Keith Lusher 04.18.25
Let me begin by saying I’m notoriously low cost with regards to searching gear. I hardly ever purchase something new, and once I do, I normally search for one thing—something—mistaken with it so I can return it and hold my cash. I’m most likely essentially the most vital hunter you’ll meet with regards to dear tools. So once I inform you I not solely saved the Badlands Turkey Chest Rig in Method GT camo however really imagine it was value each penny, that’s saying one thing. For a naked minimal turkey hunter like myself, this may be the uncommon exception to my “make do with what you’ve obtained” rule.
Why I Purchased It
For years, considered one of my most irritating experiences whereas turkey searching has been fumbling round in a number of pockets looking for calls or binoculars. I by no means had a devoted turkey rig till I witnessed my buddy Ben utilizing one final season. Ben’s obtained all the Badlands turkey outfit – shirt, vest, rig, gloves, the works – and I’ll admit I felt a bit like a hillbilly subsequent to him with my hodgepodge of drugs.
The second that offered me occurred once we noticed what seemed like two toms within the distance. We each dropped to our knees behind an enormous pine, and I began the acquainted pocket-patting routine – left vest pocket, proper vest pocket, pants pockets – desperately looking for my field name. In the meantime, Ben merely opened the chest rig, which was proper above his abdomen, pulled out his name, and gave me a glance that stated all of it. I may virtually really feel him rolling his eyes as he whispered, “I obtained it.”
That was it. I ordered the Badlands Turkey Chest Rig that evening.
First Impressions
When it arrived, I used to be instantly struck by how mild it’s – simply 1.15 kilos. The size (10″x9″x3.5″) make it wider than a bino harness however with related depth. It occupies roughly the identical chest area with out feeling cumbersome.
The Method GT camo sample blends completely within the spring woods, and the general development is light-weight however robust. I’ve brushed the fabric in opposition to a ton of bushes with no snag.
Within the Subject
The chest rig is meticulously designed to maintain solely the necessities at hand with fast and easy accessibility. As Badlands places it, it has “the whole lot you want for a dance with Captain Hook,” and so they’re not mistaken. What I notably admire is the constant Method GT camo sample that Badlands makes use of throughout their total turkey searching line. The sample includes a broken-up tan background with darkish brown and black sample specks that mix completely with ash, cottonwood, oak, and maple bushes in my searching space. I’m slowly constructing my assortment with the purpose of finally having the whole outfit like my buddy Ben.
Some of the spectacular options is the The Zip-No magnetic opening. It opens simply with one hand however closes silently, which is vital once I’m attempting to arrange on a gobbler. The stay-open design helps you to entry what you want with out the lid flopping round or closing in your hand.
Inside, the group is ideal for the cellular hunter. The inside is split lengthways, making a slim pocket in opposition to your chest and a wider predominant compartment in entrance. My 10×42 binoculars match standing in the principle compartment or mendacity sideways, which is helpful relying on what else I’m carrying.
4 further pockets are dealing with inward to the principle compartment – two in entrance, two in again – which are perfect for slate calls. The interior pot and mouth name pockets hold the whole lot safe however accessible. Each inside and exterior striker loops guarantee I’m by no means digging round for a striker when a tom responds.
The shell loops accommodate numerous shell sizes, which is good once I’m experimenting with totally different masses. The zippered pocket on the lid inside runs the total size and provides me a safe spot for licenses and different gadgets I have to hold dry.
One characteristic I notably admire is the included detachable field name accent pocket. It attaches securely however may be eliminated if you happen to’re working mild or wish to mount one thing else, like a bear spray holster, beneath.
The Badlands Guarantee
Like all Badlands gear, the Turkey Chest Rig comes with their Limitless Lifetime Guarantee, which they sum up as “If our identify is on it, it’s coated.” There’s no high quality print or loopholes – if it breaks, they’ll repair or change it for all times. Having had to make use of their guarantee service earlier than, I can attest that they stand behind this promise.
Closing Ideas
For run-and-gun turkey hunters uninterested in being weighed down by grandpa’s turkey vest that “weighs half as a lot as you and hangs to your knees,” the Badlands Turkey Chest Rig is the reply. It retains solely the necessities at hand with fast entry, letting you keep cellular and prepared. For somebody as notoriously tight with cash as I’m, that’s saying one thing. I’m already saving up for my subsequent piece of Badlands turkey gear, which must be some sort of miracle given how I normally strategy searching tools purchases.
