SEC Turkey Hunters Invading NE Wa

[brokentrail]

I have ran into plenty of out of state turkey hunters when im hunting.  Most are nice folks that just love to turkey hunt and will wherever they can and try to extend spring as long as possible. 

[brokentrail]

Now we know how other states feel when WA hunters invade their state for spring bear, deer, elk, moose, etc. etc. 

Is it legal to charge a trespass fee for private land here in WA.  If these fellas are willing to buy out of state license and turkey tags, plane tickets, etc. etc.......I bet they would pay a pretty penny to kill a dirty bird on private property.   

Im over here right now but I guess I forgot my whisky and salmon...   

Doesn't bearpaw post photos of nonresident turkey hunters he guides every year.


Just what is the difference when people come from the west side with coolers full of salmon and whisky?

[Ghost Hunter]

The Sportsmen Party
3h
 ·
A one state is considering new restrictions on nonresident turkey hunters, and hunters across the country are already fighting over it.

Mississippi wildlife officials are proposing a rule that would cut nonresident hunters to a two bird seasonal limit, with only one gobbler allowed before April 1. Officials say the move targets pressure from traveling “49 state slam” hunters who flood the state early each spring.

Resident hunters largely support the proposal, arguing locals are losing opportunity while turkey populations struggle in parts of the South. Traveling hunters are pushing back hard, saying the restrictions are more about limiting competition than conservation.

The bigger debate is growing nationwide as more states shorten turkey seasons and tighten regulations. Should wildlife agencies prioritize resident opportunity first or maximize nonresident access and revenue?

Aaron B. Futrell, Author|Owner, Delong Lures See less

[Pathfinder101]

Guys trying to get their Rio for a turkey slam.  Tell'em you will guide them to a Rio if they can get you an Osceolla  .

NE WA is Merriams country.

Yup.  You're right.  I'm a jacka$$... 

[Ridgeratt]

Im over here right now but I guess I forgot my whisky and salmon...   

Doesn't bearpaw post photos of nonresident turkey hunters he guides every year.


Just what is the difference when people come from the west side with coolers full of salmon and whisky?




You might not, But I had been thrown off some public land by a person who was confused about what a buddy of mine owned. I was coming off the hill and ran into him, and he started to inform me he was good friends with the person, and he owns all of the land. I let him run his gums. I guess the only real problem was I hunting with the landowner and he was walking down the road behind this well-informed person. When the person saw the land owner he got really sheepish.

[baldopepper]

Turkey hunting is much more popular in some states than it is in Washington. As an example, pennsylvania had 172,000 turkey hunters in 2025 while Washington had a little over 11,000. There's probably more avid turkey hunters nation wide than there are avid elk hunters. Not surprising a few would come out this way.

[brokentrail]

Im over here right now but I guess I forgot my whisky and salmon...   

Doesn't bearpaw post photos of nonresident turkey hunters he guides every year.


Just what is the difference when people come from the west side with coolers full of salmon and whisky?




You might not, But I had been thrown off some public land by a person who was confused about what a buddy of mine owned. I was coming off the hill and ran into him, and he started to inform me he was good friends with the person, and he owns all of the land. I let him run his gums. I guess the only real problem was I hunting with the landowner and he was walking down the road behind this well-informed person. When the person saw the land owner he got really sheepish.

Yes and I've met some people from the east side that id have sworn they were from the west, based on their opinions and actions,  doesnt mean every east sider is the same.  I live there because of work,  not because of who I am.

[HikerHunter]

Turkey hunting is much more popular in some states than it is in Washington. As an example, pennsylvania had 172,000 turkey hunters in 2025 while Washington had a little over 11,000. There's probably more avid turkey hunters nation wide than there are avid elk hunters. Not surprising a few would come out this way.

I was curious about this and found that in Pennsylvania in spring 2025:
170k hunters
43k turkeys harvested
18 days hunted per turkey

Washington spring 2025:
13k hunters
7.3k turkeys harvested
9 days hunted per turkey

There are way more turkey hunters and turkeys harvested in Pennsylvania but the ratio of turkeys harvested to hunters is 1:4 versus 1:2 for WA. And the days hunted per turkey is half in WA as well.

[bearpaw]

Part of the reason WA is getting more non-resident turkey hunters:

What states require non-residents to draw turkey tags?

Non-residents often have to draw spring turkey tags in competitive states like Iowa, Kansas, Arizona, and South Dakota. Several other states, such as Mississippi, require a draw for specific public land tags for non-residents during the early part of the season.

Two thirds of my turkey hunters are from the south, many of them are very good turkey hunters. Photo from this morning, all four guys are from southeast states.

[Russ McDonald]

Well you can blame me some.  First off.  Like some have said hunting the 49.  Did you all now that is hunting turkeys that have huntable populations but there is turkeys in all 50 states.  Alaska doesn't have a season and they are called evasive and of course not that many.  Second also eluded to.  Population of turkeys are declining in the South.  Hunters out there are not like western hunters.  Lots are dedicated turkey hunters and that is it.  Out west we are hunters of opportunity.  We have more public land and a wider range of animals to hunt.  The last was I bragged about this state and the turkey hunting to a lot of people when I went to Nashville for the NWTF National Convention.  I have got tons of calls about hunting here.  Sent quite a few towards Dale.  The south turkey hunters are a dedicated bunch.  I have met that Alabama crew a few times while put hunting or in town.  I think the first year they were in the area.  We were eating at a diner somewhere and saw my truck in the parking lot.  Came in and actually found me because of course I was in camo.  Asked me some questions about hunting there in the NE gave them a run down and some general locations between Colville and Kettle Falls.  Met them the next year and they told me if I wasn't right with my info.  They loved hunting here and sound like still coming back.

Sent from my SM-S936U using Tapatalk

[b0bbyg]

Was working for my company in Alabama last week.  One of the locals said they were making plans for NE wa next year for turkeys

[pickardjw]

The SE states need to get on board with later season opening dates. If I remember correctly that was a major contributing factor to their declining populations as of a few years ago when I was consuming Mike Chamberlain's research.

[jackelope]

Turkey hunting is almost a religion in different parts of the country. It’s just like deer hunting multiple states across the west every year. There’s not too many states you can go to with the potential to shoot a merriams, a Rio and maybe even an eastern on a really good day. Plus it’s cheap and there are crap tons of birds on public land. 

[Russ McDonald]

Turkey hunting is almost a religion in different parts of the country. It’s just like deer hunting multiple states across the west every year. There’s not too many states you can go to with the potential to shoot a merriams, a Rio and maybe even an eastern on a really good day. Plus it’s cheap and there are crap tons of birds on public land.

Did some research and found there was 5 others states including WA that has Rio's, Merriam's and easterns but I think WA was the first. 

Yes that is true on the early start to season in the SE contributing to the decline in turkeys.  Some states have gone to a later season out there.

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[Henrydog]

We have a lot of Turkeys, what else would a non res come here to do?  Whitetail down, mule deer down, Elk have hoof rot, Moose population down, pheasant numbers way down.  Turkeys are it.  I ran a across guys from Tennessee last year.  Super nice and I even gave them so general areas to check out.