Big Tom's need shot (Twisp)

[coonhunter]

  I'm a rancher in Twisp, Wa. and feed about 100 Eastern wild turkeys every winter.  I had a guide bringing folks occasionally in the past but decided to let folks come shoot a Big Tom for 250 each for the landowner access fee.  I had two guys come last weekend, bow hunters and a guy and his son come today.  They guys last weekend set up blinds but couldn't get the Toms to come closer than 50 yds..  they threw a  few arrows and even hit one real good but it got away.  The guy this morning got one big tom and his son got a jake in the first 10 min. of light and he went home.  I think we still got about 6 or 7 big toms and probably 25 or 30 jakes hangin around.  Both parties that came ask if they could come back next year.  They were impressed how many turkeys we have here on our place.  I have about 1,000 acres and border National Forest.  I don't have any more hunters comeing except the first two might come back in a couple weeks so if anybody is interested you can get in on this.  I'd like a 50 dollar deposit per person and that will be applied to your 250 dollar turkey if you get one.  If you don't get a turkey then you only lose the deposit but it you get one your up for the 250.   The first two that came saw about 50 birds a day in a  blind.  Also, have two other folks up the river that are willing to make the same deal with folks I'm making.  We are trying to recoup some of our winter feed costs for feeding these turkeys.
  I've got plenty of  places to park a camper or a tent if you don't want to rent one of the cheap motels in town.  No charge for your camping.  Give me a call    509-997-3252

[bobcat]

Are you sure they're Eastern's   Only Eastern's I know of are over here on the west side of the mountains.

[nitro]

Is the access for the property only for the day or does it apply for the season? If you get the whole season to hunt for only a 50 dollor deposit until you get your turkey and then have to pay the remaining 200 then I say this is a awesome deal!!!!!!!!!

[lionhunter]

Yep, I guarantee these are Easterns.  This is the only place in the eastern side of the mountains that has Easterns.  We do have some Meriams drifting over from Okanogan and they are starting to cross up with these Easterns a bit.  Although, these here at my place are full Easterns.  Had one shot about 10 yrs. ago that was 33 lbs.  which was the biggest in the state for the year and in fact was on the front page of some outdoor magazine.    To answer the other guy.  You wouldn't have to worry about hunting all season.   If you couldn't get a tom in 4 days you might as well quit hunting.  In fact if you couldn't get a bird in 1 hr. you are either a sorry shot or too pickey.   I call these big toms but I guess I haven't seen any beards dragging the ground yet and most of what I'm calling big toms are probably beards about 8 to maybe 10 inches long, maybe 2 yr old birds or 3 at the most.  Most of these are over at my sons place which is up the road about a mile which is still on my place.  I do have about a dozen roosting behind my house but watched them when they went to roost a bit ago and only saw a couple jakes.  I think the only big tom I had got shot by one of the hunters yesterday morning.    gotta git.    lionhunter    (I just got signed up for this site and used a friends username to post the ad to start with, found out I had to sign up to keep coming back, sorry)

[yelp]

Easterns...in the Methow..not wild birds.  They were released by some idiot.  Years ago WDFW destroyed several in this area.  Apparently they didn't get them all.  Even though they seem to be doing well they can harm wild stock vbrought in from other states..Disease tested stock that is.  These birds need to be exterminated.  I also believe an eastern shot in Okanogan County doesn't qualify for the Washington Slam.   

[dirty.dan4]

I definatley will be in touch.

[Wacenturion]

Yelp....you are absolutely right, and no they do not qualify for the Wa. Slam.  Just to quote what was said......

        "To answer the other guy.  You wouldn't have to worry about hunting all season.   If you couldn't get a tom in 4 days you might as well quit hunting.  In fact if you couldn't get a bird in 1 hr. you are either a sorry shot or too pickey."

Gee....a bird in 1 hr. huh......real wild trophy gobblers, and they get up to 33 lbs. to boot....they are game farm birds plain and simple, and not wild turkeys.   

