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I'm a turkey junkie. I'm chasing 49, will hunt four states in April and May, and have penned a pair of turkey books. I test lots of turkey gear each spring, from shotguns with sticker shock to cheap mouth calls that cost under $6. I love gear, and turkey hunting requires lots of it. Why do you think turkey vests with more than 20 pockets are standard? Sometimes, you must bring everything, and the kitchen sink to emerge from the woods with a vibrant fan swaying behind your head.
The good news is, thanks to savvy manufacturers, you can buy all the gear you need without spending a ton of money. Remember, no matter what category it's in, a product doesn't have to be super expensive to be functional and practical. Here are my favorite budget-friendly turkey items to make your spring turkey adventures more comfortable, successful, and enjoyable.
Best Vest: Alps OutdoorZ Super Elite 4.0
Best Call: H.S. Strut Slingblade Box Call
Best Shotgun: Mossberg Maverick 88 All Purpose
Best Load: Winchester Long Beard XR
Best Decoy: Primos Lil Gobbstopper Hen & Jake Combo
Best Ground Blind: Rhino R75 Hub
Best Insect Repellent: Thermacell MR300 Portable Mosquito Repeller
Best for Run-and-Gun Hunters: Ultimate Predator Bow-Mounted Decoy
Best Vest: Alps OutdoorZ Super Elite 4.0
A staple for turkey hunters, this under-$120 vest has a lot going for it and it's available in both Mossy Oak and Realtree patterns. Loaded with 22 purposeful pockets that keep calls, shotshells, and other gear organized, the Super Elite 4.0 also features a removable 2.5-inch-thick fold-away seat cushion with quick-release buckle attachments for increased comfort when waiting on a stubborn gobbler. I've worn this turkey vest all over the country. I cheer the roomy game bag and mesh panels that boost breathability.
Best Call: H.S. Strut Slingblade Box Call
Learn to manipulate a box call, and you can create all the sounds of a wild hen. Crafted from two of my favorite woods—American Walnut (box) and Purple Heard (lid)—the Slingblade's tone is true. One of the easiest-to-master turkey calls ever created, this Hunters Specialties box call boasts foolproof, one-sided strike operation. Because one side of the box is raised, the lid stops in the same place every time. Quality box calls are often a Benjamin and some change, but the Slingblade hits a pleasing under $35 price point.
Best Shotgun: Mossberg Maverick 88 All Purpose
Mossberg Maverick 88 All Purpose Shotgun
Mossberg has a knack for making winning products for those on a budget. The under-$310 Maverick 88 All Purpose pump-action wears a 28-inch vent rib blued barrel and a synthetic Mossy Oak Bottomland stock and foreend. The chamber handles 2-3/4-and 3-inch shotshells, and the dual bead sights help you bear down on the turning-white head of a fired-up tom turkey. This 12-gauge turkey shotgun brings the thunder, but if you're leaning toward a sub-gauge, give the 22-inch barrel Maverick 88 Bantam All Purpose a go.
Best Load: Winchester Long Beard XR
Winchester Long Beard XR Shotshells
Turkey loads aren't cheap, and what you send to jelly the head of a tom matters. Coming in at under $25 per box of 10 shotshells, Winchester's Long Beard XR is a turkey-killing staple. Available in shot sizes #4, #5, and #6, the Long Beard XR is devastating at longer ranges. My go-to is the 3-inch #5s. Shot-Lok technology—a hardened resin that encapsulates the pellets—allows the pellets to fly straight and tight.
Best Ground Blind: Rhino R75 Hub
Made for two hunters, this 12-pound hub-style turkey blind is easy to pack, deploy, and collapse and serves the needs of shotgunners and vertical and horizontal bow toters alike. Even better, it's under $100. The 150D fabric in Mossy Oak Break-Up Country camo is tough and durable, and the main shoot-through mesh window allows plenty of room to maneuver for a shot. The ground blind measures 60" x 60".
Best Decoys: Primos Lil Gobbstopper Hen & Jake Combo
I like budget gear if it doesn't hinder success, and this dynamic, under-$85 decoy duo doesn't. Smaller body designs mean boy birds will be boisterous, and hens won't hesitate to get crossways. Make no mistake: Getting a live hen in the decoys always helps boost realism. The poses and coloring add realism, and the lightweight build makes these turkey decoys a breeze to tote around the woods.
Best Insect Repellent: Thermacell MR300 Portable Mosquito Repeller
I despise mosquitos and as such, won't go to the turkey woods without my Thermacell MR300 Portable Mosquito Repeller. For less than $33, this small, easy-to-tote, handheld unit creates an effective 15-foot forcefield that keeps pesky bloodsuckers at bay. The Hunt Pack includes one repeller, camo holster, clip, one 12-hour fuel cartridge, and 4-hour repellent mats.
Best for Run-and-Gun Hunters: Ultimate Predator Bow-Mounted Decoy
Take a walk on the wild side and pick a fight with a dominant springtime butterball with UPG's Eastern Turkey Stalker strapped to your compound bow. These under-$85 bow-mounted decoys are lifelike, feature a shoot-through window, and weigh less than 11 ounces. They fold up to an 11-inch diameter disc, so you can toss them in your vest or pack and deploy them when the time is right. I've shot turkeys at less than three yards with UPG turkey fakes.
How We Picked the Best Budget Turkey Gear
I've used and continue to use almost all of the above items. I spend over 40 days in the woods each spring, and if the gear I test is worthless, I discard it. I aim to provide you with a list of gobbler-getting gear you can depend on from March through May, season after season. The gear I haven't used has caught my eye through reviews, looking and handling it at SHOT Show, NWTF, and others.
One common misconception: Just because a product is cost-effective doesn't mean it's trash. I use a lot of "cheaper" products regularly. The key when shopping for budget turkey gear is to do your research. Read product reviews on Amazon and manufacturer's websites. Also, many media outlets slug budget gear with rewards, which matters. Another tactic I use, especially if I'm on the fence about a product, is to scroll Instagram and Facebook and see if I can find images of hunters using it in the field and read what they say about it. The more you learn about a product beforehand, the less likely you are to purchase a lemon.
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For more than 125 years, Field & Stream has been providing readers with honest and authentic coverage of outdoor gear. Our writers and editors eat, sleep, and breathe the outdoors, and that passion comes through in our product reviews. You can count on F&S to keep you up to date on the best new gear. And when we write about a product—whether it’s a bass lure or a backpack—we cover the good and the bad, so you know exactly what to expect before you decide to make a purchase.
