Turkey Huntin'

[jwapiti32]

Hey I am just getting into Hunting, have gone one year so far for Deer and Elk and didn't have any luck. I really want to expand out into other game as time goes on, especially Turkey. I live in Vancouver and am wondering the closest GMU's for Turkey that I could check out.

I still need to go get a shotgun and be geared up but am wanting to know where to hunt first.

If anyone could let me know I would appreciate it!

[bearpaw]

There are quite a few birds in the klickitat just west of you. For the best hunting you need to go somewhere in Region 1 (eastern) over 75% of all washington birds are taken in that region.

[turkeydancer]

   He actually meant east of you ...

About 98.9 % of the state harvest is actually done in Eastern Washington with the NE corner providing approx. 70%, followed by the SE corner with about 14%, and the Klickitat with about 7-1/2% (which is still very good). Although Klickitat is actually in Western Washington, it is considered to be in "Eastern Washington" for turkey hunting purposes only, holds the Merriam subspecies, and you can harvest 2 in the spring season east of the mountains.  You can still get one Eastern subspecies in the spring too (westside of the mountains).  Suggest you check out Merwin Dam area to the canal below Swift Creek Dam especially north of the road ... also south of Yale Reservoir to Chelatchee Prairie ... and the feeder creeks into the Kalama and Coweman Rivers (east of I-5) also hold birds.  You will find only small huntable pockets of these easterns and they are the hardest to hunt successfully ... but they can be had if you do your scouting, call soft and sparingly, stay still, be ready, and keep your eyes open.

The Spring Season runs April 15th through May 31st. The Early Fall Season runs Sept 29th thru Oct 2nd in Eastern Eashington only, and the late fall season is Nov 20th - Dec 15 in the NE corner only.  Check the game regs for where and when.

Best way to learn turkey hunting is from those that have been doing it for awhile vice the school of hard knocks. There is an NWTF chapter in your area (Fort Vancouver chapter president lives in LaCenter), and you can get the contact info at www.wanwtf.com from the state chapter contacts list. You can also find turkey hunting clinics at most Washinton and Oregon Sportsmans Shows and many sporting good stores.  Some good articles can be found on the national website at www.nwtf.org (as well as turkey sounds, etc.).  The more you know and comprehend the better .... also read back through a lot of the threads on this website, watch turkey hunting shows or videos, etc ... you can also hire a respectable guide service like Bearpaw! 

[bearpaw]

I believe every turkey hunter should belong to the NWTF. That is who promoted and financed turkey programs in every state. Without NWTF we would have no real turkey hunting. NWTF also is a leading organization in promoting youth and family hunting.....

Additionally, you will learn more about turkey hunting by meeting and hanging out with NWTF members than you could ever learn on your own.

Hope You Join

[Turkeyman]

Well said bearpaw

[Wacenturion]

I believe every turkey hunter should belong to the NWTF. That is who promoted and financed turkey programs in every state. Without NWTF we would have no real turkey hunting. NWTF also is a leading organization in promoting youth and family hunting.....



Hope You Join

Bearpaw...don't take this wrong but....that is so far from being true that I just have to comment.  The reason most states, especially those out west have turkeys is because of people within their respective Fish and Wildlife agencies made it happen during the 80's and 90's, and back east years before that.  Not an easy sell particularly in Washington where it was an uphill struggle against non-native types within WDFW.  That was also somewhat true in Oregon, but to a lesser degree.
Truth be know, the NWTF created problems and made things more difficult here in Washington in some respects.....Fact!  Not to say they...the NWTF members in Washington did not contribute, as they did in many ways, making a good program more successful, but the national NWTF..............sorry, but no.   

[strutnrut1984]

well then we need to organize and change that here in washington. maybe its just run differently back east where im from i had nothing but high regards for the nwtf. a great group of biologist helps too.

[Wacenturion]

well then we need to organize and change that here in washington. maybe its just run differently back east where im from i had nothing but high regards for the nwtf. a great group of biologist helps too.

It's different back east.  Turkeys are a native species, therefore Fish and Game agencies direct management at turkeys just like they would for other species like whitetails.  Out west, turkeys are a non native species and looked down upon by the tree hugger, native only crowd, with that same attitude held by many WDFW employees....not all, but enough to make things difficult.  Makes it near impossible to get management considerations like say for elk, mule deer, or waterfowl.

NWTF didn't really have to do anything back east and out west for that matter, except to get in the game and take all the credit....which they do quite well.  The NWTF might have started with the right intentions in 1973, but like many of the so called conservation organizations, over time it became all about the almighty dollar and how many multiple memberships they could squeeze out of someone.  Even back east the successes of wild turkeys are due primarily to good people (biologists and others) working hard for sportsmen within their own Fish and Wildlife agencies.  Again fact.       

[bearpaw]

Wacenturion....not taken wrong at all....in fact good discussion....I certainly would not want to be making incorrect statements.

