Post by: nw_bowhunter on March 08, 2009, 10:12:08 AM
I found a place yesterday and wasa thinking it migh be fun to try once.
Post by: Gutpile on March 08, 2009, 10:55:30 AM
Post by: nw_bowhunter on March 08, 2009, 12:15:33 PM
Thanks for your input
Post by: Thenewguy on March 08, 2009, 12:17:44 PM
Post by: blackhorn on March 08, 2009, 01:09:49 PM
Post by: nw_bowhunter on March 08, 2009, 01:58:07 PM
Post by: Moose Eyes on March 08, 2009, 03:23:53 PM
I would ask questions about his experience both as a turkey hunter and a turkey guide. I would also want to know what type/style of hunting you will be doing and where (does he actually have permission to hunt private property?). Have him make some calls for you so you can hear him before you pay him. These are just a few examples of what I would want to know before hiring someone.
Whatever you decide though it is your money and if you can afford it and want to do it then don't let us talk you out of it!
:twocents:
Post by: shoot-em-dead on March 08, 2009, 03:46:11 PM
I was thinking of doing the same thing. I think it was even the same outfit, if it was the one advertised on craigslist in Klickatat. It does seem like a lot, but it might pay off considering gas and experience. At the same time I like to learn through trial and error and pay my dues the hard way which is probably what I will end up doing. So if you all see some knucklehead out there looking and sounding like a an idiot because he thinks he can shoot some dumb bird, it is probably me. :P
Or me, but I got lucky once and called in 2 big toms. Got 1 with a 9.5 inch beard. Sometimes they like us knuckleheads. :IBCOOL:
Post by: Diehard0123 on March 09, 2009, 09:08:07 AM
Post by: Jerbear on March 09, 2009, 04:11:16 PM
If you watch some of the turkey hunting outdoor programs on tv, get a call and practice
you can do it your self. Come to my place and I will point you in the right direction as to where to hunt. I live next to the Klickitat Wildlife Area. 16,000 acres of public land. What ever you decide, let me know the name. There is one guide, first name of Tom that is probably alright, but other than that, forget it.
Post by: Houndhunter on March 09, 2009, 04:50:07 PM
Post by: nw_bowhunter on March 09, 2009, 05:03:41 PM
I have never looked into turkey guides before so I wanted to ask about prices.
adventurefishing.net
Post by: TeacherMan on March 09, 2009, 09:47:33 PM
Check, a lot of times there is a 2-3 day minimum
Post by: turkey slayer on March 10, 2009, 09:52:25 AM
My thing with guides are that they are out there to get a bird for you and then send you home. Try to find someone that will teach you something, how to scout, when to scout, how to set up, where to set up, when to call, when not to call and how to call.
But it your choice, there is so much info just on this site that can help you get a bird on state land or pay a farmer 200 dollars to hunt on there property
Post by: strutnrut1984 on March 10, 2009, 11:39:44 AM
Post by: Turkeyman on March 10, 2009, 12:32:55 PM
I guided for a outfitter in the blues and worked my butt of teaching and trying to get my clients birds. The outfitter promised the world to my clients, like all our hunts are on private ground which i found out was not true. It was all about getting the clients a bird with the outfitter which is OK but he promised that all hunts would be on private ground and he over booked people. I ended up taking people out on public ground hunting and scouting i taught my clients allot about turkey hunting, calling, scouting, set ups etc. Be carefull and ask questions.
Does this guide live on the klick.river? I think i know who he is did you say his name is Tracy?
Post by: nw_bowhunter on March 10, 2009, 12:45:33 PM
Post by: Machias on March 10, 2009, 01:25:41 PM
Post by: dirty.dan4 on March 10, 2009, 01:30:05 PM
Post by: Machias on March 10, 2009, 01:34:35 PM
Post by: Moose Eyes on March 10, 2009, 01:43:27 PM
Post by: Tom Tamer on March 10, 2009, 08:20:20 PM
If your a first time turkey hunter I'd be more then happy to take you out a couple of times. I have turkey hunted for the past 31 years. It will be on public land and I will not garantee you a thing other then you will learn a bunch. I try to take one or two new guys every year.
That right there is one of the most intriguing things about turkey hunting, I think turkey hunter sare more willing than most other sportsmen at giving newbies a chance. I could be wrong but when it comes to fishing and big game hunting those the " Know" seem like they clam up but not turkey hunters and that is what the sport is all about. I've even witnessed a guy once that just moved to this State and was excited about Salmon fishing and so he went down to a sporting goods store "to remain nameless" In Fife. and tried to ask how, what, where and was bluntly told, hooks, water and that was it :bash: how rude! and especially when you're trying to sell a product and basically told a potential customer to " Pound sand" Kudos to thos Hunter and fishers that care more about the sport than the catch :twocents: Didn't mean to jack the threadwith this rant.
Post by: brewzer13 on March 10, 2009, 09:31:03 PM
Post by: NWTFhunter on March 10, 2009, 09:44:38 PM
I have gone solo and struck out many times, have taken guys or buddy's out and slammed it and also struck out.
Its all part of learning the Do's and Donts, and putting those into the next hunt.
Post by: Moose Eyes on March 10, 2009, 09:47:48 PM
Post by: nw_bowhunter on March 10, 2009, 09:54:02 PM
Machais I sent you a PM. Very nice offer. I have to say there are some pretty cool guys on hear and have offered some good advice and help. Appreciate it!
