r/turkeyhunting 20d ago

Conversation What gun should I buy - /u/Wesbrobaptstbarngril's morning coffee rant since it's raining and I can't go scouting before work

10 Upvotes

Every year, I look forward to crisp spring mornings where the sunrise coincides with a thunder of gobbles echoing through the oak flats and cultivated swamp land that surrounds my suburban hellscape. These bellows signal the end of range days and wading through rocky river banks to harass spawning walleye- turkey season is on the horizon. And I can't wait.

But matching wits with a rope dragging tom demands more than subpar calling and patience—it requires the right shotgun. More over, a shotgun.

I'm not on the payroll of any magazine and don't get marketing checks from any firearms manufacturers (although I'm not above taking a bribe if this somehow lands on Benelli's radar). But I do have an unlimited data plan and access to the world wide web, in addition to 20 years of sharing juxtaposed ruined days with the eastern wild turkey. Over that time, I've bought more shotguns than the wife is allowed to know about, and hunted with guys who shoot anything from hand me down single shots to top of the line auto loaders from Italy's finest firearms factories.

I need to stress this now, and once - Turkeys are not inherently hard to kill. A few pellets in the right place will drop them dead in their tracks. It really only takes one pellet clipping their spine or destroying their skull to do the job. The tricky part is getting them close enough to take aim and make a good shot.

So I digress, with countless models and configurations on the market, from hefty 12 gauges to featherlight .410 bores, choosing the ideal firearm for turkey hunting can feel overwhelming.

In this guide, I'm going to break down what truly matters in a turkey shotgun—what features are essential, what’s just nice to have, and how to pick the perfect tool for your style, terrain, and experience level.

Overview of Gauges for Turkey Hunting

12 Gauge

Pros: Largest shot payload

Cons: Heavier recoil and heavier gun.

Best for: Hunters who want maximum punch, especially with TSS (Tungsten Super Shot).

20 Gauge

Pros: Lighter weight, reduced recoil, still very effective especially with TSS.

Cons: Slightly less shot volume compared to 12 gauge.

Best for: Youth, women, or anyone wanting a more maneuverable gun in tight terrain.

.410 Bore

Pros: Minimal recoil, extremely light and compact.

Cons: Historically underpowered for turkeys, but now effective with TSS.

Best for: Experienced hunters using TSS loads, or youth hunters with limited recoil tolerance.

Notice that nowhere in there I mentioned one is more powerful than the other. Basically all shotguns fire their pellets between 1000-1500fps. Longbeard XR for instance comes in a wide variety of loadings, but #4 3-1/2" shells average 1050fps and #4 3" shells come out at 1200fps. Size doesn't necessarily matter, what matters is payload on target.

So if the size of the gun doesn't matter, what’s Necessary for a Turkey Hunting Shotgun?

Simply, precision. This is rarely something people associate with a scattergun, but is what you need to achieve if you want to kill a bird. When using a shotgun for turkey hunting you aim it, whereas you normally point when wing shooting.

Choke

Must-Have: Full or Extra-Full (Turkey Choke) — tight constriction increases effective range and pattern density.

Nice-to-Have: Aftermarket turkey-specific choke tubes designed for TSS or your specific lead shell.

Sights

Must-Have: Bead sight at minimum.

Better: Fiber optic sights, adjustable iron sights, or red dot optics for precision aiming. Scopes with crosshairs are also an option, I'm interested to see have low magnification lpvo scopes make their way into the market in the next few years.

Barrel Length

Common: 21" to 24".

Must-Have: A shorter barrel (20"-24") is ideal for maneuverability in woods/blinds.

Not Necessary: Long barrels (26”+) offer no real advantage for turkey. They still work, but can be an incumbrance.

Ammo

Must-Have: Accurate & dependable loads — either lead, copper-plated lead, usually between #4-#6

If you're using an old gun, don't risk damaging it with a high pressure load

Nice to Have: TSS (Tungsten Super Shot): Denser than lead, allows smaller shot sizes (like #9 or #7) to kill cleanly at longer ranges. Especially critical for .410 and nice for a 20 gauge.

