Backcountry Turkeys?

[CaNINE]

Been on my bucket list for several years now to do a backpack style hunt for turkeys. I’ve hunted the NE corner for the past 17 years and everyone knows that’s where the birds are. But you can’t hike more than a mile or two without hitting a road and not a lot of public land or trailheads where you can wander into “backcountry”.

Maybe the SE corner is a better bet?

Please PM if you have any thoughts on areas worth considering or researching further.

Appreciate the input.

[avidnwoutdoorsman]

PM Sent

[MerriamMagician]

Spring really isn't the time to find the birds in the high country. They do migrate after breeding season and over the course of the summer can end up at pretty high elevations, but even then probably not into in what most would consider back country. Try waiting till Mid to Late May when the snowline has receded quite a bit and hike behind gated logging roads into higher country. By then theres usually a few birds starting to wander up high and gobblers are often alone and eager to play. This is also a good way to scout out spring bear areas or even do a combo hunt if you pulled a spring bear tag.

[bearpaw]

A good portion of the turkeys in the NE winter at cattle ranching operations, until they break up in mid to late April there are very few birds in higher elevations. Then it takes time for the birds to migrate to higher elevations. But by mid to late May you can usually find birds in high elevations and more remote areas, sometimes an early spring will have birds in those areas by the first week of May. The best areas to get away from hunters if that is your goal are large road closure areas.

[CaNINE]

Thanks guys.  Yes, I understand that turkeys are typically found at lower elevation in mid-April with some migrating higher up in May.  When I say backpack hunt I don't necessarily mean high country per say.  Getting behind a large complex of gated logging roads is an option worth considering.  Looking to get into an area with more difficult access, carry my camp on my back and spend a few days.  Appreciate the info.

[kevinlisa06]

We used to hunt a series of Logging roads that was above the lowlands in the Chewelah area. Great hunting for a number of years until it got logged. The birds moved out and haven’t been back since. If you can find an area that holds birds up higher you should be by yourself. We hardly ever had anyone in there hunting it and if we did we we’re always ahead of them. The further away from people the better. Good luck on your quest could be a lot of fun and successful.


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