The sky was filled with the twinkle of a thousand stars as we rode across the pasture in the ATV to put us close to the turkeys. We had heard the birds on the roost the evening before and thought we had a good idea of where to find them. Sneaking through the cedars, we found a long lane to set up decoys and hide in the cover.
As the sun started to rise, several big gobblers sounded off. They were so close that it was a little unnerving. We wanted to be close, but the thundering gobbles sounded like they were in our back pocket. Logan Peterson, with Hidden Valley Outfitters in Nebraska, looked at me wide-eyed and belly-crawled to the edge of a steep drop adjacent to where we sat. We were at the top edge of a cliff, and Logan motioned that the birds were below us.
The next hour was magical, as hens clucked, pepped, and purred while the longbeards tried to outdo each other in vocal supremacy. I crawled over to have a look, knowing there was little chance of having the birds fly up to us. The closest hen was maybe 12 yards away, and we watched the show below, with the birds flying down in shifts and heading in different directions.
When the birds dispersed, we headed for an agricultural field to the west where we had seen birds the previous day. We set up, and it didn’t take long for three hens to show up, with a big gobbler following up the rear. The small flock worked right to us, and when the old tom raised his head, a torrent of TSS pellets pounded the wiggle right out of him.
The morning success was a sweet victory after three days of trying to get a mature bird to play. It was like the ultimate turkey hunt, where you had to work for results. What made it even sweeter was the fact that I was camping with a crew of great friends. The experience left me wondering why a spring turkey camp isn’t a ritual.
Tools for the Ultimate Turkey Camp
Here is a list of gear to make plans for your ultimate turkey camp. Everything is covered, from sleeping to meals:
Canvas Tents
- Large Tent – White Duck Rover Cabin Tent
- Small Tent – White Duck Prota – Cabin Tent
Portable Solar Power
- Portable Solar Options from LionEnergy
Shotguns/Optics/Shotshells
- Benelli Super Black Eagle – Turkey Shotgun
- HEVI-18 Turkey – 12 ga. #9 TSS Shotshells
- Burris Fast-Fire 3 – Red Dot Optic
- Maven Binoculars B1.2 – 8×42
- ALPS Binocular Harness X
Camping Stove and Cooking Tools
- Camp Chef Stove – Camp Chef 3 Burner Stove
- Turkey Roaster – Camp Chef Dutch Oven
- Pellet Grill – Camp Chef Woodwind Pro 24 Pellet Grill
Trail Camera
Insect Control
Hunting Clothes
- Mossy Oak – Longbeard Turkey Vest (color – Obsession)
- Mossy Oak – Tibbee Pants/Jacket/hat (color – Obsession)
- Meindl Boots – EuroLight Hunter
Sleeping Bags/Cots/Chairs
- Mild Weather Sleeping Bag – ALPS Genesis +30
- Cold Weather Sleeping Bag – ALPS Genesis 0
- Heavy Duty Sleeping Bag – ALPS Redwood 10
- Camp Cot – ALPS Camp Cot XL
- Camp Chairs – ALPS Camp Chair
Celebrate Success
How to Set Up the Ultimate Turkey Camp
Modern technologies have spoiled us with simplicity, comfort, and convenience. Fond memories of camping with my family as a child include the smell of a canvas tent, a raging fire, and meals made in cast iron or on the grill. The equipment and features in this year’s turkey camp left little doubt that spring turkey hunters would be comfortable under the stars, making the entire experience more rewarding.
White Duck Tents
If you are looking for a tent that will last a lifetime, add comfort and value, and provide a modern look, White Duck has a tent model to meet your needs. We used an impressive lineup of tents for our hunting party, including the newest Rover and Ultimate models. I was flying solo and used the Prota, which provided me plenty of space. My sleeping cot and gear were laid out on the floor, and there was plenty of headspace for me to stand up and walk around comfortably. All White Duck tents use proprietary fabrics for increased durability and weather resistance; best of all, they are made sustainably. It was my first experience with White Duck, and everyone was impressed with the options and quality.
ALPS OutdoorZ – Vests, Sleeping Bags, Cots and Chairs
Sleeping Bag
Thanks to a functional turkey vest, we covered an incredible amount of ground in the Sandhills and always had everything required. The ALPS Grand Slam Turkey Vest has a built-in seat and leg stand, and the vest provides storage for everything you’ll need from calls, face mask and gloves to lunch, extra clothes, and even a bird pocket. The vest pockets hold two slate calls, three strikers, a box call—designed to keep it silent, a smartphone sleeve, and a special spot for your locator call. It also has five shell loops, a large game bag, two water bottle pockets on the sides, and two zippered mesh pockets inside the vest to store extras or snacks. The shoulder straps are adjustable, with compression straps and padding along the top.
