Brodie Swisher
Few things stir the heart of a turkey hunter like the final march of a gobbler within gun range. The boom of a shotgun echoes across the landscape, and you quickly make your way to a bird that finally met his match. And regardless of whether it’s your first bird, or 100th, you stand there staring at your prize in disbelief that it happened like it did.
When the adrenaline finally settles a bit, and the high-fives, phone calls, text, and photos have been sent, it’s time to get your bird and gear out of the woods. But how will you do it?
What’s the best way to tote a turkey from the woods? That can all depend on how far you are from the truck and how much gear you have on hand, but here’s a look at the most popular methods for hauling your gobbler from the woods this spring.
The Turkey Strap or Turkey Tote
For many hunters, a leather turkey strap or paracord tote is a permanent fixture in their vest. These are typically simple leather straps or braided paracord designs with loops at both ends. There are several variations of how this can work. Shorter designs can wrap around just the legs or neck for an over-the-shoulder carry with the strap resting comfortably over your shoulder. Longer straps allow one loop to cinch around the legs, and the other loop to cinch around the neck.
By cinching the bird's extremities, you create a strap/handle that allows you to sling the turkey over your shoulder like a duffel bag. This keeps the bird’s weight centered and allows you to keep your hands free to carry your shotgun or other gear.
My buddy, Kevin Drewry, made a leather strap for me years ago. I’ve used it to haul a pile of turkey from the woods. He learned the method from a relative of his by the name of George Mayfield, a legendary turkey hunter that’s inspired countless turkey hunters across the south. For many turkey hunters, these leather straps have become treasures in the turkey vest, soaked with blood, sweat and sweet memories from hunts gone by.
Regardless of what kind of strap you choose, just make sure it’s not too thin. Go big and wide here. If the strap is thin, it can dig into your shoulder over long distances. Some straps and totes are even built with a padded shoulder section for added comfort.
The Turkey Vest Game Bag
Most modern turkey vests are designed with a large, blood-proof pocket on the back specifically for hauling birds. This is a great method when you’re going in deep, far from the truck, or when you’re riding an eBike into your hunting spot or want to keep your hands free.
You simply fold the bird’s wings tightly against its body and slide it head-first into the rear pocket. You’ll want to ensure the weight is sitting low in the vest to maximize comfort and prevent swaying.
This method provides the best weight distribution, basically turning your turkey vest into a backpack. It also protects the bird’s feathers from being ruffled or pulled out by brush, briars and limbs as you walk or ride out.
You’ll have a bloody vest to clean up at the end of the day, but most hunters will gladly take the time to clean up blood-soaked gear at the end of a successful hunt.
Over-the-Shoulder Victory Carry
If you’re not too far from the truck, or still jacked up on adrenaline, the over-the-shoulder victory carry is likely gonna be your go-to method for toting out your bird.
While some might grab a bird by the neck and throw it over their shoulder, the proper way, that God intended, is to grab a bird by his legs and throw it over your shoulder. After all, that’s why the turkey was created the way they were. Those legs and spurs are built-in handles.
Don’t believe me? Just ask Will Primos. He’s said it for years – “Never pick up or carry a turkey by the neck! Always carry them by the legs!”
This is certainly not the easiest way to carry a bird out of the woods, but it’s easily the most satisfying method. Photo opps abound with this carry style, and every time that old turkey’s head and neck swings and sways across your back side, you’ll smile with the sense of a job well done. You’ll have a bloody back pocket when you get back to the truck, a testimony to the way the story went down.
Final Thoughts
What about you? What’s your go-to method for hauling out a bird?
The strap, vest, and shoulder method all have their place depending on when and where you stumble across success with a longbeard.
Regardless of how you tote your bird from the woods, you’ll do it with pride knowing you’ve matched wits with the greatest game bird to ever walk the earth.
