Chasing gobblers sheds pounds - both yours and your firearms. Ok, maybe just firearms, damn you Little Debbie. Hence, the popularity of smaller, lighter, faster sub-gauge shotguns.

To date I've used my bow, 12 and 20 gauge shotguns to kill turkeys. This season I'm hunting with an industry- borrowed Benelli Super Black Eagle 3 in, you guessed it, 28 gauge. I almost think a box of TSS ammo weighs more than this gun, though they cost about the same. My Manchester Terrier kicks harder.

The 28 gauge is quickly becoming the trendy pick for turkey hunters. Why? Because thanks to modern ammunition advances, turkey hunters are trading in macho for mobility with smaller, lighter shotguns that kill just as fast and "far enough" to keep America's favorite "Tom" on the dinner table this spring.

Hold on Boomer, that 12 gauge still works just fine and it is most assuredly a bigger, more powerful, and more capable turkey gun. My point is the 28 gauge isn't a stunt shotgun - it's every bit the tool any well-aimed, well-placed, ambush-hungry turkey hunter needs south of 40 yards.

So, why the 28 gauge now? It isn't marketing boredom. It's engineering.

Ammo Tech Has Changed the Game: Tungsten Super Shot, or TSS, is a total game changer. It's denser than lead, so it hits harder and patterns tighter—even with smaller pellets. That means a 28 gauge loaded with TSS #9 can go toe-to-toe with a 12 gauge. Seriously. You get better penetration and a clean pattern at distances most folks wouldn't expect from something this small.

It's Light - Like, Really Light: Tired of lugging a boat anchor through the woods? The 28 gauge is a dream to carry. Whether trekking to a blind or hunkered in tight cover, the weight savings make a difference. It's also a perfect fit for younger or smaller-framed hunters, or anyone who values comfort over tradition.

Low Recoil = High Confidence: Less recoil means better shooting (Hello 6.5 Creedmoor disciples). Period. It makes follow-through easier and lets you focus on shot placement instead of bracing for the punch when your target is a turkey's walnut-sized noggin at 30-plus yards; confidence matters.

Patterns That Surprise People: Despite its smaller bore, the 28 gauge, with the right choke and TSS load, throws a ridiculously tight pattern. Precision matters in turkey hunting, and this little gauge delivers.

It Encourages Ethical Hunting: The 28 gauge isn't built for sloppy, Hail Mary cross-field shots. It makes you pick your moment and commit to a clean, lethal shot. And, to me, that's precisely how it should be.

What's the Catch? Well, nothing's perfect. TSS loads aren't cheap, and finding 28 gauge turkey ammo can still be hit or miss, depending on where you shop. You also need to be disciplined about your range and shot placement. But if you're okay with that? This gauge will impress you.

Here's the Bottom Line: If you're a hunter who values precision, mobility, and tech-forward gear, the 28 gauge might be your next best friend in the turkey woods. It's not about overpowering the bird, it's about outsmarting it, and doing it with a lighter, smarter setup. Just ask the .410 guys ...

Jay Pinsky
Editor - The Hunting Wire
jay@theoutdoorwire.com

Almost 40 years ago, I was stationed overseas as an infantry company commander. I received orders to a post in the US and was looking forward to hunting once again.

There was always something magical about being in the woods before daylight and watching/listening asthe world woke up when dawn approached. My good friend Craig told me that I should look up his dad when I got to my new assignment: “He loves to bow hunt like you and he can show the local areas.”

When I got to my new duty station, I met Jim (Craig’s dad) and we hit it off immediately. Jim showed me around the military training areas and taught me movement patterns of the deer in those northern woods.Jim also became my mentor. My dad had died when I was a teenager, and Jim filled the gap for some of what was missing in my life.

Though my freezer was always full of deer and geese, the most important lessons Jim taught me were always related to ethics and values.