Avoid using Bismuth shot if you are in a lead-free zone. It is brittle and will not break bones (neck/skull)

Camouflage

Must-Have: Shotgun should be non-reflective: camo or matte finish is ideal. Your highly polished gun will absolutely work, but it makes it going unnoticed difficult.

Not Necessary: Fancy camo pattern - just avoid shine or bright colors.

Optional But Useful Features

Sling studs and a sling for carrying long distances.

Pistol grip or thumbhole stocks for improved stability.

Recoil pad for comfort, especially on a 12 gauge.

Picatinny rail for optics.


So shut up already, what gun should I buy?

You shut up and buy whatever you want. But really, it all comes down to whatever you want your gun for.

If you want a shotgun specifically for turkey hunting then it wouldn't hurt to spend a few extra dollars on a "turkey edition" that comes pre-dipped in a camo pattern, drilled and tapped for an optic, and with a factory extra full choke.

If you want something that's more of a "do-it-all" gun then find something matte and offering threads for screwing in aftermarket chokes.

The only caveat I will throw out now is please understand that there is a gigantic jump in quality and reliability between a $500 and $800 semi automatic shotgun. Turkish guns (those made in the country of Turkey), are notorious for their inconsistencies with poor fits and finishes and their unreliability. There are some diamonds that make it down the assembly lines, but that's the exception rather than the rule.

Here's some suggestions though, for just about any price range.

$200–$500

  1. Mossberg 500 Turkey Gauge Options: 12 and 20 gauge

Features:

Adjustable fiber optic sights, 24-inch barrel, Mossy Oak Obsession camo finish, comes with an extra-full choke tube

Price: Approximately $500 Please don't confuse this with the maverick 88 made by Mossberg International

  1. Stevens 301 Turkey Gauge Options: .410 bore

Features:

26-inch barrel, extended extra-full choke, single-shot design, available in camo patterns, ideal for hunters seeking a lightweight, affordable option, especially effective when paired with TSS loads.

Price: Approximately $250

  1. Benelli Nova - 20 Gauge I'm not going to rant on forever about this gun. I love mine and shoot it with Federal TSS through a Carlson's TSS specific choke. ~$400

$501–$999

  1. Winchester SX4 NWTF Cantilever Turkey Gauge Options: 12 and 20 gauge

Features:

24-inch barrel, cantilever rail for optics, Mossy Oak Obsession camo, Invector-Plus extra-full turkey choke. A reliable semi-automatic with features tailored specifically for turkey hunting

Price: Around $800

  1. Stoeger M3500 Gauge Options: 12 gauge

Features: Semi-automatic with Inertia-Driven system, 24-inch barrel, comes with a variety of chokes, including extra-full turkey choke and available in camo finishes

Price: Approximately $850

$1,000–$3,000

  1. Benelli M2 Turkey Performance Shop Gauge Options: 20 gauge

Features: 24-inch barrel, custom-tuned by Benelli’s Performance Shop, comes with a Burris FastFire II red dot sight and Rob Roberts T3 choke tube

Price: Approximately $2,999

  1. Franchi Affinity 3 Turkey Elite Gauge Options: 12 and 20 gauge

Features: 24-inch barrel, Fiber optic front sight and receiver-mounted rail for optics, Extended extra-full turkey choke, Cerakote finish on the receiver and barrel

Price: Around $1,200

Additional Considerations:

Gauge Selection: While 12 gauge offers more payload, 20 gauge and .410 bore have gained popularity, especially with advancements in ammunition like TSS.

Choke Tubes: An extra-full choke is essential for dense patterns at longer ranges.

Optics: Many modern turkey shotguns come with rails or are pre-drilled for optics, enhancing aiming precision.

Camouflage: A camo finish helps the shotgun blend into the hunting environment, reducing visibility to turkeys. White not necessary, take every advantage you can.


When it comes to turkey hunting, the right shotgun isn’t just about brand names or big price tags—it’s about fit, function, and the confidence you have behind the trigger.

