Some turkeys are just tougher to kill, and for those stubborn (read: Eastern) toms, the right gear does make a difference. It can be frustrating and downright draining to pursue an old longbeard that knows the game too well. So, here’s the good stuff that just might give you an edge on those ground-draggers this season.
1. LaCrosse Alpha Agility
The high-performance foam in the sole of this boot gives the Alpha an athletic fit, and the cushion is one of the softest I’ve ever stepped on. Insulated versions of the boot weigh 4 pounds per pair, but the relatively light weight of the uninsulated boot is important if you cover a lot of ground for gobblers. The boot is designed to lock your heel in place, so your foot won’t slip if you cross a muddy, boot-sucking creek. $130–$150; lacrossefootwear.com
2. Primos Photoform Hen Decoy
Sometimes your best bet for fooling an old Eastern tom is a single hen decoy and light scratches on the glass. This new ultra-realistic decoy features actual turkey imagery printed on 3D molded foam that packs light and tight in your vest. You can place the deke in multiple positions, including contented, feeding, or breeding postures. $70; primos.com
3. Apex Ninja TSS
I’ve seen Apex loads clobber coyotes at 80 yards, so you should have no trouble jelly-heading a turkey inside 40 with these TSS shotshells, which are now available in .410. Ninja is also available in 28-, 20-, and 12-gauge in No. 8½ size shot, running out of the muzzle at 1175 fps. $42–$59; apex-ammunition.myshopify.com
4. Alps Outdoorz Grand Slam Vest
It’s so comfortable, you can—and likely will—fall asleep in this turkey vest, which has a thick butt pad and a kickstand frame that allows you to sit anywhere. With dedicated pockets for calls and a striker, there are also spots for your phone and water bottle, plus a large game bag for hauling decoys and, hopefully, a spring tom. $180–$190; alpsbrands.com
Read Next: 15 Best Pieces of New Turkey Gear for 2020
5. Stoeger M3500 Predator/Turkey
Pistol-grip, short-barreled shotguns are ideal for turkeys because they are maneuverable in tight places. Stoeger delivers with the 3.5-inch M3500 drilled and tapped for mounting an optic atop the Weaver 93 base. Inertia-driven, the 12-gauge has a 24-inch ported barrel to reduce muzzle rise and comes with an extended-range Mojo choke. $929; stoegerindustries.com
6. True Timber Inflatable Ground Blind
True Timber has created a lightweight and highly portable pneumatic blind that inflates quickly with a hand-operated pump. The blind is supported by long air bladders that can’t break, and because it has no central hub, the design maximizes interior space. Patch punctures with quick-setting cement, just like with a bike’s inner tube. Valves at the top and bottom of the blind keep air from escaping and are used to quickly deflate it when you’re ready to move. The blind and pump store in an included backpack. $150; truetimber.com
7. Field Proven Zebrawood Pot Call
There are a dizzying number of call types and materials, but this loud, sweet-sounding pot call is easy to operate. The sound chamber is made from zebrawood (more commonly found in guitars), and the glass is preconditioned, so it’s ready to call out of the box. The striker is a wood-plastic composite, which makes it mostly weatherproof, so you can keep making crisp hen yelps in drizzling rain. $75; fieldprovencalls.com