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Strut & Slate

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All 99 pages on Strut & Slate, grouped by section.

By Mike M. · Updated September 2026

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The front door and the method behind every ranking.

First Season

The gear list, a one-pick-per-category starter kit, how to find turkeys, how to set up, where to aim, and the mistakes that cost first-season hunters their bird.

  • First Season: section frontThe gear list, a one-pick-per-category starter kit, how to find turkeys, how to set up, where to aim, and the mistakes that cost first-season hunters their bird.
  • Best Turkey Gear for BeginnersA first-season starter kit with one pick per category: call, vest, seat, face mask, decoy, binocular, choke and boots. The ESH All Weather Box Call takes the first slot, and two of the eight can wait a year.
  • Fall vs Spring Turkey HuntingSpring means calling a gobbler with hen talk; fall means finding flocks, with either-sex birds legal in states like Missouri and Wisconsin. Which to start with, and three beginner calls that cover both.
  • How to Find TurkeysFinding turkeys before your first hunt: learning the ground, roosting a gobbler the evening before, listening at first light, moving at midday, and a plan for the mornings when nothing answers.
  • How to Turkey Hunt for BeginnersThe whole first spring in eight steps: rules and license, one call and a patterned gun, scouting, roosting, the setup, soft calling, the wait and the shot. Picks: an all-weather box call, a packable hen and jake, a low seat.
  • Jake vs Tom vs HenHow to tell a jake, a tom and a hen apart by beard, spurs, head color, body size, breast feather tips and the middle tail feathers, cited to the NWTF and state agencies. Includes the two binoculars we would identify birds with.
  • Public Land Turkey HuntingPublic land turkey hunting for a first season: the NWTF's ten commandments in plain terms, finding birds away from other hunters, decoy and calling rules for shared ground, and a light vest, seat and owl call to carry in.
  • Turkey Hunting Gear ListThe full first-season checklist in three tiers: what you need, what helps, and what to skip in year one. Picks: an all-weather box call, a 22-pocket vest with a seat, a mesh 3/4 mask and a choke rated for lead and TSS.
  • Turkey Hunting MistakesTen first-season turkey hunting mistakes, from calling too much to shooting past your patterned range, each with the fix. Picks: a full-finger glove, a low chair with a backrest and a beginner box call.
  • Morning vs EveningMorning vs evening turkey hunting for a beginner: legal hours by state, where the birds are at each end of the day, and the owl, crow and box calls that fit each. The short version: hunt mornings, roost in the evening.
  • Turkey Hunting SetupA beginner's setup walkthrough with a diagram: the spot, a tree wider than your shoulders, a low seat, one hen decoy in the open and the gun up before he shows. Picks: the ALPS Vanish chair, a collapsible hen and a kickstand seat vest.
  • Where to Aim on a TurkeyTurkey shot placement for a first season: aim at the head and neck, why the body is the wrong target, when a strutting bird is not a shot, and how patterning sets your own maximum range.

Turkey Calls

The best turkey calls for beginners, box, slate, mouth, push-button and locator picks, plus how to run each call and how often to call.