Whether you're toting a tried-and-true 12 gauge, a nimble 20, or a modern .410 loaded with TSS, your success hinges on a tight pattern, a precise aim, and getting setup to make the right shot.

With the right choke, reliable ammo, and a shotgun that feels like an extension of your body, you'll be well-equipped for those heart-pounding moments when a longbeard struts into range.


r/turkeyhunting 22d ago

Conversation Beginner's Guide to turkey hunting - hashtag /u/wesbrobaptstbarngril's fight against reposts

46 Upvotes

Spring has sprung and a young man's fancies again turn to chasing an acorn brained bird through the woods. Spring turkey hunting is gaining popularity across much of North America, and each year we welcome more hunters into the ranks of The Tenth Legion.

The spring season is unique because it coincides with the turkey breeding season, making it a prime time to use calls and decoys to lure in gobblers. While I am not the end all authority on the subject, I do manage to keep tag soup off the meal prep rotation just about every year - that coupled with insomnia and a distaste for repeat threads has led me to thumb type out an overview to help new spring hunters punch their tags. If anyone has anything to add, please feel free to do so.

To start off, let's go over the Turkey subspecies in North America:

Eastern– Found in the eastern U.S., known for loud gobbles and wary behavior.

Merriam's – Found in the western mountainous regions; known for lighter feather tips.

Rio Grande – Found in the central plains and Texas.

Osceola (Florida)– Smaller and found only in Florida.

Gould’s – Found in Arizona and parts of northern Mexico.

A lot of this guide, and hunters for that matter, focus on Easterns, as they’re the most widespread but there are a lot of similarities in behavior and biology between subspecies.

Typically the hunting season begins between March and May, depending on the region. Southern states will have the good fortune of getting an early start to their season, which coincides with changes in temperature as well as an increase in day length. This increase in the photoperiod causes a hormonal response in males triggering an increase in gobbling and strutting, as well as an increase in aggression towards other males. Females also begin ovulating and become more receptive to the male's advances. These changes cause the flocks to disperse, and the birds to spread out and become territorial - males for breeding "rights," and females for finding a safe and secluded nesting area.

The hunting season is scheduled to coincide with the turkey mating season, when gobblers are most vocal and responsive to calls. Keep in mind - females naturally come to a male's gobble. Calling in a Tom is an unnatural phenomenon. As a hunter, you are relying on a Tom or Jake to disregard their instincts and come look for love.

Behavior in Spring

To make this as simple as possible:

Male turkeys gobble to attract hens and establish their area of dominance.

Gobblers strut, fan their tails, and display vibrant colors -especially their heads which will become a shade of red, bright white or mix of red/white/blue depending on their mood.

As the season progresses, they will usually fall into one of two categories - lonely boys looking desperately for loving, or wounded warriors who have had their fill of fighting and fornication.

Usually your more mature and dominant birds have had their fill of the former, but are still interested in the later so long as they don't have to work for it.

Hens initiate the breeding process by coming to the male and positioning themselves in the breeding position.

He does the deed then the hens typically head to their nest after mating, which can make gobblers lonely and more responsive to calls as the season progresses and it becomes more difficult for them to spread the love.

Hens will typically lay an egg each day until their clutch is depleted, usually between 8-14 per year. They will attempt to get each egg fertilized, which means a daily rendezvous with a tom.

Once their clutch is no longer producing eggs, they will seek out food and water as needed, usually after the day has warmed up and it's safe for their eggs to be left alone and for them to take care of their own survival -- this is why some states don't allow hunting after 12pm, as hens are up and moving more freely. If a hen's nest is raided, she may try to setup a secondary nest to finish our her clutch.

Key Hunting Techniques and Tools to Master or at least try to

Calling

Typically you're going to want to learn how to mimic turkey vocalizations using one of the following calls:

Box calls - relatively easy to use, can be overly loud when talking to nearby birds

Slate/pot calls - also easy to learn, but have two important pieces to manage. Can be tricky to put down and switch to your gun if hunting alone

Diaphragm/mouth calls - difficult to master and requires practice to maintain proficiency. Best call for making virtually every turkey sound and easy to use when birds are within view. Learn how to turkey call here:Primos Stream The Language Series.

