Turkey Hunting Gear & Apparel for Women

By Andrea Haas
Revised 3/01/16

Photo of Huntress View team member Samantha Andrews

Turkey season is fast approaching so if you haven't begun shopping for your turkey hunting gear, now's a great time! The following is gear & apparel that I have used & recommend for spring turkey hunting. I don't feel you need to run out & buy each item on this list, but at the very least I recommend a turkey vest, something to cover your face (whether it be paint or a face mask), and some camo pants & top so you don't get busted!


1) Headwear

-Prois Cap-

-Elastic Hairbands-

by EvoOutdoors 

These work great as headbands to keep your hair out of your face, or can double as a hair-tie to pull your hair back into a ponytail. I carry these in my hunting pack year round.

2) Face Paint

-Fire-Field Face Paint-

Easy to apply, easy to remove and NO glare. It's a great alternative to a face mask, that tends to just get in the way.

Photo courtesy of Hunters Crate

3) Shirts & Jackets

-Prois Ultra Backcountry Long Sleeve Shirt-

Made of polyester wicking fabric & has pockets on the back of the shirt across the lumbar 

region that are perfect for holding calls, gloves & other hunting gear!

               

Front

Back

-Prois Galleann Rain Jacket-

It always rains on me in turkey season. Never fails! The new Galleann Rain gear from Prois is waterproof, breathable AND it packs down into its own pack, so it's very easy to haul it around with you in case it rains. Below is a picture of the jacket, but they also have Galleann Rain Pants. 

4) Vest

-RedHead For Her Camo Turkey Vest-

available at Bass Pro

This vest fits me perfectly & has all the same features as a men's turkey vest. There's lots of pockets & compartment space to hold a variety of calls. It has a fold-out seat built into it. Just fold the seat out & use the back of the vest as support for your back. 

The back has plenty of room to carry your decoys.

Front

Back

5) Pants

-Prois Pro-Edition Pants-

Light weight & easy to move in. Knee pleats added to enhance movement & comfort while sitting, squatting or stalking. 

Waistline has elastic stretch to the sides & also includes beling & tab buckles so you get a perfect fit.

6) Footwear

-Mountain Athlete Crew Sock by FirstLite-

available at EvoOutdoors 

Midweight

Made of Merino Wool, featuring nylon/spandex on the outside

-SHE Outdoor Avila Mid Rubber Hunting Boot-

available at Bass Pro $79.99

100% Waterproof with vulcanized rubber construction

These boots are very comfortable & easy to move in. I've found them great for active hunts.

7) Turkey Calls

-Huntress View Pink Laminate Pot Call-

by Solo Mountain Game Calls

Slate Over Glass

or

Glass Over Glass

Glass Over Glass

Slate Over Glass

-Push Button Cedar Box Call-
by Adventure Game Calls

If you're looking for a call that's easy to master, you have found it right here! It's so easy to use & it sounds great. The design allows it to easily be mounted to any shotgun, which is great to minimize movement. 

Photo courtesy of Hunters Crate

8) Decoys

-Avian X LCD Decoys-

available at Bass Pro

We highly recommend any of the Avian Decoys. They are the most realistic looking decoy, in my opinion. They body of the decoys collapse so they are easy to carry in your vest, but are also easy to re-inflate quickly to set them up. Team member Heidi Swonger had great luck with them this past spring!

All About That Hunt

My fiance, Tyler had been hunting turkeys for years. I saw all the turkey fans, spurs, and beards he had kept throughout the years on display. When he talked to me about his hunts, I could see the passion in his eyes and so I wanted to try the adventure for myself.

I couldn't have asked for better weather for my first turkey hunt. Cool in the morning and warm in the afternoon. I was ready, or so I thought. Tyler and I had only the weekend to hunt the elusive thunder chicken so we made it our mission to spend as much time out in the blind. The first day went by and we didn’t see or hear anything. The next day we went back out and spent the morning in the blind again. I was getting discouraged after seeing nothing again and he could tell that I wanted to be done.

We took a lunch break and he assured me that the next spot was a “for sure” place to see something. All I could think of was why didn’t we go there first if it’s a ‘sure thing’. I started doubting Tyler’s ability to turkey hunt.

After we got to the other spot, I noticed that he didn’t grab the blind. Tyler said that we were going to stalk and move around a bit. I just rolled my eyes as we made our way towards the tree line in the distance because I was losing hope in bringing home the big tom of my dreams.

I was physically tired and cranky when we got to the tree line. The early mornings, fresh air, and hiking was taking a toll on me. He motioned to sit by a tree as he found his own tree to sit by. He could tell I was losing motivation. We sat in silence for a few minutes and he started to call softly. I heard my first gobble and drumming sound. My blood started pumping and adrenaline kicked in.

Tyler started calling more and the tom returned our calls. We silently moved in and set up our hen decoy in a clearing deeper in the woods. I positioned myself on the ground next to a tree facing a slight hill. As I sat with the decoy in front of me and Tyler behind, he whispered “He’s coming over the hill.” I readied myself for the shot as the tom made a quick peek over the hill, vanishing before I could react. I had never seen anything so pretty. The copper color of his feathers in the sun was mesmerizing. Tyler called from behind me in hopes to lure him back for a clean shot. The tom calls back but doesn't show. I started to shake not only from the excitement but muscle failure started to set in. I couldn’t hold this position for much longer. Silence. Tyler makes one more desperate call to the tom and he comes over the hill in full strut. The colors of the blue and red head are breathtaking. I shot and the big bird takes off in flight. I missed by a mile. All I could do was look back at Tyler and smile because I was hooked on turkey hunting.

It didn’t matter that I took a shot and missed or that my shoulder hurt badly. When the hunt got hard and it was looking like we were going home with nothing, we didn’t give up. Hunting isn’t about getting the biggest trophy animal, it’s about that experience, the people you’re with, and the sights you see. 

Written by Samantha Bickman-