Every winter I throw myself into research mode so that I can bring you, my faithful readers, the very latest product releases to help fill your spring turkey tags. I usually get lots of phone calls and text messages thanking me for showing someone something that they appreciate finding out about.
This winter’s search produced a plethora of great items, from great companies, that I hope will get your attention. So, let’s take a look at new turkey gear for 2025.
Huntworth Camo
The first new item for turkey season is camo from Huntworth. This company has developed a few awesome camo patterns that I am really excited about, including Tarnen, Vertek and Disruption. Not only does Huntworth make various camo patterns, but they also make these patterns in clothing designed for comfort no matter the condition. From spring turkey to bitter cold, Huntworth has the exact camo clothing to meet any set of needs. My personal favorite pattern is Tarnen. I consider this, and all Huntworth camo patterns, to be next generation design. The disruptive pattern and color scheme of Tarnen is visually random to totally disguise both you and your movement. Huntworth, simply disappear. Check out huntworthgear.com for more information.
Pure Strutter Pure 18 Turkey Vest
Now let’s move to a company called Pure Strutter, a company with an amazing new turkey hunting. This vest is, by far, the most comfortable, most convenient vest I have found to date, and comes in either Xterrain or Mossy Oak Bottomland. Even though these vests are lightweight, they are extremely tough and durable. They have Air-Flo mesh padded venting, extra wide shoulder straps and a removable foam padded seat.
This unit has eight zipper pockets, a cell phone case, a specially designed Thermacell pouch along with specialty pockets for your box call, pot calls, strikers and 2 diaphragm call pockets. Do yourself a favor and go to purestrutter.com and check out their vests and all of their other great products.
Verdict Ammunition TSS
Next it’s time to talk about some premium ammunition for turkeys. Verdict Ammunition is located in Kentucky. They produce hand loaded TSS shotgun shells for turkey and waterfowl. Their formula has proven to be the hardest hitting, with the most consistent patterns I have ever seen. In 12-gauge they offer 3-inch and 2 ¾-inch shells in a variety of shot sizes and load weights. The same holds true for their 20-gauge offerings. 16-gauge and .410 are also available.
All Verdict turkey loads are Tungsten Super Shot. This high-density shot maintains terminal velocity longer than lead. The high density allows smaller shot size, creating denser patterns at all ranges. This denser shot material also minimizes shot deformation, keeping patterns consistent. Check out all Verdict ammo choices at verdictammunition.com.
8Fans Rubber Hunting Boots
My new boots for 2025 come from 8Fans. Both lightweight and rugged, these boots feel amazing and yield excellent stability and support. These 8Fans boots are rubber with 1000 grams of Thinsulate Insulation, keeping my feet warm and dry no matter the conditions. An addition 5mm of Neoprene ups this protection even further. 8Fans makes several different styles of boots, including waders for both hunting and fishing. They have a line of winter outer clothing with coats and vests along with lots of hunting and fishing accessories. Check them out at 8fans.com.
4-Play Diaphragm Calls
I have saved the best for last. You have all heard me brag on 4-Play box calls. I have been working over the winter with Brian Benolkin, owner of 4-Play, and he has introduced a complete line of diaphragm turkey calls to augment his line of box calls.
The 4-Play 4-Pack is a set of mouth calls that is far-and-away superior to anything I have seen and/or used. This set includes a single reed call, a double cut reed and two different triple cut reeds calls. The calls are color coded, and the red triple cut reed is of my design. With this 4-Pack you have a single reed, which makes the best kee-kee run you have ever heard, to learn with. The double reed is a perfect call for practice, and who knows, it may end up being your favorite. But I live and breath with triple cut reed diaphragm calls in the spring.
In a normal, low wind scenario, I prefer the low raspy sounds I can make with a triple reed. Granted, a triple reed call is more difficult to master and use, but my results are worth the effort. If I get out on a windy day I will fall back to the single reed to allow my high-pitched calls to pierce the wind and get their attention. Go to 4playturkeycall.com to check out their new diaphragm calls, the original 4-Play box call and their new “Classic” two-sided box call, as well. If you order use code MikeRoux10 to get my discount.