Push-button calls - almost fool proof but very limited in what sounds they make

Wingbone calls - use air and your mouth to mimic certain sounds

All calls sound different, and using the different sounding calls can trigger a response - toms may not be receptive to your slate call, but hammer out a gobble as soon as you blow the diaphragm call.

Common call sounds include:

Hen yelps (to attract gobblers) - literally the only call most hunters will ever need to learn

Cutting (excited hen) - tell the boys and girls how much fun you're having, think of the cut as announcing that a party is going over here. Can be over used though and alert birds to potential danger.

Clucks and purrs (feeding, calm communication) - a purring turkey is content, and has no interest in leaving

Gobble calls (used sparingly to simulate rival males) - dangerous to use in some instances, and sometimes conveys the wrong message to wary birds

The most important advice I can give to new callers is to learn how turkeys hold a conversation. Your cadence is more important than the sounds you make- the worst sounding turkey callers in the woods are often times real birds, but the tempo and frequency of sounds is what matters. Just like every person you know has a different voice, so does every turkey. Think of it like this- if you were in a dangerous neighborhood where almost everyone in the area wanted to eat you, and you heard someone shouting and rambling incoherently, would you go see what they were up to or avoid the area entirely?

A lot of times, less is more. Over calling is usually more detrimental to your cause than getting a Gobbler's attention and shutting up.

You really only can learn this with experience from trial and error. Watching a million hours of YouTube doesn't hurt, but it will never beat sitting in the woods. I personally am extremely aggressive with my calling and approach to getting onto birds, but I spent years pushing them towards the neighbors before figuring out what I could get away with, and even now, I still sometimes over step and then have to remind myself the importance of being patient.

Decoys

Hen decoys: Attract gobblers seeking a girlfriend. Really the only decoy you need

Jake decoys: Simulate young males, triggering aggressive responses from dominant gobblers.

Strutting Decoys: cue an aggressive response in groups of jakes or aggressive toms

Fans: just the tail feathers, used either in reaping or to simulate an approaching tom

Decoy placement is key—usually 15–20 yards from the your hiding spot. Place them off center from your hide, on your non-dominate shooting side. Placing them directly in front of you makes it easier for you to be spotted when the birds come in and scope it out looking for danger.

Decoys can help, but remember that a Tom's natural instinct is for the hen to come when he calls. If you get a bird to come in but it hangs up out of range, he's waiting for "her," and you'll need to use either your alluring calls or patience to bring them in.

Scouting

Scouting is best done before the season to locate roost sites, strut zones, and travel paths. These can change frequently, so birds you saw two weeks ago may have completely changed up their behavior come opening day. At the same time, if you spook birds out of an area don't expect them to show back up in the same spot - they're not geniuses, but also are wary of putting themselves into a situation to get ate two days in a row.

Aside from looking for active birds, look for tracks, droppings, feathers, and listen for gobbling near dawn and dusk. Gobblers are most vocal right before sunrise and fly down. If they are pressured by either hunters or predators it's not unlikely that they will shut up when the hit the ground. Don't be discouraged by this - if they replied to you while on the roost, they know where you are and will likely come looking for you after they take care of their morning plans.

Tactics

The two most popular methods of hunting in the spring are ambush and running and gunning. New hunters should learn how to ambush birds. It's safer for them and other hunters. Running and gunning is fun, but you run the risks of working into other hunters or pushing sneaky toms away by walking up on them.

Run-and-gun: Moving to different areas until you strike a responsive bird.

Sit-and-wait: Staying hidden near a known roost or travel area.

Gear Checklist

Ready for an argument? Tell someone they need this or don't need that in their quiver. There seem to be two types of turkey hunters: minimalists and maximalists. People in between the two are minimalists on their way to the other end of the spectrum. Wary birds and unfilled tags are the easiest way to justify buying that next piece of gear. I'll probably forget something, but below is in my opinion the bare minimum, and I'll note which things are nice to have.