[lionhunter]

  I think your right in that these birds don't qualify for the grandslam.  I think that is geographically related since turkeys are now starting to bleed all over the place.  So do we have Easterns or Rio's or Meriams on Snoqualmie pass?  They are there you know.  These turkeys in the Methow probably wouldn't survive without being fed in the winter so many of us farmers and folks that live out of town feed them because we like them around.  This is what makes them hang around our places and true they are not as wild as wild birds way out in the woods because they become accustomed to us.  They get pretty wild in the summer when we stop feeding them.  This time of year one can usually find a small flock hanging around some where in my alfalfa field.  Don't forget I do have 980 acres so this is not like fishing in a barrel.   WDFW actually likes these turkeys here because they sell hunting licenses to hunt them and they never did try and shoot them off, that is the first I've heard that rumor.   The WDFW biologists don't like them here because they say this is sharttail grouse habitat even though we don't and haven't had sharptail grouse for probably 15 yrs. plus sharttail are an open country bird and turkeys are an "edge" bird so there is no conflict on habitat.  The wildlife biologists I know working for WDFW, DO NOT HUNT and even dislike hunters and don't realize that 75% of the WDFW revenue comes from selling hunting and fishing licenses so you can see where they are coming from.   Your right though.  This is not for everybody.  There is something said for the die hard guys that spend days searching for the wild, elusive big tom way out in the woods.  Gotta go milk.       lionhunter

[yelp]

Lionhunter...As far as for wild turkeys...They don't need to be fed.  People think they do..and if they do they aren't wild turkeys period.  If they are dependant on feeding they are game farm stock...some wild flocks have become habituated to winter feeding..they are opportunistic feeders.  But they do not need to be fed..The wild turkeys released by WDFW were released in habitat that will support them annually.  However in the winter wild turkeys can find easy pickings around feed lots, etc.. But they can survive on thier own. 

In the late 1990's WDFW released Merriam Strain wild turkeys throughout Okanogan County.  The birds were released by WDFW staff with regional approval. WDFW enforcement had a problem with turkeys being released in the Twisp Area years ago and they were eastern strain I saw them..Enforcement had them destroyed they were causing nuisance problems. 

Wild turkeys can carry and contract different diseases.  In feeding areas they will contract bacteria and fungal diseases by feeding in specific areas..your feeding these turkeys is more harmful than good. All of the wild turkeys brought in from out of state were disease tested..all came back negative..if they came back positive they were given back or destroyed.  This being said the Easterns you are talking about are game farm stock raised from and egg bought from a catalog...then released.  

If any turkeys are suspect to disease transference to the local sharp-tailed grouse populations, then the easterns you are talking about fit the bill.  They weren't tested and probably need to be exterminated for the sake of the disease free stocks roaming in neighboring Chiliwist, French Creek, Loup Loup Area, Conconally, Sinlahekin Areas.  Native flocks of merriam wild turkeys in South Dakota naturally coexist with Sharp-tailed grouse. 

The argument here is you are feeding turkeys that are game farm stock.  From your comments they just showed up on your acreage and you started feeding them.  Someone raised and released them.  I would hate to see a disease outbreak that caused a reduction in wild turkeys in Okanogan County.    You are doing more harm than good here.  Your original thread said you were charging $250.00 to try and recoop feeding costs via a trespass fee? But in your last response you say you like them around? I could buy a lot of plucked turkeys at the local supermarket for $250.00.

 And the birds around Snoqualmie Pass are Merriams  they were released by the WDFW years ago, natural production.

[Gutpile]

Hmmm.

I don't care what other folks do, but $250.00 for a tame bird?

Got any pics?

[yelp]

That's a YAR member for ya...

[boneaddict]

I've seen them enough and they aren't as tame as you'd think they might be.  OF course the local wolf population probably helps with that as well as the hounds and neighborhood dogs.   I had no idea they were easterns though.  Not that I could ever tell the difference, turkeys aren't my game.  There are some wild birds that manage the winter just fine on the other side of the hill from them.  Now I don't know if those are merriams or not.  I assumed they were ones that migrated  out of the Chiliwist, but I guess they could have easily been others released birds.  I honestly didn't know there were any easterns about in Twisp.     THere are certainly areas in the Methow that would support more birds and I wish we could get some more moved to those places.

