By Paul Rackley, GunBroker Editor

For the most part, I’m a minimalist when it comes to turkey hunting. I like to run and gun, so I often carry only truly needed gear. This includes my 870, a lightweight turkey vest and a variety of calls, mostly mouth calls. 

Over the years, however, I’ve learned there are a few turkey hunting accessories that can come in handy. Fiber-optic sights make the shot easier in dark woods and sometimes a decoy can really make a difference. I’ve also reached the age where comfort has increased in importance, especially on an all-day hunt. 

Turkey Hunting Accessories

TRUGLO TRU-BEAD Universal Shotgun Sights

There are all kinds of optics available to turkey hunters, including scopes, red dots, peep sights and fiber optics. I’ve had success with most of them over the years. Last year, I hunted the spring with a 20-gauge Mossberg 500 with a Holosun Micro Dot. That sight was fast, accurate and very easy to use. 

 However, I like simplicity. So, for the last 10 years or so, I’ve kept a TRUGLO TRU-BEAD on my main turkey shotgun, a Remington 870. The universal sight fits on the rib, right behind the front bead (I only use the front sight). I quickly realized it works for all things shotgun. In addition to turkeys, I’ve taken ducks, geese, doves, squirrels and more with the TRU-BEAD on my shotgun. 

Walker’s Disrupter Bluetooth Earbuds

I love the idea of electronic hearing, and have tried numerous brands over the years. I go back to an original Walker’s Game Ear handed to me by Bob Walker at an event. Electronic ear protection works great for shooting, but typically lacks regarding hunting. I just got my hands on Walker’s Disrupter Bluetooth Earbuds. 

While I haven’t hunted with these, turkey season is coming quick, they’re showing promise. These earbuds eliminate dangerous noise levels, such as gun shots, while letting normal sounds, conversation, in. The also let the user listen to music and answer the phone via Bluetooth. In addition to shooting, I’ve used the Disrupter Earbuds running equipment around the house, as well as just walking the property. Using these devices, I can even tell what direction from which sound is coming. This is a first in a unit that isn’t reaching the $1,000 range. 

ThermaSeat Heat-A-Seat

Turkey hunting is typically warm to hot. The early season, though, can be quite chilly. I’ve had years when I’ve worn thermals in the turkey woods and still been cold. This is especially true when hunting from blinds. The ThermaSeat Heat-A-Seat truly helps keep you warm. 

I got my first years ago, and used it, mostly for deer, until the material holding the insulation completely wore out. This thing keeps butts warm, and it is available in a variety of colors and camouflages. In fact, the company makes a variety of sitting methods to keep folks warm and comfortable. 

Montana Decoy Miss Purrfect XD

Despite their usefulness, I hunted for years without decoys. I didn’t like the weight or the bulk; it was bulk more than weight. Then I found Montana Decoy. The Miss Purrfect XD Turkey Hen Decoy fold down to almost nothing, weighing only 22 ounces. 

I can drop this hen decoy into my vest and forget about it until it is needed. Montana Decoy also makes tom and jake decoys, as well as a pair combo, jake and hen, and a flock set that comes with the Miss Purrfect XD, Jake Purrfect XD and the Wiley Tom 3D decoys. These decoys are very realistic with feather cuts in the cloth. 

Ol’ Tom Time & Motion Turkey Vest

There are a lot of turkey vests on the market, and pretty much all of them perform adequately; many are quite good. Turkey vest are quite personal, depending on what a hunter wants to carry in the woods. As a minimalist, I want one that is light, with enough pockets to carry necessary gear. 

For the past 10 years, I’ve been using the Ol’ Tom Time & Motion vest. This vest is extremely light. The call pockets are easy to get to for quick use, whether preferring pot and peg, box or mouth calls. It even has detachable locator call cords to prevent loss when swapping in a hurry, along with the standard padded seat and back, game bag and adjustable straps for fit. A good vest is more than a turkey hunting accessory, it is a critical piece of gear, and the Time & Motion vest is well thought out.

Ameristep Care Taker Wide Bottom Extreme

While I prefer running and gunning, there are times when slowing down is required. When I do, I want a blind with a decoy spread. This happens a lot later in the day when birds aren’t gobbling at much, but I actually have time for an all-day hunt. I also use blinds when taking a newbie hunting, such as a kid, who isn’t quite understanding the need to be still. In those times, turkey hunting accessory is pretty mandatory.

At just under 14 pounds, the Ameristep Care Taker Wide Bottom blind isn’t the heaviest or the lightest. It is, however, big enough for two people comfortably but light enough for fairly easy carry and set up. Features include a matte finish to prevent shining, nine windows with One-way, see-through Mesh and silent hook-and-elastic, internal storage pockets and Interior ShadowGuard coating to eliminate shadows and masking odors.

Primos Wing Man Turkey Chair

Comfort is important, especially if sitting in a blind for a few hours. Turkey might not be able to see in, but they can hear movement, especially if it is excessive. Having a comfortable chair in a blind is pretty important. 

The Primos Wing Man is pretty comfortable. It can be used both with and without a blind, as it weighs just over 6 pounds. It can, however, hold up to 300 pounds with its steel frame. This chair is low to the ground and comes with a mesh bach and padded arm rests. If I’m going to sit for a while, I want to be comfortable. 

Tags: accessories, blinds, Hearing Protection, Optics, Sights, Turkey Decoys, Turkey Hunting, Turkey Vests