey hunting was new to me and I really did not have any gear to start with so I called a friend of mine retired from the state and raised in Kentucky that I knew hunted turkeys until he had serious surgery and started collecting items to make the hunt fun. So for me it was a pot call a long box and a scratch box call along with a good quality vest. I am known to go out all day and felt the cushion would help as would the ability to haul stuff like lunch, extra shells, water (2) SS bottles rain gear and that is about it. I frequent here and read a lot as I am learning about the sport. Hunting for me is a long drive two days of hunting if I am lucky so I do not want to leave anything behind. The only item I did not use was my box call and it was a waste of money hence I read and consider what the older members (not age) have to say about their gear. Just my humble opinion
Good discussion here and no doubt you can kill a turkey with just the essentials....
I hunted the first 3 years with a Remington 1300 un camoed shotgun and had a Lynch box and a Lohman Thunderdome and a very basic vest...killed limits exceopt for my first season
but I have to say......I like gear and stuff and I end up spending what I can on better gear than I started out with... I ididn't spend over $30 for a call the first 9-10 years and then paid $80 bucks for an Albert Paul box call
I guess I'd put it like this:
I used to catch bass out of a Jon boat with a 9 horse power motor with Zebcos and steak and seafood were not something I could afford alot of....It was a whole lot more fun when I got a real bass boat and bait casters and I like to eat at a good restuaruant every now and then.
I don't have blinds, decoys, or a Bad Boy buggy...But
I like my Benelli, my better sounding calls, and all the crap that I have accumalated....and as long as I don't get caught sneaking more of it into the house...I don't feel bad at all :icon_thumright: :icon_thumright:
Quote from: Boparks on March 08, 2011, 02:45:37 PM
Good discussion here and no doubt you can kill a turkey with just the essentials....
I hunted the first 3 years with a Remington 1300 un camoed shotgun and had a Lynch box and a Lohman Thunderdome and a very basic vest...killed limits exceopt for my first season
but I have to say......I like gear and stuff and I end up spending what I can on better gear than I started out with... I ididn't spend over $30 for a call the first 9-10 years and then paid $80 bucks for an Albert Paul box call
I guess I'd put it like this:
I used to catch bass out of a Jon boat with a 9 horse power motor with Zebcos and steak and seafood were not something I could afford alot of....It was a whole lot more fun when I got a real bass boat and bait casters and I like to eat at a good restuaruant every now and then.
I like my Benelli, my better sounding calls, and all the crap that I have accumalated....and as long as I don't get caught sneaking more of it into the house...I don't feel bad at all :icon_thumright: :icon_thumright:
Well said. :icon_thumright: :icon_thumright:
I killed my first bird (that I called in) with a borrowed Browning 32" full choke 12 ga with a 3" # 4 lead shell. I have proceeded like most turkey hunters that I know, more and better stuff. Thanks to OG I have learned about custom calls and this year I spent more than I should have. 4 box calls, 4 trumpets, 3 pot calls and 5 mouth calls. Is all the stuff necessary to kill a bird? no but do I like have it? yes!
Turkey hunting is more than just killing a bird. Its a hobby.
Is it necessary to have all the latest bells and whistles to take a bird? No. But its neat to have some cool turkey hunting stuff and reading about what others are using.
Again, I think of it as one of my hobbies. Some people collect baseball cards, celebrity autographs, salt shakers, model cars, and what not. Very cool.
I like to get some new hunting gear once and a while when its on sale, and pick up a couple new calls each year, try some new shells.
I enjoyed the early days of my turkey hunting as much as anyone -$6 camo pants, cheap plastic camo rain jacket, $5 hot seat looped on my belt, black belly-bag to carry stuff, 28" duck barrel and a bunch of high brass pheasant loads. Great times for sure. But my hobby has expanded.
I AGREE WITH YOU 100%. I DONT SPEND ALOT OF MONEY ON MY TURKEY HUNTING EQUIPMENT BUT I DO SPEND THE MONEY ON ITEMS THAT MAKE MY HUNT MORE COMFORTABLE, BOOTS, BLINDS, SEATS AND SO ON. MY OPINION YOUR MONEY IS BETTER SPENT SCOUTING AND UNDERSTANDING WHAT YOUR UP AGAINST THAN ANY AMOUNT OF EQUIPMENT YOU CAN BUY.
I do agree that alot of folks coming on this site for the first time and just getting into turkey hunting might get the wrong impression of what they actually NEED to get into turkey hunting.
When i first started turkey hunting I was 6 years old and went with my dad (who didnt know much about it looking back) and I used what we had and it worked fine. I didnt have a job to spend my own money and didnt know any better anyway...