[Gutpile]

I've seen them enough and they aren't as tame as you'd think they might be.  

If these birds are being fed to keep them around the ranch and it's as easy to shoot one as these posts lead us to believe then they are tame.

Again, I have NO PROBLEM with people shooting them, or paying to hunt them. I'd pay $50.00 for my daughter to pop one but I just couldn't spend $250.00 to shoot what I classify as a tame bird.

[bobcat]

Would it be legal to shoot these turkeys year 'round without a tag and license?

[mossback91]

What do you guys classify as tame? cause Im gettin real confused


Tame for me would be walking right up to the flock and almost petting them.........

I see all sorts of pics on here of ppl feeding deer and elk on game cameras.......are those animals tame or wild?   

[yelp]

In this example its the species of wild turkey that is the give away.  Those were never released by WDFW and it is the most common type to order from game farms across the country.  It is not illegal to raise poultry as stock in Washington State.  However, as hunters we should be aware of history of the wild turkey in Washington.  We have hybridizing in certain areas, but for the most part three seperate subspecies.  The Okanogan areas recieved Rio Grande subspecies in several areas in which some did well (i.e. Chiliwist)  But after how the Merriams reacted to higher elevations and winter conditions in the NE that is when the Merriam focused releases happened in the late 1990's.  There never was Easterns released by the WDFW in the Methow.  Therefore it is easy to assume that these turkeys are a product of game farm raised or stock originated from game farm stock.  It is rare that a wild turkey reaches the 30# mark..another indicator of a genetically altered turkey designed to be grown for breast meat.  Also historically like previously mentioned the WDFW destroyed eastern turkeys from same area where these turkeys are currently.

[alecvg]

What do you guys classify as tame? cause Im gettin real confused


Tame for me would be walking right up to the flock and almost petting them.........

I see all sorts of pics on here of ppl feeding deer and elk on game cameras.......are those animals tame or wild?   

I have seen turkeys that are fed in the winter, and they are tame enough that you could walk up and pet them.  I have nothing against people shooting them, or paying to shoot them, but they are what I too would consider tame.

[lionhunter]

You have to have a license to hunt these birds here just like any wild turkey.  These carry no diseases or that would of showed up by now since they've been here about 12 yrs. now.  We have no sharp taile grouse here like we once had because all the sharptail habitat is being built on by the migrating west side city folks so theirs no habitat left for them.  If we ever do get some back then I guess you'll have to classify them as tame birds too because they will be living in peoples back yards being fed.  I do have a friend in Colville that feeds those turkeys so friends can come and get one lots easier than trapsing the woods for days.  It definitely gentles them down a bit making them easier to hunt.   I did have two bow hunters that were here 3 days and never got one because they couldn't get them to come closer than 50 yds.        lion hunter

[yelp]

12 years you have been raising them? Have you disease tested them? How do you know..just because none of them are dead or dying? Also feeding turkeys for the purpose of hunting is illegal.  Enough said..yelp

[JoeVon]

What do you guys classify as tame? cause Im gettin real confused


Tame for me would be walking right up to the flock and almost petting them.........

I see all sorts of pics on here of ppl feeding deer and elk on game cameras.......are those animals tame or wild?   

Good Point, Moss.   

[Wacenturion]

What do you guys classify as tame? cause Im gettin real confused


Tame for me would be walking right up to the flock and almost petting them.........

I see all sorts of pics on here of ppl feeding deer and elk on game cameras.......are those animals tame or wild?   

Good Point, Moss.   

No....it's not a good point.  Not even comparable to what being discussed here.  When you go deer hunting are you going after tame deer or elk in a city, park where ever...I don't think so.  If you are though....then these birds will fit the bill.

