Easterns?

[Wacenturion]

Don't get me wrong, I got out of the jeep lots. I did cover about 20 miles in the one wdfw area, but I constantly got out to walk around, glass the hill sides, listen, follow and look for tracks, etc.

thanks for the tips. the idea of the mt bikes is a good one. There are lots of gates down there and I like the idea of parking the rig next to the gate and mtb'ing in.


so I need to go earlier, and just keep covering ground!

Now what about hunting the edges? Eastern Washington hunting advice usually seems to be to hunt the edge of the woods going into prairies/fields. Do the Eastern Turkeys stay in the woods?

Eastern Wild Turkey (Meleagris gallopavo silvestris)
This was the turkey species first encountered in the wild by the Puritans. Range covers the entire eastern half of the United States; extending also into South Eastern Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, and the Maritime Provinces in Canada. They number from 5.1 to 5.3 million birds. They were first named forest turkey in 1817, and can grow up to 4 feet tall. The upper tail coverts are tipped with chestnut brown. The Eastern Wild Turkey is heavily hunted in the Eastern USA and is the most hunted Wild Turkey subspecies.

Meleagris gallopavo silvestris...........means forest turkey.  There is a reason for that.  In Pa. years ago a study was done and found that the Eastern turkey spends at least 75% of its time within the woodline....or woods so to speak.   When I have seen them in the open feeding, it is generally close to the edge of the woods.  One year down in the Lincoln Creek area, they were using the edge of a barley field.  The turkey sign didn't go out any futher than about 10-12 feet from the woods/brush edge.  Now, that not to say you won't find them in an open field where they feel comfortable and safe...like off Johnson Creek Rd. on private property.  But that is probably is an exception to the rule. 

[Dustin07]

Thanks for the background and forested confirmation 

[Dustin07]

I figured I'd tag the "eastern scouting thread" since my brother posted his lousy success over at Colville (I got stuck working on the westside and never made it over).

I have now scouted blue creek, peterman ridge, mossyrock, and Capitol Forest, with the Cap Forest being the first sign of Turkey anywhere! Located my first Turkey Scat! Going back Saturday morning, 4am, to make a kill hipefully 

[STIKNSTRINGBOW]

cool, I watched one strut and gobble for about 3 hours sat. called him in to 35 yards but didn't loose an arrow. saw a sow and cub before that heading towards me on same game trail.. great day near Chehalis.

[Dustin07]

it's good to hear we at least have some activity over here! I've heard of a couple Eastern kills already, but not many. I know that from what WDFW posts only about 2-3% of the total Turkey harvest each year appears to be Eastern's anyways so we have our work cut out for us.

[turkeydancer]

Actually the harvest is half that (1.1 to 1.5%) ... about 70 birds out of over 5300 in 2007. But its about the experience more than the harvest. I love spending time in the woods with the critters ... and if you spend the time you will find the Eastern phantoms and eventually be rewarded for it.  It makes you a better hunter, and you will become a more patient person ... or will go to the dark side and eventually give up trying.

[Intruder]

Anyone got some good locations to hunt eaterns?  I have hunted the Scookumchuck area before but have not wandered to far from that area. 

Try Georgia or Missouri    Sorry, I'm bein a . 
Keep after it.... it's a challenge in this state but guys do it every year.

[Dustin07]

we saw a nice flock in MIssouri last month while snow goose hunting!