New to turkey hunting....help on making my list

[turkeyfoot]

As far as Binos small cheap pair is fine for hardwoods hunting I rarely use unless I'm out west then its a must Thermocell is a must money well spent there for comfort

[Tail Feathers]

If you can't master the yelp, clucking and purring on a mouth call can be great for getting that old tom to come those last few yards.

[Kywoodsman]

As far as shells go I've been shooting an 870 express super mag with a jellyhead choke for quite a few years and I've had excellent luck with the hevi shot magnum blend 3 1/2's. I get a pretty impressive pattern with this combination so that's what I've stuck with.

[silvestris]

When I started turkey hunting in the early 70s a friend said that there was nothing more pitiful than a neophyte turkey hunter.  He was right.  You are about to find out what you are made of if you approach it right.

[GobbleNut]

I'd suggest that you probably shouldn't rely on mouth calls until you get lots of practice in.  Box calls and slates are easier to produce realistic turkey calls out of than anything. There's no need alerting the gobbler that something's not right if you can avoid it.  If you get to where you can run a mouth call good, by all means go for it.
Jim

This advice is right on.  New hunters see guys that are great on mouth calls and think that they can do the same.  Making realistic turkey noises on mouth calls takes a lot of time and practice,....and some people never get it right no matter how long they try.  Mouth calls can be a great aid in turkey hunting,...or they can be a disaster if put in the wrong mouth.   Learn to use one by practicing over time and keep it in your pocket while hunting until you get it right. 

In the meantime, get a good pot call or box call (or both) and use those.  The learning curve in getting them right is much less than that of mastering mouth calls. 

[Gamblinman]

Something I haven't seen suggested. Pick up a  turkey chair...you'll thank me later after a long sit. Primo's and Browning both make one, as well as Cabela's. If you are a large man, I like the Browning Strutter MC.

Gman

[clfergus]

When I started turkey hunting in the early 70s a friend said that there was nothing more pitiful than a neophyte turkey hunter.  He was right.  You are about to find out what you are made of if you approach it right.

The one thing I do have going for me is the fact that I have deer hunted religiously for the last 10 years after a break for college and drinking. No way to hunt in my 20s when I was going to bed at 7am every morning

I have had the opportunity to learn a bunch about watching turkeys from the stands each morning and feel like for my first year I have a plan of attack going into it. It appears that Turkeys are like Deer in some regards that you can pattern them from what I have witnessed. In the last 4 properties I have hunted, it appears that they have roosted in very specific places and have come down off the roost to the same locations each morning.

That so far is my main plan I am going with, scouting to find out where they are roosting and coming ff the roost. The place I have deer hunted 2 years now has had the same group taunting me each fall, coming off roost into the little 10 acre plot in the middle of the woods.

I am hoping to sit on the edge of the plot this year....

Good plan?

[AdamSean]

My recommendations are as follows.

Choke tube: I have a Remington 870 Express Super Mag 12 gauge with a Primos Tight Wad ($25) and the Long Beard XRs in number 5 shot. Great, great patterns at 40+ yards.

Box Call: Spring Creek turkey calls. Mike hand makes the best calls I have ever heard for a fraction of the cost. Under $40. I have a black walnut over maple and a custom Brazilian cherry over Eastern red ceder that is phenominal.

Last year was my first season and I tagged out on public land alone. I swear by my gear.

[wisconsinteacher]

Welcome to the lack of sleep and excuse to buy calls!!!

Gun and ammo wise you are good.  I would suggest that you stay away from production calls.  I would get a Spring Creek box and a nice slate/glass call off the classifieds.  These calls will cost a few dollars more but you will be getting a call that will be played by the maker and they will know if it sounds good or not.  I also think a WildTalker's Spitten' Feathers cd is great to listen to in order to prepare for the spring.  As you listen, record yourself and listen to it.  Also, get outside and practice. 

I think you are covered gear wise.  I would spend as much time on the forum reading posts and topics pertaining to advice and tips.  Lastly, ask questions.  The members of the turkey hunting community want to talk and share information about turkey hunting.  We have to talk to each other because no one else will listen to us.  (especially our wives when the topic comes to turkey hunting)

Good luck and enjoy.