Which week...

[ChadH]

Hi everyone! I'm pretty new to the state (2 years). grew up in Missouri and been turkey hunting about 40 years. Anyway, last year I wasn't able to make it over east to hunt birds but did make it over a couple times to scout. I have a couple ideas of where I want to go but want to ask your advice, if you don't mind, about timing. On a "regular" season (whatever that is) what week of the season would you rather go to the Colville area? Early, like first week (I assume there is more people and it is colder and snow, but the birds are probably stupid then) or later, like week 3-4 (I would assume less people and warmer with the birds not all henned up, but the birds would be educated as heck by then back home, and all the 2 year olds would be dead or at least shot at a bunch and call shy)? Does week matter in your experience?

I am wondering because I need to schedule the time off to take my 15 year old son. He is maybe having a buddy of his fly out from MO and hunt with him and I'd like to get the boys into their first Merriams birds and have a good shot at a great hunt, but need to get the frined his plane ticket.

Thanks for any help you can give...

Chad

[Wacenturion]

Good news is the season opens on April 15, which this year falls on a Monday.  That will eliminate some pressure. Bad news is it won't be all that much as the long wait to get in the turkey woods overrides everything else for most these days.  The first week provides a lot more gobbling and seeing, but also a lot more frustration with people coming up on you, cutting off birds, shooting out of the roost, etc.

Generally toms are henned up the first week and into subsequent weeks depending on weather etc.  Still good pressure through the second week, but down substantially.  Birds that are easy to get to will be smarter, but if one is willing to get away from popular crowded areas near roads, one will find birds that probably haven't been messed with too much.

As you know being a long time turkey hunter, there is no perfect week.  There are obviously better weeks.  Based on getting your son's friend out here and having a quality experience for the boys, I think I would opt for starting on the weekend of the 27th and 28th and hunt through that next week and weekend ending on May 4th.  That is unless you plan on spending more time.  In that case extend it somewhat on either end. 

You will see less pressure and birds will be plenty active.  Many of the hens will probably be setting by then and gobblers won't be as henned up.  Weather generally is pretty nice.  You miss the early sometimes snowfalls and daytime temps are usually warmer.  I know a guy that comes out every year from Georgia and he always chooses that time frame.  Never a problem getting birds.

Best thing you can do irregardless is get to know where you want to go.  Stevens and Ferry counties both have a lot of public lands...National Forest, WDFW, and BLM to a lesser extent along the reservoir.  There are a good number of birds from down low to higher elevations.  Most folks are hunting from the road, or not far from it.  Stay away from those areas unless you they have been vacated.

Hope that helps.  Lots of birds in the Northeast.  You'll certainly hear and see them.  Good luck.  Make sure you post of some pictures when it all said and done. 

[ChadH]

Thanks for your help Centurion. It is so helpful to visit with a "local" about the birds they hunt. It should be a fun season.

I sent you a PM with another question.

Chad

[ChadH]

Since both the boys are 15 have you considered taking a backseat and going over for the youth season opener? A lot less pressure and uneducated birds.

I'm taking my son for youth season, just the two of us (unless a friend from school wants to come, a kid who has never hunted turkeys... we'll see). His friend from Missouri is unable to come that weekend. No matter what, it is back seat city for me... which is just fine. 40 years of turkey hunting is a lot of birds, I'd rather watch them shoot any way. AND this year, there is a new rule, at least for my son, old dad isn't doing any calling. I told him he was old enough to figure out what the plan was on an given bird, for himself (hear a bird you want to go after, have at it and lead on my friend... I'll follow along). He has enough experience that he doesn't need me doing it for him (he just THINKS he does).

This is a picture of him on his FIRST turkey hunt ever. He was 3. I took him out for an afternoon hunt in Kansas and killed two nice Easterns on the same "flash set up". The biggest problem I had was we were like a mile and a half from the truck, and he got tired on the way BACK (not walking out there though). So I had almost 50 pounds of dead turkey, a gun, decoy and a 3 year old to carry part of the way back. That was a "Pack Out" for turkey season anyway...like a dang elk hunt. Now he is 15 and right at 6 foot... Maybe he can carry ME!



Anyway, I am pretty much looking forward to this hunting season big time. The kid is growing in to quite the young man.  !!!

[ChadH]

Check your inbox ChadH.

Thanks Sundance! I appreciate that. I tried to PM you but your box is full. I'll keep you posted.

[Wacenturion]

PM answered.....great picture by the way.