Kettle Falls Youth Update

[skagit]

I am taking my son over to Kettle Falls for the youth hunt this weekend and would love an update on how the birds are behaving.  My guess is that they still think it is winter and they are in big flocks down low.  Updates?

[baldopepper]

I'm about 25 miles south of Kettle Falls.  Birds are still mostly in their lrg winter groups with a few starting to break off a bit.  Watched some toms chasing hens a bit, but overall hens didn't seem very interested.  Lot of noise in the mornings but not hearing much after that.  I usually don't try calling much now, but did in a couple of places where I knew there were birds and got no response back.  Havent been up high looking (in fact doing most of the looking off my back deck or the roads within a couple miles of the house) but suspect they really haven't moved up much yet.  As you can well guess, side roads are in terrible condition and looking at the Sherman pass camera on DOT there's still over 4' of snow up there.  Seems a lot of birds made it thru the winter but most around me are still congregated around the various feed lots and open slopes down lower. Judging from the condition of the deer, I suspect they're pretty skinny.  Good luck with your son, hope you have a good hunt!!

[skagit]

Thanks for the info.  The weather got nice and we called in a lone Tom that my son successfully shot.  It was a great hunt.  For the most part, the birds were definately in big flocks, 25+.  But they are gobbling like crazy and starting to break off a bit.

[skagit]

First Bird!

[Gobble Doc]

That is a really nice bird. Congratulation. Getting the first one can be a challenge. 

[Mark251]

Nice 

[tlbradford]

Great bird.  Is that a double beard?  Congrats on getting one in front of him and a successful hunt.   

[HUNTINCOUPLE]

Real good one!

[Machias]

Awesome, congrats!  How about a little bit of how the hunt went!

[skagit]

Thanks.  Single beard on the Tom, decent length.  I was surprised at the weight of the bird, 24# minus the guts. The hunt was great.  Called in the bird from across the road by calling way up on a hillside, we were able to watch him come at our decoys and then turn and go up to the top of the hill to strut.  Spent about 2 hours calling and stalking our way within 40 yards.  Couldnt get him to show himself and we finally snuck up, my son popped his head up and he was 15 yards from us, he nailed it right in the head, tight pattern   Definately one of the best turkey hunts I have had and to see my son get it was amazing!

[bearpaw]

Awesome. love to see parents who take their kids hunting. 

[bowhunterforever]

Awesome, nice job

[WaltAlpine]