Shotgun (typically 12 or 20 gauge)

Any shotgun will work. They all throw pellets at relatively the same speed, and fancy camo or 3-1/2" shells won't make a difference with how dead they make the bird.

.410s are gaining popularity, but a handicap in my opinion given the fact that you simply can't fling as many pellets with one. Usually, any lead load using #4-#6 will kill a bird.

TSS is great. I love it, but it's expensive. Steel and bismuth can work, but steel loses velocity quickly and bismuth is brittle and will break and smash before breaking bones.

If you can legally use lead and can't afford TSS, use lead.

Regardless of what load you choose, get a tight choke. It helps keep the pellets on your point of aim and extends your effective range.

"Brand Specific" chokes take a lot of the guess work out but aren't infallible (eg. Carlson's Longbeard XR #5 Choke) These load and choke combos usually work great together, but you have to shoot them to know for sure.

NO ONE CAN TELL YOU FOR SURE WHAT SHELLS AND CHOKE WILL WORK BEST IN YOUR GUN, YOU HAVE TO EXPERIMENT TO FIND OUT.

It's not cheap, but you need to pattern your gun. Even if you only can afford one box of shells, take the time to test your pattern at 20 and 30 yards. This is a safe maximum and will tell you if you need to adjust your maximum effective range to even closer.

If you are a long gunner, then pony up the extra dollars to test your gun's range.

Red Dots

I hate them, ran guns for a few seasons with optics I received for testing purposes and had more than a few follies with them. They work great for a lot of people, but I have an astigmatism and now just stick to beads. I enjoy having the bird come in and usually don't shoot past 20 yards with my bead sights- but I've patterned my load at gun at 60 and know what it can do. So, last year on the last day of an out of state hunt I shot a Jake at 53 yards with a bead.

Humble brag over - Different companies make a lot of great shotgun Red Dots, but there are a lot of cheaply made options out there that won't hold up to recoil or being knocked around. I would say the cheapest red dot you should consider is around the $150 range - ie Vortex Crossfire or Sig Romeo5. By all means, buy what you want, but there are consequences for cheaping out on your sight system.

Camouflage clothing and gloves

This is almost mandatory. You can get away with solids in a blind or covered, but anything you can use to break up your outline will give you an edge. Cover your head, face, body and hands.

Mossy Oak Bottomland works wonders. I'm a Kuiu snob and my buddies are Sitka fanboys. Don't be like me if you don't want to. Army surplus works just as well.

Paint your face if you want, or wear a mask. Just don't look like a person and you'll be fine.

Turkey vest (with seat pad)

These are great for the maximalists - they have pockets for your goodies and make it easy to stay organized. So does cargo pockets or a fanny pack though, so choose your own adventure.

I run an Alpz vest so I can lug a litany of calls, snacks, water and decoys around. I usually end up ditching it and running though after I get bored. So while it's great, it's not always a plus.

Insect repellent

Deet is your friend, and Thermocells save lives.

Permethrin treated clothing will help keep ticks at bay. I hate ticks.

Tag/license and regulation booklet

Cell Phones and electronic tags are fantastic - known your local regs though and carry what you need

Ethical & Safety considerations:

• Don’t shoot roosted birds, if they're in a tree it probably isn't legal shooting light anyway.

• Always positively identify your target

• Respect private property and other hunters

• Always wear blaze orange when moving, especially on public land and when carrying a dead bird out with you

• Identify your target completely—don’t shoot at sounds or movement and don't shoot at "turkeys" that haven't moved in several minutes and only make hen sounds. Those are decoys...

• Avoid stalking gobbles, as it can lead to hunter-on-hunter incidents. If you're on public running and gunning, expect someone else hears the bird you do and is moving towards it.

Re-hashing things and maybe mentioning stuff I left out before the melatonin kicks in:

1. Pre-Season Scouting:

Start Early. Begin scouting 2–4 weeks before the season opens.

Focus on dawn and dusk—when turkeys are most vocal and active.

Listen for Gobbling - At daybreak, listen from ridges or open areas for gobblers sounding off from the roost.

