Well, just got back from a couple days wandering around Lincoln County (a little) and Stevens county (mostly) looking for and at turkeys. (Big oil companies have already emailed thank you's for my generous contributions this weekend) LIncoln county birds seem to be pretty well henned up and anxious to get over a year of celibacy. Mostly smaller groups (10-12 birds) with a Tom or two all puffed up and ready to get it on!! I suspect, but did'nt try, that they would have readily called back if I had hit them with a yelp or two. (Did have 2 different flocks just north of Creston start running and actully fly when I stopped to put the glasses on them and I was not really even close to them-maybe been a little poaching going on in that area?) Looks pretty normal down that way. Stevens county is a little different. As I worked my way north it seeemed the birds are still far more in a transition period. Saw several very large flocks (40-50 birds with 4-5 toms and several jakes and two flocks one of about 2 dozen that walked acros the road in front of me that were all hens-no toms or jakes in sight) I saw birds where I rarely or never see them and no birds in spots where I almost always see them. They have definitely moved from their winter areas but seem to be just now really breaking up. Further north towards Kettle Falls I got, the more that seemed the case. I only tried calling to one bunch that hangs in a "no hunting under threat of death area" and only got a courtesy gooble from one tom in response. When they are hot I hear them off and on all day around my cabin and I heard none in the late morning early afternoon hours I spent there. I ran into two young fellas at a service station who told me they had been scouting (and calling) all the way from Kettle Falls , Colville down to Springdale and had virtualy no response, even thought they saw quite a few birds.Thye also said they were unable to check out some areas they hunt near Kettle Falls and Colville because the raods were still drifted over. (both boys were the xxl/xxxl variety and in rather sour moods because of the lack of calls, lack of road access and the fact that their final $80.. did not fill their tank-I oppted to not give them my disertation of the sins of calling/educating before the season starts) Roads at teh lower to mid level are very good (dusty in fact) but higher level roads are still muddy and drifted in the shade--snow is goiing quickly though. I'm kinda thinking that those who have "honey holes" where they find birds every year will not be disappointed (don't bet on it this year though) and those who "amubush hunt" will have better openers than those who "run and gun" and depend on calling in their birds. Things change very quickly this time of year with the birds, but I'm thinking they are really a couple of weeks away from being "hot" in Stevens County. Weather over there was beautiful, but not supposed to hold. Fuel prices ran from about$3.85/gal to as high as $4.09. Hope everyone has a good safe hunt!
