spring turkey regs are confusing toward East/West for harvest limits

[birddogdad]

So i recently had a coffee with a buddy and we were discussing Spring Turkey regs and where you can harvest the 3rd bird. Sure Spokane CO allows this clearly in regs, but that rule is fairly recent. Spring allows 3 toms taken (outside of Spokane) 2 east/ 1 west. A couple counties in regs only allow 1 bird harvest in that county as well....

The discussion focused on Klickitat. I have verified with Ridgefield field office the "rule" but before i put it down here, i would like to hear from guys to see if you are as confused as i in the vague regs.  Remember Klick has 500 series GMUs that in big game regs are considered WEST for ELK seasons.

QUESTION: Is Klickitat considered EAST or WEST for turkeys? Point being taking a 3rd bird either East or West after you have harvested first two in the opposite side?

[Rainier10]

No idea but am curious about the answer.

[Dan-o]

I'm interested in seeing the answer you got when you post it.

I tried to write my understanding down, but I couldn't make it make sense.

[Bob33]

That's an interesting question. I would assume it is based on your specific location and not the GMU you are in.

https://app.leg.wa.gov/wac/default.aspx?cite=220-200-020


For purposes of all rules of the commission, Eastern and Western Washington are defined as:
Eastern Washington - All lands lying east of the Cascade Crest Trail and east of the Big White Salmon River in Klickitat County.
Western Washington - All lands lying west of the Cascade Crest Trail and west of and including the Big White Salmon River in Klickitat County.

[Platensek-po]

Doesn’t it say that 2 birds may be harvested in klickitat county? So it’s not by gmu but by county boundary. Or are you asking if the birds count toward east or west? If so then I assume west since it says only one bird except for klickitat county

[birddogdad]

Doesn’t it say that 2 birds may be harvested in klickitat county? So it’s not by gmu but by county boundary. Or are you asking if the birds count toward east or west? If so then I assume west since it says only one bird except for klickitat county

yes but like i said, 3 tags available but only 2 allowed in East, 3rd must either be west OR Spokane County.. So back to Q, is Klick east or west?

[birddogdad]

That's an interesting question. I would assume it is based on your specific location and not the GMU you are in.

https://app.leg.wa.gov/wac/default.aspx?cite=220-200-020


For purposes of all rules of the commission, Eastern and Western Washington are defined as:
Eastern Washington - All lands lying east of the Cascade Crest Trail and east of the Big White Salmon River in Klickitat County.
Western Washington - All lands lying west of the Cascade Crest Trail and west of and including the Big White Salmon River in Klickitat County.

This is where i agree...

SO, if you are in Klickitat and east of the river in Klickitat, you are east and it counts towards your spring EAST limit. if west of river, there is still Klickitat county and it counts for west limit.. attached is page 11 from big game regs... again, they (WDFW) also muddy these waters up with 500 series GMUs on the western big game seasons ie, GMU 578/ 560 that clearly are east of those written definitions... The ridgefield office cited the big game definition for turkey season rules to me...

[Bob33]

As I see it the turkey regulations aren't confusing; the elk regulations are.

[packmule]

The regs clearly state the 2 turkeys can be harvested in Klickitat county.

[birddogdad]

The regs clearly state the 2 turkeys can be harvested in Klickitat county.

So again, where if you get 2 in Klickitat can you legally harvest the 3rd? (outside of spokane county) Klick is west for elk and mostly east for turkey.... see above it not clear unless you dig what as been screenshot here

[packmule]

The regs clearly state the 2 turkeys can be harvested in Klickitat county.

So again, where if you get 2 in Klickitat can you legally harvest the 3rd? (outside of spokane county) Klick is west for elk and mostly east for turkey.... see above it not clear unless you dig what as been screenshot here

In stating that 2 may be harvested in Klickitat county the regs indicate that the entire county falls into “Eastern” Washington. You can then kill a third in any Western WA county.

[Buckhunter24]

Holy smokes that is confusing

[Russ McDonald]

The regs clearly state the 2 turkeys can be harvested in Klickitat county.

So again, where if you get 2 in Klickitat can you legally harvest the 3rd? (outside of spokane county) Klick is west for elk and mostly east for turkey.... see above it not clear unless you dig what as been screenshot here

Only on the west, which Klickatat isn't.  Now, this is the strange one for Spokane County.  Some game wardens say yes, you can get that third there, and others say no, you only get all 3 there.  The biggest thing is for spring bag limit is 3 total birds.  Use your discretion on Spokane County.  The way I read it is you could get that 3rd bird in Spokane County.

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[birddogdad]

The regs clearly state the 2 turkeys can be harvested in Klickitat county.

So again, where if you get 2 in Klickitat can you legally harvest the 3rd? (outside of spokane county) Klick is west for elk and mostly east for turkey.... see above it not clear unless you dig what as been screenshot here

Only on the west, which Klickatat isn't.  Now, this is the strange one for Spokane County.  Some game wardens say yes, you can get that third there, and others say no, you only get all 3 there.  The biggest thing is for spring bag limit is 3 total birds.  Use your discretion on Spokane County.  The way I read it is you could get that 3rd bird in Spokane County.

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small part of Klick is in western by definition...see above post from regs... not saying ALL of klick is , but there is a portion that is clearly west... next discussion though is only 2 come from klick county, never 3. as shown in post above as well, but you can say 1 is a western bird if you are on the correct side per the definition in regs. its really terrible the way they have it written in 2 pamphlets, not clear.

Again its  clearly legal. look at big game regs, a lot of the 500 series GMU's are in EAST (by the definition  shown i n regs above) but they are considered WEST for choices for Elk (shown in other parts of pamphlet) , so the state has made this fuzzy lined. i was very concerned that i was in the wrong. our friend says that my read is correct.