You don't need to get close enough to pet them....just close enough to shoot them with a 12 gauge without using camo, cover, or whatever to shield your approach......you know ....how tamed down animals react to your presence.  I don't even know why I'm spending time trying to explain it.....if anyone here thinks this at all resembles turkey hunting in it's true sense....then have at it.  Here's another spot you can try............

[Tom Tamer]

 

[mossback91]

Heck you should know your a tamer

Ok Im not doubting that they may have been farm birds on the loose........All Im trying to get at is how do you guys know exactly how these birds react?? have you been out to his property looking at these turkeys??

Im surprised the game department hasnt done anything about these turkeys if they are as big of a problem as you guys say they are.......I have a feeling this guy knows the game department well....just a hunch 


Anyways I dnt wanna hunt turkeys.......good luck on your quest lionhunter

[Wacenturion]

"Ok Im not doubting that they may have been farm birds on the loose........All Im trying to get at is how do you guys know exactly how these birds react?? have you been out to his property looking at these turkeys??"

Don't have to see them.....I can tell from the description of what they are, which tells me where they came from and consequently how they act.

Oh ...and the Dept. today could give a rats ass.  The powers to be would rather see them all die or get shot.  Has nothing to do with tag sales.

[mulehunter]

"Ok Im not doubting that they may have been farm birds on the loose........All Im trying to get at is how do you guys know exactly how these birds react?? have you been out to his property looking at these turkeys??"

Don't have to see them.....I can tell from the description of what they are, which tells me where they came from and consequently how they act.

Oh ...and the Dept. today could give a rats ass.  The powers to be would rather see them all die or get shot.  Has nothing to do with tag sales.

Wacentuires,
First of all. U have not proved us about it that okanagon is not wild turkey.. Why not u go there shoot one and explain this about this turkey aren't wild turkey???
Maybe I will go. And post apicture if I got lucky.

Yelp,
u may need give him some credit to welcome hunter with their rejoy turkey hunting season.  If u are Mr Perfection why not let him rejoy what he can have. He just want to give some oppourity to many hunters.
And not need negative thing about hunting turkey in okanagon co.

There is many many hunters that I know that feed turkey in washington. And some of picture u see them bragging their turkey was some feeding area to keep them stay around and being shot.

About me...

I went first time with guide 2 weeks ago. I thank him for his biggest heart to me. He spend 16 hours helping me to hunt turkey on public land. We got many Tom and jacks calling in.  We got nicest tom with spread feather walking by us with in 45 to 50 yds and it was my best part is see him  but I aim at him I didn't take a shot because it was not right time  my guide said u did right thing not to shoot and I thank Steve for amazing time helping me to make me very excited being part of turkey hunting.
I didn't fill my tag yet because there was many hunters but I am happy to see them out there and excited about turkey season.

I hope one day I wil fill my first tag. I never had got one for 8 years.  Maybe I should sign up with lionhunter and fill my tag. He sound like a very nice man I hope to  meet him someday and hope he can help  show me how to hunt a wild turkey.

Mulehunter

[Wacenturion]

Wacentuires,
First of all. U have not proved us about it that okanagon is not wild turkey.. Why not u go there shoot one and explain this about this turkey aren't wild turkey???
Maybe I will go. And post apicture if I got lucky.


First of all there are wild turkeys in Okanogan County.....Merriams released in the 90's that were trapped in the NE.  There are also probably some remnants of Rio Grande turkeys released in the early 90's on the Sinlahekin WA.  Those releases and their offspring are indeed wild.

The Easterns in the Twisp area......listen closely now......were not wild trapped turkeys that were disease tested, relocated and released.  The only place they could have come from was either game farm stock eastern eggs, poults or adult birds purchased by someone who wanted to start his own turkey flock.  Game farm birds pure and simple.




 

[jackelope]

Maybe I should sign up with lionhunter and fill my tag. He sound like a very nice man I hope to  meet him someday and hope he can help  show me how to hunt a wild turkey.

