With the Wisconsin Youth Turkey hunt coming up April 12th and 13th, and the spring Turkey hunt beginning with Period A on April 16th I decided to reprint a packing checklist and eating recommendations from the National Wild Turkey Federation.
Most hunters will not have all of the items on the checklist, but it will help keep you from forgetting equipment you wanted to take with you. The six eating tips will help you stay alert during the day in the woods.
Good Luck and remember to enjoy all time afield.
See you 'round the campfire
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Equipment:
-
Shotgun
-
Turkey loads
-
Turkey choke tube
Patterning targets
Camo blind — where legal
Seat, cushioned stool
Shotgun sling
Turkey decoys
Camera
Lo Boy Lite Chair
Monopod gun rest
ThermaCELL
Compass
Maps
Knife
Ratchet cutters
Insect repellent
Flashlight
Trail ribbon
Binoculars
Camo tape
Cooler
Water bottle
First aid kit
Clothes:
Camo facenet
Camo paint
Camo make-up
Camo shirt
Camo pants
Camo jacket
Camo turkey vest or pack
Camo cap
Camo socks
Camo undershirts
Waterproof/snakeproof boots
Rain suit
Calls:
Diaphragm calls
Slate or glass pot & peg call
Glass call
Gobble call
Tube call
Push-pin call
Turpin/wingbone call
Crow/locator call
Owl hooter call
Other locator calls
Call Accessories:
Sandpaper
Call lanyard
Box call holster
Archery gear:
Broadheads
3-D Camo clothes
3-D targets
To Do:
Pattern shotgun
Scout territory
Get landowner permission
Pick landowner gift
Practice calling
Watch instructional videos, read books
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- Eat a nutritious breakfast. Try a bowl of cereal or oatmeal with a serving of bread and maybe a serving of fruit or juice to jump-start your day.
- Take healthy snacks to fuel you through mid-morning. Turkey hunters often leave their homes or hunt camps well before daylight and can burn off their breakfast shortly after sunrise. Stowing a few apples, granola bars or a package of trail mix can give you the fuel you need to finish the morning's hunt. Also, eating healthy snacks will allow you to eat moderately when you break for lunch. By eating small meals, your body will stave-off the sluggishness that can haunt hunters who need to move quickly.
- Eat a healthy lunch. If you plan on hunting in the evening, you'll need food to get you from mid-afternoon to dinner. You may be in the woods well after dark if you plan on roosting a bird for the following morning.
- Afternoon snacks. Take snacks with you for the afternoon and early evening portion of your hunt. It will help you eat 5-6 small healthy meals a day and avoid overindulging during dinner.
- Be mindful of dinner. Late night meals can sit heavily on a hunter's stomach and lead to restlessness. Hunters don't burn calories consumed from nighttime meals, so cut back on portions size and remember to eat a moderate and balanced dinner.
- Drink...... water. Dehydration can cause weakness, fatigue, muscle soreness and dizziness. Be mindful of your water intake during the day. Hunters sweat a lot and aren't always focused on drinking enough water. Dehydration can be a serious condition and potentially life-threatening.