Best time for spring gobblers in eastern Washington

[Lcarey1985]

When is the best time to head out for spring gobblers? Is it opening weekend? Mid-season? Or the tail end? Just curious on everyone's opinion. I know the turkeys are thick over there and are considered pests to most. But the wife really wants to tag out on a long beard. Got the gear. The calls. Decoys. The property. Just any pointers or tactics would be much appreciated. Thanks in advance.

[MADMAX]

I like the opener
 

have fun

[Brushbuster]

I concur. Based on my experience,I think the opener is the best & then the 2nd week of May. Weather is also an important consideration.  Having access to private will be a big plus if there are turkeys there.

Good Hunting!

[HUNTINCOUPLE]

I concur. Based on my experience,I think the opener is the best & then the 2nd week of May. Weather is also an important consideration.  Having access to private will be a big plus if there are turkeys there.

Good Hunting!

 

[DOUBLELUNG]

Go when you can!  Most years the harvest rate is pretty steady throughout the season.

[kevinlisa06]

I love hunting the opener lots of birds. This year we are holding off until May the area we are heading to doesn't open up until then.

[bobdog86]

Opener if possible, but my favorite is first two weeks of May. Heck I guess any time is a good time. I just like a few less people, birds can be trickier, but at the same time easier if they are looking.  Some times too early in the season can be just as tricky..

[Gobble Doc]

Take a kid on youth weekend! It's more fun to see a kid get a bird than to get one yourself.

[Yelper Guy]

The opener, or close to it if possible. The birds haven't been pressured much yet, and haven't heard every call under the sun. Later in the season you can still bag one, but by mid May they will have heard/ seen /  schooled more than one hunter.

[Gobble Doc]

The opener, or close to it if possible. The birds haven't been pressured much yet, and haven't heard every call under the sun. Later in the season you can still bag one, but by mid May they will have heard/ seen /  schooled more than one hunter.

This is true. By mid-May last year it was very quiet on the public property that I was hunting. I managed to get my bird but he never made a sound. For me later in the season is psychologically tougher as you have to have faith that there are birds still around.

I wish my schedule was going to allow me to go on the opener but it isn't going to happen this year.

[dan11011]

Yea I've shot my biggest birds on or right around the opener. Doesn't mean you can't shoot ol longbeard in May but, but I feel the beginning of the season is as good of a time as any here in Eastern Washington.

[PA BEN]

With a light snow pack the breeding starts now. I still have 18 inches of snow. Breeding going to be late this year. Opening week should be good this year, the last few years the Toms were all henned up by opening day.

[CraigK]

Really, anytime you can get out and turkey hunt during the season is a good time to go.  Your strategy has to adapt to each part of the season.  In the early season toms will be with hens and they will probably be pretty henned up until mid-late morning when they go to lay eggs.  Toms will be fighting for dominance so using a jake or strutting tom might be useful.  As the season progresses, the toms having been beaten up all season will become more wary of fighting and hens will be sitting on eggs leaving those toms all alone with no love.  So a lone hen decoy along with some skillful calling may do the trick.  You just have to adjust to the season.

[PA BEN]

First morning to wake up to gobbles this spring, still tons of snow on the ground. I'm starting to see more hens but no strutters yet.
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