Hunting Washington Forum

Other Hunting => Turkey Hunting => Topic started by: deaddog500 on May 01, 2013, 11:24:09 AM

Title: How has the turkey season been so far?
Post by: deaddog500 on May 01, 2013, 11:24:09 AM: Arkansas is having a 'record worst' turkey season this year.
Half of the guys blame the drought, the other half think the 5 day latter than normal start doomed it.
I am leaning more to the drought VS 5 day late start...

But the question was asked, how is our season been?
For me it's been great...But what say you guys?
Title: Re: How has the turkey season been so far?
Post by: Mfowl on May 01, 2013, 11:29:27 AM: I can't complain. It started out great and then turned rough. I only hunted opening week. Seems like it was feast or famine based on the reports on the turkey forum. I may make it out again, got some fishing to do first!
Title: Re: How has the turkey season been so far?
Post by: turkeydancer on May 01, 2013, 11:42:01 AM: :yeah: I can't complain ... had better, but had worse. Weather has sucked, but birds still workable and harvestable. :tup:
Title: Re: How has the turkey season been so far?
Post by: kevinlisa06 on May 01, 2013, 07:27:29 PM: Doing great so far for us we are headin back over east after work tomorrow. Cant wait!
Title: Re: How has the turkey season been so far?
Post by: EA338AI on May 01, 2013, 08:09:00 PM: seen a lot and had 3 toms run into 2 different stands yesterday. being picky want a 11+ inch beard. got my first one but want a monster now.
Title: Re: How has the turkey season been so far?
Post by: deaddog500 on May 02, 2013, 05:54:00 AM: Are most of you guys hunting eastern WA?

I agree that there have been some slow moments, but by and large it has been a good year (so far!)
Title: Re: How has the turkey season been so far?
Post by: Limhangerslayer on May 02, 2013, 06:14:29 AM: Quote from: EA338AI on May 01, 2013, 08:09:00 PM
seen a lot and had 3 toms run into 2 different stands yesterday. being picky want a 11+ inch beard. got my first one but want a monster now.

:yike: I would say thats picky. Good luck.
Title: Re: How has the turkey season been so far?
Post by: Gobble Doc on May 02, 2013, 06:40:02 AM: 0 for youth season with my son and 0 for opener. Trying with a bow for the first time this year so I think I am reaping a new learning curve. :chuckle: I would like to try one more trip before the season is over.
Title: Re: How has the turkey season been so far?
Post by: Tom Tamer on May 02, 2013, 06:50:02 AM: Started out great with my Daughter rolling her first Merriam's(2nd bird overall) Had some close ones and some dead silence almost questioning my calling ability. But it's a long season and seems to be a typical one for me. Highs and lows. But each year seems to go about the same. No worries here for the rest of it.
Title: Re: How has the turkey season been so far?
Post by: turkeydancer on May 02, 2013, 07:03:21 AM: 99% of the harvest is in eastern Wa each year and you're allowed 2 spring gobblers there, as opposed to 1% harvest and 1 bird on the westside of Wa. I plan on going out for a "wetside" side Eastern either May 11/12 or 18/19 or both. Too many honey-do's for this weekend. :dunno:
Title: Re: How has the turkey season been so far?
Post by: bearpaw on May 02, 2013, 09:10:05 AM: Weather has been up and down but at least no heavy snow, overall the season seems pretty normal, we have had 17 guided hunters with 147% success which is above the norm of 130% success on our guided hunts. But, I have had 4 unguided hunters who hunted public land that did not kill a turkey, that is below the norm of about 50% success.

Based on my winter flock counts in farmers feedlots where the wintering birds gather to feed, I think the NE turkey population is actually about 30% to 80% of what it was in 2006 depending on the specific area, but there are plenty of birds out there to hunt and I think there could be a great hatch this year as there are plenty of bugs already out.

I do think the birds are getting wiser to hunters every year.
Title: Re: How has the turkey season been so far?
Post by: Yelper Guy on May 02, 2013, 11:04:25 AM: My brother and myself have hunted three times since the 15th at our private honey hole - north Spokane Co.
Opening day was a real eye opener - no birds seen or heard, totally different from previous years.
The second hunt was just a little better, we almost made it happen but got schooled by an older bird.
Hunt 3 (last Sunday) was better, but got schooled again, by 2 different birds.
The landowner has had 3 different wolf sightings, and the bird population is down but that is no excuse.
The previous 10 years have been fantastic, but not this year. Just when you think you're getting the hang of it, a curve-ball comes your way. That's why they call it hunting. Well, this weekend we hope to school some birds, we're not quitters and I hate the flavor of tag soup. :bash:
Title: Re: How has the turkey season been so far?
Post by: kevinlisa06 on May 06, 2013, 07:41:51 PM: Bird number 3 hit the dirt yesterday for our group in central Wa.
Title: Re: How has the turkey season been so far?
Post by: Nick 139 on May 06, 2013, 09:44:49 PM: My buddy and i both tagged out opening Day before 2 pm. Different birds different locations, one came in with 3 hens and not a peep, and the other one was alone and losing his voice from all the gobbling he was doing. This was north of Colville.
Title: Re: How has the turkey season been so far?
Post by: bear hunter on May 06, 2013, 10:06:55 PM: I bagged my first Tom April 16th and almost ran one down April 26th after shooting my bear. He was another big Tom with a 8 inch bread so two down for me. I see lots over in huckleberry unit. Hens with breads and lots of Jake's and Tom's most on private but still seen a lot in the woods. Good luck the rest of the season.
Title: Re: How has the turkey season been so far?
Post by: deaddog500 on May 07, 2013, 06:06:37 AM: I tagged out last weekend...so it's been good to me!
In Arkansas, they can not take jakes or hens.
I feel bad for them...it would be hard to not shoot a beard...

But then again, they are allowed 6 deer per season, and 2 must be bucks.

Check this out....
It costs 25 dollars for a hunting licence that comes with two turkey tags and 6 deer tags...
I think I read that if you add ten dollars to it you get a fishing licence as well

Copied from their website: http://www.agfc.com/licenses/pages/licenseshuntingfees.aspx (http://www.agfc.com/licenses/pages/licenseshuntingfees.aspx)
Resident Sportsman’s License (RS)
Entitles the holder to hunt all game species using modern gun, muzzleloader or archery, and to take a total bag limit of deer.
Valid through June 30.
Six deer tags and two turkey tags are included with this license. $25.00