New turkey hunter

[asmith]

So, does anyone want to let me tag along for my first Washington Turkey hunt? And actually only my 2nd Turkey hunt ever?  Just figured I would ask.   

Im on the East side, by Spokane

Aaron 

[RadSav]

That's going to be a tough one!  Around here where turkeys and hunters are so concentrated hunting spots are quite guarded.  Probably easier to hang out at the range or gun/archery shop and start up some friendships there.  Or if you can afford it hire a guide for the first trip or two to get your turkey legs.  Turkey guides are very reasonable in price. 

Bearpaw Outfitters sells turkey maps too.  Go in together with a friend and I think it would be around $125.00 for each of you.  That's a dang good deal!
 

[asmith]

Wow, maybe if I put an avatar pic of a hot chick, then I would get some responses.  Glad to see Washington is full of helpful hunters.   

Aaron

[PlateauNDN]

Wow, maybe if I put an avatar pic of a hot chick, then I would get some responses.  Glad to see Washington is full of helpful hunters.   

Aaron

    No, because you would either get a warning or be temporarily banned for the hot chick avatar!   Meet up with other forum members in your area and start a friendship or something   and then from there you could probably jump on as a partner for a lot of other things?  Hopefully?   Good luck by the way.

[predatorpro]

im not trying to be a jerk but we have all been in the same boat as you at one point in our hunting...the majority of us had to work to find our good spots for hunting and you will too, plus its alot more rewarding when you go do the work and get a bird, my first 3 years of turkey hunting i didnt get a dang thing...and i spent more than enough time out in the woods, i finally shot a jake my 4th year and as soon as i got back on the fourwheeler to show off my first bird a big tom was about 15 ft away from the atv just running back and forth by a barbwire fence trying to figure out how to get over it for atleast a minute....

[baldopepper]

Well asmith I have commitments to help friends and relatives the first couple weeks of the season, but after that I might be able to let you tag along.  I hunt in the Cedonia/Hunters area and have accsess to a lot of private ground.  Truthfully, in the past I've taken a couple of hunters out only to have them use my name the next year to attempt to tresspass on the ground i have permisson to hunt.  It's made me a  little gun shy.  I'm sure speaking for others on the sight, we've put in a lot of time finding our "honey holes" and are not anxious to share them.  I do know several areas over there that hold birds that I don't hunt, and if you still don't have a bird by the 1st of May I'd be willing to meet you over there for a hunt.

[turkeydancer]

   I've always had too many friends that want to hunt with me and am always "booked up" by now.  Usually spend 6 days of a 7 day hunt helping the other guys.   And the next year the same guys want to bring 2 to 4 of their friends where I took them or just show up and now claim my favorite spot I took them to as 'theirs".
 
Note that I'm also not available to take "Lady Avatar" ... all though she lives just a few miles from me and not across the state.
 
Try joining your local NWTF chapter, striking out on your own, attending a turkey hunting clinic, hiring a guide, or being a little more patient and see if another old timer may take you under their wing before frying everyone on the forum.
 

[buckfvr]

I dont pick my hunting buds by their avatars......could be risky.....think with your brain, not your dummy...

[predatorpro]

i also noticed your in spokane....you should have no problem finding turkeys over that way 

[turkeydancer]

Major turkey hunting hint:  More turkeys are always killed by being patient.   

[yelp]

Hey Assmith..you have 13 posts..all of them are asking other people to help you go fishing and hunting?  Nobody knows who you are.  What you do? where you live?  What you've done?  I don't mind helping but then to cop an attitude like someone owes you something really pisses me off!   

 Go somewhere else if you don't like it.  My advice to you if you want to be a member that contributes something is to lighten the hell up and be thankful that someone take time to answer your damn ?. 

Try something like this..

