Author Topic: Turkey opener count down, what’s the scoop? (Read 10986 times)

ghosthunter · « **on:** April 03, 2018, 05:10:02 PM »

Well the opener is upon us. Heading to the Turkey Capital next week.

What’s the on the ground conditions?
Bird numbers?
Spread out,flocked up?

Snow conditions?

What ya got?

baldopepper · « **Reply #1 on:** April 03, 2018, 05:53:17 PM »

I had to spend the last week on the Westside but heading back to the east side Friday. As of 10 days ago, birds were still pretty much in their winter flocks with a few starting to stray a bit. Toms we’re starting to strut a fair amount but weren’t in the full mate mode yet. Flocks seemed to be in good shape and I think wintered quite well. Still a pretty good amount of snow from about 2000’ up and haven’t seen any birds up higher at all. Roads will be there normal early spring shape but no major washouts and closures like we had last year. Things can change fairly quick this time of year and I could probably give a better report after I get home this weekend. Probably run into a few youth hunters this weekend and I’ll see what they have to say. Im in the Hunters area, don’t know where you’re heading

ghosthunter · « **Reply #2 on:** April 03, 2018, 06:48:26 PM »

Heading over to Little Penn area.

Maybe driving through Hunter on the way.

Dan-o · « **Reply #3 on:** April 03, 2018, 06:51:26 PM »

I hunt a friend's land.

He texted me today that turkey sex was happening on his yard.

ghosthunter · « **Reply #4 on:** April 03, 2018, 06:54:20 PM »

cougforester · « **Reply #5 on:** April 03, 2018, 07:06:27 PM »

Turks were getting after it in the Teanaway today.

kevinlisa06 · « **Reply #6 on:** April 03, 2018, 08:56:18 PM »

Whack a Tom GH! Aim small miss small!

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emac · « **Reply #7 on:** April 03, 2018, 09:15:56 PM »

Still flocked up but strutting, gobbling and humping. The opener should be prime

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ghosthunter · « **Reply #8 on:** April 03, 2018, 09:40:46 PM »

Quote from: kevinlisa06 on April 03, 2018, 08:56:18 PM

Whack a Tom GH! Aim small miss small!

My lack of turkey hunting success is legendary. I call it turkey camping.
My buddy though last year killed the two Tom above with one shot.

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MerriamMagician · « **Reply #9 on:** April 04, 2018, 11:04:41 AM »

Weather for this weekends youth hunt looks to be wet and cold in the NE.

Yelper Guy · « **Reply #10 on:** April 04, 2018, 11:19:36 AM »

My brother and I are headed up towards Colville.
Some private land that's produced nicely over the years.
I expect some snow, hopefully not too much!

bearpaw · « **Reply #11 on:** April 04, 2018, 11:37:29 AM »

I've been scouting in the mornings, most are still flocked up, some birds are starting to break off and wander, I saw two toms this morning roaming alone. Still a lot of snow as soon as you start going up, but it's leaving fast and we are supposed to get a bunch of rain over the next several days, that will open up some more roads. Not many roads have been accessed yet.

Karl Blanchard · « **Reply #12 on:** April 04, 2018, 11:58:44 AM »

Rain doesn't bother me too bad but the wind forecast for the weekend isn't getting me too excited

Henrydog · « **Reply #13 on:** April 04, 2018, 12:17:13 PM »

Heard gobbles in Medical Lake yesterday

tlbradford · « **Reply #14 on:** April 04, 2018, 04:44:17 PM »

Quote from: emac on April 03, 2018, 09:15:56 PM

Still flocked up but strutting, gobbling and humping. The opener should be prime

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Confirming that this is what I am seeing. Excited for Saturday!

nwwanderer · « **Reply #15 on:** April 04, 2018, 06:02:56 PM »

Bachelor groups have split and things are in full swing. These guys have found hens since this picture a couple of weeks ago

tgomez · « **Reply #16 on:** April 04, 2018, 10:36:22 PM »

I see turkeys everyday in Medical Lake, WA where I work as a Juvenile Corrections Officer. The gobblers were hanging in a large group of about 20-25, now they are split in groups of 2-3 Toms. They are strutting and a small amount of breeding going on as well. I haven't seen any Toms fighting yet, though I have seen a few chase others off. These birds are not ever hunted but are wild birds. It's located right by Eastern State Hospital. I guarantee you some of these birds would be damn close to state records in size.

