West side Easterns are extremely difficult to locate, let alone hunt. It is likely you would never see or hear one unless you happen to stumble close enough to do so. It is not your typical turkey hunting experience where one sees and hears numerous gobbling birds. Vegetation on the west side eats up the sounds. Without those incentives, doubt sets in whether or not birds are even present. Couple that with Easterns being is smaller groups requires one to believe and have patience. One usually locates and hunts droppings...fact. Not something I would suggest for a youth hunt unless you have birds located and the experience hunting them.
Your east side hunt is a much better youth option even with the drive. As far as somewhere close, I would suggest Klickitat County for Merriams. Check out public lands on maps, timber company lands that are open, and check with locals etc. Birds are vocal and fairly easy to locate if one spends the time.
