Across the United States, hunters are either getting ready for spring gobbler or they’re already out in the woods hoping to harvest a wild turkey to bring home to their family’s dinner table. You can find opening dates and season durations per state from the National Wild Turkey Federation Spring Hunt Guide.
Please note that the COVID-19 pandemic may impact your area. We recommend you contact your state game commission or your state’s department of conservation to verify turkey hunting dates and rules or restrictions in your area. Some states have closed state game lands, others have partial public land closures.
When you head out with your shotgun and into the woods, one of the accessories you might want to consider using is a choke tube.
What’s a Choke Tube?
It’s the last 3 inches in a shotgun barrel, which constricts and streamlines the shot so more goes toward your target.
Do I Have to Use a Choke Tube for Turkey Hunting?
No, a choke tube isn’t required. If you get a jake or tom to come in close enough and you patterned your gun well, you may not even need a turkey choke tube. People have been successfully hunting turkey for years without them. But you might have better luck if you use a turkey choke tube.
Which Choke Tube Should I Use?
There are varying degrees of choke tubes, but a general breakdown includes:
- Improved – Choose a modified turkey choke tube if you expect to call in a bird within 25-30 yards
- Modified – Choose an improved-modified turkey choke tube if you expect to call in a bird within 30-35 yards
- Full (longer distance shot) – Choose a full turkey choke tube if you’re targeting beyond 40 yards.
If you use a full turkey choke tube on a turkey that’s too close, you might not have much left to bring home to the dinner table.
Whichever choke tube you use, we hope you’re storing it along with all your valuable firearms and ammunition inside a USA Gun Cabinet, American-made in the heart of Dutch Country. Our high-quality, solid wood gun cabinets provide safe storage for your shotguns and ammunition inside what’s likely to become an heirloom piece of furniture, designed by Amish craftsmen. We have handcrafted cabinets ranging from smaller 5-gun hidden cabinets to large, customizable 20-gun cabinets (Call us to learn more: 717-381-0969.)
Practice Before the Hunt
This probably goes without saying, but you should experiment with turkey chokes and your ammo before you head into the woods, long before the season starts. The size shot you plan to use and the type of shotgun wad can impact the turkey choke tube’s outcome. That’s why it’s crucial to practice beforehand to determine the best fit for your shotgun, ammunition, and target range. You can learn more about finding the right turkey choke tube for your gun.