MerriamMagician · « **Reply #17 on:** April 05, 2018, 01:09:52 PM »

Quote from: nwwanderer on April 04, 2018, 06:02:56 PM

Bachelor groups have split and things are in full swing. These guys have found hens since this picture a couple of weeks ago

Cool pic nwwanderer! Love seeing those red heads and pretty colors combined together.

bearpaw · « **Reply #18 on:** April 05, 2018, 02:08:22 PM »

Quite a few of the bigger flocks are breaking into smaller flocks and I'm seeing lone toms and twos and threes out looking for love, they are starting to cover more ground now.

Cab · « **Reply #19 on:** April 06, 2018, 09:07:30 AM »

I've seen them in a winter groups still about 2 weeks ago so I'm glad to hear others are starting to see them splitting up. sounds like the opener is going to be great timing this year!

buckcanyonlodge · « **Reply #20 on:** April 06, 2018, 09:47:09 AM »

From 2 days ago. There were 12 gobblers in the flock and now there are only 7 . Splitting for sure.

Henrydog · « **Reply #21 on:** April 06, 2018, 10:11:56 AM »

2 days ago downtown Spokane between the river and WSU/EWU building big Tom strutting down the sidewalk....not kidding. All by himself, I think he was seeing his reflection in the glass of the buildings because he was a strutting fool. No need for the coasties to head to Stevens Co, they can stay and the Davenport walk down a few blocks after brunch and get a long beard

nwwanderer · « **Reply #22 on:** April 06, 2018, 11:11:32 AM »

Watch your little ones, those town birds are a problem

baldopepper · « **Reply #23 on:** April 07, 2018, 12:24:33 PM »

Well, youth hunt around here is pretty much a bust. Cold, heavy rain and the birds didn’t even come off the roost till nearly 7:00 am. Not a fun day to be out in the woods. Took a drive around and saw a fair amount of birds, but frankly most were still in large groups not looking very happy. Saw one bunch of at least 50, all hens. Saw a few splinter groups but they’re a ways away from completely breaking away from their winter groups. Didn’t really try calling but got very little response from the usual honk on the truck horn. Think we need a few sunny days to get them going. Still patchy snow uphigher and actually hit a snow squall when I went up. Side roads are very nasty today and the off/on rain forecast for the week not sure they’ll improve much for the opener. Kinda think I might wait at least another week to drive over and hunt in the NE as the weather forecast at this time doesn’t look all that great for things to improve.

PA BEN · « **Reply #24 on:** April 07, 2018, 01:59:02 PM »

If the weather breaks get your kids out there.

bearpaw · « **Reply #25 on:** April 07, 2018, 02:09:53 PM »

We hunted in the rain this morning, birds were pretty quiet but I called in some toms that gobbled a few times. The rain finally stopped, I think the evening hunt will be more enjoyable and birds should be more vocal this evening. Tomorrow is supposed to be a nicer day.

Stein · « **Reply #26 on:** April 07, 2018, 02:50:47 PM »

We got into them at daybreak but gave us the slip and never relocated them. Back on the main gravel road on our way out we almost ran over a flock.

We’ll try again tonight as soon as we get the clothes dry.

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buckcanyonlodge · « **Reply #27 on:** April 07, 2018, 06:15:27 PM »

Here are a couple from this morning. They attacked the tom decoy until we did the 1...2...3...shoot!! Pretty happy sons & dads

kevinlisa06 · « **Reply #28 on:** April 07, 2018, 06:36:44 PM »

Nice job kids! That’s what it’s all about right there!

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Jrtishchuk · « **Reply #29 on:** April 07, 2018, 07:40:59 PM »

Nice work. Congrats!👍

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ghosthunter · « **Reply #30 on:** April 07, 2018, 08:00:00 PM »

Excellent

PA BEN · « **Reply #31 on:** April 08, 2018, 07:53:42 AM »

Should be a good day of hunting today. Clearing up and the toms were gobbling their heads off this morning.

E35alex · « **Reply #32 on:** April 08, 2018, 10:03:11 AM »

Congrats on the great looking birds! And good luck to those not yet tagged out!

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nitroelk · « **Reply #33 on:** April 09, 2018, 06:40:17 AM »

nice birds, cant wait to get out there. Any ticks?

jstone · « **Reply #34 on:** April 09, 2018, 12:47:47 PM »

Anyone seeing turkeys up in the clockum area?

tritt007 · « **Reply #35 on:** April 09, 2018, 03:44:13 PM »

Is it just me or does Turkey season usually open on Saturday ?

bowhunterforever · « **Reply #36 on:** April 09, 2018, 03:53:43 PM »

Quote from: tritt007 on April 09, 2018, 03:44:13 PM

Is it just me or does Turkey season usually open on Saturday ?