Post by: brewzer13 on March 10, 2009, 09:56:25 PM
Post by: NWTFhunter on March 10, 2009, 10:15:51 PM
The very first time I went turkey hunting, I was taken under the wing of a skilled turkey hunter and the night before the opener we put them to bed. Feeling like the morning was going to be one of the best days....HAAAHAA.
We snuck into our spot where they had flown down the morning before and those birds didnt want anything to do with that spot come daylight. We were quiet, and didnt make any calls prior to fly down. But they didnt want to be there.
So, we tried another spot. Nope they didnt want to come in at all. We tried everything we could think of and nothing was working that morning.
And this was on private land with no pressure at all.
I have hunted them there over the years and they will change their patterns daily for no reason at all.
So if your new to it, your in for some education and mind boggeling tactics.
Oh but there is that guy who has never done it before, calls like crap, doesnt know the first thing about it and Slams his bird right out of the gate :bash:
Post by: Turkeyman on March 10, 2009, 10:19:43 PM
Post by: Machias on March 10, 2009, 10:44:12 PM
My most memborable turkey hunt was in the Ozarks of Missouri back in the mid 80s. I roosted a bird the night before, slipped in before daylight and he was starting early, probably gobbled 60 times before I ever gave him a yelp. Gave him a soft tree yelp and he cut me off and triple gobbled, I slapped my hat on my leg several times and boom gobble gobble. Then he flew down, soiunded like he was going away from me, but I knew from past experience of busting toms that sounded like they were going away when in fact they were coming right in, I sat stone still. I gave him some yelps and bam pretty much non-stop gobbling as he headed in. I had a decoy out, I was sitting at the end of a long ridge, and he was gobbling all the way in. Just about the time I figured he was going to pop out, it got quiet. Oh so quiet, just me and my beating heart. I was leaned up against a huge oak, probably 4 feet wide. I started wondering, do I call, did he see something, should I go after him, what to do, what to do!! About 10 minutes into this quiet, I see this huge black blob materialize out of the corner of my left eye. He starts spitting and drumming from about 3 or 4 feet away. He'd dropped off over the side of the ridge and circled around me and come in from behind me. I was an absolute statue. He takes a step and then I feel this beady little eye bore a hole in the side of my head. I can seen the huge black blob is getting smaller as his feather start to come out of his strut. Busted, I think for a second he paused and laced up his sneakers, he spun and took off running for the drop off of the ridge. I swung up and around a little sapling and rolled him end over end about 5 feet from going over the edge. 23# pound eastern, What a hunt!!!!!
Post by: NWTFhunter on March 10, 2009, 11:02:55 PM
I had a Tom down in the bottom of a canyon one morning that I stubbled upon searching for a gobble while down in Cali last year. He cut me off with a double on my first strike, so I knew he was horny. I didnt call for about 3 minutes and he was screaming at me to locate me. I gave him a soft purr and a couple of soft yelps and he was comming out of his feathers. I estimated him to be about 400 yards down the canyon and I wasnt going after him ! I called once more and he blasted back, at which time I shut up completely. He sounded off 2 more times wanting me down there but I wasnt budging. About 5 minutes later he blasted out a gobble from the bottom and I gave him a soft yelp and he cut me off again. I waited about 5 more minutes and gave him a cutt and yelp followed by a gobble and that guy came completely undone! He was gobbling non stop up that hill looking to kick the crap out of that Jake that just sounded off with his girl. It didnt take him long to come out of the bottom and about 20 yards out and still below the crest of the hill he sounded off looking for her. I gave him one last soft yelp and one scratch and I could hear him running in the leaves. With my gun up and waiting and waiting and waiting wondering why he wasnt in my sights, I got that feeling of him burning that eye into my head too. Out of the corner of my eye I see him, and he strutted out. At that time I swing to my right, and he catches me and gobbled at me!!!!! That was his last gobble as I cut him off in mid gobble. Thats one of the ones that will last forever !!
Love turkey season !
Post by: Tom Tamer on March 11, 2009, 12:36:59 PM
Post by: Phantom Gobbler on March 13, 2009, 04:34:58 PM
Guided hunts can be well worth the price if you are in a new area, and don't have anyone knowable to go with. I agree that a person has to do their homework and check references. Last year I went on a semi-guided hunt on private land in Kansas and it was will worth the cost. I was able to harvest a three year old Eastern the first afternoon of day one. Washington and Oregon both have some great guided hunting if you don't have some honey holes already dialed in.
Post by: elkkiller on March 14, 2009, 09:06:12 AM
Post by: Dustin07 on March 15, 2009, 09:33:22 PM
You need to talk to the guide to find out what his guide SERVICE includes. a day without a turkey can still be worth $200 if the guide is a fun guy to hang out with, gets you into a new area to hunt, has some turkey related stuff to talk about, and a bottomless thermos of coffee.
A guide that puts you into birds but sucks on the service side will still feel over priced at $135... ask me how I know:
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi19.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fb173%2FDustino7%2Fhunting%2FDSC02972.jpg&hash=4661178a677f36bb7a0ce415caea9c85d87e7369)
Post by: PA BEN on March 16, 2009, 05:23:47 PM