Hey there guys Aaron Smith new member to the forum.  I have been out a few times hunting turkeys and I would love to go out with another member if any of you might have the time to take a relatively new hunter.  I live in Grand COulee/Spokane I have transportation and could meet up with someone this spring.  Let me know I would really like to learn.  THanks for your time..aaron.

instead you wrote this..
"So, does anyone want to let me tag along for my first Washington Turkey hunt? And actually only my 2nd Turkey hunt ever?  Just figured I would ask.   

Im on the East side, by Spokane

Aaron"

And then you have the balls to say that we are ignoring you because you don't have some hot chick as an avatar??? 

You need to change your approach, your manners and your attitude.  Nobody on here owes you squat! 

I am surprised at baldopeppers response..hell of a nice gesture if you ask me.  Good luck to you.

[Wacenturion]

Yelp....I was just about ready to say something similar, but you beat me to it. 

The statement.......

"Wow, maybe if I put an avatar pic of a hot chick, then I would get some responses.  Glad to see Washington is full of helpful hunters.   "

says it all.  I can tell you right now that Asmith won't be very successful hunting turkeys.  See Dancer's statement....

"Major turkey hunting hint:  More turkeys are always killed by being patient."

Apparently patience is a virtue that he doesn't have.

[SB]

It is called scouting and putting in YOUR own time.  It is something which goes along with hunting and being successful.

[tenderheart]

 

Hey Assmith..you have 13 posts..all of them are asking other people to help you go fishing and hunting?  Nobody knows who you are.  What you do? where you live?  What you've done?  I don't mind helping but then to cop an attitude like someone owes you something really pisses me off!   

 Go somewhere else if you don't like it.  My advice to you if you want to be a member that contributes something is to lighten the hell up and be thankful that someone take time to answer your damn ?. 

Try something like this..

Hey there guys Aaron Smith new member to the forum.  I have been out a few times hunting turkeys and I would love to go out with another member if any of you might have the time to take a relatively new hunter.  I live in Grand COulee/Spokane I have transportation and could meet up with someone this spring.  Let me know I would really like to learn.  THanks for your time..aaron.

instead you wrote this..
"So, does anyone want to let me tag along for my first Washington Turkey hunt? And actually only my 2nd Turkey hunt ever?  Just figured I would ask.   

Im on the East side, by Spokane

Aaron"

And then you have the balls to say that we are ignoring you because you don't have some hot chick as an avatar??? 

You need to change your approach, your manners and your attitude.  Nobody on here owes you squat! 

I am surprised at baldopeppers response..hell of a nice gesture if you ask me.  Good luck to you.

[MerriamMagician]

Try gettin out on your own and learning the sport. That how I learned. It was tough for a few years because we didnt know what we were doing and shot few birds. Over time you will get better and learn tactics for success. Watch turkey hunting shows, research turkeys, and practice your calling. Also scout a lot and contact landowners. I add a few new properties every year by doing this. Eventually, you will wind up with hunting buddies. It's better to get out there and try than to wait it out till you find someone to teach you.

[BOWHUNTER45]

Man there should be alot of turkeys hittin the dirt this year ...as for tagging along well thats a tough one ...its not that hard to find places to hunt and birds to kill BUT you need to put some efford into it ....if your the kinda guy who wants hand outs then most likely your not going to kill much ...just get out and enjoy yourself ...buy some videos and learn how the game is played  thats what most of us have done 

[asmith]

Ok, here’s the deal.  Where I come from, hunters are a tight community who offer endless help to others as well as new people.  Whether it be they are new to hunting all together or new to certain species.  I have on many occasions taken new people out who I have never meet before, to help them out and show them how enjoyable hunting can be whether you bag an animal or not.  And for me to be the new person for once, and come to a beautiful outdoorsman’s paradise like Washington, and then see how ignorant SOME of the people up here are, and unwilling MOST people are to help out a fellow hunter is ridiculous.  Its unheard of.  As far as you go Yelp, and anyone else who cant think for themselves and did the  , yall can kiss my ass with all your ramblings.  For someone as so called experienced as you in the turkey world, to not be willing to offer help to a new turkey hunter, and to make comments like you did shows a big character flaw in you.  Read my signature at the bottom, that applies to you.  Enjoy yourself.

