1st year turkey hunting.

[kweedon]

I am taking a shot at turkey hunting this year for the first time ever. I have never even known people, until recently, that turkey hunt. I read a book and am planning on scouting some areas in March. Anyone got some tips for me to be successful?

Also, I'm planning on using my Remington 1100 mag. I read a couple places that they aren't good Turkey guns. Is this true?

Any feedback is appreciated.

[TheStovePipeKid]

My first advice is to start on the first page and go backwards until you've read through the titles of all the turkey forum posts. I've done it twice thus far. You won't have to read all the posts, but many will catch your eye and answer alot of your questions. You can get that done before spring. Scouting is good and you'll find alot of great info. The board comes alive after all the deer and elk have been shot, so you'll see alot more posts come spring. Post up the book title so we know where you are at info wise. As far as the shotgun, I use a single shot break barrel and can get a follow up shot just a hair slower than a pump. As far as I know the only bad shotgun for turkey hunting is an empty one. Good luck and it's great to have you on the turkey side. There's no going back.

[MADMAX]

Head to Colville
Find the public land
The  Little Pend Orielle refuge has camping areas
Lots of Turks and people
Gun should be fine, if you can screw in a pattern master and find your max range
Read the rules

[buckfvr]

loads of birds this year..............hwy 25 north of spokane rez, many places to find birds all the way north to Kettle.

[ljsommer]

If you're anything like me (4 trips, no birds) then bring whiskey and cigars and just make it a camping trip. The weather and scenery are usually worth the drive by themselves.

[TheStovePipeKid]

If you're anything like me (4 trips, no birds) then bring whiskey and cigars and just make it a camping trip. The weather and scenery are usually worth the drive by themselves.

A lot of hard truth in your post. I spent the better part of a decade almost getting turkey before I hit my stride. Spring isn't the best time to teach yourself to turkey hunt, but the scenery sure is great.

[Russ McDonald]

Your shotgun should be good.  Just pattern it. You may need a Turkey choke.  4, 5, or 6 shot is reccomended.  I was using Hevishot blended magnum 5,6,7 shot.   The most successful hunt for Turkey in the state will be the NE corner.   Biggest population of birds.  When you go out scouting it doesn't hurt to knock on some farmers doors.  They hate turkeys and some times will let you hunt on their property.  I will be at Basspro with ou NWTF both January 18th 1-4, Washington Sports Show January 22-26 where I will be doing Turkey hunting seminars.  I do a 4 pay series.   Wednesday and Thursday will be Turkey 101.  Friday equipment and Saturday will be calling.  April 5th at the Black Diamond Gun Club simpering at noon another turkey hunting clinic where you can bring your shotgun and pattern it.  There might be another clinic or 2 sprinkled in there before season starts.  Practicing calling is a good thing.  Took me almost 7 seasons before I got my first bird here in this state but I helped many more peole get their birds before I did. Good luck and hope to see you at a clinic.

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[kweedon]

Thanks for all the info everyone. I'm living in the TriCities and heard there was a lot of turkeys east of here. I'll try that first.

The book I'm reading is "Practical Turkey Hunting Strategies" by Ray Eye. Lots of information so far and a good read. I'm hoping to finish it this weekend.

I'll get my gun out and do some patterning with it. I've killed a whole lot of grouse and skeet with it so I am extremely comfortable shooting it.

[kweedon]

Your shotgun should be good.  Just pattern it. You may need a Turkey choke.  4, 5, or 6 shot is reccomended.  I was using Hevishot blended magnum 5,6,7 shot.   The most successful hunt for Turkey in the state will be the NE corner.   Biggest population of birds.  When you go out scouting it doesn't hurt to knock on some farmers doors.  They hate turkeys and some times will let you hunt on their property.  I will be at Basspro with ou NWTF both January 18th 1-4, Washington Sports Show January 22-26 where I will be doing Turkey hunting seminars.  I do a 4 pay series.   Wednesday and Thursday will be Turkey 101.  Friday equipment and Saturday will be calling.  April 5th at the Black Diamond Gun Club simpering at noon another turkey hunting clinic where you can bring your shotgun and pattern it.  There might be another clinic or 2 sprinkled in there before season starts.  Practicing calling is a good thing.  Took me almost 7 seasons before I got my first bird here in this state but I helped many more peole get their birds before I did. Good luck and hope to see you at a clinic.

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Thanks! I'll look in to that. It sounds like these seminars are on the wet side?

[kweedon]

Any suggestions on a beginners call? I think I'm just going to start with a slate and a box call. I'll move to a diaphragm once I can master those.

[Russ McDonald]

Any suggestions on a beginners call? I think I'm just going to start with a slate and a box call. I'll move to a diaphragm once I can master those.

Exactly what I would suggest.   They're is a guy from Selah that does some clinics.   I don't know what his schedule is.   I have used HS Strut and primos for both slate and box calls.   I have mostly custom calls in both if those now.   Phelps has some really nice sounding diaphram calls.   I also use Zinc diaphram calls.  Tracy Zollar a guide out of Klickitat is making some nice sounding mouth calls to

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[bearpaw]

Any suggestions on a beginners call? I think I'm just going to start with a slate and a box call. I'll move to a diaphragm once I can master those.

Remember this, it doesn't matter what type of call you are using, what matters is that the birds think you sound like a turkey! If you don't sound right they probably won't come to your call, in fact they will go the other way, you would be better off not calling. Find the call that you can make the best sounds and learn what sounds you need to make to be effective. 

[buckfvr]

Ill second what bearpaw says.......and add that for me......I have far better response with a box or slate than I ever had with a reed.

[nwwanderer]

Lot of birds east of you, March 1 behavior is different than April 15 antics

[linxx77]

Last year was my first year of Turkey. I read everything I could find on this forum, and found a ton of success due to the great advice.

If you’re interested in coming up to Spokane, I can help get you into the birds. Like they said, the NE corner is amazing!

PM me if you’re interested. I’d love to “pay it forward” as they say.

Though, it’s only my second year so I’m still a rookie haha.


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