As die hard turkey hunters, I think we all are a bit obsessive about our gear because we take our hobby very seriously. Just curious what new gear and/or gadgets you guys are adding to your vest for the upcoming spring of '19?
Below are a few new things I've recently purchased in anticipation of spring....
-Keen Gypsum hiking boots (I've always been a rubber boot kinda guy but decided to order a nice set of waterproof hiking boots to see if they are a bit kinder to my feet)
-RNG-300 vest (very impressed, can't wait to put it through it's paces in a few months!)
-Platypus Platy 2 liter collapsible water bottle (weird I know, but I get so annoyed at the crinkling and crunching of your normal water bottles in the back of your vest. They always seem to make the most noise during the most unfortunate times)
-Hydration pack for the RNG300 vest (as a former hardcore endurance mountain biker, I'm very familiar with the camelback style hydration packs and am gonna experiment to see how I like it. It appears lots of guys are starting to go this route)
- Irving Whit box call ( snagged a beauty on one of his recent "Bench sales" and am pumped about toting it in the woods)
What new gear/gadgets/calls are you guys excited about adding to your arsenal and trying out this upcoming spring?
I probably won't add much to my vest or calls this year as I have the last few but I think you will really like the rng 300,I picked one up last spring and it is awesome,far and away my favorite vest/hybrid ever.I will wear it whether I am gun hunting or bow hunting without a blind.
Not much, may upgrade my hen decoy.
Not much in the vest but cant wait to take a bird with my new Knight TK2000
Couple new calls; Brad Roberts Green slate, S.S & Ernie Fetters scratch box's " I've never hunted with a scratch box" and looking forward to using one.
Going to attempt to not spend much so I would like another Halloran call and will get a new Gooserbat call since I hear he has a new one.
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My GF picked me up an RNG 300 as a early CHRISTmas present earlier this year, never had a vest before so looking forward to trying that out though sitting on the cushion on the floor in the apartment it is not very comfortable so I may replace the seat on it with a Beard Buster Jumbo Seat if it will fit.
I have to finish paying off a couple calls next month and the following and looking forward to getting them in 2 intrigue me, one from Grizz Friction Wood Calls that he will be making out of Apple wood and Mulberry for me, both woods have a meaning to me as my first job was picking drops in an apple orchard when I was young and growing up we had a house with black mulberry tree out front and remember climbing it and picking them and it was my favorite jam that we would can.
Of course I will be trying out all the calls I have bought here at one time or another during the season as well.
A Rose De Bois Trumpet
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Crazy as it sounds I'm on a sock quest. I've figured out that what kind of socks you wear dictate how comfortable your feet stay. Cotton is out!!!
Quote from: Gooserbat on December 12, 2018, 10:36:28 PM
Crazy as it sounds I'm on a sock quest. I've figured out that what kind of socks you wear dictate how comfortable your feet stay. Cotton is out!!!
Try some Darn Toughs! I had a hard time talking myself into spending $25 on a pair of socks but they have a lifetime warranty and it has been worth it so far.
To the OP, two of the biggest changes I'm making are the same ones as you, the hiking boots and I actually bought the same water bottle because of the same reasons. I have also got to find a pair of clippers to throw in my vest instead of just a limb saw.
Quote from: Fdept56 on December 12, 2018, 10:49:55 PM
Quote from: Gooserbat on December 12, 2018, 10:36:28 PM
Crazy as it sounds I'm on a sock quest. I've figured out that what kind of socks you wear dictate how comfortable your feet stay. Cotton is out!!!
Try some Darn Toughs! I had a hard time talking myself into spending $25 on a pair of socks but they have a lifetime warranty and it has been worth it so far.
To the OP, two of the biggest changes I'm making are the same ones as you, the hiking boots and I actually bought the same water bottle because of the same reasons. I have also got to find a pair of clippers to throw in my vest instead of just a limb saw.
Never had any experience with Darn Tough socks but if you're not wearing a Merino sock you're doing yourself a disservice. Merino wool is just an unbelievable material for hunting clothes.
Adding a Thermacell and will be rotating in the new calls.
I have a Beard Buster stadium type seat that I picked up after season that I'll be testing this year. I'll be trying a variety of mouth calls this year.
I've had a trumpet for a few years that I haven't had the nerve to try on a real turkey. I'll be trying it this season. I really need some practice tho!
I plan to add nothing. In fact I've been decreasing the items carried. Years ago I carried a couple mouth calls, some shells, drink n a compass. Idk if I'm really getting benefit from carrying a full vest or psychologically I just felt more prepared.
This year I'm going down to mouth calls, two pots, a scratcher, longbox, locator calls, couple shells, compass, drink. Oh yea and a thermocell. That's way more than enough I think. Might even carry only one shell! Just kidding on that one but it won't be many.
Quote from: Gooserbat on December 12, 2018, 10:36:28 PM
Crazy as it sounds I'm on a sock quest. I've figured out that what kind of socks you wear dictate how comfortable your feet stay. Cotton is out!!!
Try Swiftwick! You will not be disappointed! Its was what I work when I used to mountain bike a lot and I've gotten to it's all I wear everyday all day. I normally wear the "performance" series during warmer weather and the "pursuit" merino models during cooler weather.
Quote from: Tail Feathers on December 13, 2018, 11:07:17 AM
I have a Beard Buster stadium type seat that I picked up after season that I'll be testing this year. I'll be trying a variety of mouth calls this year.
I've had a trumpet for a few years that I haven't had the nerve to try on a real turkey. I'll be trying it this season. I really need some practice tho!