And by the way, try actually reading my fishing posts.  Im not looking for people to help me fish you idiot.  I simply stated if anyone was over this way let me know as I fish everyday.

Hunting to me is about 3 things.  1st, friendships, family and camaraderie between fellow hunters, 2nd getting out in nature and relaxing, enjoying what God has made, and 3rd putting food in my family’s freezer.  It appears that here in Washington 99% of land is private, so when people find a place to hunt they don’t want to share it.  I never once asked for anyone’s honey holes, or to take me on their private land that they worked hard to get and be able to hunt on.  I simply asked if anyone would be willing to let me tag along, so I could learn some things.  As of right now I am new to turkey hunting, but I’ve been hunting other species for 20 years.  I don’t know how to call, and learning from DVDs doesn’t work.  You need first hand, experienced people to help teach you.  Same thing with waterfowl.  Someone took me out years ago, and helped me learn the ins and outs of water fowling and calling.  So next time, I won’t bother coming on the internet and looking for assistance.

As for the ones that did offer some help, thank you.  I have actually done a lot of scouting over the past couple weeks, and plan on doing some more these next days off I have.  I have found birds in GMU 248, 133 and 136.  I have some private land I might be able to hunt in 133, but there are few birds that I have seen there.  The biggest concentration I have found has been in 248.  So my plan is to hit that on the opener.  It’s a long hike into it, but I don’t mind a little hiking.  I have done a decent amout of internet scouting as well, trying to learn the rules for here and learn the lay of the land.  But if I can’t call, of have someone with me that can call, then it’s almost pointless to go out.  So if there is anyone out there in my area, that doesnt mind taking a new turkey hunter out and showing him the ropes then let me know.  Other than that im done with this topic.  Have fun and good luck this season to all that deserve it.  To those that dont deserve it, may all your shells be duds when in the field.

Aaron

[BOWHUNTER45]

Big Dog slow down .....Let me shine the light on this for ya... No one is being an a-- but when a new guy comes on say someone like yourself and asked for help most likely this is what you recieve  just part of the process...just settle in and things do get better I promise...When I moved out here from P.a in 86 no one told me anything ...I took that personal ... I love to get out and hunt....ya know find something....thats why its called hunting ...and I have taken my share of game and thats because I get after it ....I never eat tags without putting in a 100%.. Best I can say is head up to the N.E Corner of the state ....lots of birds to find or give Dale - BearPaw Outfitters a call ...He is reasonable and he will get ya on the birds ....Good Luck 

[yelp]

Aaron,

First thing is I want to apologize.  The other post with the same title "New turkey Hunter" with a member tenderheart..who is a friend of mine and I took offense to your comment and might have overreacted in my res[ponse to you.  I help lots of members on this site with hunting /fishing...always have.  Members on here can vouch for that.  Thanks for replying..that actually was your best post yet.  Told me a little more about you.  As far as the fishing comment I stand corrected you were just wanting to let members know how fishing has been.  It sounds liek fishing is slow from your posts.  I was going to send you a PM but I figure the other members should see that even I can get overreact.  As far as advice I would be happy to help in anyway for what it is worth.  If you PM me your phone # I will call ya.  I know where there are spots near where you are.  Take care and have a good day fishing..Rain sucks though.

Eric "Yelp"

[kyle78]

I'm going to take both sides on this issue. I like Aaron, moved up here from NV and came in with the attitude that all the hunters were a big community that would help each other out like we did down there. Boy was I wrong. I discovered that this area that I live in was a "Good Ole Boy" club and did not like outsiders. I took exception to that and started to hunt by myself because I would rather risk getting hurt, lost, etc then deal with the attitudes. I have found many great hunting spots and enjoy hunting them. Later on I joined a local sportsmans club here and have met many great people and my attitude has changed greatly. I now understand why people don't like to be so open with their hunting because I have seen what can happen.

