Disregarding any of your basic stuff (guns, shells, camouflage, license, etc.), what is one thing that you will not hunt without. Something sentimental, something handy, a certain call, etc. There are no wrong answers. My single most important piece of equipment is a sentimental good luck charm, my hat that I wear that my daughter and wife picked out for me on Valentine's Day probably 6 years ago. I've worn it on every hunt since and worn it every time I've taken the kids. And have killed a pile of turkeys in it. Probably ain't anything to it but I've always believed in "lucky" items. If nothing else, it makes me feel good knowing they think enough about me to get it for me.
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My favorite little 2 reed yelper. I carry 3 of them (identical) every time I step into the woods.
A pair of my Dad's old original Bottomland denim bibs. Sentimental and highly functional
Snake boots and a Theracell.
My Glenda Green Satchel.. No.5 / carrying my ceramic pot call i got years ago from Jim Shelley ..
A long box a fellow from Alabama made for me.
Many a bird has fallen to that Siren's song.
Since I mostly hunt "solo", my cell phone is most important for obvious reasons. I have a "lucky" sweater that a buddy gave me, he since has passed away. It's a Bob Fratzke Wool camo sweater that I wear on cool mornings. I say it's lucky because I harvested most of my big deer and turkeys while wearing this sweater. I think of my friend when I put that sweater on. I miss hunting with him.......
OnX
Quote from: Tom007 on March 13, 2024, 01:09:59 PM
Since I mostly hunt "solo", my cell phone is most important for obvious reasons. I have a "lucky" sweater that a buddy gave me, he since has passed away. It's a Bob Fratzke Wool camo sweater that I wear on cool mornings. I say it's lucky because I harvested most of my big deer and turkeys while wearing this sweater. I think of my friend when I put that sweater on. I miss hunting with him.......
That last line hit me hard Tom007. Every time I get frustrated with my old man on a turkey hunt (he doesn't turkey hunt but loves to go with me and watch the chess match) for being loud, lighting a cigarette at the wrong time, etc... I try to remember all the old timers that have said that exact line to me over and over again, "I sure wish I could hunt with him one more time". I think I have gotten better at this over the years and the memories made with my old man will go with me to the grave.
Good butt cushion
Quote from: NOmad on March 13, 2024, 01:26:39 PM
Quote from: Tom007 on March 13, 2024, 01:09:59 PM
Since I mostly hunt "solo", my cell phone is most important for obvious reasons. I have a "lucky" sweater that a buddy gave me, he since has passed away. It's a Bob Fratzke Wool camo sweater that I wear on cool mornings. I say it's lucky because I harvested most of my big deer and turkeys while wearing this sweater. I think of my friend when I put that sweater on. I miss hunting with him.......
That last line hit me hard Tom007. Every time I get frustrated with my old man on a turkey hunt (he doesn't turkey hunt but loves to go with me and watch the chess match) for being loud, lighting a cigarette at the wrong time, etc... I try to remember all the old timers that have said that exact line to me over and over again, "I sure wish I could hunt with him one more time". I think I have gotten better at this over the years and the memories made with my old man will go with me to the grave.
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20240313/3c54c97782210d31e612a76413d59180.jpg)
Nomad, I know what you mean buddy. We didn't have turkeys in my area until my dad was in his mid 30's. He likes to hunt them but he never got in to the game as we all here know it. He doesn't believe in a facemask or gloves even though I can sometimes talk him in to it. He doesn't use decoys, or blinds, and he couldn't operate a call even if it was a push button and he has no desire to learn. He hunts them in a way that he will watch his turkeys pre season, say a turkey walks past a tree 3 days in a row, the fourth day dad is sitting there at daylight and will still be sitting there at dark unless that gobbler comes by and he kills him. He hunts to eat them, I hunt them because there is no other animal or thing on this earth that gives me a rush like that.
He has COPD and emphysema from smoking his whole life and can't walk more than 30 or 40 yards without having to stop and catch his breath and stop coughing. I on the other hand, will go 8 to 10 miles in a morning and climb mountains, cross waist deep swamps, wade creeks, or do whatever else is necessary to get to a gobbling bird.
I constantly have to remind myself when I'm with these two, that we aren't out there to kill a turkey. We're out there to hunt with each other and enjoy the gift that only god could give us. And it brings it all back in perspective for me.
It took me taking dad for 12 years before he killed a turkey with me and hasn't since, but we make a point to hunt together at least a couple times a season.