 

The Easterns in the Twisp area......listen closely now......were not wild trapped turkeys that were disease tested, relocated and released.  The only place they could have come from was either game farm stock eastern eggs, poults or adult birds purchased by someone who wanted to start his own turkey flock.  Game farm birds pure and simple.

seems pretty cut and dry to me.

[mulehunter]

Maybe I should sign up with lionhunter and fill my tag. He sound like a very nice man I hope to  meet him someday and hope he can help  show me how to hunt a wild turkey.

 

The Easterns in the Twisp area......listen closely now......were not wild trapped turkeys that were disease tested, relocated and released.  The only place they could have come from was either game farm stock eastern eggs, poults or adult birds purchased by someone who wanted to start his own turkey flock.  Game farm birds pure and simple.

seems pretty cut and dry to me.

Jackp,
I hope the turkey I will shoot will be great delicously and not dry meat. I will see...
I hope so... if I can replace my ear.

Mulehunter   

[yelp]

"Ok Im not doubting that they may have been farm birds on the loose........All Im trying to get at is how do you guys know exactly how these birds react?? have you been out to his property looking at these turkeys??"

Don't have to see them.....I can tell from the description of what they are, which tells me where they came from and consequently how they act.

Oh ...and the Dept. today could give a rats ass.  The powers to be would rather see them all die or get shot.  Has nothing to do with tag sales.

Wacentuires,
First of all. U have not proved us about it that okanagon is not wild turkey.. Why not u go there shoot one and explain this about this turkey aren't wild turkey???
Maybe I will go. And post apicture if I got lucky.

Yelp,
u may need give him some credit to welcome hunter with their rejoy turkey hunting season.  If u are Mr Perfection why not let him rejoy what he can have. He just want to give some oppourity to many hunters.
And not need negative thing about hunting turkey in okanagon co.

There is many many hunters that I know that feed turkey in washington. And some of picture u see them bragging their turkey was some feeding area to keep them stay around and being shot.

About me...

I went first time with guide 2 weeks ago. I thank him for his biggest heart to me. He spend 16 hours helping me to hunt turkey on public land. We got many Tom and jacks calling in.  We got nicest tom with spread feather walking by us with in 45 to 50 yds and it was my best part is see him  but I aim at him I didn't take a shot because it was not right time  my guide said u did right thing not to shoot and I thank Steve for amazing time helping me to make me very excited being part of turkey hunting.
I didn't fill my tag yet because there was many hunters but I am happy to see them out there and excited about turkey season.

I hope one day I wil fill my first tag. I never had got one for 8 years.  Maybe I should sign up with lionhunter and fill my tag. He sound like a very nice man I hope to  meet him someday and hope he can help  show me how to hunt a wild turkey.

Mulehunter

Mulehunter.. I have never said I was perfect?  Far from it. 

I just hate seeing uncontrolled releases of game farm turkeys by landowners who think they are doing good...ruin all of the hard work the WDFW and other non-profit groups to establish disease free wild turkey stock around Washington.  What is going to happen in the Methow valley now is a bunch of retarded looking turkeys that are part Eastern Hybrid with the Merriams..The local biologists I bet love this problem..I sure they have a positive outlook on turkeys up there...One of the reasons for establishing seperate flocks around the state was to make sure the WDFW had extra populations of Merriams and Rio Grandes.  That way lets say we get a disease that wipes out a Majority of the Merriams in the Republic Area, the WDFW could trap and relocate disease free stock from Stevens County...etc..Similar to what they do with Bighorn Sheep around the state..If lionhunter wants to raise game farm hybrid turkeys on his property he can  free country...If he wants to advertise and ask for donations from sportsman to feed his turkeys...its a free country.  When those tame turkeys step off his property and on to USFS..that is where I have a problem.    Oh and after reading your last comments lionhunter would be the perfect outfitter for ya. 