  • Turkey Calls: section frontThe best turkey calls for beginners, box, slate, mouth, push-button and locator picks, plus how to run each call and how often to call.
  • Best Turkey Calls for BeginnersEight beginner turkey calls across box, push-button, pot and mouth types, scored on published specs. The ESH All Weather Box Call wins: a box call ESH says keeps you calling in rain or shine.
  • Best Box CallsSeven turkey box calls and a box-call chalk, scored on published specs. The ESH All Weather Box Call wins; the Primos Waterboard is 0.1 behind with a 1-year warranty.
  • Box Call vs Slate CallBox call vs slate call, compared on what the makers publish: volume, learning curve, rain, and what each one does to a bird at 40 yards. Two box calls and two slates, side by side.
  • Mouth Call vs Slate CallMouth call vs slate call, compared on what the makers publish: how fast each one makes a hen sound, what happens in rain, and what your hands are doing. Buy the slate first, learn the mouth call behind it.
  • Best Locator CallsFive turkey locator calls ranked on published specs. The Quaker Boy Crankin' Crow wins on its maker's volume and ease claims; add an owl hooter for first light.
  • Best Mouth Calls for BeginnersSeven diaphragm turkey calls ranked double reeds first. The Primos True Double wins: two super-thin reeds in stacked frames that Primos calls "a very easy call to use."
  • Best Push-Button Turkey CallsFive push-button and push/pull turkey calls ranked on published specs. The Quaker Boy H2O Easy Yelper wins: one-handed, waterproof and chalk-free, per Quaker Boy.
  • Best Slate CallsSeven slate, glass and aluminum pot calls and two strikers, scored on published specs. The WoodHaven Anodized Ninja wins; the budget Knight & Hale Glass Hammer is 0.2 behind.
  • How Often to Call TurkeysCall just enough to keep a gobbler talking, then let him come. When to owl hoot, when to yelp softly, when to go silent, and what to change when a bird hangs up.
  • How to Call a TurkeyThe beginner's calling path: pick one easy call, learn the yelp, cluck, purr and cutt from the maker's own instructions, practice for four weeks, then call soft and know when to stop.
  • How to Use a Box CallHold it lightly, keep the paddle on the lip, and change the stroke: long for a yelp, a short pop for a cluck, slow and light for a purr. Plus chalk, rain and the two box calls to learn on.
  • How to Use a Mouth CallReeds forward, tab down, pressed to the roof of your mouth with your tongue. Huff air instead of blowing, get a whistle, then drop your jaw for a yelp. Plus care, troubleshooting and three beginner calls.
  • How to Use a Slate CallCondition the surface, rest the pot lightly on your fingertips, hold the striker like a pencil at about 70 degrees and draw small ovals for a yelp. Plus strikers, rain and the calls to learn on.
  • Mouth Call Cuts ExplainedDouble, batwing, V, ghost, combo and cutter mouth calls compared by rasp and difficulty. Start with a double cut like the Zink Z-Pak's Z-Yelper, then grow into the raspier cuts.
  • Slate vs Glass vs Aluminum Pot CallsSlate, glass and aluminum pot calls compared on sound, rain and care. The Knight & Hale Glass Hammer scores highest (7.1); slate is the most forgiving surface, per WoodHaven.
