Turkey in the Winston Unit?

[bwhntr2819]

While elk hunting last week I saw a gamebird run across the road in front of me. It was still kinda dark out but I could tell it was way bigger than a grouse. Later that day my buddy told me he was sure he'd seen a turkey in the same area. Are there huntable numbers of turkey there or was this a fluke?  I have zero experience with turkey hunting but am very interested.

[Annette]

NOoo Must have been...a big grouse...

[krout81]

People release All kinds of things into the wild.  I have seen a turkey where there are suposed to be no turkeys.  Had a bell on its neck.  10 miles from anyones house or property.  My dad came back to camp said he saw a turkey we told him he was crazy.  The next day I went down the same road and there it was right in the road.  2 days later near the same area another guy in our group was directly under it at 10 yards and saw the bell.  There could be turkeys anywhere if someone lets them go. 

[lokidog]

Onalaska's got turkeys, not too far away. 

[bobcat]

I saw turkeys last year in the Coweeman, right on the Winston GMU border.

[bwhntr2819]

I guess I'll have to look into the regs and see what the seasons are. This bird was fast and didn't hang around long. Several years ago I saw a chicken running alongside a logging road way past Camp Nine. Don't know how it got so far into the woods.

[chester]

April 15-may 15 for that area last year

[Wacenturion]

There were releases of wild Eastern turkeys in the Cowlitz area years ago.  Some reproduction, expansion and movement over the first few years resulted in birds being present in the Winston area.  Since that time there have been consistent sightings here and there.  Generally speaking if you see one of the wild birds (not the one with a bell on it) you're lucky.  They tend to be pretty elusive for the most part.

There were also release made north and south of the Cowlitz areas during those years...north in like Thurston county south and south in like Kalama north.  Lots of area with low densities equal....hard to find, unless you're willing to spend lots of time scouting pre-season.

[MADMAX]

Seen 1 a couple years ago on the 520 rd

[Turkeyman]

No turkeys in winston.

[MLBowhunting]

I saw 4 last weekend in the winston 2 mins before i shot my spike buck.  First time ive ever seen turkeys in the winston and i lived there for many years

[dscubame]

Peacock

[JCClement]

Saw a gamie with 4 Easterns in his rig from the Winston a few years ago.  They were poached and he caught the guys that did it.  Kinda sucked, since there are few of the birds in Western Washington, and anyone who hunts turkeys in this state wants one...