ALPS Genesis series sleeping bags are made for mild and cold weather, rated for 0-degrees and 30-degrees respectively. They are manufactured under ALPS R3 initiative which means Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle. Each bag is made of recycled, ripstop polyester for the inner and outer linings, and the insulation is recycled TechLoft Microfiber. They are available in regular and long sizes, and crafted to keep you warm, and last for years. The weather in the spring is unpredictable, and the nights can be cold. The ALPS Redwood -10 Sleeping Bag was perfect for comfort. It is oversized and rectangular with TechLoft Silver insulation. The two-layer construction uses a rugged cotton canvas outer and cotton flannel liner. Heavy-duty zipper and roll-up straps keep it durable and ready for the next adventure.
The Camp Cot XL was the sleeping base with 600D polyester fabric and a powder-coated aluminum frame. The organizational pockets were handy for storing flashlights and other quickly retrievable items. Comfort was superb, and the sleeping pad made the cot feel like a bed. Camp Chairs were in each tent and the dining tent. They were so comfortable you’d consider using them at home.
The Bino Harness X has become standard hunting equipment, keeping hands free and reducing neck fatigue. The bino pocket stays secure to the chest during movement, and the elastic closure makes it easy to retrieve or store optics. It is built for durability and any weather. The harness is fully adjustable to fit anyone and has extra pockets for storage. The Bino Harness X Standard fits most 10x42s, and the Bino Harness X XL fits most 12x50s.
Lion Energy – Portable Solar Power
I felt spoiled with a rechargeable power supply in camp. Lion Energy has dependable electrical power at your fingertips, from lighting to charging phones and running coolers. The different units hold power for a long time and are easy to extend with solar panels to trickle charge. If the weather changes plans, they can be charged quickly with a portable generator. Having power in the individual tents was handy for seeing after dark and powering personal devices. In the individual tents, the Lion Trek units ran a string of LED lights, charged cell phones, and worked with a CPAP battery to ensure my snoring didn’t hamper anyone else’s sleep. The units can be used with two solar panels to supply recharging power for your adventure.
The eating and cook tent’s power sources and LED lights were Lion Energy Summit units. Coolers and bigger power needs were met with Safari units. This professional-grade unit will power kitchen appliances, communication devices, and tools with 3,000W / 1612Wh—multiple outputs cover devices with AC, USB-A, USB-C, and 12V ports. The units are impressive, with fast charge time and renewable energy, and they have up to six solar panels. They are maintenance-free and will retain a charge for up to one year.
TSS Shot – HEVI-18 Turkey Shotgun Shells
HEVI-18 Turkey shotshells for our 12-gauge shotguns carried an impressive payload of #9 tungsten shot. The premium turkey load is a mind-boggling pellet count that obliterates a patterning target. The density of tungsten helps it maintain energy over distance and increases penetration when finding a bird. The tungsten shotshell (TSS) hits so hard that a big old gobbler doesn’t flop after taking a load to the head. The muzzle velocity is 1,250 feet per second with its two-ounce charge. They come five to a box, extend your range, and hit with incredible stopping power.
Cellular Trail Camera – Moultrie Mobile
We set up some trail cameras several weeks before our hunt to do the scouting. The Edge and Edge Pro are great turkey-scouting trail cameras. The Edge Series from Moultrie Mobile automatically connects to the area’s strongest cellular provider. Built-in memory means no SD cards. They connect seamlessly with the Moultrie Mobile app for activity tracking, species recognition, weather, maps, and other features for planning a hunt. Getting photos sent to our cell phones helped generate excitement and kept the entire crew focused on our adventure for weeks in advance. They can be set up for species recognition, and the app helps keep images organized for when you hit the ground, knowing exactly where to hunt.
Binoculars – Maven Optics B1.2 10×42
Maven Optics, a Wyoming-based company, was founded in 2013 and offers premium optics at direct sale prices. Maven’s first product was its flagship B.1 binocular. Since then, the company has strived to find a solution, or optic, for every budget and every need.
The lineup now includes binoculars, riflescopes, spotting scopes, monoculars, and rangefinders.
There are six models in the B series, all offering premium glass and magnesium bodies. The B.1.2 is a premium binocular that starts at $950 for 8X42. We used the B.1.2 on the hunt and enjoyed the clarity in low light and the exceptional image quality at long range. A full line of optics is available direct-to-consumer, with fast shipping and good return policies.
