Rattlesnakes

[SURVEYOR]

I'm thinking of going out for turkey this year.  I've never been, but I figure I'll give it a shot.  I was thinking of going over and hunting in the Alpine GMU.  I'm just wondering if I need to be prepared for rattlesnakes or if any of you guys have seen any while you've been out there.  I know they come out in April, but I don't know how active they actually are.  Please let me know what you think.  Thanks.

[shoot-em-dead]

I haven't hunted that unit but I just keep an eye out for them and listen for the rattle. I still have yet to see one in the wild too!

[bobcat]

Alpine GMU for turkeys    No turkeys there that I know of. Why would you want to hunt wilderness for turkeys even if they were there? Teanaway has turkeys. And I wouldn't be concerned about snakes in either one.

[Forrestrover]

 I wouldn't worry too much about rattlesnakes when turkey hunting. I think they are more of an issue for dogs when upland hunting. I've never seen one in the woods in WA. I ran into a bunch out at Banks Lake, but I don't think there are many turkeys in that area. I just started turkey hunting last spring, but it seems like where most of the turkeys are, rattlesnakes would not be an issue that time of the year. Last spring, hunting over in the NE part of the state, it was pretty darn cold.
 Growing up in SW WY, we hiked and crawled around in prime rattlesnake country all the time, and only ran into them when digging around in piles of broken sandstone.
 I think if you watch where you step and sit, it shouldn't be an issue.

[turkeydancer]

As FishHunt said in your other thread, NE Wa is consistently approx 73% of the birds harvested in this state (and rattlers not a problem).  Next best would be SE Wa approx 14%, Klickitat with 7%, Central East slopes of the Cascades about 2+%, North East slopes 3+%, and last Westside of the Cascades approx 1+%.

For my money, go for Merriams in the NE corner ...

[boneaddict]

As long as you stay out of Eburg, you'll be OK   As stated, not sure why you;d hunt turkeys there. 

[HoofsandWings]

When I lived in Chelan, I used to hunt turkeys along the SR97 corridor. When it warmed up, I would occasionally hear them. I found dead ones shot by other turkey hunters.

[longstevo]

As FishHunt said in your other thread, NE Wa is consistently approx 73% of the birds harvested in this state (and rattlers not a problem).  Next best would be SW Wa approx 14%, Klickitat with 7%, Central East slopes of the Cascades about 2+%, North East slopes 3+%, and last Westside of the Cascades approx 1+%.

For my money, go for Merriams in the NE corner ...

SW Washington produces 14% of the state's turkeys?  Am I reading this right? 

I live in SW Washington and I've never seen a turkey. 

On the other note of this thread, I've crawled all over south central Washington near Klickatat and I've encountered a lot of rattlers in the summer time. 

[sako223]

I have found timber rattlers to be a little more cranky and even aggressive. Of the hundreds of rattlers I have killed only a small percentage has been in the timber.

[turkeydancer]

Longstevo: 

 
Should read SE WA/Blue Mtns (they put the "W" next to the "E" and I mis-typed). 

I grew up in SW Washington and there are turkeys if you know where to look ... just a lot fewer than you find in eastern Wa.

[Phantom Gobbler]

When I lived in Chelan, I used to hunt turkeys along the SR97 corridor. When it warmed up, I would occasionally hear them. I found dead ones shot by other turkey hunters.

HoofsandWings - What was up with the "dead ones shot by other turkey hunters?"  I have not found any dead birds in the woods that had been
wounded and not recovered.

[ICEMAN]

I think he means dead rattlers shot by other hunters...

[Skyvalhunter]

Time for a re read Phantom

[Intruder]

I've seen 1 while hunting near Davenport.

[GoldTip]

I've only seen one Rattler in WA. and it was up at Indian Painted Rocks trail in N. Spokane.  Big *censored* coiled up right next to the trail info sign.  I wanted to shoot the dang thing but the wife thought it would scare the rest of the eco hikers along the trail so she threatened me with personal violence if I shot it.  I threatened to turn her in for Domestic Violence as everyone knows she beats me anyway. And besides I may be saving some kids life by killing this dangerous snake, and I'm performing a public service.   Long story short the dang thing got to live another day.  I don't mind snakes unless I don't know where they are. 

[Shootmoore]

You have to look for them rattlers, they can be a bit shy.  But I always figure if I find one or two its just a bonus.  They are pretty tasty and the skins and vert are neat trophys.

Check the creek area's they like to hang out there because its cool and there are rodents to hunt.  Also if you get out in the early spring work the rocks, If you find a den of them you can fill the freezer with chicken mcnuggets.

Shootmoore

[sisu]

I haven't hunted that unit but I just keep an eye out for them and listen for the rattle. I still have yet to see one in the wild too!

hahahahahaha that is absolutely hilarious on my behalf. To paraphrase the guy from Christmas Vacation:
I couldn't hear a dump truck drive through a nitroglycerin plant. Hell, I've had the old buzz tail waving his or her tail within a couple of feet of me and I did not hear a thing. I've topped out on rock climbs in Tieton, WA where the damn things were nearly in my face and did not hear them, BUT  I saw them !!!!!!!!!!
No if you got good ears then that works, just ask my wife.

[sako223]

Just hit the road at the right temperature and they will be waiting for you.

[Phantom Gobbler]

Here's one that didn't get away!    Looking for turkeys near Twisp and we found this knarley Rattler!