Turkey Hunting/ Spokane area

[Watz_Hunt]

I was wondering if there was any public land for turkey hunting over in spokane area. I would have access to Fairchild to stay on the base for room and I have heard that turkey hunting on the East side of the state was better then the west where I live. Info would be great thanks all.

[bowhuntin]

North of spokane up near chewelah and colville there is lots of public land. It wouldn't be to long of a drive either I don't think.

[Watz_Hunt]

I was kinda looking at colville and kettle falls area since its only about 1.5 hrs north of spokane. What are some of the public lands called? any help there?

[SpokaneSlayer]

Kettle Falls has the Sherman Creek Wildlife Area and Colville N.F.  Colville is also N.F. wich includes the Little Pend Oreille Wildlife Refuge.  Killed my first turkey there. 

[bowhuntin]

I was kinda looking at colville and kettle falls area since its only about 1.5 hrs north of spokane. What are some of the public lands called? any help there?

You can pick up a map in town at the ranger station in colville that is on the main street through town. I think it cost about 10 dollars. Maybe try calling them and see if you can buy one from them and have them send it to you so you have a better idea of where you want to go before you head over to hunt.

[Watz_Hunt]

Thanks guys... So does this area get pretty packed with hunters and hit pretty hard or what?

[bowhuntin]

The first weekend or too might be crowded but after that it should not be to bad for hunting pressure. I am avoiding opening weekend this year because of past experience of getting bad weather. Last couple of times I went opening weekend it snowed on me and rained. They will gobble better when it starts to warm up.

[Watz_Hunt]

you go to those areas bowhuntin?

[bowhuntin]

Yeah, I have hunted up there a couple times with no luck yet. But there are lots of birds around.

[Watz_Hunt]

you bow hunt or use gun for turkey? Im new to hunting period so I'm always looking for extra info or someone to meet up with to learn from. I have a bow and shotgun so turkey is my primary target right now.

[bowhuntin]

you bow hunt or use gun for turkey? Im new to hunting period so I'm always looking for extra info or someone to meet up with to learn from. I have a bow and shotgun so turkey is my primary target right now.

I use a shotgun. I am a novice turkey hunter myself and have a lot to learn. Find out the basics you need to know like where turkeys tend to be during the spring, what they eat, what type of sign to look for etc. You can do a lot of scouting from maps to find likely areas that might hold turkey just like any other species. Have you checked out any other websites on turkey hunting such as NWTF?

Here are some sites with good info....

http://www.tacomanwtf.org/

This one is to their forum where you can find some good info or ask lots of questions.

http://www.tacomanwtf.org/forums/

[Gutpile]

I saw a group of 9 Toms out at Fishtrap back in the winter of 07-08. Not sure if they come and go but they were there.

[SpokaneSlayer]

I saw a group of 9 Toms out at Fishtrap back in the winter of 07-08. Not sure if they come and go but they were there.

I think they come off of Miller Ranch.  I know they do guided turkey hunts there.

[Watz_Hunt]

what and where is fish trap? i need all the help i can get since i have never hunted period.

[SpokaneSlayer]

what and where is fish trap? i need all the help i can get since i have never hunted period.

Fishtrap is a piece of BLM just off I-90.  Google it and you should find info on it.

[Gutpile]

West of spokane 20 miles or so. Take the fishtrap exit. Go a mile or so, hang a left at the fishtrap sign. Follow that road and you'll see a parking area on the right and another road to the left that goes to a parking area. If I were to hunt turkeys there I'd probably hit the timbered areas. Don't go there thinking they'll definately be waiting. I have no idea if they were passing through or if they stay there. Anyways, it's close enough to investigate.

[Watz_Hunt]

Fishtrap is a piece of BLM just off I-90.  Google it and you should find info on it.
[/quote]

ok if this tells you how much a noobie i am then i dont knwo what will. whats BLM..... im horrible with the acronyms.

[300UltraMagShooter]

BUREAU of land management

[Gutpile]

Or you can go to the WDFW website and look up the fishtrap pheasant release site. Same place.

[SpokaneSlayer]

http://www.blm.gov/or/resources/recreation/site_info.php?siteid=272

[Watz_Hunt]

wow you guys are great help. Im really looking forward to getting out and hunting something. anyone that is willing to take a noob let me know. 

[SpokaneSlayer]

When are you planning on coming out?  I'm stationed at Fairchild.

[shorthair-on-point]

I think you will be better off spending your time looking north of Spokane. There are a ton of birds and public land. Fishtrap would be a long shot. It would take some luck for sure.

[Watz_Hunt]

Seems like there are a couple guys that are going to help me tackle this feat out in Spokane area. Not sure when im going to make it out that way but i am definetly going to give it a whorl. I cant wait for this chance to get out and hunt. Anyone have some tips for my first ever hunt?  lol I got camo, bow and arrows (no broadheads yet), a 16 g shotgun need to find a turkey load though. thats about the extent of what i got. suggestions as to what i need to pick up before season as well?

[Gutpile]

I think you will be better off spending your time looking north of Spokane. There are a ton of birds and public land. Fishtrap would be a long shot. It would take some luck for sure.

Now that I see where your from which I didn't notice before, I totally agree. Fishtrap would be a very very long shot. I think that'd be a huge waste of time. Colville Nat Forest is loaded with them. Look around colville and chewela. Not sure if that fits your "close to Spokane" question but considering how far you'll have to come that's where I'd recommend.

I'd be doing you a huge disservice if I sent you to fishtrap if you came all the way from the coast.

[Watz_Hunt]

hey i dont even know where to begin to look for places to hunt not sure how the websites work on finding the public area. esp the "go hunt" deal that confuses the schit out of me.  anyway finding some place to start is what im looking for besides my brother is in Spokane thats why i decided to choose that area.

[bowhuntin]

hey i dont even know where to begin to look for places to hunt not sure how the websites work on finding the public area. esp the "go hunt" deal that confuses the schit out of me.  anyway finding some place to start is what im looking for besides my brother is in Spokane thats why i decided to choose that area.

Watz_Hunt have you tried calling the Colville National Forest District and seeing about getting a map of the Public land around there? It will cost you ten or some odd dollars. I am sure they can mail it to you. Here is there address and phone number. Combine that with an Atlas and you should be able to find plenty of public land no problem.

Colville National Forest
765 South Main Street
Colville, WA 99114
   

Phone:
(509) 684-7000


Here is the website for that district also.

http://www.fs.fed.us/r6/colville/index.shtml

Here are the hunting statistics for the most current year on turkeys. Might help you decide which GMU you want to try hunting in.

http://wdfw.wa.gov/wlm/game/harvest/2007/db/turkey_pmu10.php