Aaron: look into a local club and join, I'm sure someone on here can point you in that direction. Keep an open mind and listen before talking, it's helped me. You wouldn't want some stranger coming up to you asking to use your car or to crash on your couch. Your asking like you did is almost like the same thing, I feel. This website is a great place to be. I don't comment on a lot of topics but just read and absorb as much as I can.
There are alot of great people out there. You have to be able to offer something in return if you want to get something out of it. Try volunteering with organizations that help wildlife and clean ups, many of those people are hunters.

 I haven't met any members here yet but hope to do so soon. Hoping to put some bird hunts together later in the year with a few members.

On that note; I'm not the greatest turkey hunter in the world, but if you are wanting someone to help out let me know. I live in central WA but don't mind traveling. If you want to come this way I can't guarantee a kill but will see birds.

[Wacenturion]

Your statement......

"It appears that here in Washington 99% of land is private, so when people find a place to hunt they don’t want to share it."

shows your lack of spending some time to educate yourself.  Washington State has 42,612.50 total acres, of which 15,513.50 of those are public (either state or federal), which means that 36.41% of the state is available to some form of public use.

As far as Yelp, he helps new and old members as much as anyone here.  You know you come back with an even more offensive reply in my opinion.  You should reread what you said.  You need to chill, look in the mirror and perhaps restate your request along the lines of....

"Sorry guys, perhaps I should have stated my request for help this way...bla, bla, bla."  Starting with an apology would have been appropriate.  Calling people ignorant shows your ignorance.  I'm sorry (that's not an apology by the way if you're wondering), but I hope your shells are duds.    

[Moose22]

I too have been following this thread from the beginning. Dude, I think one aspect that you might be missing is the fun of scouting. This area in the NE is full of turkeys. The scouting is not only fun but there are other activities that can be included. I am also new to this area and I have learned so much by just driving the back roads and getting out and hiking the woods. I have spent the last couple of months shed hunting which is an excuse to scout for turkeys. I am sorry to say but, you are wrong about private lands. There is so much public land that there is no way of covering it all. My problem is not finding turkeys but, where do I want to hunt. I have so many places marked on my map that I have seen turks that I may have to throw a dart to decide where to hunt.

Good luck and maybe with some patients later on in the season when those hunters have filled their tags they may be willing to "tag" along with you.

[BOWHUNTER45]

HEY ...I gave up my best known secrete to everyone here, I am still wondering why I done that  so I am done with giving out favors for a few years      Lets get to killin a few birds 

[yelp]

What???  please share! 

[yelp]

asmith, 
Sent you a PM.  The turkeys in 248 on private or public?  I know where there are a few in that area. In 133 are the birds near lake roosevelt?

Yelp

[buckhorn2]

I have never hunted turkeys but my grandson has been asking for me to take him but we don;t know anything about it. Is there any information on what to do like if you see them in the evening do you try to be there in the morning at that spot. I know of places to hunt in northeast that has turkeys so not asking anyones spot but just what to do so if there is a place to read about it I am asking where do I look.

[kyle78]

Buckhorn, you have a good idea. If you can put them to bed and pin point the tree that they roosted in and be there before shooting time, you have a good chance. I would use a ground blind, not knowing your grandsons age, the blind will allow some minor movement without being seen. Movement is a killer. Turkeys have great eyesight.

[buckhorn2]

Thanks we will try that we always see turkeys just never hunted them.

[cem3434]

asmith, 
Sent you a PM.  The turkeys in 248 on private or public?  I know where there are a few in that area. In 133 are the birds near lake roosevelt?

Yelp

The birds I have seen in 133 are all on private land near the lake, which I have permission to hunt. Theres not a lot of land in 133 that holds birds thats not private or hunting by permission only. I usually only hunt deer there, but we might try it this spring because we seen quite a few longbeards in the area when we were hunting deer in the fall.