[turkeydancer]

Well put WaCent and Yelp ... We also know that for the same price they could pay an responsible outfitter to take them on a guided hunt for one of the truly wild birds. But if they want to pay $ 250 for obviously at one time game farm birds that were never inprinted by a wild hen and therefore will never truly be wild birds, and want to call that wild turkey hunting ... well, then they will never learn the true meaning of the sport that we enjoy.  However, if they can get some satisfaction from it, it is their nickel.  My fear is the same as yours that avian disease will be spread to the true wild populations and kill off the good work that was put in to get the populations started.  Four guys in Belfair did the same thing a few years back ... coyotes took a week to kill all 50 released by each of them. WDFW also paid them a quick visit ... needless to say 4 guys out of the "wild turkey business".    

[OneHorn]

i have read most of this topic and i may be outa line by just jumpin in on this but i would like to just ask what ever happened to just good ol turkey huntin. If someone has some turkeys they need taken care of they should just let a few people out on there property for free and let them hunt them. Tame or not if they want them taken care of you shouldnt have to pay. AND if you ask me someone makin some birds tame and takin the fun out of hunting them, WHY??? That would be like seeing a wild bird in a field and sneaking up on him and shooting him. To me turkey hunting is all about testing your skill and playing the turkeys game and trying to out smart him, not just walkin up on him. Now i may be outa line but thats kind of what i got outa this. I woulld be a little afraid to eat a tame bird...

[yelp]

Onehorn..Its not the hunting I have a issue with..I just want him to keep his gamefarm turkeys on his property.  High fence them in..Not only are they tame they are game farm stock..which can be detrimental to wild flocks. 

[OneHorn]

Yelp, thanks for clearin that up. sorry bout my rant. I agree 100% with you. High fence the damn place so nothing happens to the wild flock

[Wacenturion]

To be clear....It is illegal to release game farm wild turkey stock in Washington, even on one's own property.  Turkeys are treated differently than pheasants, quail, and partridge in the WAC.  Those other upland birds can be released with permission.

WDFW is dropping the ball big time on this one.....but then again....they could care less, as disease ridden turkeys wiping out wild flocks especially near sharptails (which is another lame excuse not to release additional birds in Okanogan) would be welcome in their mind (those idiots in Wildlife Management)....

[fishunt247]

I'm just posting up so I can keep up with this thread, even though it seems like no more arguments can be made to justify these birds. I agree with everything pointed out here, and can't say anything that already hasn't been said. 

[Machias]

So, if that is the case, you should not be required to have a hunting license for these birds and they should be "open" year round and no bag limit?  Correct?  If not, then they must be "wild" birds?  How many generations of hatchlings before those birds are considered wild, if ever?  I agree that the state should only release birds/animals/whatever, but at what point does the off spring be considered wild and require "management" by the state or do they ever?  Just curious.

[boneaddict]

Theoretically I'd think it would be hatched by mom and raised on the ground......

[Machias]

Then these birds, (I agree with the wrongly released 12 years ago) (not the original stock who must all be long dead and gone) are considered "wild"?  And if they are considered wild and a tag required then why wouldn't the count as an Eastern....since they are easterns?  I personally have no desire to hunt these birds or ANY wild stock that is fed and habituated to humans, and I see it happening all over Eastern WA with Rios and Merriams.  I'm just curious.  Seems like the state should go in and either wipe these birds out or require whoever released them to fix the problem, i.e. pen them up if they are not considered wild stock.

[wastickslinger]

What do you guys classify as tame? cause Im gettin real confused


Tame for me would be walking right up to the flock and almost petting them.........

I see all sorts of pics on here of ppl feeding deer and elk on game cameras.......are those animals tame or wild?   

A flock of albino turkeys. I can see MuleySniper in snow camo acting like a huge horney hen trying to kill one of those big wild albino turkeys. 


Good Point, Moss.   

No....it's not a good point.  Not even comparable to what being discussed here.  When you go deer hunting are you going after tame deer or elk in a city, park where ever...I don't think so.  If you are though....then these birds will fit the bill.

