Camo up, boys and girls! Turkey hunting season is right around the corner and you’ll need the best gear to maximize your success. Here’s your ultimate guide to the newest turkey hunting gear 2026 from BassPro/Cabela’s, including everything from turkey hunting gear to the best turkey ammo.
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Turkey Hunting Gear for 2026: New Ammo
We can’t go hunting without ammo – so, let’s check out what the new load is for this season’s 2026 turkey hunt.
If you’re new to wild turkey hunting or a seasoned pro, the right turkey ammo and gear are essential. Wild turkeys are hardy birds. Bagging one is hard enough, especially when not using the correct shell size.
The best turkey loads for hunting and the rule of thumb is – in the field, use a #6, a #4 in the brush, with a full or an extra full turkey choke. Most, including us, will typically use a #5. Before you decide on a shot size, check your turkey hunting regulations!
Migra TSS Stacked Custom Turkey Shotshells
You can’t go wrong with the Apex Ammunition Greenleaf Turkey TSS shotshells for turkey hunting. It delivers a hard-hitting mix of No.9 and No.10 Tungsten Super Shot, which is built for tight patterns and confident knock-down power. Feel the difference of dense tungsten energy as the payload drives with authority, while clean-burning powder keeps each shot crisp and consistent. A proprietary one-piece tungsten-grade wad system helps protect your barrel as it guides the pattern for maximum performance when the moment counts. The Apex will definitely be your new go-to shell!
Unfortunately, Cabela’s Canada does not carry either of these best turkey load as of yet.
The YETI LoadOut GoBox is built tough for outdoor hunters and adventure‑seekers. See the LoadOut GoBox →
Best Turkey Shotgun for 2026
Stoeger M3000 Turkey Edition Semi-Auto Shotgun
Not that you need another shotgun, but coming in hot for this year is the Stoeger M3000 Turkey Edition semi-auto shotgun. It’s decked in full camo for total concealment. The 22-inch barrel swings easy through blinds and thick brush. Receiver’s cut for Trijicon RMR optics. SteadyGrip stock comes pre-installed; swap in the standard field stock anytime. Fiber-optic front sight nails low-light shots. And, if that’s not enough, the Stoeger comes with a Cabela’s sling and XF extended turkey choke.
See how S&J Hardware customized a Remington 870 to make it the best shotgun you’ll ever find!
Why is it crucial to use a specific choke tube for turkey hunting?
The short answer is that it will provide a tighter group of pellets further down range, but your kill shot distance will vary based on several factors including choke, shot size, shell size and velocity.
Chokes are designed to constrict the pellets as they leave your gun, allowing them to travel a greater distance as a group. Wild turkeys seldom come in at close range, that is why you need a choke with a tight pattern to travel the distance.
When hunting turkey, most hunters will opt for a full choke, which has a narrow pattern and can travel up to 70 yards, dependent on shot size and shell size. The second option is an extra full choke, which we use. It has a more dense pattern and can travel beyond 70 yards to knock down a gobbler.
NOTE: It is important that you perform pattern testing your gun before going out! Knowing the shotgun patterns, spread, and the effective range it can travel will lead to the success of a takedown.
Check out our Rifle Cleaning: Time Tested Techniques to Preserve Your Gun guide.
Turkey Gear 2026: Best Turkey Calls – Which One Should You Choose?
New to this year’s turkey hunt are various styles of turkey calls for 2026, everything from box calls to signature mouth calls. Here’s how you can choose the right turkey call based on your experience level.
Turkey Box Calls 2026
For a beginner turkey hunter, a box call is where you want to start. It’s easy to use and creates sounds that are realistic to what the wild turkey makes. Unfortunately, this new Redhead is not designed for the beginner.
There are no excuses of hunting in the rain with the new RedHead turkey box call. Handcrafted from cedar and cherry, this waterproof box turkey call delivers a long range, raspy high-pitched yelps and cuts. If you’re an experienced hunter, this call’s for you.
Mouth Calls
Ah, the mouth call. There is a love-hate relationship with these. Some love them, while other hunters have a nasty gag reflux preventing them from using these calls.
Diaphragm turkey calls are known for having a complicated and long learning curve that takes hours of practice to master.
New to BassPro/Cabela’s for the 2026 turkey hunting season is a new take on Beau Brooks’s favourite Mockingbird Prime Cut mouth call from Power Calls. Everything you need to call in these elusive birds is right in this three pack. These a three-call set of diaphragms give you a full range of turkey sounds, from soft tree yelps to aggressive cutting. All that’s left is for you to master the art of the call!
Friction Calls
Pot calls produce a wide range of sounds and are somewhat easy to use. It takes some practice to master yelps, purrs, clucks, etc. The volume and sound depend on the call’s surface and how you use your striker.
Turkey Hunting Gear for 2026 Upgrades: What’s New in Pot Calls?
Last year BassPro/Cabela’s released their version of the turkey friction call, which was enclosed in a walnut pot.
This year is the Bone Collector Dynamite Glass Friction Turkey Call. Using the 2-piece diamondwood striker on the clear glass surface inside the walnut pot produces sharp, loud, high-pitched sounds. The value of this turkey pot call is that it’s compact and tucks nicely into a pocket or hunting vest. A glass call also performs better in the rain.