Cooking Tools – Camp Chef Stove, Pellet Grill and Dutch Oven
There is something about food prepared in the great outdoors that makes any trip memorable. The smell of fresh coffee perking on our Camp Chef Three-Burner Stove was the best alarm clock ever experienced. Late morning, we regrouped for a big, hearty breakfast. Dinner was often prepared on the Camp Chef Woodwind Pro 24 WiFi Pellet Grill, which allowed us to smoke meat and monitor it from the field with our cell phones. The smoky, grilled flavors were outstanding and fueled us for the next day’s adventure. We did everything from steaks to French fries on the pellet grill.
I prepared turkey leg and thigh salsa from a freshly harvested bird. The meat was braised in a cast iron Camp Chef Dutch oven, then pulled, shredded, mixed with onions, peppers, cilantro, black beans, and corn, and finished with a citrus/cumin dressing.
Benelli Super Black Eagle 3 Turkey Shotguns with Burris FastFire3 Red Dot
The Benelli Super Black Eagle 3 shotguns are popular with waterfowl and upland enthusiasts, and adding a turkey model was a natural progression. The first modifications were a low-glare, ported barrel and reduced felt recoil with an inertia system. There is a fiber-optic bead, camouflaged all-weather stock with a textured pistol grip. The shotgun is outfitted with a Burris FastFire 3 red dot, and once you’ve used one, there is no return to a simple front bead.
The Super Black Eagle 3 Turkey shotguns are available in 28-, 20- and 12-gauge, with chamber options for 2¾-, 3- and 3½-inch shells. The turkey shotgun includes Crio Flush choke tubes C, I.C., M, I.M., F, wrench, and an extended Extra Full Turkey Choke. Benelli cryogenically treats the barrels and chokes by freezing the metal to -300°F, which relieves the stress of heat and hammer forging. The result is a smooth and uniform surface for wads and shot to travel down. Choke tubes are extra-long and, coupled with reduced friction through the entire bore, put more pellets on target with consistent and uniform patterns. The shotguns have an over-sized bolt handle, bolt release button, and a standard hard case to protect your firearm. benelliusa.com
Natural Insect Repellent – Sawyer Products
If you are bothered by ticks and other biting insects, you must discover Permethrin Fabric Treatment. The chemical is odorless after drying, and we used it to treat our tents and hunting clothes. It kept spiders out of the tents, and nobody found a tick. The Sawyer Permethrin Fabric Treatment can be used on any fabric. Once applied, it stays effective against mosquitoes and ticks for six weeks or six washes. It is a game changer in the turkey woods or camping.
We fished in the afternoons and used the Picaridin Insect Repellent. Spending the better part of a week outdoors and not having a single insect bite was enjoyable. Check out insect control options and water filtration offered by Sawyer Products.
Hunting Clothes – Mossy Oak
Our turkey vest, clothing, and hats were dressed in Mossy Oak Obsession, the official pattern of the National Wild Turkey Federation, or Bottomland. It is challenging to stay undetected from a sharp-eyed gobbler who has likely encountered a hunter at some point.
Turkey Hunting Boots – Meindl Boots EuroLight Hunter
Meindl boots are one of my favorites for tackling any terrain. The Sandhills of Nebraska did not disappoint with steep creek bottoms and rugged hills with grass and trees. The EuroLight Hunter model is lightweight, durable, and works for all terrains. Turkey hunting can take you to extremes, and being prepared with the right footwear can make the difference between success and an unfilled tag. The full-featured boots are 9-inch waxed full-grain nubuck leather uppers (and reinforced toe caps) to withstand use and abuse in field/trail conditions. A Gore-Tex waterproof, breathable liner keeps water out but allows perspiration vapor to escape. Everything from the sole to built-in venting makes them comfortable and functional.
Celebrate Success
When an evening toast and nightcap were in order, Pendleton Midnight Whisky made its rounds. The whisky is smooth and complex, much like a turkey hunter. Pendleton Midnight is the perfect whisky for sitting around the campfire after the hunt. A portion of the blend is aged for over six years in American brandy barrels for a truly authentic flavor to complement the slightly higher proof of 90. Additionally, Pendleton Whisky is the official whisky of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation.
National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF)
Consider a membership to NWTF (https://www.nwtf.org/) to support conservation and a future for wild turkeys. The National Wild Turkey Federation’s mission is to conserve the wild turkey and preserve our hunting heritage. Do not take a future for our birds or hunting heritage for granted and help ensure there are organizations to continue doing positive work for all of us.
If you build it, and they will come—friends, family, hunters, and turkeys. Creating the ultimate turkey hunting camp gives everyone good reason to plan and get together every spring for a new and exciting adventure.
