When I reflect upon my first few outings as a new turkey hunter in the woods of southwestern Pennsylvania several memories stand out. It was always rainy, my butt ached the entire time, and I never shot a turkey. Happily, it wasn’t long before I shot my first gobbler, yet sadly it did take me some time to learn that it isn’t necessary to be uncomfortable while hunting.
When turkey hunting it’s imperative to minimize your movement as much as possible. However, sitting on the hard ground in often wet conditions will give you the chills, an aching back, and a soggy, sore tush that makes it darn near impossible to stay still for a few minutes let alone several hours. So, I’m sharing my tips for keepin’ you cozy while huntin’ ol’Tom.
Sit in Style
Many turkey hunters choose to sit on a small foam or inflatable cushion. In my opinion, cushions provide minimal comfort because they are not very soft, fail to keep you off the ground, provide no back support, and allow you to slide off of them. Some of the cushions that come attached to turkey hunting vests are acceptable, but not what I’d call supportive.
Instead, I prefer to use the foldable Woodland Camo Hunting Chair by Browning. It keeps you up off the ground, supports your back, and is forgiving on the tush. Also, it has gear pockets in the front where I place my pot and striker call to keep it of the ground and accessible. It uses a sling carry that you must get accustomed to using, but it is well worth this bit of awkwardness. I own two and have been using them for years. On a private property that I hunt, I attach the chair to a tree near a favorite spot using a Python Adjustable Camo Cable Lock by Master Lock. This way, I don’t have to carry it in and out each time. Consider spraying the hinges each year with some silicone lubricant to prevent rusting and squeaks.
Use a Shield
Many hunters avoid venturing out in the rain. I understand completely; it’s not fun at all. But if you want to harvest a turkey, then you must embrace wet conditions and avoid getting overly wet. To this end, I recommend using an Ameristep Hunter’s Umbrella. An umbrella can also keep you cooler on hot days by blocking the sun. Consider carrying a blaze orange bungee cord with hooks that can be used to secure the umbrella to larger diameter trees. The orange bungee has the safety benefit of alerting other hunters to your presence.
Take a Thermos
You most likely have figured out that carrying snacks and water will prevent an empty, grumbling stomach that always leads to an uncomfortable sit. But what you may not have considered is that having a warm or ice-cold beverage makes all the difference in the world if you’re hunting on a rainy, cold or a hot, humid day.
For example, I love drinking coffee. And I especially love drinking coffee while sitting in a hunting spot watching and listening to the beauty of nature. My routine is to take a break at 9:00am, open my thermos, and drink coffee for 15 minutes. It just makes me happy. And on days that it’s rainy, windy, and cold, coffee helps me ward off the chills and keep going.
So, my suggestion is to purchase a stainless-steel Thermos Vacuum Insulated Compact Beverage Bottle. To prevent light from reflecting off the steel, I paint my bottles. Purchase a can(s) of your favorite camouflage colored spray paint and spray the bottle to be one solid color or a custom camouflage pattern. Now, you sip your cup of joe, or another beverage, without ol’Tom spotting you.
How Do you Stay Cozy?
Please share your tips for staying comfortable while turkey hunting in the comments section; we would love to hear them.
Whether you’re a new or an experienced turkey hunter, be sure to check out our videos and other blog articles on the topic. You’ll surely discover some useful information.