try to figure out where to go

[satchel3006]

me and my dad have gone turkey hunting the passed few years but havent been successful have called one in but it came in from behind and never got a shot off and i think we've narrowed it down to the fact that were not very serious about it it was more an excuse to get out. This year were actually planning a 3 day hunting trip we'd like to run up to the northern corner where all the turkeys are at but we may not be able to do any scouting due to work were going to try but might not be able to. however we did run into a pretty big flock of turkeys while grouse hunting in the colockum area and the clockum is a little closer so scouting would be easier. now we just need to figure out what area would be best. so for you hardcore turkey hunters where would you go if you had to pick

[yelp]

Why not the Blues or Klickitat?

[uplandhunter870]

if youre going to be serious about bagging a thunder chicken and are only going to give yourself 3 days i would consider crossing the colockum off the list.  that place is a mad house during turkey season.  i hunted up there last year, it was my first turkey season and im only 30 mins away from where my buddy was wanting to get to up there.

during the middle of the week wasnt bad but come thursday every camp site had a trailer in it, guys were cold camping in their trucks and there we several guys in tents.  and this was in the one draw my buddy said i was almost garaunteed a bird, guess the secret got out.

too many people and too many idiots up there, i wont go back. im going to the blues this spring

[satchel3006]

thanks for the heads up on the colockum. ill see about checking out the klickitat and the blues the first year we went we went up on the tucannon thats where i called my first bird but its getting kinda crowded there and it always snow when we go. will probably hunt more than just the 3 days were just going out for 3 days around opening day

[Wazukie]

No turkeys in Klickitat 

Why not the Blues or Klickitat?

[ThePascoKid]

I'd concentrate on the blues, I don't think snow is going to be as much of a problem this year, so you'll be able to get up higher where most of the national forest is, and with a little hiking you can get away from the crowds.

[ribka]

Did Blues 2 years ago. Not many people and good hunting. As mentioned lack of snow will put more birds on public lands

Good luck

[yelp]

The Colockum and other areas next to large towns will always be busy..you just have to get away from the crowds.  There are lots of areas to hunt wild turkeys in this state.  Opening Day will always be busy..This year it is a Thursday..so I see a 4 day weekend for lots of guys..If you want an area for your self go a little later.

[jackelope]

I was also in the colockum last year and will agree it was a effin zoo. I called the same jake in 3 times in one day and that was the only male turkey we saw in 2 days. after the half way point of day 2 we left....too many people and too much snow.

[Woodchuck]

no turkeys in the blues, wouldnt waste the time if i were you 

[KimberRich]

thanks for the heads up on the colockum. ill see about checking out the klickitat and the blues the first year we went we went up on the tucannon thats where i called my first bird but its getting kinda crowded there and it always snow when we go. will probably hunt more than just the 3 days were just going out for 3 days around opening day

It's getting more crowded everywhere not just the Blues..  Opening weekend is always the worst also.  My advice is get off the road to some more difficult areas if you want to get away from crowds.  The chances of calling in another hunter are less also. 

[jackelope]

The most people I've ever seen turkey hunting was down on the Tucannon.

[KimberRich]

The most people I've ever seen turkey hunting was down on the Tucannon.

I've heard the same thing. 

[jackelope]

and to follow that statement I will say that I couldn't figure out where to hunt where I thought the turkeys would be either. A lot of the country that looked like turkey country is private.
Disclaimer to this is that I have attempted turkey hunting exactly 1 time down there so my experience is limited on the Tucannon.

[satchel3006]

the first year we went we we turned at the fish hatchery and parked at the gate we walked in quite a ways and set up in a field with the mountain (hill?) at our backs we had some decoys out in front i started calling heard one across the river but nothing else and about 45 min later (my dad was asleep at this point) a gobbler started gobbling right behind me which woke my dad up and scared the crap out of me kept calling but never saw him. talked to a guy and he said opening day a group of about 5 guys opened up on a flock of jakes. we try a few other places up there but never heard or saw anything. thanks for the tips

[ThePascoKid]

I'd stay away from the Tucannon on opening day of anything, Turkey, Deer, Elk, even fishing.  There's plenty of places to hunt turkey in the Blues without putting up with that rat race.

[Turkeyman]