Same here, I did forget that I got a new trumpet right at the end of this years season and have been practicing since. Interested to see how it works out for me
Quote from: compton30 on December 12, 2018, 11:07:33 PM
Quote from: Fdept56 on December 12, 2018, 10:49:55 PM
Quote from: Gooserbat on December 12, 2018, 10:36:28 PM
Crazy as it sounds I'm on a sock quest. I've figured out that what kind of socks you wear dictate how comfortable your feet stay. Cotton is out!!!
Try some Darn Toughs! I had a hard time talking myself into spending $25 on a pair of socks but they have a lifetime warranty and it has been worth it so far.
To the OP, two of the biggest changes I'm making are the same ones as you, the hiking boots and I actually bought the same water bottle because of the same reasons. I have also got to find a pair of clippers to throw in my vest instead of just a limb saw.
Never had any experience with Darn Tough socks but if you're not wearing a Merino sock you're doing yourself a disservice. Merino wool is just an unbelievable material for hunting clothes.
^^^ Yep, merino wool. A good wool hiking sock. I've found the cheaper stuff works but didn't last as long
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Quote from: compton30 on December 12, 2018, 11:07:33 PM
Quote from: Fdept56 on December 12, 2018, 10:49:55 PM
Quote from: Gooserbat on December 12, 2018, 10:36:28 PM
Crazy as it sounds I'm on a sock quest. I've figured out that what kind of socks you wear dictate how comfortable your feet stay. Cotton is out!!!
Try some Darn Toughs! I had a hard time talking myself into spending $25 on a pair of socks but they have a lifetime warranty and it has been worth it so far.
To the OP, two of the biggest changes I'm making are the same ones as you, the hiking boots and I actually bought the same water bottle because of the same reasons. I have also got to find a pair of clippers to throw in my vest instead of just a limb saw.
Never had any experience with Darn Tough socks but if you're not wearing a Merino sock you're doing yourself a disservice. Merino wool is just an unbelievable material for hunting clothes.
Darn Tough socks are made right here in Vermont, have an unconditional lifetime warranty, and they do make Merino Wool Hiker/Boot socks.
So Far I have added a David Halloran green slate and a new Weatherby SA459 20 guage.
I'm adding a new DayBreak Ceramic and an Albert Paul Sassafras/Persimmon box, and a new pr LLBean boots.
Me and the wife are heading to Nashville in February so I'm sure I'll find something to add
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A couple new shells to replace the ones I shot last year.
Quote from: Happy on December 13, 2018, 08:02:41 PM
A couple new shells to replace the ones I shot last year.
Ha ha that one cracked me up, but actually its true! I like your style
I'm good right now but once the turkey mags start showing up and NWTF show gets here that will probably change.
Quote from: Gooserbat on December 12, 2018, 10:36:28 PM
Crazy as it sounds I'm on a sock quest. I've figured out that what kind of socks you wear dictate how comfortable your feet stay. Cotton is out!!!
Don't think you can beat SmartWool, I have a number of these and the most comfortable hunting sock I have worn!
https://www.smartwool.com/shop/mens-phd-hunt-light-crew-socks-sw001356#hero=0
MK M GOBL
New toys, looking at some new toys for my camera setup, and a DSD or two other than that my only need is more ammo :)
MK M GOBL
no doubt I will be getting some more pot calls! :drool:
See all of you talking about socks, can anyone suggest some that are not wool or wool blend? I am allergic to wool, ears wound up looking like a wrestlers last time I came in contact with wool.
Not in the vest but the new scope I bought and some shells that sight in well with it. Well I will have some shells in the vest so I guess I am covered.
Quote from: Sir-diealot on December 14, 2018, 10:45:45 AM
See all of you talking about socks, can anyone suggest some that are not wool or wool blend? I am allergic to wool, ears wound up looking like a wrestlers last time I came in contact with wool.
Not in the vest but the new scope I bought and some shells that sight in well with it. Well I will have some shells in the vest so I guess I am covered.
Swiftwick performance series
https://swiftwick.com/collections/performance
I picked up a Buice trumpet, two Mabry pots and a Mabry scratch box while we were in Georgia for Thanksgiving. I'm also seriously considering ditching my vest for one of Glenda Green's satchels if I can squeeze it into the budget.
Quote from: Jrkimbrough on December 14, 2018, 12:44:24 PM
Quote from: Sir-diealot on December 14, 2018, 10:45:45 AM
See all of you talking about socks, can anyone suggest some that are not wool or wool blend? I am allergic to wool, ears wound up looking like a wrestlers last time I came in contact with wool.
Not in the vest but the new scope I bought and some shells that sight in well with it. Well I will have some shells in the vest so I guess I am covered.
Swiftwick performance series
https://swiftwick.com/collections/performance
Thank you, will try to order a pair when I get paid again. They good in cool and warm weather as well? Never mind, don't answer here, don't want to steal the thread, I will inbox you.
Only thing I'm adding is a Tactacam. I have camera set up that I use when I take someone hunting, thought I'd add a Tactacam to self film.
Nothing new here. Might even try to reduce what I carry now.
Added vortex venoms to my 1187 20 gauge and my supermag 870. Also have a billy buice trumpet otw.
Probably a new slate pot call of some sort. Lost my favorite in the Black Hills last spring. I may switch vest again, but I'll wait and see if anything new comes out at the convention. Leaning towards one of the Knight and Hales right now.
Added a Halloran box over the summer that will be in the vest. Plus a little camera equipment to try to document some stuff. Need to come up with a good pair of boots for trip out west as well.