Do you really need a turkey vest?
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Time to read 6 min
The modern turkey hunter carries an array of equipment and gear into the field that rivals the field pack of even the most well-equipped World War II foot shoulder. But short of a wheelbarrow, how does all this gear, not to mention the person packing the load, get into the field? Better yet, how does a hunter keep all this gear organized and ready for action?
Enter the turkey vest. While I have no concrete evidence, I’m certain it was a manufacturer of turkey hunting-related items who first conceived the notion of a turkey vest. The thought, I’m sure, was that given more pockets, even the most disciplined turkey addict could not resist the temptation to fill each and every fabric-rimmed orifice with the latest field technology.
But for all the sales and marketing know-how that went into the creation and evolution of the turkey vest, there is a definite plus to having what can perhaps be best described as a camouflaged filing cabinet. Whatever you call it, a glimpse into the interior of a woodsman’s turkey vest is as revealing an experience as you can have. If, as some say, the eyes are the windows to a man’s soul, then the turkey vest is the portal to a turkey hunter’s mind. Or what there is of it.
First things first: The vest
Every year since 1990 – the year I killed my first Spring gobbler – I’ve unloaded my field vest and stuffed everything into a brand spanking new Better Than Ziplock Bags vest. Why? Not that the former didn’t work, only the latter was indeed new. And bigger. And supposedly better. And each year since ’90 and after only one trip afield, I would unload the brand spanking new vest, and stuff everything back into Old Reliable. Why (again)? Because Old Reliable was and is just that – Reliable.
The specific make and model of vest you wear really doesn’t matter. I’ve used them all, from my current (sadly) discontinued $29 budget vest – NOTE: I bought three of them when I first realized how much I liked them – to the $319 fancy one, which alone weighs 11 pounds before you start cramming gear into the pockets.
The bottom line with turkey vests is actually two-fold. First, get one that’s comfortable, and that includes strong padded adjustable shoulder straps. And two, once you organize the vest – that is, put Item A in Pouch A, Item B in Pocket B, Item C in Loop C, and so on – put everything you use back exactly where you found it. The goal with a vest is to be able to locate and access everything strictly by feel; rather, without moving your head and taking your eyes from that approaching gobbler. Or that spot where the gobbler should, at any second, appear. To quote the cliché – A place for everything, and everything in its place.
As is the case with many things in life, turkey vests have both ‘pros’ and ‘cons.’ True, the positives, for most, far outweigh the negatives; however, let’s take a look at both sides of the aisle, eh?
Turkey Vests – The Pros
Organization – There’s no denying the fact that turkey vests help even the most disorganized turkey hunters get organized, simply due to the fact that with a vest, everything you need for a day afield, theoretically short a firearm, is safely and securely stored somewhere in a pocket. Ammunition. Gloves and head net. This call. That call. Seat. Hydration. It’s all supposed to be there, and in one place.
Convenience – This goes back to organization because organization lends itself to convenience. It’s convenient to have everything you need in one spot – Think BIG tool box! – and that all that gear is right at your fingertips. It’s readily accessible when you need it the most. That’s the definition of convenient.
Post-season storage – At the end of the season and after making certain all my gear, especially fabric items such as gloves and head nets and seat cushions are 100 percent dry AND all the perishable food has been removed from every pocket, I store my still-loaded vest in a heavy-duty contractor’s, e.g. 3 MIL thickness, trash bag. Sealed tightly and stored in a dry place not susceptible to huge extremes in temperature, my vest stays rigged and ready until Opening Day once again rolls around.
Versatility – Turkey vests are versatile. Some are simply pack tools; others, like TideWe’s StrutBack vest feature the popular ‘Kickstand’ support system, two extendable footed legs that, when deployed, allow you to set up anywhere, regardless of whether you have a backing tree for support or not. Too, many, myself included, wear a turkey vest not only during turkey season, but for other outdoor pursuits, as well, such as hunting whitetail deer, squirrels, or upland birds.
Comfort– A good vest – The Right Vest – is going to be a comfortable vest. It will adjust, pack wear comfortably, and feature a thick waterproof seat cushion that drops into position quickly and easily. Packing the right turkey vest is like hunting from your favorite reclining chair, without having to carry your BarcoLounger into the field.
Turkey Vests – The Cons
Bulky and awkward – Some vests, by the very nature by which they’re designed, are going to prove bulky and awkward. They’re going to swing or move as you walk. They’ll have lumps here or uncomfortable bulges there. They won’t adjust to your body’s build or needs. The pockets won’t be positioned to your taste. The game bag will be too small. And on and on. That’s why, to me, it’s important to TRY a vest on, preferably with some gear in it, before you buy.
Noisy – Over the years, I’ve found some vests to be noisy. A rattle here. Fabric ‘rustles’ there. Hook ‘n loop fasteners where there should be buttons; zippers that sound as if you were ripping a mile of cotton rags. Here again, I go back to design and the need, if possible, for testing and evaluation – or at the very least review research – prior to the purchase.
Uncomfortable – As hinted at previously, some vests aren’t comfortable. The shoulder straps are too narrow and dig into your shoulders. Or they’re not sufficiently padded. Or the vest rides too high. Or too low. Or the compartments are undersized. Or they’re too few. For any of a thousand reasons, some vests just don’t work due to being uncomfortable.
Heavy and hot – And some vests are heavy in and of themselves, and this before you start loading it with another 1.837 metric tons of gear. Me, I’m looking for something relatively lightweight, perhaps three pounds, more or less, unloaded, and with plenty of ventilation for those hot afternoon hunts or long mid-morning hikes.
‘Just one more thing’ – Finally, there are those who see a turkey vest as just “one more thing” to pack into the field and maintain. Some think them redundant; others believe them unnecessary. And that very well might be the case for some hunters.
So, do you really need a turkey vest?
No, you don’t technically need a turkey vest to hunt — but if you want to stay organized, comfortable, and mobile in the field, it makes a huge difference.
A vest, a well-fitting, comfortable, organized vest, is certainly convenient when it comes to having your turkey hunting ‘tools’ stored neatly in a single turkey hunting ‘toolbox.’ A well-made and well-designed vest can provide comfort and support, thus keeping you in the field longer. And a vest comes in awfully handy when carrying that trophy, not to mention heavy longbeard back to the truck. Still, the fact remains and in much the same way as the camouflage pattern you wear, the shotgun you shoot, and the calls you use, a vest – even down to the elemental aspect of whether you choose to wear one or not – comes down to but two words – Personal (and) Preference.
Author
M.D. Johnson
M.D. Johnson’s full-time outdoor writing career began in 1992. Prior to that, he worked with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources’ Division of Wildlife in their Outdoor Skills Unit, helping to coordinate hunter education courses and resources across the state.