Growing up-(from about 6 years old to 14 or 15 when I got a job) i killed most of my turkey with a 870 with a fixed choke and lead shells (whatever they had on the shelf) cause I didnt know there was another way --- plus they didnt have much besides lead anyway. I never had a turkey decoy or a fancy red dot site on my gun and the only call I used was an old push pin call and I got to where I actually got pretty decent with it.
Heck, until two years ago- all I used was an old foam decoy that I got for 10$ on sale and I killed many a bird over it.
Im 27 now and have a good job and enjoy turkey hunting as much as I did when I started (maybe more) and I can afford to by nice things if I decide to. Some people by fancy cars...I by hunting stuff :z-guntootsmiley:.
Do I NEED a turkey rig that can kill them out to 50yds...NO Do I need 10 different calls in my 80$ vest....NO Do I NEED a DSD decoy to get them in close....NO.
I killed them for a lot of years without all the fancy stuff ---wearing cheap camo, a dove gun with lead shells in my pocket (not a vest) and a push pin turkey call...BUT that doesnt mean I dont enjoy some of the new toys I can get.
I actually think that the best way to start turkey hunting is to do it with less... It teaches you how to be a better woodsman/hunter.
Where would oldgobbler.com be if everybody just went with the basic stuff. It's a lifestyle for most and a hobby for other's either way toy's make it more interesting and new toy's are just plain fun. I do think it's easy to get carried away. Ex. Most of us on here with a steady shot can kill every time at 50yds with our rigs but we'll keep tinkerering adding this and that because it's fun.
I've been down the road with custom shotguns, custom calls, 257 pocketed turkey vests with easyboy recliner built in, etc. Then one day I was walking through the woods on a hard pressured public land WMA in SW Fl. and just out of the clear blue wondered how it would be to hunt and kill a gobbler like old Daniel and Davy did. Use the same type flintlock and have to call them in to 25yds at least.
So I decided to do it. Then found out a decent traditional flintlock would set me back at least $1200. So built one myself for about $1000. Then 3 more at least as much. Killed a gobbler with open cylinder..no choke..that I had to call in to at least 25yds to do. Then decided I had to have a special barrel with a choke built in for longer shots................and more money........some things never change. I figured if they knew how back in the day...Daniel and Davy would have done the same thing.
Hey where did you get that vest?
I am not a guy who has to have the latest and greatest gadgets, but I do like a nice shotgun and good sounding calls.
I have come full circle with this...my first year was with ONE old HS Strut slate and a Franchi 2 3/4 with a poly choke that I cranked down to extra full. Killed a bird the first time I set foot in the woods...I was HOOKED. A BUNCH of gear, money, and time later I still hadnt killed number two. Now with 16 years and 50 plus birds under my belt, I am back to the basics. Each year that goes by I find myself packing less, and calling less. I am trying to figure out how to do away with my vest. Even though I havent used a decoy in the spring for 5 years, I cant stand the thought of not packing one....just in case. My vest holds a decoy, crow call, slate call, 2 mouth calls, compact binos, 3 extra shells, and ratchet pruners....I still feel like I am packing too much. I have upgraded my gun though....if I am gonna climb these man-killin hills of Ky and Tn, I am not taking any chances.
I went full circle also, but having a hard time leaving all them calls I paid good money for at home. I feel a little guilty hunting with a homemade flintlock shotgun and using a fancy turkey vest..so I don't take the cushion seat anymore. Always hated them anyway they look ridiculous to me when I see people on TV wearing them.
I was in the woods this morning on after daylight trying to get a shock gobble with crow and hawk calls and all I had was the crow and hawk calls around my neck and no vest. Sure felt good. Saw one flock of birds, but got no gobbles.
I'm going to go lighter this yr somehow...will wear my vest cause it's a leafy vest..but cut way back on everything else.
I buy what I think is reasonable if I happen to see something I like. I don't buy high dollar calls but I am always looking for that call that will give me A sound that I believe sounds as close to a hen as possible. Do I concider myself a great caller...not really but I can get the job done.
As I get older I realize it's not how many birds I've killed but how good of a time I had while hunting them. New stuff is good if your happy with it but more times than not it's not as good as the maker make it out to be, at least for me. I'm slowly starting to move more into hunting turkeys with blackpowder using my double 10 or my long barreled 20 gage flintlock.
Turkey hunting like most things gets easier if you learn the ins and outs on how to do it. I find it better the closer I can get a bird in.... I find myself enjoying it more if I can take a kid out. Sometimes it can be hard getting them out of bed in the morning but it's worth it when you see how excited they get when that gobbler is coming in. :icon_thumright: