Baiting Turkeys

[Rainier10]

I ordered a deer feeder with my xmas gift cards that I plan on using with corn.  My property is in an area that has turkeys close by that I hunt in the spring.  I see in the turkey regs that you can't hunt over bait.  Is there a distance that I need to hunt away from my feeder to be legal or should I stop using the feeder X number of days/weeks before the season to be legal.

[Bob33]

There is no legal distance. It's a judgment call.

[BOWHUNTER45]

 I wish they had a way to enforce it  It goes on alot in Eastern Washington ...

[Rainier10]

I know a couple of the properties I used to have permission to hunt around Spokane that had feeders, the property owner always said no hunting within 100 yards of the feeders.  That was almost 20 years ago though.

[Rainier10]

Oh yeah, thanks for the quick responses.

[turkeydancer]

I can see having food plots or even feeders if the intent is to attract and keep them on your property, and/or to help them survive a harsh winter.       

Other than that I have never needed to bait a turkey (or any animal or bird), and wonder if there  is any fun involved in doing so?   

I know I wouldn't risk my hunting privileges in doing so ... suggest just calling the local WDFW/game warden to clarify what will get you in trouble.
 

[bobcat]

Just don't post a picture of the turkey you kill, with the bait in the background, and you should be fine.

[Rainier10]

I can see having food plots or even feeders if the intent is to attract and keep them on your property, and/or to help them survive a harsh winter.       

Other than that I have never needed to bait a turkey (or any animal or bird), and wonder if there  is any fun involved in doing so?   

I know I wouldn't risk my hunting privileges in doing so ... suggest just calling the local WDFW/game warden to clarify what will get you in trouble.
 

Yeah the topic title was a little misleading.  I wasn't planning on baiting turkeys, my concern was would using a deer feeder be viewed that way.  I have been feeding the deer and elk all year long and keep salt licks out for them.  Turkeys are in the area and with the feeder I was thinking it would be a grey area if I shoot one close to the feeder.

Didn't want to be feeding deer and get nabbed for baiting turkeys.  Sounds like if I shoot one just make sure they are away from the feeder, and that is no problem.  I hunt at least a mile or two from my property and feeder in the national forest.  The feeder is great so I can get photos of what is in the general area and occasionally we get the animals in during the weekends for my kids to see.

Here is another question, is there a feed that will work for deer and elk but not turkeys?  Do the deer pellets only attract ungulates?  Might be a question for the deer forum instead but hopefully there is enough crossover between the two user groups to get an answer.

Thanks for all the advice this is a very helpful and informed group.

[turkeydancer]

Turks will eat anything ... grains, berrys, insects, amphibians, mailmen, etc.   

My friend had one that he swore ate the logs from trucks and used the grill to pick his teeth    ... 

[CP]

Turks will eat anything ... grains, berrys, insects, amphibians, mailmen, etc.   

My friend had one that he swore ate the logs from trucks and used the grill to pick his teeth    ... 

A turkey once ate an entire box of .22 short ammo that I’d left open and sitting on a tree stump. 

[Fishnfowler]

I feed all winter and turn the feeder off  two weeks before the season.  The birds pull out and head up the mountain which is fine by me.  I'm happy to send them into spring with some fat under the skin. 

[Rainier10]

My place is at 4000 feet, right now I just have orchard grass out for the deer and elk.  As the snow starts to melt in the spring I usually start putting corn out in what is left of the grass to get them to eat the rest of grass and the corn.  Depending on the spring and as the snow melts the turkeys are around my elevation.  They seem to follow the snow line up as it melts. I think this year to play it safe I won't start the corn in the new feeder until after turkey season.  If the snow melts early I may start the feeder and then like you turn it off a couple weeks before the season and through the season as well to be safe.

[PA BEN]

Game Bird Baiting: State and Federal Regulations. Page 30 •
 Migratory Waterfowl and Upland Game Regulations Pamphlet
How close to bait can you hunt
without breaking the law?
There is no set distance. The law prohibits
hunting if bait is present that could
lure or attract birds to, on, or over areas
where hunters are attempting to take
them. Distance will vary depending on
the circumstances and such factors as
topography, weather, and flight patterns.
Therefore, this question can only be
answered on a case-by-case basis.

[Rainier10]

Perfect, thanks Ben.

[HORSEPOWER]

Turks will eat anything ... grains, berrys, insects, amphibians, mailmen, etc.   

  :chuckle:The Mailman :chuckle:Truely endless entertainment there!