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When I was 6 years old my dad gave me a seat, camo covered foam folding seat. Used it as my seat till I got a vest. When I started wearing vests it rode in the game bag. I to this day have not killed a turkey without that pad. Doubt I ever will stop carrying it till my little girl uses it as her seat.
I have a small bible that has more miles on it than I care to count. Sometimes I read it, sometimes I don't, but it's always in my possession while hunting.
Quote from: ScottTaulbee on March 13, 2024, 01:44:58 PM
Quote from: NOmad on March 13, 2024, 01:26:39 PM
Quote from: Tom007 on March 13, 2024, 01:09:59 PM
Since I mostly hunt "solo", my cell phone is most important for obvious reasons. I have a "lucky" sweater that a buddy gave me, he since has passed away. It's a Bob Fratzke Wool camo sweater that I wear on cool mornings. I say it's lucky because I harvested most of my big deer and turkeys while wearing this sweater. I think of my friend when I put that sweater on. I miss hunting with him.......
That last line hit me hard Tom007. Every time I get frustrated with my old man on a turkey hunt (he doesn't turkey hunt but loves to go with me and watch the chess match) for being loud, lighting a cigarette at the wrong time, etc... I try to remember all the old timers that have said that exact line to me over and over again, "I sure wish I could hunt with him one more time". I think I have gotten better at this over the years and the memories made with my old man will go with me to the grave.
I constantly have to remind myself when I'm with these two, that we aren't out there to kill a turkey. We're out there to hunt with each other and enjoy the gift that only god could give us. And it brings it all back in perspective for me.
Couldn't have said it better myself sir.
Deet!
Toilet Paper. I started carrying it years ago and won't be caught without it. Found out the hard way. Lol
Mine is also a "lucky" hat my wife got me. I have also noticed I have a "lucky" shirt. I don't always wear the shirt but it always seems to be the one I'm wearing when I kill
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Thermacell. I attract mosquitoes from miles away. I would not be able to hunt without it.
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X3
I carry a weird coin that my uncle, the best human ever to grace the planet( all respect to everyone ), gave me 40 years ago. I would trade a year of my life to spend a day with him just one more time . :bible: Z
Not really a vest item, but I too have a lucky shirt. It's 20 plus years old and has holes in it now. I'm afraid to wear it much, figuring it will fall apart each time I put it on. Killed my first turkey in it and many others.I only wear it when I need a luck boost. Sometimes I go several seasons without wearing it.
I hunted a particular bird hard last year. (I spend too much time on the difficult ones) The very last day I could hunt I grabbed the ole wore out shirt and put it on. He rode home in the back of my truck that day. (https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20240314/e40b6054dd7db5f909c50c0ca096dff3.jpg)
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Since my dad passed away a few years ago, I always take something of his with me on my hunts. If I'm not bowhunting, I will take a small antler handled knife he made me years ago, wear his dog tags (he was a Vietnam vet) or wear one of his old plaid flannel shirts. However, I do most of my hunting with a longbow, whether I'm chasing turkeys, deer, small game, etc. So, after dad died, I had a custom longbow built and asked the bowyer to put a pinch of dad's ashes into the build. The bow turned out beautiful, shoots like a dream and is of course very special to me. Dad was a lifelong traditional bowhunter but didn't get to travel much to hunt due to money and his health in his later years. My first trip with the longbow was to hunt black bear in Alaska, one of dad's dream trips. Bears didn't cooperate, but we had a great time. I look forward to taking "dad" out west this year to chase gobblers in April.
Quote from: zelmo1 on March 13, 2024, 07:59:28 PM
I carry a weird coin that my uncle, the best human ever to grace the planet( all respect to everyone ), gave me 40 years ago. I would trade a year of my life to spend a day with him just one more time . :bible: Z
To add one more thing, back when they first released the wild turkey quarter, I found one while turkey hunting a local WMA and thought "what are the odds of that?!" So I've kept it with me since. I think that was 2015 or so. Fast forward to 2019, my dad is obsessed with bear and has wanted to kill one since he was a kid but hasn't had any luck, I took him on a bear hunt and we're in eastern KY on a old strip mine, on top of a mountain, probably 5 miles from any road and a lot farther than that from any houses, we're walking and I'm looking for sign, I see something with a different shine than a rock about 6 yards off the machinery path, I walk over and get to looking, and it's another one of the wild turkey quarters!. I have kept them both in my wallet since finding them both and can tell each apart due to the difference in dirt color. My "lucky" quarters
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Quote from: Big Flounder on March 13, 2024, 11:24:44 PM
Since my dad passed away a few years ago, I always take something of his with me on my hunts. If I'm not bowhunting, I will take a small antler handled knife he made me years ago, wear his dog tags (he was a Vietnam vet) or wear one of his old plaid flannel shirts. However, I do most of my hunting with a longbow, whether I'm chasing turkeys, deer, small game, etc. So, after dad died, I had a custom longbow built and asked the bowyer to put a pinch of dad's ashes into the build. The bow turned out beautiful, shoots like a dream and is of course very special to me. Dad was a lifelong traditional bowhunter but didn't get to travel much to hunt due to money and his health in his later years. My first trip with the longbow was to hunt black bear in Alaska, one of dad's dream trips. Bears didn't cooperate, but we had a great time. I look forward to taking "dad" out west this year to chase gobblers in April.