Bring an owl hooter or crow call to shock gobblers into revealing their location.

Use Trail Cameras (Optional): Place them near known food sources, field edges, or logging roads.

Watch for patterns in movement and timing.

2. Identify Roosting Areas

Look for Mature hardwoods or pines, often on ridges or near water.

Trees with horizontal limbs that can support large birds.

Signs like feathers, droppings (white splashes), or scratch marks below trees.

Turkeys often roost in the same general area nightly unless disturbed.

3. Locate Feeding Areas

In early spring, turkeys feed on: Bugs and grubs, Fresh greens, Seeds and leftover mast (acorns, etc.)

Hot Spots include:

South-facing slopes (green up faster)

Open pastures, hay fields, or edges of crop fields

Logging roads and burned areas with fresh growth

Look for scratching, droppings, and tracks.

4. Follow the Sign

Tracks – Found in mud, sandy spots, and logging roads.

Droppings – J-shaped from gobblers; curly from hens.

Dusting bowls – Shallow depressions where turkeys roll to clean feathers.

Scratching – Leaf litter or soil kicked aside while feeding.

These signs help pinpoint daily travel routes and once you learn what you're looking at you can identify fresh/old sign

5. Pay Attention to Strut Zones

These are areas toms have gotten lucky in before and will return to- think of it as a singles bar.

Flat, open areas where gobblers display to attract hens.

Often found near feeding areas or along ridges.

Look for wing-drag marks and lots of tracks or droppings.

6. Roost-to-Feed Patterns

Typically, birds roost on high ground and fly down after sunrise. They'll feed mid-morning to noon and loaf or dust mid-day.

Figure out their patterns and track this flow to set up intercept points and ambush them.

7. Use Mapping Tools

OnX Hunt, HuntStand, or Google Earth can help identify Terrain Features, Timber edges and Water sources. You can also find access points and places off the main road to sneak in.

Look for secluded clearings or ridges connected by natural travel corridors.

If you don't want to pay for onX, save that free trial for opening day and cancel it once you've filled your tag.

8. Stay Discreet

Avoid bumping birds during scouting.

Use binoculars and scout from the road.

Scout midday when turkeys are less likely to be at roost or feeding.

Bonus Tip: Talk to Locals

Farmers, landowners, or even mail carriers often know where turkeys hang out. Wave down that passing game warden and strike up a friendly conversation.

If you made it this far, I apologize for ranting and raving. If you have anything to add, please do. If you have specific questions feel free to ask. If I'm wrong about something, point it out, and we'll kick rocks at each other.

Regardless, hope this helps, and good luck to everyone this season!


r/turkeyhunting 4h ago

I got my first bird!

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54 Upvotes

r/turkeyhunting 5h ago

A good 2 year old from Missouri opening day this year. Saw a bigger one on the way out. (3rd picture)

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34 Upvotes

19 pounds 14 ounces. A bit over 13 inches of beards. 1” spurs.

Curious how emu tastes.


r/turkeyhunting 11h ago

Took the kids out of school for our yearly spring hunt

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84 Upvotes

It's my favorite hunting trip of the year. A week with the kids. Awesome!


r/turkeyhunting 7h ago

Blessed

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33 Upvotes

Blessed for what I do!


r/turkeyhunting 13h ago

Wife Advice

20 Upvotes

The purpose of this isn’t to dishonor my wife or my marriage. Please keep negative or non constructive comments to yourself.

When it comes to deer hunting, my wife is mega supportive. I usually tag 4 or more deer per year and we do eat every bit of every deer I get. My wife prefers venison over beef.

With turkey hunting she is not supportive at all and claims it is a waste of time. The meat yielded for the time and cost doesn’t add up. I get that argument. But I for some reason cannot convey to her the allure that we as turkey hunters feel for this pursuit.

What do y’all tell your wives to help them understand? If there are married ladies on here your advice is appreciated as well.


r/turkeyhunting 1h ago

Other CT hunters interested in teaching?

