Youth Hunt Timing and Tactics

[cem3434]

So my kiddo passed hunters ed and wants to turkey hunt this year. I have always hunted turkeys later in the year as I like to chase mountain birds that don't tend to get fired up until late April or early May. It's not uncommon for us to cover several miles per day of tough terrain and I'm not sure at 9 she is up for that yet. I have hunted all of NE WA for turkeys, but never been out that early in the season and don't know their early season patterns and habits.

So my question is how do you generally hunt them super early (youth season) as they seem like they would all be low closer to private especially if there is snow and flocked up still? I'm not even sure my usually spots won't still be snowed in, so any advice or pointers on where to start that early would be great.

Feel free to PM me if you have a specific area to check out as I'm just trying to ensure she has a great hunt with a reasonable opportunity at being able to harvest a bird. Thanks in advance!

[baldopepper]

Suspect you're better off staying lower. Not unusual for the higher areas to still have snow for the early youth hunt, and at best the roads are usually sloppy and nasty.  If you can get over early for a little scouting a lot of the landowners around me are willing to let the kids hunt but shut down for the regular hunt. Birds did well over the winter and plenty around. Taking young kids out for that first hunt and having it be a cold, difficult time can be very discouraging to them.

[cem3434]

Thanks for the response. She has been on a couple of late season hunts with my wife and myself in the snow and sleet, so she has good warm clothing/boots. She has never sat on the cold wet ground for any length of time though, so your point is noted. It sounds like I should head over a couple weeks early and knock on some doors to see what I can churn up for access because my higher hunting spots will most likely be snowed in still.

[baldopepper]

Thanks for the response. She has been on a couple of late season hunts with my wife and myself in the snow and sleet, so she has good warm clothing/boots. She has never sat on the cold wet ground for any length of time though, so your point is noted. It sounds like I should head over a couple weeks early and knock on some doors to see what I can churn up for access because my higher hunting spots will most likely be snowed in still.

Try to take your daughter over with you. Lot of landowners find it hard to say no when you  have a cute little kid holding your hand while you ask permisson

[cem3434]

 

[Pathfinder101]

Thanks for the response. She has been on a couple of late season hunts with my wife and myself in the snow and sleet, so she has good warm clothing/boots. She has never sat on the cold wet ground for any length of time though, so your point is noted. It sounds like I should head over a couple weeks early and knock on some doors to see what I can churn up for access because my higher hunting spots will most likely be snowed in still.

Try to take your daughter over with you. Lot of landowners find it hard to say no when you  have a cute little kid holding your hand while you ask permisson

 

[hunterednate]

I've taken youngsters out on the youth hunt twice and it was a blast. Lots of gobbling both times! So I wouldn't worry about the timing being too early (though you're right - the lack of green-up should keep them at lower elevations). Good luck. Hope your daughter whacks a big one!

[idaho guy]

Thanks for the response. She has been on a couple of late season hunts with my wife and myself in the snow and sleet, so she has good warm clothing/boots. She has never sat on the cold wet ground for any length of time though, so your point is noted. It sounds like I should head over a couple weeks early and knock on some doors to see what I can churn up for access because my higher hunting spots will most likely be snowed in still.

Try to take your daughter over with you. Lot of landowners find it hard to say no when you  have a cute little kid holding your hand while you ask permisson

 

     

x3 kid is the key! The early youth hunt is awesome in Idaho-birds are flocked up but really receptive to calling. We used to get into mountain birds no problems but I guess really in the lower foothills not the high mountains. Good private will be a slam dunk if you go that route but we often got into lots of public land birds in the lower hills and got into them quite a bit even in snow. 

[cem3434]

Thanks for all the great advice, much appreciated gents!  We have a plan and we will be heading over next weekend to do some scouting and door knocking.  Hopefully I get to post up a pic or two of her with her first bird in early April.