Headed to Klickitat

[Fishnfowler]

I've never hunted the Klickitat for turkeys, but am headed there for 4 days, leaving on Weds.  I'll be staying at a friends place on Wahkiacus road.  If anyone has any tips for places to avoid or general areas to hike and scout I would welcome any advice.  Feel free to PM me to avoid splashing stuff all over the net.  I'm taking my 12 y/o boy, hoping to get him into some action. 

On the flip side, I'd be glad to reciprocate with some intel on upland game or share a hunt this fall in exchange for good info.  I'd usually offer up a turkey hunt here, but the birds have been hard to come by this year.  I've spent more time in the woods this year than the last 5 combined without punching my tag.  I've run into a pile of trespassers this year, but that sad tale will take some time before it can be told. 

Thanks for any help, Rob.

[carpsniperg2]

Pressure has died off a lot more now and you will be even better off hunting during the week. The birds have really started to spread out. They are still talking pretty good, the weather has moved in again and that might shut them up a little bit. I would hunt lower rather then higher right now!!! Birds are in some very low places right now, even lower then I have seen them in the past few years. No secret to that you will see that when you get out. They are getting a little call shy and have heard about every call a turkey hunter can throw at them. If you have some different calls that most do not use, you can do a little better in locating the birds and I would play hard to get when calling. Don't talk to much they are looking for love and the more you talk the more they get turned off!

[sirfunkeybut]

Sounds like my Friday night     

Don't talk to much they are looking for love and the more you talk the more they get turned off!

[lokidog]

My advice... don't touch ANY plants, they are ALL poison oak.   

Seriously, though, there is a lot of it down there, especially along the Columbia breaks.

Good luck!

[Fishnfowler]

Thanks everybody, I really appreciate the help.

Rob.

[Elkpiss]

And bring your tick spray, that is tick capital of the state... You will thank me later!... 

[lokidog]

Oh yeah, and the ticks....   

[carpsniperg2]

For sure! I hate them little buggers! Yes there is a lot of posion oak. When it's early it can be hard to pick out!

[turkeydancer]

First day I ever went turkey hunting, I had 3 ticks on me ... but  I haven't had a tick problem since. Stop at a sporting goods store, buy some cans of Sawyers Tick spray and treat your clothes, hat, gloves, boots, face mask, coat, etc. before you go out and let them dry (dries in a short time). Pay special attention to any openings such as under the hat brim, cuffs, collars, button or zip up areas, etc.  It lasts for 6 weeks and even thru multiple washings. Helps with other insects too!  Just ensure you stay upwind when spraying and don't get it on your skin.
 

[Gobble Doc]

 

[Wazukie]

I live, play and work in Klickitat county and I have never had a tick    As for birds, well, I think they all left    Oh wait, I did see lots of trailers pull into town today.  Carp gave great advise, they are being pushed hard for sure.

[Fishnfowler]

We just got back late last night.  It was a skunk for us.  It took us 4 days to locate birds.  I sure hiked a bunch.  Curiously enough, they were up high.  Yesterday AM found us between three toms with them about a third of a mile apart.  They were very call shy.  They would respond to a faint call from way off, but if we got to within 100 yards they shut up.  We worked them until after 1:00 PM, but only had one bird interested and he wouldn't come in. 

We didn't see a tick.  When we pulled in, we headed right to a spot that I'd internet scouted and at the trailhead were two guys with toms just coming out of the woods.  We kept on going to the next spot.  Thanks to everyone who gave me advice. 

[cryfowl]

I'm headed down there next week for my sons first hunt.  First time I hunted in klickitat I had 13 ticks on me!  Won't go without spray after that.  If you are feeling generous shoot me a pm with where you saw birds.  I can tell you where I normally go.

[jsharptooth91]

I was off the 7000 road where it meets 7200 (I think). Got one to gobble, waited around for about an hr or so. Headed back to the truck and heard another gobble, looked to my left and they were high tailing it over the ridge. Tuff luck i guess. They are there!