With spring turkeys across the 48 states ready to answer your call, we thought it was a good time to look at some Made in the USA turkey gear. All products have been tested, and landed in the impressive to excellent range. Some are competitively priced and some will require dipping into the change jar, however, you’ll have a high performance product produced on the home soil.
The Ultimate Seat
I’ve sat and carried every chair and pad that has been made in the last 25 years, and without a doubt, my backside is the happiest when I carry my Ultimate Seat, by Hunting Comfort, of Tennessee.
Perfect for sitting on the ground, it’s constructed with 3/4-inch lightweight aluminum, and weighs in at less than 4 pounds. The 6-inch legs fold in or out independently to allow you to adjust your position on varying terrain and hillsides. The removable cushion is the amazing Seatmate, which is attached to the frame with Velcro.
The Seatmate alone will keep you warm and comfortable, even on sharp rocks. Combined with the aluminum frame, you’ll be just high enough off the ground for a better seating and shooting position. $54.95,huntingcomfort.com
Remington/Versa Max Auto Shotgun
When it comes to turkey hunting, I’m all about the sitting down, pointing and shooting. A shotgun must feel natural when I’m in the seating position and sighting down the barrel.
Remington’s Versa Max shotgun simply feels natural when I bring it to my shoulder. The gun is amazingly well balanced and best of all, it has significant recoil reduction.
Few autos have any problems cycling a turkey shell but they don’t always do well with a load of birdshot. I have found the Versa Max to cycle light, two and 1/4-inch loads of 8s dependably.
The goal of spending more than a grand for an auto shotgun is to gain a landmark amount of use from it; I have yet to find a type of hunting this 12-gauge won’t handle exceptionally well. Simply stated, I love this shotgun. $1,399.99 (with camo), remington.com
Woodswise/Mystic Wet Hen Box Call
If you really want to head out to the woods with something that will kill a turkey anywhere, anytime, take a friction call (or two). Now, slate calls are great, but I always start with a Woodswise, Mystic Wet Hen box call.
Sure it sounds great soaking wet, but the reason I carry it is because it sounds amazing all the time. In the last five years it has been my go-to call that has started up a gobbler when everything else failed.
I receive free test calls every year, and this is the one that’s always in my vest. Buy two, just in case you lose one in the woods. $17.99, woodswise.com
Russell Moccasin/Prickly Pear Bird Shooters
Designed for turkey and upland hunters, this Russell boot is an illustration of American boot artistry. Created in Berlin, Wisconsin, every one I know that has bought a pair of Russell’s is still wearing them, including me.
Made form luxurious chocolate brown Ebbtide leather and lined with Turtleskin SnakeAmor, these boots are impervious to snakebites and arrogant thorns.
The boot is 12 inches high and will spoil you with an immaculate custom fit. Although the break-in can take a while, and initially may be a little unforgiving, once theses boots form to your foot you can expect decades of unparalleled comfort and support.
Sewn by hand the Russell boots have been crafted in the U.S.A. for 110 years. When you slip your foot inside and feel the subtle interior, you’ll never regret spending close to a truck payment for a pair of hunting boots. $465.00,russellmoccasin.com
Wiley X/ Valor Series
Introduced in 2012 at a highly competitive price, the Valor sunglass line includes the blockbuster, Black Ops theme, multi-lens changeable packages, polarized lens versions, and one of the most popular non-polarized lenses, the bronze flash with black gloss frame.
For an additional $200 more, you can also have them made into prescription glasses. I wear these specs all hunting and fishing season. The Wiley guys will modify them with your in your favorite color, shading, and even handle the most complicated RX. Don’t lose them, you will cry.
You can also wear them at work because they are fully rated OSHA grade, ANSI Z87.1-2003 Certified Occupational eye protection. They are also Mil Spec Ballistic rated combat eyewear. Non-prescription glasses start at $75-$130.wileyx.com
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