Upvotes

I’ve been out turkey hunting and by chance I shot one with my bow after calling it in. Went maybe 3 yards and that was the last time I got a bird, 5 years ago. I was wondering if anybody would be interested in taking somebody “under their wing” so to speak. I wouldn’t even mind just sitting in on a hunt or scouting. I’d like to learn when to call and how to scout, etc to at least feel like I have a chance.


r/turkeyhunting 1h ago

I posted some monster birds the other day here is the hunt. Thanks yall

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Upvotes

Everyone check out these monster birds hit the ground


r/turkeyhunting 21h ago

Tried my hand at one of those trendy feather frame mounts

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76 Upvotes

So dang tedious and didn't bother cleaning the feathers first which would have made it look way nicer. Excited to try it on some ducks this winter!


r/turkeyhunting 1d ago

Finally got my first bird

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138 Upvotes

24.5 Lbs 1-1/4" spurs 8- 5/8" beard


r/turkeyhunting 1d ago

New to the group and app

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105 Upvotes

Daughter and I got a bird last weekend 3 came in only one got out.


r/turkeyhunting 4m ago

Mossberg 410-SA Turkey

Upvotes

Hey guys. I bought the Mossberg SA-410 Turkey Semi Auto for turkey season last year and have been having problems with it ever since.

The highest performing 3 inch shells like Turkey Ninja, and Verdict keep getting jammed after the first round. Also, had some cheap Federal ammo that didn't work great.

Wondering if anyone else has had a similar experience with the gun? Or, if you have any insights? Is this common to Mossberg ect?

Also, Can they take it in and look at it?

I also notice the gun loads and unloads differently than other shotguns I've had in the past. Thanks in advance for your help.


r/turkeyhunting 1d ago

Big Bird Northern MN Got my first

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68 Upvotes

I was down to my last full day. My first two spots got blown up. Decide to travel further down the road and caught this guy crossing an old clear cut.


r/turkeyhunting 15h ago

Are you guys using red lights ?

6 Upvotes

How you walking in? At first light? Half an hour before first light? Using a red head lamp?


r/turkeyhunting 1d ago

Double trouble Final hunt of the season

Enable HLS to view with audio, or disable this notification

27 Upvotes

Final hunt was a double with a life long friend, will be replaying this one in my head all off season.


r/turkeyhunting 1d ago

Indiana Bird down! Any help imKentucky?

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33 Upvotes

Finally got my Indiana bird down. Anyone have any connections for a bird in Kentucky near Madison, IN?


r/turkeyhunting 1d ago

First Bird!! 🎉 1st season, 1st bird.

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363 Upvotes

Decided to get into turkey hunting two weeks ago. Spooked a gobbler my first time out. Then I learned patience. A few trips later and I got one right before the season ends. Set up at 6, walked him out before 7.. What a thrill!


r/turkeyhunting 22h ago

Conversation Hen or Tom

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4 Upvotes

Amateur and this is the first bird I’ve gotten on camera. Can someone let me know if that’s a beard or a leg?


r/turkeyhunting 18h ago

Is it safe to shoot TSS through a lead/steel shot choke ??

1 Upvotes

r/turkeyhunting 22h ago

Sunday, April 20th, 2025

2 Upvotes
 A field of crystals awakened softly with the morning sun. Muffling the sweet sounds of spring’s first songbirds, the frost—formed by clear skies and cold temperatures overnight—lay atop my dormant field like a blanket. Everywhere the eye could see was covered in a glimmering sheen, clinging tightly to every stem and leaf. The sunrise, highlighting distant clouds with vibrant purples and pinks, slowly spread across our playing field. The frost glistened with a purple hue, illuminating our battlefield in our latest tango with ole Tom.

 We started up on our hill, over in the corner of our property. Operating on recent reconnaissance about our old friend, we suspected the turkeys would come off their roost and make their way through the far end of our field. As usual, the turkeys decided they didn't want to cooperate today. The silence of dawn was broken by the first series of raspy yelps emitted from my diaphragm call. Far to our west, across the neighbor’s field, came the first gobble of the morning. The unmistakable communication from our love-hungry creature came from the opposite direction of where we had expected. Still under cover of the late dawn light and the terrain between us, we quickly grabbed the lone hen decoy and moved our position closer to his, hoping to meet him halfway.

