Best Shotgun Setups for Public Land Turkey Hunting

Turkey hunting season is almost here in Minnesota, the spring season opens on April 16. In the meantime, you can start planning what gear you’re going to use and start getting your equipment together. Check out these tips for the best shotgun setups for public land.

Long Range

If you’re wanting to sit inside your Stump blind to hunt turkeys, you’ll need a long range shotgun. This will allow you to reach turkeys that appear around the clearing without needing them to come right up to the blind. Hunting from your blind will allow you to relax and carry on a conversation with your hunting partner inside the blind with the windows closed. You won’t need to open the window until you see the turkey because our Phantom Windows open silently and offer one-way viewing. You can see out, but the turkeys can’t see in. This is going to be incredibly helpful on your hunt because turkeys have incredible eyesight. They have 270-degree field of vision without even trying and that expands to a 360-degree field of vision with just a turn of their head, whereas we only have 210-degree vision. They have monocular vision, meaning they can use each of their eyeballs independently. They can see in multiple directions at once. So, staying put and staying hidden in your Stump blind is a good way to not draw attention to yourself.

While hunting from your Stump blind, you can also use our Bi-Pod Shooting Stick. It is an aluminum stand to rest your shotgun on, with a rotating head for accurate aiming and an adjustable height of 21-40 inches, so you can stay seated in your M360 Chair while you wait for the turkeys to appear. The stick also has mounts for cameras, lights and other gear. Or, you can use our Gun Rest that attaches directly onto the bottom shelf of our windows.

Short Range

If you’re up for the challenge of hunting on foot, use a short range shotgun. This will allow you to harvest a bird at a closer range as you come across them in the woods. Use our Bucket Backpack to carry any essential items like food, water, and an offline GPS. You can also use the 5-gallon bucket center of the backpack to store the turkey meat once you’ve harvested the bird.

State Regulations

Check your state’s regulations before you choose your shotgun. Minnesota’s state regulations for turkey hunting states that “a person may only use shotguns 10 gauge or smaller, including muzzle-loading shotguns. Only shot size No. 4 or smaller (sizes 4, 5, 6, 7½, etc.) may be used.” These gauge restrictions might limit the kinds of shotguns you can use, so make sure your shotgun can handle the approved gauges before selecting yours. The season is open from April 16 through May 31.

Stump blinds are easily moved on and off the land, so you can use it all turkey season, store it during the off season, and bring it back out in the fall for deer season with ease. Use our blinds and our shotgun accessories to help you have a successful spring turkey hunting season. Check your local regulations and enjoy a bountiful spring harvest!

What’s your shotgun setup for turkey hunting? Let us know in the comments below!