Western WA Turkey Hunting

[JR2020]

Let me start by saying I'm excited to be apart of this forum and I have already read and gathered so much help from this community. With that being said, I am new to turkey hunting and I am looking for some advice.

Due to covid-19 restrictions put on me by profession I am unable to travel to Eastern WA where the turkey population is more dense. Without the knowledge of an experienced turkey hunter I'm starting to think that I will not be able to fill my tag here in western WA. I'm wondering if there is any advice out there that would help me or someone that would be willing to sacrafice their time to allow me to tag along. I'll treat this situation like I am asking permission to hunt on private land and say, I will help pay for the expenses, respect your wishes, do any work required, and provide any help asked of me.

I'm not looking for a hand out and I am more than willing to put in the work. I just need a finger pointing me in the right direction.

Thank you for your time,

JR2020

[JasonG]

Western Wa? like this side of the pass? I would not bother .

[Russ McDonald]

Unfortunately he is right.   Turkeys on the west side of the state is only between 3-10% of the total population of birds in the state.  If anyone knows where the easterns aren't they aren't telling.   Most of them are on private timber land.   Pay to play.  Good luck.

Sent from my SM-N976V using Tapatalk

[STIKNSTRINGBOW]

Best advice I can give you is to get out and hunt.
In my experiences, they will be vocal right before fly down.
.
I have found them on state land between Deep Creek and Lincoln Creek off of Teague Road, and Cooks Hill right here in Chehalis.
.
Found feathers out on state land near Doty.
.
Heard rumors of them towards Blue Creek, Cowlitz...
.
If you have a Pe Ell north permit, good flock in off the 615...
.
Basically you want to hike in well before daylight when the birds (all birds) are quiet.
Then as the morning starts, it can get pretty noisy.
If you try calling at this time, they might gobble from the roost.
.
If you don't hear any, keep walking.
Look for any sign.
Mudpuddles will show tracks.
Look for any sign.
Walk along logging roads, it's like looking for large grouse.
Stay out until dark, then walk out practicing your calls..
By now you should be safe from calling one in by accident and educating them (it's after dark)
And if you have not found sign/seen/heard any reason to come back, pick a new spot for tomorrow.
.
They are out there.
.
You just have to find them.
.
You might also find some mushrooms, sheds, or a new deer/elk spot.
.

Finding them is the hard part, but once you locate a flock it all becomes worth it.
The sound of a gobble does not carry as far in Western Washington forest, so if you hear one it is close.
Find a spot and get comfortable.
I have ruined a lot of opportunities by giving up just as they were almost in sight...
.
It is called hunting, not shopping, so it will probably be long hunts with no results.
Much like elk hunting is anymore, expect to see more hunters than turkeys.
And they all claim not to have seen/heard anything, but they are there for a reason.

And once you get an Eastern, the others will seem easy.

[JR2020]

I appreciate the response and even more the advice. Thank you gentlemen !

[mitch3159]

Let me start by saying I'm excited to be apart of this forum and I have already read and gathered so much help from this community. With that being said, I am new to turkey hunting and I am looking for some advice.

Due to covid-19 restrictions put on me by profession I am unable to travel to Eastern WA where the turkey population is more dense. Without the knowledge of an experienced turkey hunter I'm starting to think that I will not be able to fill my tag here in western WA. I'm wondering if there is any advice out there that would help me or someone that would be willing to sacrafice their time to allow me to tag along. I'll treat this situation like I am asking permission to hunt on private land and say, I will help pay for the expenses, respect your wishes, do any work required, and provide any help asked of me.

I'm not looking for a hand out and I am more than willing to put in the work. I just need a finger pointing me in the right direction.

Thank you for your time,

JR2020

[Dan-o]

Best advice I can give you is to get out and hunt.
In my experiences, they will be vocal right before fly down.
.
I have found them on state land between Deep Creek and Lincoln Creek off of Teague Road, and Cooks Hill right here in Chehalis.
.
Found feathers out on state land near Doty.
.
Heard rumors of them towards Blue Creek, Cowlitz...
.
If you have a Pe Ell north permit, good flock in off the 615...
.
Basically you want to hike in well before daylight when the birds (all birds) are quiet.
Then as the morning starts, it can get pretty noisy.
If you try calling at this time, they might gobble from the roost.
.
If you don't hear any, keep walking.
Look for any sign.
Mudpuddles will show tracks.
Look for any sign.
Walk along logging roads, it's like looking for large grouse.
Stay out until dark, then walk out practicing your calls..
By now you should be safe from calling one in by accident and educating them (it's after dark)
And if you have not found sign/seen/heard any reason to come back, pick a new spot for tomorrow.
.
They are out there.
.
You just have to find them.
.
You might also find some mushrooms, sheds, or a new deer/elk spot.
.

