Youth Hunt

[skagit]

I am considering taking my 11 year old son on this year's youth hunt.  He hunted with me last year and was a real trooper, got close but didn't connect.  The youth hunt is April 7 and 8th.

I have always hunted closer to May and I am wondering how much the colder weather effects their behavior.  It seems like in the last few years, early April is practically winter conditions. How have other folks done during past year's youth hunts?  Are the birds very vocal?  Are they generally all bunched up still?

[Fishnfowler]

The dozen toms in my backyard are gobbling already.  By April they will be gobbling like fools, but will be stuck tight to a flock of hens.  To score during the youth season, patterning the birds is key.  If you can place yourself in the path of the flock or be near the fly-down site, it will be much easier.  Pulling anything but a Jake away from the flock will be nearly impossible.  The trick is to find a flock of birds on public land that nobody else is hunting.  Good luck with that. 

[Limhangerslayer]

Not true on only getting jakes in, subornant  toms are very willing to come in that time of year. The tom I called in for my buddies boy last year was one of  three longbeards with a flock of twenty plus hens.  Depending on where your spot you go is it may or may not produce for the youth season.  What is the elevation where you hunt?

[skagit]

We usually hunt around the 1,800 ft in the NE corner of the state.  Although i was toying with the idea of the Ellensburg area for the youth hunt.  The problem there is i think most of the higher FS roads will still have snow.

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[Gobble Doc]

I've done the youth hunt the past few years with my son.  We will try again this year.  My experience is that the weather can definitely throw a wrench into things.  We scouted for 2 days hard before the youth hunt and put ourselves in what I thought was a great place.  Friday night rolled around and it started to rain and by Saturday it was pouring and there wasn't a bird to be seen.  It was a lesson for us to say flexible and move if necessary. 

[Limhangerslayer]

Weather can be a big factor.  Birds were very vocal last year for us.  Year prior was difficult, he still shot at three birds.  If it snows and they are quiet tracking them can work.   There should be birds at 1800' during the youth.  Remember to check the south slopes.

[skagit]

Thanks for all the info.  I am pretty sure we will give it a go for the youth hunt.  I'll just have to watch the weather close and hopefully there will be some reports of bird activity on the forum as we get closer.   

I sure wish they allowed more than two days,  its quite a drive for two days of hunting.  During the general season, i like to head over for at least 5.  My plan is to head over two days early, scout around and ask for permission to hunt some private areas.

Let the count down begin.   Gobble...gobble.

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