However, your comments do conflict with what I have been told and read in the past. Not to say that your comments are incorrect, but they sound more like a WDFW statement. Currently I am busy with other work, but when I get a chance I will try to remember to organize some facts concerning NWTF involvement in wild turkey conservation. From personnal involvement, I know without a doubt that NWTF promotes enhancement of wild turkey populations everywhere.

I will also comment at this time that I have noticed on past occasions that the WDFW dislikes oposing views to their agenda.

[turkeydancer]

(As an NWTF senior sponsor, 3 years as a District Director, 7 years as a local chapter president, and 7 years as a State Chapter Board of Directors member):

It is the volunteers (mostly NWTF members) in this state (working with WDFW) that have gotten things done in this state ... little to no national involvement ... can hardly get them to come out here ... unless the money or membership flow has a significant downward trend.  And WaCent is correct that when we were dealing state to state it was not costing a fortune to get and transfer turks ... the National got involved and determined we should be giving the other states $500/bird, they would finiance upfront, and we could pay it back over 5 years as long as we paid significant interest to them.  That setback and limited our programs for youth (JAKES), women (WITO), the disabled (Wheelin' Sportsman), the needy (Turkey Hunter's Care), our scholarships, etc.
 

It took over 3 years before I saw my first employee from Edgefield (a biologist) at any state meetings ... 3 more years before I saw my 2nd ... they seem to treat us as after thoughts, outcast and even renegades.  
 

Still it is the only game in town and even with all it's warts, there are really great volunteers/people in the state and local  organizations.  Therefore I would still encourage anyone to join up and be involved ... even if national wants to take the credit ... I just want viable populations. Numbers give us leverage .. that to me means all serious turkey hunters need to be involved.
 

[Wacenturion]

I too encourage people to get involved and even join a local chapter of the NWTF.  But with that being said, fully understand the benefit of joining and being a member is the people you meet, the future hunting memories you share with those new friendships, and the good things volunteers do for the wild turkey and hunting opportunity.   If you think the good feeling will come from the NWTF in Edgefield or even from their "car salesmen" type, in state staff employees...you'll be disappointed.  They too only view you as a potential dollar bill. 

Hell, you never know though... you might even get a set of turkey glasses as a gift, a pat on the back and a suggestion that you would make one hell of a chapter president or whatever they want to replace someone that has figured them out with.....beware, you will lose that warm fuzzy feeling in time and figure out the shell game, and someone else will be getting a gift in hopes of replacing you.

[strutnrut1984]

no further comment on this post

[jwapiti32]

Wow lots of information. Thanks Turkeyhunter that helps out a lot. I have the reg book and it says nothing about being able to hunt in those areas so I am guessing they come out with a different book?

I swore I saw a bird as I went up to the Kalama to go fishing and then it sparked my interest to figure out where I can hunt for them. I have never gone so this is all new to me. My brother lives in Oklahoma and he has been VERY successful with Turkeys, harvested many with a bow. Hopefully with the information that you guys have given me and his experience in the hunt, I may be able to go out and get a bird.

Thanks everyone for posting.

[yelp]

Wow lots of information. Thanks Turkeyhunter that helps out a lot. I have the reg book and it says nothing about being able to hunt in those areas so I am guessing they come out with a different book?

I swore I saw a bird as I went up to the Kalama to go fishing and then it sparked my interest to figure out where I can hunt for them. I have never gone so this is all new to me. My brother lives in Oklahoma and he has been VERY successful with Turkeys, harvested many with a bow. Hopefully with the information that you guys have given me and his experience in the hunt, I may be able to go out and get a bird.

Thanks everyone for posting.

Fall seasons are in the Big game hunting regulations..if that is what you are after.  Spring regulations come out in the spring.

[KimberRich]

(As an NWTF senior sponsor, 3 years as a District Director, 7 years as a local chapter president, and 7 years as a State Chapter Board of Directors member):

It is the volunteers (mostly NWTF members) in this state (working with WDFW) that have gotten things done in this state ... little to no national involvement ... can hardly get them to come out here ... unless the money or membership flow has a significant downward trend.  And WaCent is correct that when we were dealing state to state it was not costing a fortune to get and transfer turks ... the National got involved and determined we should be giving the other states $500/bird, they would finiance upfront, and we could pay it back over 5 years as long as we paid significant interest to them.  That setback and limited our programs for youth (JAKES), women (WITO), the disabled (Wheelin' Sportsman), the needy (Turkey Hunter's Care), our scholarships, etc.
 

It took over 3 years before I saw my first employee from Edgefield (a biologist) at any state meetings ... 3 more years before I saw my 2nd ... they seem to treat us as after thoughts, outcast and even renegades.  
 

Still it is the only game in town and even with all it's warts, there are really great volunteers/people in the state and local  organizations.  Therefore I would still encourage anyone to join up and be involved ... even if national wants to take the credit ... I just want viable populations. Numbers give us leverage .. that to me means all serious turkey hunters need to be involved.