Post by: trkystlkr on July 26, 2010, 06:58:34 PM
Also how are the public hunting areas out here as far as game populations, number of hunters etc...
Thanks
Post by: carpsniperg2 on July 26, 2010, 07:53:52 PM
Post by: JackOfAllTrades on July 26, 2010, 08:08:09 PM
Naw... I know that the WTF has released birds in Capitol Forest. Which is also where some of the biggest Blacktail have been recorded. Better deer hunting would be farther south of you in Lewis foothills north/south of Mount Saint Helens or eastern Thurston county. I haven't hunted down that way for years. I'm sure there's someone on here that will put you within 50 or so miles of their honey hole.
Call the local game office, I'm sure they'll have a contact for someone about the turkeys on public land.
Where did you come from for hunting oportunity. Many on here can give some 'comparison' depending on where you've hunted before.
-Steve
Post by: the1rod on July 26, 2010, 11:11:34 PM
Post by: trkystlkr on July 27, 2010, 04:41:38 PM
Post by: turkeydancer on July 28, 2010, 10:33:44 AM
There is only Spring turkey hunting on the westside of the Cascades for 1 bearded bird with about 5000+ Easterns mostly scattered in smaller pockets throughout the forest south of Puget Sound area to before Vancouver. It is usually, wet, brushy, and uneven terrain as opposed to the eastside. More turks are harvested in the Skookumchuck Reservoir area, but it is a zoo for at least the 1st few weeks. Other areas that hold turks are Capital Forest, either side of SR 6 between Menlo and the county line to the east, all creek drainages along the Coweman and Kalama east of I-5, along the Lewis River from Merwin Dam to Swift Creek Dam, ditto up the Toutle River, the upper Newaukum, the Wynoochee, etc. There are others, but ....
Rios and Merriams can be found all over the eastern side of the state with in excess of 25,000 of each subspecies. Best turkey hunting is in the NE corner of the state and there is a generous amount of public land with tons of Merriams. You can take 2 bearded birds in the Spring season from April 15 - May 31st. The early fall season lasts for two weeks and starts Sept 25th this year ... you can harvest 2 beardless birds in Units 105 thru 124 (NE corner) ... in addition there are about 12 general areas where you can take 1 additional bird of either sex (see the 2010 fall hunting regs or visit WDFW website). The late fall season runs Nov 20 thru Dec 15th and you can take 1 either sex bird in Units 105 thru 124. Merriams also can be found in Unit 101 Sherman, the Klickitat area and the eastern slopes of the Cascades, Mica Peak (south of Spokane and down toards Pullman). Rios are in the Blue Mountain/Asotin area (SE corner) and North Lincoln County (mostly private land here).
Best advice is to join a local chapter of the NWTF. Some of the most successful eastern subspecies hunters in the state belonged to the Olympia chapter.
Post by: trkystlkr on July 29, 2010, 08:20:29 PM
Appreciate the help. Thats the kind of run down I was needing and looking for. Thanks.
Post by: turkeydancer on July 30, 2010, 11:52:52 AM
For easterns it is never too early to start scouting to locate and to pattern these "phantoms" of the westside (wetside). :yike:
Post by: Skyvalhunter on July 30, 2010, 11:54:55 AM