And he taught me all about hunting turkeys. I had come of age in the mountains of Southeastern Arizona, and in the 1970’s, we did not have a viable turkey population. Under Jim’s coaching, I learned all about turkey behavior and conservation. I learned how to shock a tom into gobbling by imitating an owl and how to coax him into range by playing the role of a hard-to-get hen. I loved the interactive nature of turkey hunting and Jim was singularly responsible for my enthusiasm.

I maintained contact with Jim over the years, but we did not meet in person nearly enough. Several years ago, I heard from Craig that his dad was not doing well, so I reached out to him on the phone. I asked him ifhe could still walk and he said “Yes, but only for short distances.” I then resolved to take Jim turkey hunting one last time. I did not care if we shot a bird, but I wanted Jim to be in the field when the critters all wake up and a big tom thunders a gobble over his domain. We agreed upon a date and set a plan in order.

I next called Craig and told him: “I’m taking your dad turkey hunting and you’re coming too.”

He said: “Well, I’d love too but I have an important meeting coming up and can’t miss it.”

I told Craig that he needed to apply the five year rule: “Project five years into the future and look back on this moment. Would you have more regrets missing the meeting or missing an opportunity to go turkey hunting with your dad?”

When he looked at the situation from that perspective, it was an easy decision. We went as planned, had agreat morning, and even called a couple of toms in close (but did not shoot one). That is a memory that I willalways cherish, and it was even more special because I got to help bring a father and son together for whatmay have been their last shared hunt.

We sometimes get bogged down by a bunch of stu? on our “to do” list or inbox and lose sight of what isreally important in life. When you face a tough “either/or” decision, try out the five year rule—it may help youkeep a focus on what is truly important. Good luck in all of your outdoor pursuits!

Jeff Buchanan retired as a Lieutenant General from the Army in 2019. He had four combat deployments to Iraq and one to Afghanistan. He also led the military forces supporting FEMA in Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria and commanded more than 6,000 troops on the Southwest border in support of CBP. He and his wife live on a small ranch outside of Patagonia, Arizona and he is one of five commissioners for the Arizona Game and Fish Department

New Reports from the American Sportfishing Association and the Sportsmen’s Alliance Foundation Provide Insights at the Federal, State, and Local Levels

Hunting, target shooting, and recreational fishing are not only cherished American traditions but also powerful economic drivers, generating billions in retail sales, job creation, and conservation funding. A newly released series of reports from Southwick Associates provides updated insights into the economic contributions of these outdoor activities at the federal, state, and congressional district levels.

Using data in part from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s 2022 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation and GIS mapping software, the studies highlight how spending by hunters, target shooters, and anglers supports jobs, wages, and local economies across the country. The research was conducted on behalf of the Sportsmen’s Alliance Foundation for hunting and target shooting and the American Sportfishing Association for sportfishing.

“Recreational fishing, hunting and target shooting are an escape for many, but are the workday for many others, collectively supporting nearly 2.5 million jobs in the U.S.,” said Rob Southwick, President of Southwick Associates. “Actions that impede Americans from enjoying these national pastimes or help to expand opportunity will be felt in all corners of the U.S. economy.”

Beyond their economic impact, these outdoor activities play a vital role in conservation funding. Through excise taxes on gear and license purchases, sportsmen and women generate billions of dollars annually to support wildlife conservation and habitat restoration, ensuring the sustainability of natural resources for future generations.

Findings are presented in a series of easy-to-use, printable infographics detailing economic contributions down to the congressional district level. These resources provide valuable tools for policymakers, industry leaders, and conservation organizations advocating for policies that support outdoor recreation, natural resource management, and economic growth. Results can be summed across the reports.

Funding for these reports was provided by a Multistate Conservation Grant from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and jointly administered with the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies.

To explore the full findings for sportfishing and download the federal, state, and congressional district-level infographics, visit the American Sportfishing Association website.

To explore the full findings for hunting and target shooting and download the federal, state, and congressional district-level infographics, visit the Sportsmen’s Alliance Foundation website.