Okanagon vs. Kittitas County

[ks]

Looking to get out for Turkey sometime soon. Looking at going to either in Okanagon County (Colville or Okanagon Nat. Forests) or Kittitas County (probably Colockum Wildlife Area). Not sure how which to decide and could use some help.

My criteria are:
- Drive time: I am coming from Western Washington, so Kittitas is WAY closer for me. This makes it much more appealing due to the 6+ hour drive it takes for me to get to Okanagon. However, as I am new to turkey hunting, it seems like my chances of bagging one are higher in Okanagon.
- Turkey population: Like I said, I am new to Turkey, so it'd be nice to have more chances.
- How likely I'll see other hunters and hikers: I am willing to hike pretty far in to avoid people. So the more remote, the better.

I did do some scouting 2 weeks ago in Okanagon. However, I found no sign of Turkeys until I was on the highway driving home! Which definitely increases my desire to stay a bit closer. But I was probably just doing a bad job at scouting since I know that corner of the state has large turkey populations (like I said, I am new to this).

Thanks for any pointers you can give me.

EDIT: I should probably clarify that the area I was scouting was a short drive east of Republic.

[Dan-o]

WAYYYYYYY more birds in the NE corner....

I make the drive.

Check out the harvest stats in the turkey regs.  That should help you decide.

[TheStovePipeKid]

I drive 7 hours for birds in the NE corner. Been doing it for years. I always tell new hunters to go where the birds are when starting out. You can run around the rest of the state when you have a few season under your belt, otherwise you really won't know what you are looking for. Shoot a PM to @Russ McDonald for some pointers and read the latest two pages of this section. Also, if finances allow, consider a guided hunt to get you going in the right direction. You will learn alot from the guides and have a great  time. A very active member of the forum is a site sponsor also and is located in Colville. I won't mention him by name this time or people will start to think I'm on his payroll.

[Skyvalhunter]

Welcome to the site please introduce yourself

[Russ McDonald]

I would echo going to Republic or further east for sure.  Don't get me wrong there are brids around Cle Elum, Liberty, Leavenworth or even Chelan but they mainly hangout on private property.  Guides are another good way to go to learn things.  Bearpaw Outfitters, owner of the forum, and YJ Guide Services.  Lots of members have used both of these guides.  I would love to say I am doing another turkey hunting clinic but it is time to take people out hunting for me.

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[boneaddict]

Well I learned to turkey hunt in Okanogan county so I guess its possible.  Way fewer birds than what I have seen in the NE corner.  As for Kittitas, thats more of a local hunt. Id really hate to be going in green there.

[WaltAlpine]

I tagged out on the morning of my first hunt just outside of republic. And saw other birds that same day.
But I have seen waaaaay more turkeys in the north east corner of the state than I ever saw in republic.
Voraciously read this turkey board and you will find the best advice.


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[kevinlisa06]

Head to the NE corner and hunt a few years and get a few birds under your belt. Learn how the birds act and what they like get better with your calling before you start hunting areas with an 1/8th of the birds is my opinion. Get your confidence up by calling in some birds and connecting.


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