Over the years I learned that if I have more gear than what can fit into the pockets of my pants, turkey vest and a small back bag I am way overloaded.

Here is my short list for you, maybe that helps you.

Shotgun (of course)
3 shotgun shells (Most times I only get one shot)
2 slug shells (I live in bear country, a shotgun going off is like a dinner bell for them)
1 small knife
3 turkey calls (1 box call, 1 glass call, 1 slate call, 2 strikers. (Never used a mouth call, never felt the need I need one.)
2 roll up turkey decoys (optional)
1 GPS and 1 compass (never trust electronic gadgets alone)
1 roll toilet paper (It has many uses)
1 roll blaze flagging tape (to mark my stand site and decoys if there are other hunters in the area)
1 blaze orange hat and vest (I wear these items on my way in and out in areas where there are other hunters)
1 turkey hunting vest that comes with attached seat cushion
1 thermos of coffee, a few nutrition bars and sandwiches.
1 rain suit (optional)
1 small first aid kit.
1 small flashlight
1 cellular phone

That is all that I need and all I will take with me on a short trip. For a wilderness trip I may take a tent, stove, sleeping bags and whatever else I need to be comfortable and safe.

Never used a blind, never felt the need to own one. They are, in my opinion to cumbersome to set up and need additional camouflaging to break the outline up.

Good luck next time and lighten your load.

-ov-

The graphic I was talking about is the gobbling turkey in the top right hand corner…if that has been there all along, I am really not very observant (just ask my wife about that!)

Not that a lot of those gadgets and gizmos aren’t great to have. After this season, I’m already looking into a new decoy (a strutting tom) and a gobbler tube, even though my current turkey gear (calls, dekes, etc.) barely fit into a huge storage box.

But I’m also reminded that all this “stuff” isn’t necessary for a good hunt. The other morning I rolled out with a mouthcall, a slate, and a decoy. I admit, I’d have carried the Thermacell if I’d remembered to bring it, but other than that, I was running trim and light.

I set up with my hunter in a nice little gathering area and I proceeded to call birds down the mountain with nothing but the slate. No fancy boxes, push-pull calls, or anything else. Just a piece of wood on a piece of slate.

It sure gave me something to think about.