I am gonna start turkey hunting this year and know very little about it. I have 2 questions, 1. how important is it to have your gun camoflauged,and 2. do i have to buy a choke for my gun or can i just use what is in my 870 express? Thanks for the help.

It's not so important to have a camo gun as long as your gun is not glossy or shiny. I'm sure many a turkey have been killed with guns that were anything but dull finished or camoflauged. No movement of the gun or hunter at close range is more important than a camo finish. Yes you will need at least and Xtra Full choke tube for turkey hunting IMO. The tighter the pattern the better as far as I'm concerned. And then comes the question of sights. At least a double bead system or better yet, fiber optic sights or a red dot or the ultimate sight system for turkey hunting.....a low powered scope! Good luck!

I agree to a certain extent. The extra full choke is important and will aid your success in killing a bird, but last year I did not invest in a "turkey" gun and used my 1100. It had a full choke barrel and because I spent considerable time patterning the gun I knew it's capability and killed 2 gobblers with it. I did use a gun sock to take away the glare. Your chances of killing a turkey cleanly will improve with a extra full choke, but you will need a minimum of a full choke to kill cleanly.

The real consept of a camo gun , Is for movement, With the keen eye of the turkey and you being able to make that one small movement can be the difference between (kicking Rocks or Yelling, Ya! who).

The shiny suface on a firearm is one elimate,That in a small move can be detected faster then the movement of a dull finish, fitted into the consept.

When setup at your location movement is part of the hunt , being able to limit it without being detected is part of the game, Its the same consept as a uncovered hand, up against a camoed consept the white or light color can be see much more easyer, then if everything was in a light consept,, with all the elimates in place , it puts the right cards in your favor for success.

A gun should be patterned before hunting , some guns do shoot a great pattern with a (Full Choke) and can kill the game , but fitted with the right restriction choke can better your count of shot , in a smaller pattern area. Remember that your shooting your Shotgun more like a rifle in this sport...BT

Great responses on camoing your gun fellas!!Once again constricting movement is the priority here!Now this choke thing is a pet peeve of mine!Patterning your gun is the priority here!!Guys spend a fortune year in in year out on patterning there firearms which is a great thing in increasing your pattern density down range!But imho turkey hunting is a close range sport and I've killed literally dozens of birds with block stock and barrel firearms,including the one I shoot now.Obviously patterning your gun is where it starts and if theres a problem there than an adjustment HAS to be made!But in many cases it is not neccessarily a NECESSITY as is being engraved on all modern day turkey hunters minds!Obviously there isn't anything wrong with a guys desire to increase his pattern percentage but the question is,is he doing it for exactly that or to increase his range?To me 40 yards is max not because I cant kill a bird further but simply because the high of the sport is foolin them in close,once again IMHO!!I agree with MTT here good sites are an asset especially in helping with low light conditions and for the individual that has a sight problem but to say your gun has to be fitted with an after market choke and that it is an absolute neccessity depends on if there is a problem with your current set-up AND what YOU individually want out of the sport!!Theres no question modern day gun smiths coupled with the loads we have now, can hook you up with a set-up that will thump gobblers at long downrange ranges but to me this advocates puttin the call down and the stalking boots on!!Pattern your gun it will tell you what you need to know!!

I harvested my Gobbler at 6 steps last year with a Mossberg 835 that has marsh grass come stock and forearm. The barrel and reciever is a matte black finish. I use the factory extra full turkey choke that came with it. I pattern my shotgun out to 25 yards.
I guess what I am trying to say is know the effectiveness of your particualr shotgun. If' you're new to turkey hunting, Don't get wrapped up in the kill, practice your calling and be patient. Bring em in close for the sure shot. If he hangs up at 50 yards and you puts on a show for you and you don't get a shot, The show was the hunt.
You're right Bobgobble all these choke companies have gotten to the point where they are making a long range sport and making us believe that we can harvest one at 60 yards with out any problems.
I have replied to many posts such as this one and again It is up to each hunter what range they want to shoot.
Like everyone else has said though, keep the movement to a minimum and let em get close.

I got a nice tight patterning Gun , but its not for long shots, I like to see the flesh fly ...BT

BT

This is my 3rd year turkey hunting and will be my 3rd (and hopefully last for a while) gun to be using. I agree with most of what's been stated in the previous posts, especially knowing your gun. It is important to have a dull finish on your gun, but it doesn't have to be camo. I used a gun sock on my Winchester last year because it is very shiny. This worked well, but I didn't like getting the dew on it and having a wet gun. As stated earlier, BE STILL, patient, and stay in the woods longer than the other guy. I am not the best caller in the world, but I've heard turkeys that didn't sound like turkeys. Remember not to over call and be patient. If you'll learn to enjoy the experience and not just the kill, you'll be rewarded every time you get in the turkey woods and you will be hooked for life. Good luck this spring and safe hunting.