Scouting and locating turkeys

[boneill]

This will be my first season hunting gobblers in WA. I've hunted Easterns for about 5 years  back in MN and had some success. I had tons of private land to hunt around there, but that isn't the case in WA...so I'm just wondering if anyone has any info. I'm hunting in western Klickitat County, between the White Salmon and Klickitat River?

-I ran into a flock of turkeys multiple times last fall during deer and elk season. I went back the other day to look for any turkey sign, but didn't find much. I'm curious if birds will move out of higher elevation (2500') during the winter and not come back til summer, or will they stay put and endure a little snow?

-I'm scouting areas where I deer and elk hunted that looked like they could have some turkeys on them, but nothing looks bomber. I'm used to having agricultural fields like alfalfa and more open prairies to hunt in. Around here it seems like dense forest or clear cut. I've found a few very small natural meadows, but I'm curious what kind of areas folks around here scout/hunt (edges, ridges, high flat spots, valleys, reprod, specific elevation, near creek drainages, etc)

Any other relevant advice is appreciated!

Thanks.

[turkeydancer]

First suggestion is to look thru past posts where there is a lot of info on areas all around the state.  You might even PM or e-mail Klickitat Guide service for info he may want to share (he's doing some turkey hunting clinics at Cabelas in Lacey this weekend as I am at Cabelas in Tulalip.  Also call the regional game department in that area and they will usually provide enough info to get you in areas that hold turkey ... especially if they have been getting any complaints.  I have some general info I'll PM you, but it's about 15 years old.

All the subspecies use both forest and farm lands.  During the winter the turkeys come to lower elevations, but will follow the snow line back up in the spring.  I've seen turkeys in 6 inches of snow in the spring, and 18 inches in late fall (they weren't happy about it either I think  ).   Usually turkeys are a bit water dependent ... easterns more dependent than merriams who are more dependent than Rios.  I usually start looking around creek drainages and look for forest openings (even small ones) where they can see no predators are lurking when they flydown and meet up for the morning rituals .... especially those with larger trees with more open horizontal limbs where they usually roost.  After feeding and breeding when the hens drift away, he will most likely go to higher areas (unless its windy then go to lower protected areas) where he can be seen and heard to attract more hens ... usually these can be open skid or forest roads or more open forest where he can use his eyesight and hearing to feel safe why he goes about his turkey business.  So basically I start in the drainages and work up and around to learn as much as I can about this roost, feeding, breeding, strutting, and other areas he will be during different parts of the day. I also learn about any impediments to him coming to me when called .... ditto on how to move unseen thru the terrain to get to where he is going next if I miss him at one of his other spots.  Hope this helps .... pm sent.

[tonymiller7]

Be sure not to use turkey sounds when scouting, use locator calls to try to locate gobblers.  Turkeys can become call shy before the season even starts.

[turkeyfeather]

First you have to think "if I was a turkey where would I go"?  And then do the opposite of that. 

[dmv9]

What is a locator call? Is it a crow call? I found this list of calls: http://www.nwtf.org/all_about_turkeys/calling_tips.html

[turkeyfeather]

A locator is a call that does not make a "turkey sound", but is still get the toms to gobble and give away their position. So a crow, peacock, hawk, coyote, slamming truck door, crushing pop can, etc. All those things work as locators.

[tonymiller7]

What is a locator call? Is it a crow call? I found this list of calls: http://www.nwtf.org/all_about_turkeys/calling_tips.html

I use crow and owl calls

[Limhangerslayer]

 Come the opener there will be birds in that area above 2500  feet   be prepared to walk and also have some company.

[boneill]

I was told to expect some company during deer/elk, but really never saw anyone...I was walking in a couple miles and that seemed to do the trick. I'm hoping it will be the same for turkey...

[270Shooter]

There's turkeys all over that area, just have to find them, I'm sure they will be at the elevation soon if there's no snow.

[boneill]

Thanks for the input guys. yup, definitely still turkeys there. Found where they've been hanging out and set up a couple cameras yesterday...very anxious to see what's there! Hoping I can out-walk/bike all the other hunters like I did during deer and elk!

[BOWHUNTER45]

I just drive down the road at dusk and SLAM MY CAR DOOR .....Gobble Gobble Gobble   

[Wacenturion]

I just drive down the road at dusk and SLAM MY CAR DOOR .....Gobble Gobble Gobble   

Took the words right out of my mouth.  Only trick is to get lucky in your early morning noise making survey and hear some on public accessible land.  Did that exact thing in Klickitat years ago, and think I only had one or two stops without gobbles out of 10 or so.

[dmv9]

"portable" train whistle?

[turkeydancer]

"portable" train whistle?

Wooden ones found in some toy stores. 

[Elkhair]

About 5 years ago I was trying to locate birds in Collville. I tried owl first light, then crow and peacock. Heard nothing.
  There was a pretty decent creek in the area and a Mallard hen started hailing and the whole damn woods lit up with gobbles.
   I have now found another use for my favorite duck call. a few lonesome hens seems to work the best. and when all else fails the Highball works pretty good too.

[kevinlisa06]

Goose call works great as well


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[Jester052]

I've heard of train whistles working

[turkeyfeather]

I love my really loud coyote call. If you blow it just right it sounds like bigfoot  caught in a trap    It's a gawd aweful racket but works every time.