That's incredible!. And that's a sharp bow!. I got in to traditional bow hunting last year and it's consumed me just as bad as turkey hunting( almost as bad?). Anyway, I hope to get one with my longbow this season. Any chance you're a PBS member?.
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Quote from: NOmad on March 13, 2024, 01:26:39 PM
Quote from: Tom007 on March 13, 2024, 01:09:59 PM
Since I mostly hunt "solo", my cell phone is most important for obvious reasons. I have a "lucky" sweater that a buddy gave me, he since has passed away. It's a Bob Fratzke Wool camo sweater that I wear on cool mornings. I say it's lucky because I harvested most of my big deer and turkeys while wearing this sweater. I think of my friend when I put that sweater on. I miss hunting with him.......
That last line hit me hard Tom007. Every time I get frustrated with my old man on a turkey hunt (he doesn't turkey hunt but loves to go with me and watch the chess match) for being loud, lighting a cigarette at the wrong time, etc... I try to remember all the old timers that have said that exact line to me over and over again, "I sure wish I could hunt with him one more time". I think I have gotten better at this over the years and the memories made with my old man will go with me to the grave.
Amen my friend, treasure the memories....
Quote from: ScottTaulbee on March 14, 2024, 07:03:04 AM
Quote from: Big Flounder on March 13, 2024, 11:24:44 PM
Since my dad passed away a few years ago, I always take something of his with me on my hunts. If I'm not bowhunting, I will take a small antler handled knife he made me years ago, wear his dog tags (he was a Vietnam vet) or wear one of his old plaid flannel shirts. However, I do most of my hunting with a longbow, whether I'm chasing turkeys, deer, small game, etc. So, after dad died, I had a custom longbow built and asked the bowyer to put a pinch of dad's ashes into the build. The bow turned out beautiful, shoots like a dream and is of course very special to me. Dad was a lifelong traditional bowhunter but didn't get to travel much to hunt due to money and his health in his later years. My first trip with the longbow was to hunt black bear in Alaska, one of dad's dream trips. Bears didn't cooperate, but we had a great time. I look forward to taking "dad" out west this year to chase gobblers in April.
That's incredible!. And that's a sharp bow!. I got in to traditional bow hunting last year and it's consumed me just as bad as turkey hunting( almost as bad?). Anyway, I hope to get one with my longbow this season. Any chance you're a PBS member?.
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Yes, I've been an Associate member off and on for several years. I'm a life member, past Board Member and currently the membership secretary for Compton Traditional Bowhunters. Thanks for the compliments on the bow. It's a Robertson and the guys did a fantastic job building it.
Quote from: Big Flounder on March 14, 2024, 08:17:15 AM
Quote from: ScottTaulbee on March 14, 2024, 07:03:04 AM
Quote from: Big Flounder on March 13, 2024, 11:24:44 PM
Since my dad passed away a few years ago, I always take something of his with me on my hunts. If I'm not bowhunting, I will take a small antler handled knife he made me years ago, wear his dog tags (he was a Vietnam vet) or wear one of his old plaid flannel shirts. However, I do most of my hunting with a longbow, whether I'm chasing turkeys, deer, small game, etc. So, after dad died, I had a custom longbow built and asked the bowyer to put a pinch of dad's ashes into the build. The bow turned out beautiful, shoots like a dream and is of course very special to me. Dad was a lifelong traditional bowhunter but didn't get to travel much to hunt due to money and his health in his later years. My first trip with the longbow was to hunt black bear in Alaska, one of dad's dream trips. Bears didn't cooperate, but we had a great time. I look forward to taking "dad" out west this year to chase gobblers in April.
