What to Wear Turkey Hunting in the Spring

Today, we talk about what to wear turkey hunting in the spring, including the fundamentals of building a warm, waterproof, and moisture-controlled system. We'll highlight some critical items every spring turkey hunter should wear and gear recommendations from our pros, including discounts for HuntWise elite members. 

How to Choose the Right Turkey Hunting Clothing

Spring turkey hunting clothing should meet what I like about the LWB criteria: lightweight, waterproof, and breathable.

This breathability begins with your base layers, which should be moisture-wicking and ideally constructed from merino wool or some synthetics such as polyester, nylon, and spandex, which will also do the trick. Bamboo fabric is becoming popular due to its natural antibacterial and moisture-absorbing properties. Long-sleeve hoodies, crews, and even t-shirts make a great base layer.

Focus on insulating materials that control moisture levels and breathability to build a warmth profile and weather-appropriate mid-layers. My favorites are light-down jackets, polyester or polyester-blend hoodies, or a decent Merino overlay. The mid-layer is often overlooked, but this layer is essential for comfort in the field. 

Morning dew and heavy rain patterns are just some of the uncomfortable forces you'll be battling against in a spring hunt. Heavy winds and dense bush can also add a challenge, meaning your outer layer should be durable, waterproof, and camouflaged.

A decent jacket and pair of waterproof boots will be enough to start, and you can build from there. Options like gaiters and waterproof pants are also nice to have if you've got a few hunts lined up. 

Do You Need Camo To Hunt Turkey?

Short answer: absolutely.

Turkeys have 360-degree vision capabilities, eyesight three times sharper than our own, and better color perception. You'll need patterns that reflect the natural environment you intend to hunt, whether woodland, grassland, or mixed foliage, and full camouflage, meaning face and even hand coverings. 

What Are the Essential Turkey Hunting Clothing and Accessories?

There are a few must-have items for both protection and comfort that you should add to your turkey hunting list.

• Start from the bottom up with a decent pair of insulated hunting boots that will provide a high level of ankle support for run and gun hunting and hiking rugged terrain. 
• Gloves, facemasks, and a camo hat will provide sun and much-needed insect protection when the bugs start to come out.
• Finally, a turkey vest or belt is a standard kit for a turkey hunt, allowing you to carry and access critical items, including tools, shells, optics, and other essential gear, quickly and conveniently. 

We'll get to some specifics in a minute, but these general items should be part of your turkey hunting clothing and gear kit.

Safety and Visibility Considerations

Adult male turkeys showcase distinct red, white, and blue coloration on their head and necks. It's generally advised to avoid these coloration patterns in your dress to avoid being mistaken as a turkey head if a quick flash is seen.

Additionally, blaze orange will help you stand out from other hunters and may be legally required in some states. For optimal safety in the field, I recommend taking a hunter education course, whether you're a new hunter or have been at it for a long time. 

Weather and Insect Protection

Bug activity often coincides with peak turkey hunt times, meaning ticks and mosquitoes will be out and about. Look for bug-repellent clothing such as permethrin-treated gear, and don't forget your packable rain jacket–you can always take it off. 

What Do Our HuntWise Turkey Hunters Recommend?

What do we wear for a turkey hunt? Here are some of our top picks recommended by seasoned turkey hunters (and don't forget to use your HuntWise Elite gear discount to save up to 40% on some of the best turkey hunting clothing from our friends at Blocker Outdoors). 

