First timers turkey planning

[Recon]

Hey everyone new to turkey hunting looking for a bit of advice. Me and a group of work friends (2 other gents) are looking to try for some first time turkeys. We are all also what I would call beginner bow hunters although they might say otherwise. We are thinking of trying to take a 4 day weekend from work and heading to the Colville forest? I tried researching harvest reports but seems they only break it into giant regions for turkey. From researching on here colville seems as good as anyplace to get our feet wet? One of our issues are seems like none of the campgrounds are open until May 15th? How does one camp over there this time of year. I have a small pop up trailer one has a rooftop tent or just pitch tents are also an option. Are there anywhere to camp opening weekend. Should we wait till later in the season to have the best chance? The other idea was maybe try south of Spokane or just north of Spokane in the mount Spokane area.
Thanks for any pointers. Also if anyone knows any literature on turkey hunting in Washington that would be great.
-kyle

[cougforester]

For only 4 days I'd just camp on FS or DNR ground. Don't worry about a formal campsite. I read Turkey Hunting Tactics by the Complete Hunter this offseason. Good stuff.

[avidnwoutdoorsman]

https://wdfw.wa.gov/sites/default/files/publications/01803/wdfw01803.pdf

If you have a camper and what not you can camp on NF. Just be clean.


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[253shotgunner]

1) Pattern your shotgun
2) Learn how to use a box or pot call
3) Camo up and be OCD about movement
4) Attend a NWTF turkey seminar. Last year, I went to the one at Black Diamond Gun Club. The instructor,Russ, will teach you the basics and answer all your questions.
5) Get to NE WA, set up your base camp, scout, hunt and have some fun!

[ThurstonCokid]

Lots of dnr land! I’d just camp on a piece of it. Scouting can really pay off but not necessary. There’s turkeys all over. Just stay around lower elevations and farms. I’d stick with a box call. See learn from the first day or 2 and fill some tags after! Have fun. It’s awesome


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[Russ McDonald]

1) Pattern your shotgun
2) Learn how to use a box or pot call
3) Camo up and be OCD about movement
4) Attend a NWTF turkey seminar. Last year, I went to the one at Black Diamond Gun Club. The instructor,Russ, will teach you the basics and answer all your questions.
5) Get to NE WA, set up your base camp, scout, hunt and have some fun!

Thanks for the promotion.  Here are my turkey hunting seminars.  March 14th Sportsmas Warehouse Federal Way. Noon to when ever.  March 21st Skeet Club JBLM t TBD on time yet, and Black Diamond Gun Club April 5th noon to 4 or 5.  Your going into some of the most populated areas for turkey.  If your going in new and have 4 days your probably going to burn 1 or 2 days scouting.  Bring a locator call.  What I have seen work best is predator calls, goose calls I even used a cow elk call.  Everone else is putting out some good info.  Some of the big things I tell everyone is pattern your shotgun because your shooting at the head of a turkey, if you are archery hunting lots of practice.  Their vitals are super small.  Best place to shoot is right at the top its drum stick for archery.  Turkeys eye sight are incredible so keeping still and camo'd up is super important.  Welcome to the addiction friend.

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[Recon]

Thanks for all the solid advice. I wasn’t sure if I could camp on FS land outside of the campsites or not out there. I’m going to look up some of that literature mentioned and see about those seminars. I looked at possibly a guide for the first time but damn that’s way out of my price range for a bird.  Thanks for the advice!

[Russ McDonald]

Forgot to mention for those out in the NE looks.like there might be a couple turkey hunting seminars at the Bighorn show in Spokane.  I won't be there my JBLM seminar is during that time.  Richard Mann will be the instructor and he is super knowledgeable on turkey hunting.

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[cougforester]

Oh and watch out for ticks.

[Jakobv]

NE of Spokane bear deer park area is best place in wa to hunt turkeys, they are thick in there


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[TheStovePipeKid]

I bought a bow and will be trying it out on turkey this Spring. My recommendation if you are doing bows this year is to pack your shotguns as backup. It would suck to be out there and get skunked due to the more difficult aspects of archery hunting. If you can squeeze out a full week instead of four days it would take the edge off the trip and give you plenty of time for scouting without feeling rushed. Good luck!

[baldopepper]

Scouting is certainly an important factor in turkey hunting success, but scouting too early can lead to big frustrations.  Birds in late March and early April are still usually in their winter flocks and are fairly easy to locate, but by the time the season actually opens on April 15 they may be long gone from from that area. The first couple of weeks of the season are often a "here today, gone tomorrow" scenario.  I usually figure birds I spot, while the hunt is open, late in the day to be in the same area the next morning. Birds I see early in the morning may be 10 miles away come evening.  I will hunt evening birds the next morning, but morning birds I"ll wait and pattern one more day before hunting.   Don't get in a big hurry to jump out and go chasing after the first birds you see, better off watching to try and get a pattern so you can get a sensible plan in place. Early part of the season can be tough for begining hunters-bad weather, more hunters and birds on the move can be frustrating. Gear up for bad weather and ticks and hope you don't end up dealing with either.

[Fl0und3rz]

Tag.

[Bango skank]

Birds I see early in the morning may be 10 miles away come evening. 

Oh come on.

[ThurstonCokid]

I think the advice on watch out for ticks is the best tip yet.. seriously it’s insane how bad it is


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