By the time this article hits the page, I’ll be in the swamps of South Florida chasing wild turkeys. It seems odd to think about that, this being only February; however, ready or not, turkey season is here (at least in the part of the world that the Osceola wild turkey subspecies inhabits).

I spent much of this past weekend in one of my favorite pastimes—getting ready. Whether it be a hunting trip, fly fishing trip, Appalachian Trail hiking trip, or a family vacation, I love putting together my list and packing everything for the upcoming expedition.

During the “getting ready” portion, I always end up reliving past adventures. Packing a certain item, be it a tent or a turkey call, tends to recall the last time I used it and, as a result, I probably spend a lot of my time getting ready with a smile on my face.

The South Zone opener is the first opportunity to turkey hunt in the United States and for the turkey hunter (or, in my case, the turkey hunting addict) extending the season on the front end, back end, or both is always a good thing.

I’m certain that all the turkey hunters reading this article will agree; however, their spouses or significant others may have a slightly different outlook on the upcoming season.

In the words of author and turkey hunter Charlie Elliott, “The addiction will cost you time and money and alienate those close to you.”

No truer words have ever been spoken, except perhaps Charlie’s next statement.

“I can give you the names of a dozen addicts—myself included—whose wives begin to get their hackles up a week before turkey season starts and stay mad until a week after it closes,” Elliott writes.

While I did get a rundown from G of all the things that I’ll be missing at home while I’m perambulating around in a Florida swamp chasing longbeards, I must admit that she said it all with a smile (or maybe it was a smirk). Either way, it wasn’t a scowl.

In all seriousness, I consider G’s understanding and support of my outdoors obsessions to be one of the greatest blessings of our marriage, and there are many. In late April, when the weeds have overtaken the yard and the grass is way past the need for the first mowing, she is patient.

Unlike the “raised-hackle” spouses that Elliot describes, G knows that I’ll get to all the chores eventually, as soon as the season has ended and the turkeys are no longer gobbling here at home.

As part of getting ready, I spent most of Saturday afternoon on a turkey gun project—setting up a 20-gauge shotgun with a red dot sight.

As I’ve gotten older, I must admit that I’m not as fond of the recoil dished out by 3.5-inch magnum turkey loads. According to most sources, the 3.5-inch 12-gauge turkey load produces about 71 ft lbs. of recoil. That’s more than four times the recoil of a .30-06 Springfield.

The 20-gauge, even with high-powered turkey loads, is much milder in comparison, coming in at around 31 ft lbs. of recoil on the high end. Although I’m sure that the titanium plate and screws that reside in my neck courtesy of a discectomy and fusion in 2019 can handle the higher recoil, my shoulder certainly appreciates the reduced kick.

With the newer Tungsten Super Shot loads and a tight turkey choke, the little 20 is still a 50-yard gun, and that’s plenty. For years, 40 yards was considered a long shot at a turkey. My how things have changed with technology.

On the technology note, I’ve had to get used to the red dot sight. It almost seems like a bit too much tech. However, as it seems that I have gotten into the habit of missing a turkey every year, I think the sight will force me to slow down, focus, and make a good shot. I don’t want to miss, but I certainly don’t want to wound a bird and lose it.

Sunday after church, I printed off my “Florida Turkey Camp Packing List” and spent the afternoon gathering all the needed supplies and equipment. I then spent several minutes wondering how in the world I was going to fit all of it into my vehicle and why in the world I needed so much stuff for a four-day hunt.

We tend, or at least I often tend, to overcomplicate things. I shot my first gobbler with an old Browning A5 12-gauge that had an improved cylinder barrel, and I used a copper-plated lead turkey load. He dropped immediately following the 40-yard shot. That gun was older than me and it certainly wasn’t a “dedicated” turkey gun, but it did the job.

As I’ve gotten older, I would like to say that I have come to appreciate simplicity. G and I pared down dramatically when we moved to the farm and have purged even more while living here. However, looking at the pile of equipment that’s headed to Florida, I think I still have work to do.

Oh well, didn’t I recently write about being prepared? Here’s to wishing the turkey hunters out there the best season ever, here’s to the “getting ready” and to the adventure itself, and here’s to seeing you out there in our great outdoors.