  • Turkey Calls and What They MeanThe yelp, cluck, purr, cutt, cackle, kee-kee, putt and gobble: what each turkey sound means, per the NWTF, and which box, pot or mouth call can make it.

Decoys & Blinds

The best turkey decoys, jake and hen combos, strutters, motion decoys and ground blinds, plus decoy setups by season and whether you need a blind.

  • Decoys & Blinds: section frontThe best turkey decoys, jake and hen combos, strutters, motion decoys and ground blinds, plus decoy setups by season and whether you need a blind.
  • Best Turkey DecoysEight turkey decoys scored for a first season. The Avian-X LCD Lookout Hen wins at 7.8: it collapses, the stake and bag are in the box, and a hen is the lowest-risk decoy to carry.
  • Avian-X vs Dave Smith DecoysAvian-X LCD vs Dave Smith Decoys, hen for hen and jake for jake. The Avian-X pair scores a full point higher on packability alone; DSD publishes weights and a rigid, shape-holding body.
  • Best Turkey Decoys for BowhuntingTurkey decoys for bowhunting, ranked on published build, packability and setup. The Avian-X LCD Half-Strut Jake leads: a collapsible sub-dominant jake with the stake, bag and strap in the box.
  • Best Bow Blinds for TurkeysGround blinds for bowhunting turkeys, ranked on published height and shooting width. The Barronett Prowler 300 leads with an 80 in peak, a 90 in hub-to-hub shooting width and replaceable shoot-through mesh.
  • Best Jake and Hen Decoy CombosFive jake and hen decoy combos, ranked. The Montana Decoy Purrfect Pair XD3 wins at 7.2: two fully 3D decoys that fold to 9 × 3 in and weigh 22 oz each.
  • Best Motion Turkey DecoysFive motion turkey decoys and systems, ranked. The Higdon Hard Body Feeder Hen wins at 7.0: a hen on a stake Higdon says moves in the wind, with no cord and no batteries.
  • Best Strutter DecoysFive strutter and strutting jake decoys, ranked with the makers' private-land warnings. The Montana Decoy Wiley Tom 3D wins at 6.7: it folds into a vest and takes your own fan.
  • Best Turkey Hunting BlindsSix turkey blinds ranked for a first season, from a 2 lb panel to a three-hunter hub. The Ameristep Silent Brickhouse Wide Bottom wins on room for two hunters and their chairs; the Barronett Prowler 300 is the bowhunting pick.
  • Do You Need a Blind?Most turkey hunters don't need a ground blind. Who one really helps (kids, new hunters, bowhunters, anyone who fidgets, bad weather), what it costs in weight and freedom, and what to buy instead.
  • How to Set Up Turkey DecoysStake one hen about 20 yards out where a gobbler can see her, sit against a tree wider than your shoulders, and carry decoys hidden. The full placement guide, with the distances NWTF writers publish.
  • Jake vs Hen DecoyBuy a hen first: it fits every stage of spring and scores 9 of 10 on our public-land safety line against a jake's 6. Add a jake when gobblers are fighting over hens.
  • See-Through vs Traditional BlindsSee-through vs traditional ground blinds, read on two hub blinds whose published weights are 0.1 lb apart. The Rhino 180 lets you watch without opening a window; Ameristep's Care Taker Wide Bottom gives you more floor and a published warranty.
  • Turkey Decoy Setups by SeasonEarly season: two or three hens and a jake. Peak breeding: pare down to one or two hens, or a laydown hen with a jake. Late season: often a single hen, sometimes none. Each setup, with sources.