You don't need to get close enough to pet them....just close enough to shoot them with a 12 gauge without using camo, cover, or whatever to shield your approach......you know ....how tamed down animals react to your presence.  I don't even know why I'm spending time trying to explain it.....if anyone here thinks this at all resembles turkey hunting in it's true sense....then have at it.  Here's another spot you can try............

A flock of albino turkeys. I can see MuleySniper in snow camo acting like a huge horney hen trying to kill one of those big wild albino turkeys. 

[twisp_river_slayer]

haha i love how everybody gets worked up over those turkey's. They definatly are not wild but still a challenge to hunt. During hunting season they are pretty tame though. My camo usually consists of a sweatshirt, jeans and my nike's. I havn't justified dressing up for turkey shooting beause you cant really call it hunting. As far as spending 250, every rancher i know only charges 100 a bird with no deposite. If people are paying that much then keep it up. lol Most people hate them and just let you kill them anyways. What the game department should do is open a fall season too. IMO

[turkeydancer]

As far as WDFW is concerned, the birds are classified by county of kill ... ie- these would not be considered Easterns, they would be considered Merriams.

The NWTF's cost in the 80's/90's was $600+ per wild bird just from the NWTF that was planted even with all the free NWTF labor ... more if you consider the WDFW labor costs and costs they incurred for the nets, "mortars", gas, etc. Paying off the turkey debt took many years and was a hardship on the outreach programs, etc.   If people are upset, it is because of everything that was put into getting truly wild birds and the sacrifices made that can be wiped out from avian diseases spread  by illegal releases like this one. The state is not allowing any additional wild turkey traps and transfer.  Do you really think that would be funny to see the populations wiped out for your lifetime?   

[mossback91]

I thought there already was a fall season in the methow?!?!

[Wacenturion]

Doesn't matter if there is a fall season or not.  These birds are smack in the middle of his ranch for the most part.  They stray much and they are wolf bait. 

Is there some sort of an imaginary line the wolves don't cross on that ranch....lol

[mossback91]

 

[Wacenturion]

haha i love how everybody gets worked up over those turkey's. They definatly are not wild but still a challenge to hunt. During hunting season they are pretty tame though. My camo usually consists of a sweatshirt, jeans and my nike's. I havn't justified dressing up for turkey shooting beause you cant really call it hunting. As far as spending 250, every rancher i know only charges 100 a bird with no deposite. If people are paying that much then keep it up. lol Most people hate them and just let you kill them anyways. What the game department should do is open a fall season too. IMO

Thank you.............I think you have pretty well explained in laymans terms from experience with these birds what some of us were trying to explain in this thread.

As Machias stated..........."Then these birds, (I agree with the wrongly released 12 years ago) (not the original stock who must all be long dead and gone) are considered "wild"?  And if they are considered wild and a tag required then why wouldn't the count as an Eastern....since they are easterns?"

As you can see from the reply from TRSlayer.......they are not wild....even 12 years later.  That's what game farm birds are from generation to generation...TAME.  So to answer you question......never....they are not wild birds...and as far as being Easterns and counting as an Eastern in our state......never.......they are so far removed from western Washington Easterns that it would be an insult to everyone who has put in the time and effort to harvest an Eastern to even consider these game farm birds an equal.....enough said.   

[OneHorn]

beautiful, the point got across to all that these birds ARENT wild. i wonder now who if the people that wanted to hunt this guys tame birds are just going to get in the car and go to there local safeway and snatch one up. whats the difference

[twisp_river_slayer]

Doesn't matter if there is a fall season or not.  These birds are smack in the middle of his ranch for the most part.  They stray much and they are wolf bait. 

Is there some sort of an imaginary line the wolves don't cross on that ranch....lol

  yeah there is a line becuase the last wolfs that crossed that line were shot and mailed to cananda.

[docsven]

beautiful, the point got across to all that these birds ARENT wild. i wonder now who if the people that wanted to hunt this guys tame birds are just going to get in the car and go to there local safeway and snatch one up. whats the difference

About $6.00 per pound off sale.  Give or take.