New to Washington

[trkystlkr]

I just moved to Wa last year and unfortunately missed my first chance at the turkies out here due to work but I should be able to get in the woods for this fall, as well as next spring.  I'm in Thurston, can anyone give me some ideas on some decent places to begin looking?   

Also how are the public hunting areas out here as far as game populations, number of hunters etc...

Thanks

[carpsniperg2]

welcome to this great site. i do not know that country so no idea as far as that goes. there is a intro area you might stop by and tell us more about yourself and maybe share some pics. pictures are, our crack around this place

[JackOfAllTrades]

Go back where you came from. It's got to be better hunting there!   

Naw... I know that the WTF has released birds in Capitol Forest. Which is also where some of the biggest Blacktail have been recorded. Better deer hunting would be farther south of you in Lewis foothills north/south of Mount Saint Helens or eastern Thurston county. I haven't hunted down that way for years. I'm sure there's someone on here that will put you within 50 or so miles of their honey hole.

Call the local game office, I'm sure they'll have a contact for someone about the turkeys on public land.

Where did you come from for hunting oportunity. Many on here can give some 'comparison' depending on where you've hunted before.   

-Steve

[the1rod]

hey i grew up in thurston county, its a great place, but i never saw any turkey there. there are more down south a little ways from what i understand. i never hunted them though so what do i know?  but anyway, welcome to the sight, and there are some great deer around there, that i do know.

[trkystlkr]

Thanks for all the help.  Jack I was mainly hunting in South Carolina.  Pine forests and swamp bottoms mostly. 

[turkeydancer]

       Here's a little info to get you going:

There is only Spring turkey hunting on the westside of the Cascades for 1 bearded bird with about 5000+ Easterns mostly scattered in smaller pockets throughout the forest south of Puget Sound area to before Vancouver. It is usually, wet, brushy, and uneven terrain as opposed to the eastside. More turks are harvested in the Skookumchuck Reservoir area, but it is a zoo for at least the 1st few weeks. Other areas that hold turks are Capital Forest, either side of SR 6 between Menlo and the county line to the east, all creek drainages along the Coweman and Kalama east of I-5, along the Lewis River from Merwin Dam to Swift Creek Dam, ditto up the Toutle River, the upper Newaukum, the Wynoochee, etc.  There are others, but ....

Rios and Merriams can be found all over the  eastern side of the state with in excess of 25,000 of each subspecies. Best turkey hunting is in the NE corner of the state and there is a generous amount of public land with tons of Merriams. You can take 2 bearded birds in the Spring season from April 15 - May 31st.  The early fall season lasts for two weeks and starts Sept 25th this year ... you can harvest 2 beardless birds in Units 105 thru 124 (NE corner) ... in addition there are about 12 general areas where you can take 1 additional bird of either sex (see the 2010 fall hunting regs or visit WDFW website).  The late fall season runs Nov 20 thru Dec 15th and you can take 1 either sex bird in Units 105 thru 124.  Merriams also can be found in Unit 101 Sherman, the Klickitat area and the eastern slopes of the Cascades, Mica Peak (south of Spokane and down toards Pullman).  Rios are in the Blue Mountain/Asotin area (SE corner) and North Lincoln County (mostly private land here).

Best advice is to join a local chapter of the NWTF.  Some of the most successful eastern subspecies hunters in the state belonged to the Olympia chapter.

[trkystlkr]

Dancer,
Appreciate the help.  Thats the kind of run down I was needing and looking for.  Thanks.

[turkeydancer]

You're welcome ... I have done 4 to 6 spring and 1 fall turkey clinic each year since 2002 (usually 2 spring & 1 fall since they opened at Cabelas in Olympia).  Wasn't much help in the area when I got started, so I basically learned the hard way by getting my rump kicked by a bird with a walnut sized brain for the 1st couple of years.

For easterns it is never too early to start scouting to locate and to pattern these "phantoms" of the westside (wetside). 

[Skyvalhunter]

Well it's good  that you are here. Now you can get into some deer and elk hunting. Welcome aboard