It always opens on the 15th doesn't matter what day it falls on

birdmanwa · « **Reply #37 on:** April 09, 2018, 05:16:56 PM »

Is there any reason why it's always the 15th? Seems like starting it on the 14th would benefit a lot of people.

bearpaw · « **Reply #38 on:** April 09, 2018, 05:26:45 PM »

Quote from: birdmanwa on April 09, 2018, 05:16:56 PM

Is there any reason why it's always the 15th? Seems like starting it on the 14th would benefit a lot of people.

Remember, the calendar days change each year, next year it would have to be the 13th to open on a Saturday, each year it would have to change. I think it's simpler to have fixed dates.

kevinlisa06 · « **Reply #39 on:** April 09, 2018, 06:16:31 PM »

Fixed day is perfect since you get a month and a half to hunt. When I used to hunt the NE corner my favorite years were when the season opens in the middle of the week, a lot less people.

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birdmanwa · « **Reply #40 on:** April 09, 2018, 07:23:24 PM »

Quote from: bearpaw on April 09, 2018, 05:26:45 PM

Quote from: birdmanwa on April 09, 2018, 05:16:56 PM
Is there any reason why it's always the 15th? Seems like starting it on the 14th would benefit a lot of people.

Remember, the calendar days change each year, next year it would have to be the 13th to open on a Saturday, each year it would have to change. I think it's simpler to have fixed dates.

I get that. I'm just curious if there is any science or anything behind April 15th opener? Does it help with making sure hens are breeding with tons beforehand? I'd rather it open earlier and close earlier just my .02.

bearpaw · « **Reply #41 on:** April 10, 2018, 05:25:55 AM »

Quote from: birdmanwa on April 09, 2018, 07:23:24 PM

Quote from: bearpaw on April 09, 2018, 05:26:45 PM
Quote from: birdmanwa on April 09, 2018, 05:16:56 PM
Is there any reason why it's always the 15th? Seems like starting it on the 14th would benefit a lot of people.

Remember, the calendar days change each year, next year it would have to be the 13th to open on a Saturday, each year it would have to change. I think it's simpler to have fixed dates.

I get that. I'm just curious if there is any science or anything behind April 15th opener? Does it help with making sure hens are breeding with tons beforehand? I'd rather it open earlier and close earlier just my .02.

I don't know WDFW's specific reasoning. I can tell you that a lot of the birds in the NE group up on private land in the valleys in big flocks all winter, especially where landowners feed them or where they are sustained by cattle feeding operations. Some years most of the birds are still mostly on private land any earlier, just in the last week birds have began roaming a lot more and I'm increasingly seeing them on public land areas. Additionally many areas are not accessible until snow melts and mud firms up, there are many areas I have not been able to get into scouting yet. I would not be surprised if land agencies are concerned about road damage even with season opening on the 15th. As you mentioned I also think it might be so birds have a little time to court before being hunted.

nwwanderer · « **Reply #42 on:** April 10, 2018, 07:25:54 AM »

Long season, look low, high later. Chains are a pain and might cause more damage than the birds already do.

kevinlisa06 · « **Reply #43 on:** April 23, 2018, 06:35:03 PM »

How’d ya guys do GH?

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ghosthunter · « **Reply #44 on:** April 23, 2018, 07:43:58 PM »

Quote from: kevinlisa06 on April 23, 2018, 06:35:03 PM

How’d ya guys do GH?

My buddy killed one after climbing two ridges and staking a bird with 11 hens. He would gobble but not leave the hens.
It rained the first three days.
I got a glimpse on a Tom but no shot.
Called another into about 60yards on a tree line with a pot call. He came in silent.

Heard of about 12 taken out of folks that where camped around us.

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kevinlisa06 · « **Reply #45 on:** April 23, 2018, 08:40:55 PM »

Quote from: ghosthunter on April 23, 2018, 07:43:58 PM

Quote from: kevinlisa06 on April 23, 2018, 06:35:03 PM
How’d ya guys do GH?

My buddy killed one after climbing two ridges and staking a bird with 11 hens. He would gobble but not leave the hens.
It rained the first three days.
I got a glimpse on a Tom but no shot.
Called another into about 60yards on a tree line with a pot call. He came in silent.

Heard of about 12 taken out of folks that where camped around us.

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Sounds like a good hunt. Yeah my dad said it was pretty wet over in the NE corner. He’s heading home tomorrow finally. He took 1 Tom and 3 of his youth hunters tagged birds all together they got 4 birds.
Congratulations to your buddy on getting a bird. Keep at it!

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