Big news for west side and the NWTF

[Russ McDonald]

For year there has only been one chapter for the west side of the state.  We are going to split the single chapter into 2 chapters.  One for the North Puget Sound and one for the South Puget Sound.  If you interested in learning more I can put you in contact with the north side person and I am the contact for the south.  If you not at least a member and hunt turkeys you should really look into becoming a member.  Let me give you some numbers.  2018 we had 14,000 turkey tags sold. I know a lot of those are multiple tags but still that is a lot of turkey tags sold. Total amount of NWTF members in the state of WA is just under 600.  We have about 300 of those members on the west side. 

[jackelope]

@Russ McDonald 
How do we sign up?

[Russ McDonald]

@Russ McDonald 
How do we sign up?

Thanks for asking here is the link https://your.nwtf.org/membership/step1.php It is only $35.00 per year and you could get a $25 Bass Pro gift card.  Also select your local chapter.  Right now the west side only has Lake Washington Longbeards listed.  That should change in the next couple months.  20% of money comes back directly to the state chapter where we get to decide how we want to use it.  We have funded burns, spraying and damage restoration.  We have also provided funding for nuisance issues.  Like wiring fencing for hay barns and wheat hay bails to pull turkeys away from where they are being a nuisance.  Some of the criteria to get funding is that the land must be available to hunters whether it is through permission to hunt or other programs. 

[jackelope]

Thanks Russ. I just joined.

[ljsommer]

Thanks for the post, happy to join, but this is the first I've heard of turkeys on the west side. Where are there turkeys on the west side?

[STIKNSTRINGBOW]

Thanks for the post, happy to join, but this is the first I've heard of turkeys on the west side. Where are there turkeys on the west side?

Shhh...
Members only...

[ljsommer]

Just joined!

[Russ McDonald]

Thanks for the post, happy to join, but this is the first I've heard of turkeys on the west side. Where are there turkeys on the west side?

There are turkeys in the south west part of the state just not that many.  Guesstimation is around 250 easterns.  Mostly Clark, Cowlitz and Thurston counties.

[ljsommer]

Thanks for the post, happy to join, but this is the first I've heard of turkeys on the west side. Where are there turkeys on the west side?

There are turkeys in the south west part of the state just not that many.  Guesstimation is around 250 easterns.  Mostly Clark, Cowlitz and Thurston counties.

Wait, 250 total turkeys?

[Russ McDonald]

Thanks for the post, happy to join, but this is the first I've heard of turkeys on the west side. Where are there turkeys on the west side?

There are turkeys in the south west part of the state just not that many.  Guesstimation is around 250 easterns.  Mostly Clark, Cowlitz and Thurston counties.

Wait, 250 total turkeys?

In the SW part of this state not total in the whole state.

[ljsommer]

Thanks for the post, happy to join, but this is the first I've heard of turkeys on the west side. Where are there turkeys on the west side?

There are turkeys in the south west part of the state just not that many.  Guesstimation is around 250 easterns.  Mostly Clark, Cowlitz and Thurston counties.

Wait, 250 total turkeys?

In the SW part of this state not total in the whole state.

What can I do to help grow those turkey numbers? I have never turkey hunted but I am going out for the first time this season, and I live on the West side, so anything I can do to help the turkey populations over here sounds like a win for everybody.

[Stein]

I think joining NWTF and going to the meetings will get you pointed in the right direction.  There are associations located outside of the animal's home range, I bet RMEF has members in all 50 states, it's just a bunch of people with a similar interest even if that interest requires driving over a pass to get to.

[Russ McDonald]

I think joining NWTF and going to the meetings will get you pointed in the right direction.  There are associations located outside of the animal's home range, I bet RMEF has members in all 50 states, it's just a bunch of people with a similar interest even if that interest requires driving over a pass to get to.

Couldn't have said it better.  I can tell you that it is hard to grow that population on this side of the state.  Habitat is not at the best for hatches to survive.  Birds are strong and they will survive but you need the hatches to help things grow.  Also if we have a stronger voice as a group for turkeys, which believe me I am.  I am not just the president for the local chapter here I am also the state chapter president.  We need to convince  the state to allow us to start the traps and relocate program again.  Revise the turkey plan that has been expired for over 10 years.  This has been a number one thing for me in this state since becoming the state chapter president 2 years ago.  Look for us on Facebook, if you do that, under Lake Washington NWTF.  When we do the split of the chapter the new chapter names and contacts will also be posted there.  Turkeys are not native to this state so we kind of get put on the back burner but 14K turkey tags is a pretty big revenue.

[Russ McDonald]

So it is official.  Lake Washington Longbeards chapter will be splitting.  There will now be 2 chapter on the west side.  One South Sound and one will be North Sound.  If anyone is interested in helping out PM me

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