Also, new is the FOXPRO Crimson Hen call in both ceramic and slate. Both feature a glass tone board to help reproduce soft sounds, while the top layer helps create loud yelps and clucks. They are also constructed from Brazilian Cherry wood and arrive with a one-piece flared tip striker. One difference is the slate striker is made from hickory, whereas the ceramic is Ipe.
Generally speaking, slate calls are quieter and produce a more subtle sound than glass calls – glass calls also perform better in the rain and are a must-have turkey hunting supply!
Turkey Hunting Gear 2026 Must-Have Accessories
Ask any hunter, and you’ll get those who love their decoys and those who have them but don’t use them. A hunter who has mastered locating and calling usually doesn’t put out any decoys. If they do, it’ll be one or three. Other hunters rely heavily on temptations to attract big ol’ Tom. A lone hen or a small flock of hens facing away from you will grab Tom’s attention.
New Turkey Decoys for 2026
Turn a quiet spring woods into action with turkey hunting realism that dominant toms can’t ignore. The RedHead Flex Jake and Hen turkey decoys combo brings a true-to-life scene to your setup. It pairs a brash jake with an attractive hen, which is finished with lifelike paint and natural, convincing posture to pull wary gobblers in close.
Range Finders
Whether shooting in an open field or in the woods, you should range various points before setting up. This way, when that turkey struts in to see where the call came from, you’ll be ready for the takedown. Most hunters guesstimate and miss, with a rangefinder you’ll know exactly where to shoot.
With the new Vortex Triumph HD 850 Laser Rangefinder you can tighten your turkey hunting setup.The Vortex features a crisp HD glass, fast readings, and a bright black LCD that stays easy to see in harsh midday glare. Built on an HD Optical System with fully multi-coated optics, it delivers standout colour fidelity and light transmission so targets pop against shadowy timber and open fields alike.
Turkey Blind
Turkey hunting blinds are great to have, but not technically needed. We prefer to lean against the tree and go from there. If you’re hunting grounds with no cover, you’ll need a ground blind, like the Cabela’s Specialist HV180 to conceal yourself.
The Specialist turkey blind is an easy and quick setup that offers one-way see-through windows, is water-resistant and features a silent door and windows. It also arrives with a carry bag and ground stakes for easy in-and-out hunting.
Cover Up – the Wild Turkey CAN SEE YOU!
Wild turkeys have incredible eyesight and can spot you way before you can even see them. Make sure you cover up as best you can with the right turkey clothing. The less exposed skin you have, the better your chances.
You can go with a hat and neck gaiter, or opt for a balaclava-style gaiter. Both these options are affordable – no need to break the bank here.
Save your money for more comfortable and quiet turkey hunting jackets and pants. Look for options made with breathable fabric and moisture-wicking properties to keep you dry and comfortable during long hunts. Don’t forget the hunting gloves! Spring turkey hunts can get chilly, if you already have gloves, you can add a liner to stay warm.
When it comes to camo patterns, Mossy Oak Bottomland is a popular among turkey hunters. It provides excellent concealment in various terrains. Remember, the right camo pattern can better your hunt!
For footwear, opt for a pair of snake boots or rubber boots. Snake boots offer protection against potential bits, while rubber boots are great for keeping your feet dry in the wet, muddy spring conditions. Both options come in various camo patterns to match your hunting outfit.
Pro Tips
Well, there you have it – 2026’s new turkey hunting gear from BassPro/Cabela’s to get you out there bagging that gobbler. Here are a few expert tips to maximize your chances of bringing that turkey down!
- Practice Your Shotgun Patterns: Before the season starts, spend time pattern testing your shotgun with different chokes and turkey loads to find the best combo.
- Focus on Turkey Scouting: Spend time scouting your hunting area. Look for roost sites, feeding areas, and signs of turkey activity.
- Set Up in the Dark: Turkey’s spook easily and will not come down from roosting if they see you.
- Decoy Positioning is Vital: You want the gobbler to strut by you to get to the decoys. If you think or hear the turkey coming in from the right, you want your decoys to be 25 yards to your left, positioned at a 45-degree angle from you.
- Master Your Calls: Practice with different turkey calls to mimic the different sounds that turkey make.
- Carry a Few Calls: Remember to bring a few different types of turkey calls with you. These birds are stubborn and will prefer one call over the other. Nothing is more upsetting than waking up early, setting up and calling with no action!
- Don’t Overcall: Calling too often can make turkeys suspicious. Aim for a few, realistic calls and wait for a response.
- Practice Patience: If a turkey hangs up, don’t rush your next move. Patience is key to successful turkey hunting.
- Bring a Locator: Use a coyote or owl locator to get a response from a gobbler. Learn when to use the right locator!
- Time Your Hunts: Early morning is the best time to hunt turkeys or about 30 minutes before they roost.
Hunt safely with our Dos and Don’ts Hunting Guide.
Beginner Turkey Hunting Gear
New to turkey hunting? We have an in-depth post on the type of hunting gear needed for beginners and why. Or, if you’re curious about the relevance of camo clothing and a turkey’s eyesight, this is a fantastic post to shed light on improving your chances of taking down that bird.
Remember, a successful turkey hunt is a combination of the right gear, proper techniques, and patience!
👉 What do you think about these latest gear picks from BassPro/Cabela’s? Drop a comment below and let’s chat!
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