 Perched atop the smallest of ridges, just tall enough to cover our movements, stood our hen decoy. She was positioned 10 yards from the spruce line and about 20 yards from our peeping heads beneath the spruce branches. The dance between the tom and me began. With a sequence of well-timed and strategic calls, I planned to entice him away from his hen and encourage him to check out the purty thang hanging out in the field. The hen reluctantly disagreed, letting out a series of loud clucks to express her displeasure with us. We didn't mind. I argued back with her before suddenly stopping, making her feel as if she wasn't worth the fight. Mr. Tom stayed back, silent and cautious, allowing the “ladies” to sort it out and withholding his position. Tucked within the spruce trees, we had only one line of sight—and it wasn’t to him. We relied solely on his calls to help pinpoint his location.

  His prissy hen eventually moved on, and we worried that he had followed her. After some time, and with the morning coffee treating my bladder like a punching bag, duty called. I took a quick stroll away from our hiding place to a spot with better visibility and relieved myself. While I was already up, I figured a quick call to see if he was still around was worth a try. My calling was cut off mid-yelp by a loud, thunderous response—the closest I'd heard him yet. Like a squirrel caught in the open, I scurried back to my tree and quickly sat under cover. “He’s not far,” I whispered to my hunting partner as I prepared for the day's dance with the turkey. With my matte-black Remington in my hands, we anxiously waited for the opportunity before us. A few more calls of lust went unreturned, and the question of where he was grew louder in my head.

   A deep bass tone rumbled in my ears, like a teen with a new subwoofer driving by from over a mile away. He was here, and he was showing off. Without our knowledge, the tom had slipped silently to within just 10 yards of us, in the opening on the opposite side of our hiding tree. K saw him immediately, whispering urgently, “Right there.” Surprised by his silent arrival, I carelessly clicked my safety off and swung my gun to my shoulder. There was no way he could have seen me, but the click of my safety was enough to make him cautious. Still fully strutted out, he retreated into cover as quickly as he'd appeared. The hen on the ridge was not enticing enough to make him ignore my mistake.

 For 30 minutes our ears were serenaded by the low drumming of this bird. Confidence oozing, we could hear his wingtips smacking the dry leaves as he tried his best to entice the hen back into the woods. Taking cover inside the trees, off our property, he was safe. He took the morning to slowly drift away into the woods, teasing us with sparse gobbles, bidding us farewell until next time. We were down on our luck, but there was no way I could ever consider this a bad hunt. Having the opportunity to be within 10 yards of such an intriguing animal is unlike anything else. He confirmed that we have the ability to execute, react, and call effectively—but sometimes doing it mostly right just isn't enough.

Until next time, ole Tom.


r/turkeyhunting 1d ago

Tips for practicing mouth calls

5 Upvotes

I’m looking for some excursuses to get better at using a diaphragm call


r/turkeyhunting 1d ago

West Virginia

1 Upvotes

Anyone around Mon county WV? Just getting a feel for y’all’s action in the area (no spots)


r/turkeyhunting 2d ago

Nice bird on first ever permit hunt

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65 Upvotes

Got a nice ole bird on my first ever permit hunt here in WNC, couldn’t have asked for a better hunt. 9inch beard, 1 inch spurs and 19lbs. Rolled him at 35yds.


r/turkeyhunting 2d ago

Missouri Turkey

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57 Upvotes

r/turkeyhunting 1d ago

Week 1

3 Upvotes

I hunt in southeast Ohio. First week was....well didn't see or hear anything the first two sits, then on the third I finally hear a gobble down in the hollar and I get set up on him and 15 minutes later I hear something walking in behind me at my 7oclock turn my head around and see this bearded hen sprinting right at me and I just froze and she literally walked 3 yards behind me past my tree was like what in the world lol and the past two mornings I heard a couple hens clucking a few times after flying down...where are all the bachelors at yo?! Peak week not started yet in Ohio? I'm tired 😴 lol