So I started my season in the SE corner. It was great, birds were active and plentiful. I had a nice flock behind my campsite including 6 toms. They ignored my setup on opening day but on Tuesday I was able to get all 6 toms to come over and give my DSD jake a fierce beating. Wings flappin, legs scratchin, pecking and fighting purrs! It was awesome. I was in my ground blind and intended to get one with my bow but in all the exitement I blundered my shots. I sailed my arrows over the back of my chosen tom. However being in the ground blind I was able to have my shotgun there as well. Eventually the 2 big toms ran off the other 4 and began to have their way with my decoys. I shoulda waited with my bow and would have had much better shots at this point. Instead I sealed the deal with my 870. I had a great time in the SE, I saw plenty of elk, deer and other game. The weather was typical for an opener, wind, rain, snow and sun.
After tagging a Rio I headed up to Kettle Falls to continue my week and try to get a Merriams. The hunting was a complete 180. All my usual spots from the river to the hilltops were devoid of birds and sign. I saw more wolf, cougar and coyote scat than I did from turkeys. I branched out and hunted some other areas around Colville and Chewelah and was met with the same results. No birds and very little sign. I did not have a single response to any of my calling, whether lo cater or turkey calls. I did not hear any birds sounding off from the roost at first light either. I only heard 1 faint gobble on Tueday evening and was unable to pinpoint its location. The weather wasn't terrible in the NE but it deteriorated on Thursday night through Friday morning. I slept in and casually checked out a few spots on my way home to no avail. All in all it was a fun week with mixed results. Glad I had some action and a bit frustrated with my other spots but I guess thats huntin. If it was easy it wouldn't be much fun. Good luck the rest of the season all! I may make it out again, not sure yet.