Guns, Chokes & Loads

The best turkey chokes for 12 and 20 gauge and TSS, red dots, TSS vs lead, 20 vs 12 gauge, what size shot, and how to pattern a turkey gun.

  • Guns, Chokes & Loads: section frontThe best turkey chokes for 12 and 20 gauge and TSS, red dots, TSS vs lead, 20 vs 12 gauge, what size shot, and how to pattern a turkey gun.
  • Best Turkey ChokesSeven 12-gauge turkey chokes ranked for a first season. Kick's Gobblin' Thunder wins because Kick's rates it for lead and TSS and sells it in 19 separate 12 ga thread versions; the Primos Tight Wad is the budget pick.
  • 20 Gauge vs 12 GaugeA 20 gauge or a 12 gauge for turkeys? Payload, recoil, fit and what tungsten loads changed, with the choke picks for each gauge: Kick's Gobblin' Thunder in both, plus a budget 20-gauge tube.
  • .410 for Turkey HuntingA .410 works for turkeys with tungsten shot, a .410-specific choke and a pattern you have proved on paper at 40 yards. It is the least forgiving gauge for a first season, and the legal shot rules differ by state.
  • Best 20-Gauge Turkey ChokesFive 20-gauge turkey chokes ranked for a first season. Kick's Gobblin' Thunder 20 ga wins because Kick's rates it for lead and TSS in 12 thread versions; the Primos Tight Wad is the budget pick.
  • Best Red Dots for Turkey HuntingSix shotgun red dots ranked on published specs, led by the Burris FastFire 4 and its four switchable reticles. Every pick is judged on how it mounts to a real turkey gun, because that is where most first-season plans fall apart.
  • Best Turkey Shotgun ScopesFour magnified shotgun scopes ranked on published reticle, eye relief, mount and weight. The Vortex Crossfire II 1-4x24 V-Brite leads with an illuminated center dot and 4.0 in of eye relief.
  • Best Turkey ShotgunsSix current turkey shotguns compared on published specs: two Mossberg pumps, two Winchester SXPs, a 5 lb Stevens .410 single shot and a Mossberg semi-auto. Plus the choke and patterning target that matter more than the receiver.
  • Best Semi-Auto Turkey ShotgunsFive current semi-automatic turkey shotguns compared on published specs: Mossberg 940 Pro Turkey, Winchester SX4 NWTF Cantilever, Beretta A300 Ultima Turkey, Stoeger's Turkey Editions and the TriStar Viper G2.
  • Best Youth Turkey ShotgunsYouth turkey shotguns compared on published length of pull and weight: the Mossberg 500 Super Bantam adjusts 12 to 13 in, the Stevens 301 Turkey .410 weighs 5.07 lb, and a 20-gauge Stoeger autoloader comes in at 5.4 lb.
  • Best Turkey Loads for 12 GaugeSix 12-gauge turkey loads compared on published payload, velocity and pellet count, from Federal's 634-pellet HEAVYWEIGHT TSS to Winchester's Long Beard XR lead. Plus the three chokes cut for each type.
  • Best Turkey Loads for 20 GaugeSix 20-gauge turkey loads compared on published payload, velocity and pellet count, from Apex's 590-pellet TSS to Winchester's Long Beard XR lead. Plus the 20-gauge chokes cut for each.
  • Best Turkey Loads for .410The .410 turkey shells currently sold, compared on published payload and pellet count: Federal's 294-pellet No. 9, Apex's 282 and 358, and HEVI-18's 1,090 fps loads. Plus the only two .410 turkey chokes in our registry.
  • Best Benelli ChokeFive turkey chokes that fit a Benelli per the makers' own fit charts. Kick's Gobblin' Thunder wins because Kick's rates one tube for lead and TSS alike; Carlson's Extended Turkey is the lead pick, and it comes in both Benelli threads.
  • Best Mossberg 500 ChokeFour turkey chokes that fit a Mossberg 500 per the makers' own charts. Carlson's Extended Turkey wins on six exit sizes and a chart that matches the size to your shot; Carlson's TSS Turkey is the pick if you already bought tungsten shells.
  • Best Remington 870 ChokeFour turkey chokes in Remington (Rem Choke) thread, ranked from maker specs. Carlson's Extended Turkey wins on five exit sizes and a shot-matched chart; Primos's Tight Wad is the wallet-friendly one.
  • Best TSS Turkey ChokesSix turkey chokes whose makers rate them for TSS, across 12 gauge, 20 gauge and .410. Kick's Gobblin' Thunder wins on load rating and thread choice; Carlson's covers the .410.
  • Carlson's vs Indian CreekCarlson's publishes the material, a lifetime warranty and a chart that matches choke size to shot size. Indian Creek publishes two or three exit sizes per gun, 30 ports and a step-by-step patterning routine. Here is which one that makes right for you.
  • Choosing Your First Turkey GunA first turkey gun buying guide that starts by telling you not to buy one. Check fit, gauge and choke threads on the shotgun you own, then spend the money on a turkey choke, a sling and a patterning session.
  • How Far Can You Shoot a TurkeyAs far as your own pattern proves, and no farther. Missouri's conservation agency does not recommend shooting past 40 yards; makers advertise more. Here is how to read both honestly and set your own limit.
  • How to Pattern a Turkey GunShoot your turkey gun and load at a big paper target 40 yards away from a solid rest, draw a 10-inch circle around the thickest part of the pattern, and count the holes. That number is your real range, not a claim on a box.
  • Red Dot vs BeadA straight answer on turkey hunting red dot vs bead: the bead works, a dot mainly changes what you look at and how you see it in low light, and the real price of a dot is the mount, the battery and patterning the gun all over again.
  • TSS vs Lead Turkey LoadsTSS vs lead turkey loads compared on published density, pellet count, shot size and choke rating. Plus the chokes cut for each: Carlson's TSS, Carlson's Long Beard, and Kick's Gobblin' Thunder for both.
  • What Choke for Turkey HuntingTurkey choke vs full choke in one paragraph, then the exit diameters makers publish for 12 gauge, 20 gauge and .410, and a thread-system table so you order the tube your gun can actually take.
  • What Size Shot for TurkeyThe load page for a first season: shot sizes by gauge and load type in one cited table, why TSS uses smaller shot than lead, and three chokes matched to the load you will actually buy.

Vests & Gear

The best turkey vests, vests with seats, turkey chairs, boots, camo, face masks and gloves, binoculars, and what to wear turkey hunting.

