First post in a while. I started turkey hunting last year and had a chat with a gobbler that I never saw. I have bought a shot gun and a beginner call package (turned out to be not that great). For this season, I have looked at a vest, dipping my shotty, decoys, etc. I've come to find that turkey hunting ain't cheap. So, I decided to save some cash. I got the decoys for Christmas and my birthday (Avian X half strut Jake and Lay down hen), and decided to DIY the shotgun Camo and turkey vest. For the shotgun, I followed this video. Here are the results: https://imgur.com/a/Mcmx0Wq . I used an old chest rig and old pouches I had from the Marines plus my new found paint skills and made a "turkey rig": https://imgur.com/a/1S2AbKY. I'm excited to try it all out. Got my shotgun patterned today and hoping to hit the woods this weekend! Feel free to give me all your tips and hot spots!

Leave the decoys at home. Have fun and enjoy a beautiful weekend.

turkeys don't respond well to decoys?

Some days decoys will make them run to your set up. Some days they will be completely freaked out by them. It could go either way and you won't know which until it happens.

how many bud lights you going to drink at camp with the boys??😊

Glad you’re back, Thunder.
Your stuff looks great.
I’m no turkey master. Only 2 pieces of advice I’d give:
Have some sort of seat or cushion so you can park it and sit still a long time and be comfortable.
Really think about whether you need to make a move on that gobbling turkey. Can’t tell you how many times I’ve moved only to either spook the turkey or hear him gobble where I just left.

Your gear looks great! Good job!

Don't scare the turkey! That's the #1 rule!

Good camo jobs. Good luck

Looks great. What shotgun is that and what choke + load did you pattern with?

It's a Stoeger M3000. I use a Carlson's Long Beard Ported Turkey Choke (https://www.cabelas.com/product/CARLSONS-CHOKE-LONG-BEARD-PORTED-TURKEY-CHOKE/1933546.uts) and Winchester Longboard XR #4shot shells

Looks good.

Don't overthink it. Be where he wants to go and if you can get in between him and the hens do it. If a hen walks up and busts you, cut like hell when she flies off and a yelp after.

gun and vest look great!

Really nice job on the gun and vest.

I wanted to have my gun dipped this year, but the homemade paint job I did many years ago has held up well, and I had so many experiences with the gun I couldn't bring myself to do it.

I believe you'll be more attached to the gun with what you did!!

Great job!


God Bless,
David B.

You have hunted deer, so imagine you are after a big buck in the peak of the rut. Except this is an unusual buck. Every morning he starts bellowing at daylight and gives away his location. Then he spends the whole day chasing does, and will bellow to call them in to him. And he has a bad cold and can't smell. He sleeps all night and is only active in the daytime.

Think you could kill him? Of course you would. You would get reasonably close and try not to scare him, and eventually he would walk by you. Approach turkey hunting that way and you will get one. Most beginners ruin any hope they have with loud and frequent calling that eliminates any chance of killing a turkey. Call softly and seldom and forget what you have seen on TV. Good luck!

X2

Turkey hunting ain't cheap Turkey hunting is worth every penny! FIFY Otherwise, you done good, AT!! and I would not call your firearm a "shotty", just sayin'...

If he has facial tattoos he can call it that

Only if one is a teardrop....

If he answers your call twice put it down and get ready to wait up to 2 hours. Also when you hear a gobble assume it is half the distance of your best Judgment. Trying to get too close was/is my biggest problem.

Brilliant analogy Preacher!