Hunting Washington Forum

Other Hunting => Turkey Hunting => Topic started by: Mulie87 on May 04, 2022, 07:14:05 PM

Title: Spokane in the rain
Post by: Mulie87 on May 04, 2022, 07:14:05 PM: OK for all you turkey hunters in the Spokane area. I’m going to Spokane tomorrow for four days of hunting, but the forecast calls for rain the next three days. I’ve hunted there for last 11 years and have escaped a lot of the weather, maybe a drizzle here and there. How much rain does it take for the birds to bed down and shut down hunting? I have private property that is mostly ponderosa pines. My plan is to sit in the blind all day unless it’s a downpour.
Title: Re: Spokane in the rain
Post by: Dan-o on May 04, 2022, 08:19:15 PM: I have shot birds outside Spokane in a pretty good rain.

IMHO, it takes a lot of rain t get them to head for cover.... Heck, it might just make them frisky!
Title: Re: Spokane in the rain
Post by: teanawayslayer on May 04, 2022, 08:37:02 PM: Rain won’t Affect them much
Title: Re: Spokane in the rain
Post by: Mulie87 on May 04, 2022, 08:37:26 PM: Thanks, Dan-O. I’ll be in Nine Mile. My buddy said plenty of birds around but I always get nervous if rain is in the forecast.
Title: Re: Spokane in the rain
Post by: Mulie87 on May 04, 2022, 08:38:43 PM: Thanks, guys. I’ll send an update this weekend.
Title: Re: Spokane in the rain
Post by: Mulie87 on May 05, 2022, 12:16:46 PM: Just got to my spot in Spokane about an hour ago. Immediately saw turkeys on the property. I set my blind up, got inside and the rain is now coming down a tad heavier. Now a waiting game.
Title: Re: Spokane in the rain
Post by: Mulie87 on May 05, 2022, 12:56:12 PM: You were right, Dan-o, you can hunt turkeys in the rain. 15min after getting in the blind during this rain this tom came in solo at 35yds. I measured the beard w an app on my phone at 9.5”, but it looks longer.
Title: Re: Spokane in the rain
Post by: ryanfam on May 05, 2022, 01:30:47 PM: I noticed this year that after a heavy rain the turkeys came out but did not respond to calls or decoys. They went right on to feeding without strutting, gobbling or fighting. Went to the roost early that evening as well.
Title: Re: Spokane in the rain
Post by: Mulie87 on May 05, 2022, 01:34:32 PM: That makes sense. They were making noise before this rain started, then shut up and this tom appeared out of nowhere. We’ll see if this rain stops or slows today for them to come out for another shot at em.
Title: Re: Spokane in the rain
Post by: tgomez on May 05, 2022, 05:54:53 PM: Congratulations on your success.
Title: Re: Spokane in the rain
Post by: MADMAX on May 05, 2022, 07:15:23 PM: Congrats
I see a little blood on your hand
Spurred or the Turkey?
Title: Re: Spokane in the rain
Post by: hunter399 on May 05, 2022, 07:35:20 PM: Congrats👍👍
Title: Re: Spokane in the rain
Post by: Mulie87 on May 05, 2022, 07:50:20 PM: Quote from: MADMAX on May 05, 2022, 07:15:23 PM
Congrats
I see a little blood on your hand
Spurred or the Turkey?

Thanks Max😂 that’s turkey blood thank god. The Outdoor Edge knifes are definitely sharp.
Title: Re: Spokane in the rain
Post by: MADMAX on May 05, 2022, 08:02:53 PM: Gotcha
Nice job on the bird
Title: Re: Spokane in the rain
Post by: chukar58 on May 05, 2022, 08:41:00 PM: Way to get out there and share your success in less than perfect conditions. Congratulation on a nice bird.
Title: Re: Spokane in the rain
Post by: Mulie87 on May 05, 2022, 10:13:17 PM: Thanks chukar.

So Dan-o was right again. After shooting the first bird at noon in light rain, the wind picked up and so did the rain. The weather hammered down all afternoon with only a lone hen walking through…she was soaking wet. Then a light switch flipped, rain stopped and sun came out at 4pm. At 5pm two hens came by with a tom in tow. The super vinci got the job done at 35yds and that’s how my first day hunting turkey in tbe rain in Spokane went.

What I learned was yes, you can hunt turkey in the rain as long as it doesn’t downpour. Sit through the rain and be patient, they won’t talk but they’ll come by. Once the rain stops be ready, because they will start moving.
Title: Re: Spokane in the rain
Post by: Dan-o on May 05, 2022, 10:39:40 PM: NICE!!!!
Title: Re: Spokane in the rain
Post by: WaltAlpine on May 06, 2022, 03:49:22 AM: Awesome day!

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Title: Re: Spokane in the rain
Post by: birddogdad on May 09, 2022, 07:05:35 AM: Friend out there just picked up a Tom in a full out hail storm last weekend.
Title: Re: Spokane in the rain
Post by: 10Key on May 09, 2022, 08:13:33 AM: Hunted hard Thursday - Saturday morning, mostly outside of Colville in the mountains. Birds were very, very quiet up there and weather was crazy. We heard one close gobble and he ghosted us. Our action was better down along the River on our way back west, but couldn't seal the deal. When they are quiet and you don't have locations nailed down, makes public ground hunting tough. But as usual, it was fun!
Title: Re: Spokane in the rain
Post by: Wanttohuntmore on May 09, 2022, 08:16:54 AM: We had the same experience. Also, midday Saturday ran into big flocks of birds. They didn't seem split up yet.
Title: Re: Spokane in the rain
Post by: Mulie87 on May 09, 2022, 08:47:49 AM: Sounds like we all experienced the same out East. It was a first for me, but now I understand how weather affects the birds. I was 1-2wks too late because the toms were already henned up. They might respond to you, but they weren’t going to come to you. I had to wait fir them to wonder past me.
Title: Re: Spokane in the rain
Post by: birddogdad on May 09, 2022, 10:17:18 AM: Quote from: Mulie87 on May 09, 2022, 08:47:49 AM
Sounds like we all experienced the same out East. It was a first for me, but now I understand how weather affects the birds. I was 1-2wks too late because the toms were already henned up. They might respond to you, but they weren’t going to come to you. I had to wait fir them to wonder past me.

that is an effective tactic! determine where hens are taking him.. end around and sit tight...location location location...