That's incredible!. And that's a sharp bow!. I got in to traditional bow hunting last year and it's consumed me just as bad as turkey hunting( almost as bad?). Anyway, I hope to get one with my longbow this season. Any chance you're a PBS member?.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Yes, I've been an Associate member off and on for several years. I'm a life member, past Board Member and currently the membership secretary for Compton Traditional Bowhunters. Thanks for the compliments on the bow. It's a Robertson and the guys did a fantastic job building it.
I'm also a member of Compton's and an Associate Member of PBS. Are you coming to the gathering in Lexington?. I'll be up there later this evening after I get off of work
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My Glenda Green inner tube seat. I love it so much, I take the seat off my vest and carry it in my game bag. I did make a small adjustment to it. I had an old memory foam cushion that I cut a circle out of and stuck it in the middle of the inner tube. The memory foam sits lower than the tube so it doesn't change what makes the tube effective... but on long sits, the memory foam helps to spread the load a bit.
I have an old box call that I consider to be my first "real" call that I carry even though I don't use it much. My wife's uncle made it and it sounds good. I've never killed a bird with it but I feel weird not taking it with me.
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Old crow pot call
My instincts.
Probably not my most important item but it's really annoying if I don't have my binos. I always carry toilet paper. The other contender would by OnX. It has helped me see different ways to access that has helped me kill birds.
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Thermacell
Water bottle.
Experience
I've got a Buck 110 that has sentimental value I carry when in the woods
Quote from: Kylongspur88 on March 15, 2024, 06:25:50 AM
I've got a Buck 110 that has sentimental value I carry when in the woods
Long ago, I had a Buck knife that I carried for many years. My two boys witnessed many a gobbler being field-dressed with that knife as they were growing up. At some point it disappeared and I thought I had lost it. A couple of years ago, I was hunting with my son (now forty) and noticed he had a familiar-looking buck knife in his vest. ...Seems that the "sentimental value" aspect of that knife was passed on to the next generation... ;)
Quote from: GobbleNut on March 15, 2024, 09:51:17 AM
Quote from: Kylongspur88 on March 15, 2024, 06:25:50 AM
I've got a Buck 110 that has sentimental value I carry when in the woods
Long ago, I had a Buck knife that I carried for many years. My two boys witnessed many a gobbler being field-dressed with that knife as they were growing up. At some point it disappeared and I thought I had lost it. A couple of years ago, I was hunting with my son (now forty) and noticed he had a familiar-looking buck knife in his vest. ...Seems that the "sentimental value" aspect of that knife was passed on to the next generation... ;)
That's the first place I would have looked for it!
Quote from: GobbleNut on March 15, 2024, 09:51:17 AM
Quote from: Kylongspur88 on March 15, 2024, 06:25:50 AM
I've got a Buck 110 that has sentimental value I carry when in the woods
Long ago, I had a Buck knife that I carried for many years. My two boys witnessed many a gobbler being field-dressed with that knife as they were growing up. At some point it disappeared and I thought I had lost it. A couple of years ago, I was hunting with my son (now forty) and noticed he had a familiar-looking buck knife in his vest. ...Seems that the "sentimental value" aspect of that knife was passed on to the next generation... ;)
It's funny you mention that, I have several items of my dad's that he's "lost" over the years and also a couple shotguns that seem to be unofficially passed down to me. One is a Mossberg 500 my dad bought in 2003 for him to use as an all purpose gun. It was the first 12 gauge I ever shot, the first gun I killed a turkey, goose, and duck with, and I shot it in 4H trap shooting growing up and won several shoots including the KY state 4H trap shoot for my age class. And the only shotgun my dad and myself used for years and killed a pile of turkey with. Anyway, when I turned 18 and moved out, that shotgun followed me and it has ever since. Dad hasn't mentioned it ever but I kind of made a swap a few years ago and bought him his first semi auto so I'd say "we're even".
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I have a camo suit that I used for goose hunting that I have used for years.I like my 870 Remington. I have a hat that I've used for 30 years.
As much as it pains me to say it, excellent detailed topographic and aerial maps at your fingertips has to be the biggest advantage added to a turkey hunters arsenal. Especially the traveling hunter in places he isn't familiar with
To the OP, your question covered the basics.
I have No sentimental value to anything I hunt with, it's all equipment. There is nothing I will walk back to the truck for if I am more than two hundred yards away.
If less than two hundred yards I would turn around for my binos.
Thermacell...you can't hardly hunt around here without one.
I will carry the set of elk ivories off of the first bull I took while a youth of 13 on every hunt, no matter the species, and a circa 1973 half dollar that my grandfather gave me at a young age.
I'll carry the half dollar daily, and the elk ivories on every hunt l, as those things have great sentimental value to me.
Cigars .
Fully charged phone