NE turkey report

[hunter_sean08]

My buddy and I were able to locate several toms Thursday-Saturday, but they just weren't interested in playing the game. We did a little bit of everything. Sitting near roosts. Hiking our tails off and shock calling into every good looking spot we could. Driving around and locating in new country. Found birds just about everywhere we went, but it seemed to be hang up after hang up. Finally had a nice tom who seemed to be interested in us Saturday afternoon, but just when he seemed to get really fired up the weather would rain on his parade. It was a back and forth song and dance until the last rain squall came through and then he hung up for good. Frustrating to say the least. Talked to a really friendly local who said the birds were fired up a month ago (at least in the area we were at) with the strangely mild winter and early spring conditions we were having. He said it was the weirdest April he could remember for turkey hunting.

All in all, I had 3 amazing days in the woods. NE WA is a pretty special place in the spring. Saw some elk, jumped a moose at first light one morning, and saw way more whitetails than I ever thought I'd see given everything that has happened the last few years. The balsamroot was going off on the hillsides, the birds were singing, and between my buddy and I, we only had 1 tick encounter (thank you Sawyer for your gift of permethrin). As always, we learned more about turkey hunting, even without having killed any birds. Can't wait to try it again next year. Now it's time to go catch some halibut!

[pickardjw]

3rd day of no luck out here. Been within 100 yards of 8 toms. 27 miles walked, mostly timber co land.

Birds have been quiet after 7am or so, though today I had a few birds going until 2pm. Henned up, seen a lot of hens out feeding throughout the day so not a lot of nesting going on yet I guess. Haven’t seen a single Tom fanned out after the morning. Seen them feeding alongside hens.

Almost bumped a sow and cub Wednesday. Saw them before they saw me fortunately and backed out. Coming off a successful spring bear hunt in OR I’m starting to think I should just do that instead of turkey.

[hunter399]

3rd day of no luck out here. Been within 100 yards of 8 toms. 27 miles walked, mostly timber co land.

Birds have been quiet after 7am or so, though today I had a few birds going until 2pm. Henned up, seen a lot of hens out feeding throughout the day so not a lot of nesting going on yet I guess. Haven’t seen a single Tom fanned out after the morning. Seen them feeding alongside hens.

Almost bumped a sow and cub Wednesday. Saw them before they saw me fortunately and backed out. Coming off a successful spring bear hunt in OR I’m starting to think I should just do that instead of turkey.

It's been rough.
I agree ,it's hard when there so quiet.

[Limhangerslayer]

Had a short trip, left Wednesday after work and got up north before roost.  They were pretty quiet on the ground.  But got very vocal on the roost.  I’m running out of days to hunt with other trips planned so it was a crunch time hunt.  Birds were talked most of the morning for me. Copy was headed back home by noon with two good birds.  One shot 20 minutes after fly down and the other around 10:45 or so.  Way better activity than the opener!

[Limhangerslayer]

2nd bird.  Both Spokane county

[CaNINE]

Any updates folks? 

[ljsommer]

Any updates folks?

No movement, no noise, no birds. I’ve seen 5x the amount of deer that I have turkeys (2 hens). Should have stayed home.

[baldopepper]

Birds around me coming off the roost at the crack of daylight (5-5:15) and heading out with no loitering and no noise ( even fairly quite on the roost) Still seeing many henned up, not sure why so many hens not on nest yet. Not sure why, but they just seem to be very quiet this year.  Very little movement until after 7:00 pm and not roosting till about 8:30. Odd year seems to me, but still plenty of toms. (Albeit they've really been pushed heavily to private ground)

 

[CaNINE]

Thanks for the information. Trying to gauge if it’s worth a banzai run over the hill. Maybe I’ll set my expectation as a nice camping trip and time in the woods.

[baldopepper]

Thanks for the information. Trying to gauge if it’s worth a banzai run over the hill. Maybe I’ll set my expectation as a nice camping trip and time in the woods.

  would suggest you do more very loud shock calling than regular calling.  Obviously won't bring em in, but at least let's you know there's some around. I use a very loud peacock call and occasionally a honk on the truck horn. Kids called in a nice bird last week, but he came in quiet after he responded to an initial shock call.

[CaNINE]

   thank you sir

[Sakko300wsm]

Got into them pretty good this morning- could not seal the deal tho. Had one group of Tom’s and Jake’s ( no hens ) sneak in behind me silent and busted me. Had another group come in on a different set up and Tom’s hung up an around 80 yrds out but he was gobbling great until he hung up. Called him in from quite a ways away. All on state land