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Turkey Hunting Checklist
Tennessee's spring gobbler season runs from early April to mid-May. Turkeys see color and movement well, so concealment and calls matter more than anything else.
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Turkey vest with seat
A turkey vest carries calls and shells and has a built-in seat for sitting against a tree.
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Box call
A box call is loud and easy to learn, good for locating birds on windy mornings.
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Pot (slate) call
A pot call makes soft yelps, purrs and clucks for close birds.
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Diaphragm mouth calls
A diaphragm call leaves both hands on the gun when a gobbler is close.
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Owl or crow locator call
An owl or crow call gets gobblers to shock-gobble so you can find them; electronic calls are illegal for turkey in Tennessee.
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Turkey decoy
A hen decoy gives an approaching gobbler something to focus on besides you.
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Camo face mask
Turkeys spot a bare face fast; a mask hides skin and movement.
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Lightweight camo gloves
Bare hands moving on a gun are one of the most common things that spook a gobbler.
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Turkey choke tube
A tight choke keeps a dense pattern on the head and neck at 30 to 40 yards.
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Rangefinder
Archery shots are short and steep from a stand, and an angle-compensated reading keeps you from shooting over a deer.
Binoculars
Glassing the edges helps you spot deer early enough to get ready for a shot.
Permethrin clothing spray
Ticks are heavy in Tennessee woods and fields in April and May; treat clothing with permethrin before the season.
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Knee-high rubber boots
Spring mornings mean wet grass, creek crossings and ticks; tall rubber boots help with all three.
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Spending more on a turkey hunting setup?
Checklists for hunts other than turkey hunting
Season dates and limits: Wild Turkey. Legal weapons and blaze orange: Tennessee hunting laws.
Turkey Hunting checklist questions
What do I need for turkey hunting in Tennessee?
The 13 items above, starting with turkey vest with seat, box call and pot (slate) call.
What gear does Tennessee law require?
Nothing on this list is required by law, but licenses, hunter education and blaze orange rules still apply; see the laws page.
Do these links cost more?
No. Affiliate links do not change the price.
Do you test this gear?
No. Each item links to a search of current listings.
Where can I buy locally?
See the archery and sporting goods directory.
Is blaze orange required?
For big game during gun and muzzleloader hunts, 500 square inches on the upper body and head.
Are crossbows legal?
Yes, in every deer, bear, elk and turkey season.
When is the season?
See Wild Turkey for 2026-27 dates.