Canadian Invasion

[HighCountryBC]

Hey guys,

Canadian neighbor here from North of the border above Oroville. Just finished completing all the licensing and paperwork with WDFW and ATF (for importing my shotgun) to make a trip down when your season opens in Washington.

The plan is to hit the border at Oroville and head SE towards Spokane and up through Deer Park, Chewelah and Colville for a few days of hunting before coming back across the border into Canada for a few more days in the turkey woods up here.

Few questions regarding huntable lands:

Are most of your State and Federal lands public for hunting? It's a little bit for me to sort through between USFS, BLM, WDFW areas and DNR lands. I use OnX so will make sure I'm not hunting where I'm not allowed to be.

How are landowners in those areas with respect to allowing access? Up here, it's a tossup with many landowners not giving access when approached unless you know them personally. The odd time you get lucky and I always treat that as a privilege. I have no problem door knocking but from what I can tell, there's plenty of public land in supposed good turkey areas in the spots I'll be targeting?

I'll have my 5 y/o son with me. I've brought him on my trips since he was 3 and he absolutely loves it. He has no issue getting up and in there before first light and sitting still and quiet when it's time. I've hunted turkeys for close to 20 years now so I'm pretty comfortable with calling, set-ups etc.

I'm really grateful for the opportunity to come to your great state and hunt these awesome birds. Always open to tips and if any of you would like to swap some info I don't mind sharing. There are lots of great turkey areas in towns along the BC/Washington border that I'm happy to provide info if anyone ever makes the trip up here. I've helped a few guys in the past get their Canadian birds. Cheers guys!

[luvmystang67]

Welcome.  Most all state and federal land is open to hunting.  It would be the exception if a place were closed.  My running assumption is that if its state or federal land, and its not like right in the middle of town and effectively used like a park, its good to go.  Landowners might be more willing to provide permission with the little one around.  Most enjoy seeing the younger generation experience the great outdoors rather than sitting on smartphones, so that could work in your favor.  Still, its not like it used to be, and most folks are exactly as you've mentioned.  Im not sure what its like for turkey, but my general perception is that turkey permission is not nearly as closely guarded as deer, elk and pheasant.  You might have better luck than you otherwise would in the Fall seasons, when the majority of pressure comes and all the relatives show up to hunt. 

[wadu1]

I would reach out to Dale @bearpaw at Bearpaw Outfitters he's the site owner he guides out of Colville. I've only hunted the fall hunts and saw hundreds of birds each day.  The last time I was on the Island Highway headed to Cambell River had one cross in front of us to slow to grab a photo. 

[trophyhunt]

Public land in those areas you mentioned will hold birds, my very first year turkey over there was about 3 years ago, killed my first tom on that trip.  Good luck, I think you'll do just fine!

[baldopepper]

What dates are you going?  All state and federal ground, with the exception of campground/park areas is open to hunting but can be very crowded the first week of the hunt.  Getting permission to hunt on private ground is much easier to get after the first couple of weeks.  Many of the landowners have commitments to friends and family for the opening week, but are open after the friends/family have left. Been an easy winter on the birds so populations look good
 There will be plenty left after the opening weekend deluge.  Good luck!

[HighCountryBC]

What dates are you going?  All state and federal ground, with the exception of campground/park areas is open to hunting but can be very crowded the first week of the hunt.  Getting permission to hunt on private ground is much easier to get after the first couple of weeks.  Many of the landowners have commitments to friends and family for the opening week, but are open after the friends/family have left. Been an easy winter on the birds so populations look good
 There will be plenty left after the opening weekend deluge.  Good luck!

Thanks for the info. My trip is pretty open ended as I have a really flexible work schedule. Our season in BC runs the same as Washington so I'm not too particular on which side of the border we get started. I typically do hunt the opener but save a bird for later in the season as we're able to take 2. The winter has been so mild like you said, it's got me really excited to get out with my boy and chase some longbeards.

Appreciate the replies and pm's so far. As a Canadian coming down to hunt WA, I thought I might take a few more shots from you guys but everyone has been really helpful.

If anyone wants to shoot a BC bird or 2, it's a pretty easy trip for you guys in the NE corner to zip across the border and hunt. Happy to help out if anyone is interested.