Finding them is the hard part, but once you locate a flock it all becomes worth it.
The sound of a gobble does not carry as far in Western Washington forest, so if you hear one it is close.
Find a spot and get comfortable.
I have ruined a lot of opportunities by giving up just as they were almost in sight...
.
It is called hunting, not shopping, so it will probably be long hunts with no results.
Much like elk hunting is anymore, expect to see more hunters than turkeys.
And they all claim not to have seen/heard anything, but they are there for a reason.

And once you get an Eastern, the others will seem easy.

This might be the most solid single piece of advice I've seen for west side public land birds. 

You might want to re-read it.

[Turkeyman]

 

[GFB_Recon]

Best advice I can give you is to get out and hunt.
In my experiences, they will be vocal right before fly down.
.
I have found them on state land between Deep Creek and Lincoln Creek off of Teague Road, and Cooks Hill right here in Chehalis.
.
Found feathers out on state land near Doty.
.
Heard rumors of them towards Blue Creek, Cowlitz...
.
If you have a Pe Ell north permit, good flock in off the 615...
.
Basically you want to hike in well before daylight when the birds (all birds) are quiet.
Then as the morning starts, it can get pretty noisy.
If you try calling at this time, they might gobble from the roost.
.
If you don't hear any, keep walking.
Look for any sign.
Mudpuddles will show tracks.
Look for any sign.
Walk along logging roads, it's like looking for large grouse.
Stay out until dark, then walk out practicing your calls..
By now you should be safe from calling one in by accident and educating them (it's after dark)
And if you have not found sign/seen/heard any reason to come back, pick a new spot for tomorrow.
.
They are out there.
.
You just have to find them.
.
You might also find some mushrooms, sheds, or a new deer/elk spot.
.

Finding them is the hard part, but once you locate a flock it all becomes worth it.
The sound of a gobble does not carry as far in Western Washington forest, so if you hear one it is close.
Find a spot and get comfortable.
I have ruined a lot of opportunities by giving up just as they were almost in sight...
.
It is called hunting, not shopping, so it will probably be long hunts with no results.
Much like elk hunting is anymore, expect to see more hunters than turkeys.
And they all claim not to have seen/heard anything, but they are there for a reason.

And once you get an Eastern, the others will seem easy.

Good info!

[DIron]

Best advice I can give you is to get out and hunt.
In my experiences, they will be vocal right before fly down.
.
I have found them on state land between Deep Creek and Lincoln Creek off of Teague Road, and Cooks Hill right here in Chehalis.
.
Found feathers out on state land near Doty.
.
Heard rumors of them towards Blue Creek, Cowlitz...
.
If you have a Pe Ell north permit, good flock in off the 615...
.
Basically you want to hike in well before daylight when the birds (all birds) are quiet.
Then as the morning starts, it can get pretty noisy.
If you try calling at this time, they might gobble from the roost.
.
If you don't hear any, keep walking.
Look for any sign.
Mudpuddles will show tracks.
Look for any sign.
Walk along logging roads, it's like looking for large grouse.
Stay out until dark, then walk out practicing your calls..
By now you should be safe from calling one in by accident and educating them (it's after dark)
And if you have not found sign/seen/heard any reason to come back, pick a new spot for tomorrow.
.
They are out there.
.
You just have to find them.
.
You might also find some mushrooms, sheds, or a new deer/elk spot.
.

Finding them is the hard part, but once you locate a flock it all becomes worth it.
The sound of a gobble does not carry as far in Western Washington forest, so if you hear one it is close.
Find a spot and get comfortable.
I have ruined a lot of opportunities by giving up just as they were almost in sight...
.
It is called hunting, not shopping, so it will probably be long hunts with no results.
Much like elk hunting is anymore, expect to see more hunters than turkeys.
And they all claim not to have seen/heard anything, but they are there for a reason.

And once you get an Eastern, the others will seem easy.

Thank you for sharing this info to us newbies.