Finisher Leafy Jacket The Finisher Leafy Jacket is a cross between a traditional ghillie suit and a lightweight polyester jacket constructed with additional padding for those long early morning sits on a Spring turkey hunt. The 3D construction helps break up the human silhouette, offering elite camouflage that will fool even the sharpest birds.
Finisher Turkey Pant  While turkey pants are often overlooked in the gear checklist, a decent set of pants can distinguish between a comfortable sit and hours of discomfort. What I like about the Finisher Turkey Pants is the stretch polyester — it's like wearing your favorite pair of tracksuit pants out in the field. Plus, the antimicrobial technology helps kill odors, allowing you to stay in the field longer.
Finisher Turkey Jacket The Finisher Turkey Jacket is a tremendous outer layer piece that does everything you need. Its 100% polyester-micro fleece construction kills sound and moisture. It's treated with a water-repellent coating, and the back, elbow, and forearm overlays provide additional comfort and durability.
Finisher Turkey Lightweight Custom Glove To me, turkey hunting is all about the details. The smallest piece of gear, such as a decent set of gloves, can significantly impact the outcome of your hunt. The Finisher Turkey Lightweight Custom Glove is moisture-wicking, feather-light, and comes with a silicone-printed palm, meaning your firearm control is not jeopardized in those essential split seconds.
Finisher Turkey Loose Fit Mesh Facemask The Finisher Turkey Loose Fit Mesh Facemask is the ultimate lightweight and breathable option. Its light polyester blend and loose bottom construction allow you to slide a diaphragm call up and draw in some big birds without spooking them away.

What Are Some Other Great Recommendations From HuntWise Turkey Hunters?

In addition to the Blocker clothing we highlighted above, let's finish your turkey hunting clothing set up with some additional HuntWise hunter favorites.

VentLite GTX Boot The VentLite GTX boot offers comfort and performance thanks to its Gore-Tex construction, which provides breathability and 100% waterproof protection. It's a great all-rounder option that can be worn for year-round hunting — just make sure you choose the proper camo patterning for turkey hunts.
Equinox Guard Pant The Equinox Guard Pants are constructed with insect contact at the forefront of the design. The Scent-free Insect Shield® repels a host of Spring nasties (mosquitoes, ticks, ants). At the same time, the lightweight, breathable fabric doesn't compromise on keeping you cool when the sun comes out or releasing odors into the environment, which can jeopardize your hunt.
Core Lightweight Hoodie A staple piece, the Core Lightweight Hoodie from Sitka offers both head and face coverage, which often requires the addition of other clothing to maintain the same effect. The high-performance polyester helps regulate body heat and moisture wicking, suiting an active run and gun-style hunter who doesn't want to compromise their camouflage.
Equinox Guard Glove Head-to-toe is an essential component of a turkey hunting fit, and Sitka's Equinox Guard Glove provides the right amount of coverage from the sun, insects, and odor. It's UPF 50+ and treated with the same patented anti-insect as the pants and other items in the range. The exposed thumb and index finger allow you to maintain touch and dexterity on the trigger, and the suede fabric palm ensures you keep your grip.
Core Neck Gaiter There's nothing worse than a mosquito bite on the neck during a hunt. The Core Neck Gaiter offers high protection from the sun and bites, while the polygiene technology layering wicks away moisture, keeping you cool and dry.

Wear the Best Turkey Hunting Clothing and Plan Your Hunt with HuntWise

Putting together a turkey kit doesn't need to be a challenge. The best turkey hunting clothing doesn't have to include the specific pieces we highlighted today — but it doesn't hurt if you can save some money on your clothing and gear with savings through your HuntWise Elite subscription!

Focus on moisture-wicking fabrics, environment-matched patterns, and some wet weather gear, and you'll be able to enjoy and make the most of everything this great tradition offers. A great kit is often in the details, so don't forget to grab a mask and some decent gloves before heading out into the field. 

Then, use the HuntWise app to plan your hunt! Scout locations, track weather conditions, improve your chances of bagging a gobbler, and access massive discounts on quality turkey hunting gear for this season.

Download the app and try HuntWise Elite — free — for your first week. 
An Elite subscription helps you take advantage of more features and bigger gear discounts on turkey gear!

With the right gear, you also need the right gear and strategies for a successful turkey hunt! 

Check out the latest exclusive video series from HuntWise and FieldGuide⁺. We've partnered with Ben Cole of RootedTV for a series featuring the gear you need (including the best weapon for turkey hunting), calling tips and tricks, and more. 

Upgrade and become HuntWise Elite to watch "Tackling Turkey Prep" before your next hunt!