  • Vests & Gear: section frontThe best turkey vests, vests with seats, turkey chairs, boots, camo, face masks and gloves, binoculars, and what to wear turkey hunting.
  • Best Turkey VestsEight turkey vests ranked on published pockets, seat, weight and sizes. The ALPS OutdoorZ Super Elite 4.0 wins with 22 pockets, a quiet cotton liner and a 3 lb 1 oz weight.
  • ALPS Impact vs TraditionsALPS OutdoorZ Impact vs Traditions on seat, call storage, weight and fit. The Impact scores 6.3 to the Traditions' 5.8 and suits most beginners who start on a box call.
  • Best Turkey Hunting BinocularsFive 8x42 binoculars ranked on published power, weight, close focus, weatherproofing and warranty. The Vortex Crossfire HD 8x42 wins on a 6 ft close focus, a chest harness in the box and an unconditional lifetime warranty.
  • Best Turkey Hunting BootsSix turkey hunting boots ranked on published waterproofing, weight, snake protection, outsole and sizes. The LaCrosse Venom II 18" NWTF wins on the strength of the snake protection LaCrosse documents.
  • Best Turkey Hunting CamoFive pieces of spring turkey camo ranked on published fabric, coverage, sizes and pockets. The SITKA Equinox Guard Hoodie wins: 6.5 oz, Insect Shield treated, with a face mask built into the hood.
  • Best Turkey Hunting ChairsSix turkey chairs, blind chairs and cushions scored on seat height, carry weight and capacity. The ALPS OutdoorZ Vanish wins for sitting low against a tree.
  • Best Face Masks & GlovesSix turkey face masks and gloves ranked on published coverage, fabric, fit and features. The Mossy Oak Tibbee Flex Grip Glove wins, with a glasses-friendly hat-and-mask and a budget net mask close behind.
  • Best Turkey Vests With SeatsSix seat vests ranked on back support first, then the full score. The ALPS OutdoorZ Grand Slam wins with a removable kickstand frame; the Tenzing TR18 is 1 lb 14 oz lighter and scores within 0.1.
  • Best Run-and-Gun Turkey VestsRun-and-gun turkey vests ranked by published weight. The Knight & Hale Run N' Gun 200 leads at 1.5 lb with a cinch-away seat, a box call pocket and a 198 cu in bladder-compatible pack.
  • Best Turkey Vests for Big GuysTurkey vests for bigger frames, ranked by the sizing each maker publishes. The Avian-X Ridge Runner leads at X-Large/3XL with molded call pockets and a padded back; the ALPS Traditions adjusts to a 61 in waist.
  • Best Youth Turkey VestsYouth turkey vests ranked on published fit and weight. The ALPS OutdoorZ Impact in Small is 2 lb 14 oz with a flip-down seat and backrest, and ALPS calls the size ideal for youth and smaller frames.
  • How to Choose a Turkey VestSeat type, call pockets, weight and fit, in the order that matters for a first season, with three picks: the ALPS Super Elite 4.0, the ALPS Grand Slam and the Knight & Hale Run N' Gun 200.
  • Tenzing TR18 vs ALPS Grand SlamThe Tenzing TZ TR18 Turkey Recliner vs the ALPS Grand Slam kickstand vest on seat, pockets, weight and fit. A near tie at 7.0 vs 7.1, split by weight and sizing.
  • Thermacell for Turkey HuntingWhat Thermacell publishes about its repellers - a 15-foot zone on the fuel models, 20 ft on the rechargeable, and roughly 15 minutes to reach full protection - and why ticks need permethrin and a tick check instead.
  • What to Wear Turkey HuntingThe spring turkey outfit explained from the ground up: layering, the four colors that make you look like a gobbler, ticks and permethrin, and hunter orange rules that differ by state.

Gifts for Turkey Hunters

The best gifts for turkey hunters, gifts for someone new to turkey hunting, and unique gifts, with notes on what to check before you buy.

  • Gifts for Turkey Hunters: section frontThe best gifts for turkey hunters, gifts for someone new to turkey hunting, and unique gifts, with notes on what to check before you buy.
  • Best Gifts for Turkey HuntersEight gifts for a turkey hunter who already hunts, ranked on our published score and on how little you need to know about their gun, their size or their taste. The Vortex Crossfire HD 8x42 binocular leads.
  • Gifts for New Turkey HuntersEight starter-friendly gifts for someone hunting their first turkey season, ranked on our published score and on how quickly a beginner can use them. The Quaker Boy H2O Easy Yelper leads.
  • Unique Gifts for Turkey HuntersSeven gifts for the hunter who already has calls, a vest and decoys: locators, a spare striker, pattern targets, a sling, a decoy bag and a rechargeable repeller. The Thermacell EX90 leads.

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