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Other Hunting => Turkey Hunting => Topic started by: Recon on February 06, 2020, 08:43:45 PM


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Title: First timers turkey planning
Post by: Recon on February 06, 2020, 08:43:45 PM
Hey everyone new to turkey hunting looking for a bit of advice. Me and a group of work friends (2 other gents) are looking to try for some first time turkeys. We are all also what I would call beginner bow hunters although they might say otherwise. We are thinking of trying to take a 4 day weekend from work and heading to the Colville forest? I tried researching harvest reports but seems they only break it into giant regions for turkey. From researching on here colville seems as good as anyplace to get our feet wet? One of our issues are seems like none of the campgrounds are open until May 15th? How does one camp over there this time of year. I have a small pop up trailer one has a rooftop tent or just pitch tents are also an option. Are there anywhere to camp opening weekend. Should we wait till later in the season to have the best chance? The other idea was maybe try south of Spokane or just north of Spokane in the mount Spokane area.
Thanks for any pointers. Also if anyone knows any literature on turkey hunting in Washington that would be great.
-kyle
Title: Re: First timers turkey planning
Post by: cougforester on February 06, 2020, 09:37:42 PM
For only 4 days I'd just camp on FS or DNR ground. Don't worry about a formal campsite. I read Turkey Hunting Tactics by the Complete Hunter this offseason. Good stuff.
Title: Re: First timers turkey planning
Post by: avidnwoutdoorsman on February 06, 2020, 09:58:02 PM
https://wdfw.wa.gov/sites/default/files/publications/01803/wdfw01803.pdf

If you have a camper and what not you can camp on NF. Just be clean.


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Title: Re: First timers turkey planning
Post by: 253shotgunner on February 06, 2020, 10:14:57 PM
1) Pattern your shotgun
2) Learn how to use a box or pot call
3) Camo up and be OCD about movement
4) Attend a NWTF turkey seminar. Last year, I went to the one at Black Diamond Gun Club. The instructor,Russ, will teach you the basics and answer all your questions.
5) Get to NE WA, set up your base camp, scout, hunt and have some fun! :)
Title: Re: First timers turkey planning
Post by: ThurstonCokid on February 06, 2020, 10:52:43 PM
Lots of dnr land! I’d just camp on a piece of it. Scouting can really pay off but not necessary. There’s turkeys all over. Just stay around lower elevations and farms. I’d stick with a box call. See learn from the first day or 2 and fill some tags after! Have fun. It’s awesome


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Title: Re: First timers turkey planning
Post by: Russ McDonald on February 07, 2020, 04:08:28 AM
1) Pattern your shotgun
2) Learn how to use a box or pot call
3) Camo up and be OCD about movement
4) Attend a NWTF turkey seminar. Last year, I went to the one at Black Diamond Gun Club. The instructor,Russ, will teach you the basics and answer all your questions.
5) Get to NE WA, set up your base camp, scout, hunt and have some fun! :)
Thanks for the promotion.  Here are my turkey hunting seminars.  March 14th Sportsmas Warehouse Federal Way. Noon to when ever.  March 21st Skeet Club JBLM t TBD on time yet, and Black Diamond Gun Club April 5th noon to 4 or 5.  Your going into some of the most populated areas for turkey.  If your going in new and have 4 days your probably going to burn 1 or 2 days scouting.  Bring a locator call.  What I have seen work best is predator calls, goose calls I even used a cow elk call.  Everone else is putting out some good info.  Some of the big things I tell everyone is pattern your shotgun because your shooting at the head of a turkey, if you are archery hunting lots of practice.  Their vitals are super small.  Best place to shoot is right at the top its drum stick for archery.  Turkeys eye sight are incredible so keeping still and camo'd up is super important.  Welcome to the addiction friend.

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Title: Re: First timers turkey planning
Post by: Recon on February 07, 2020, 05:11:11 AM
Thanks for all the solid advice. I wasn’t sure if I could camp on FS land outside of the campsites or not out there. I’m going to look up some of that literature mentioned and see about those seminars. I looked at possibly a guide for the first time but damn that’s way out of my price range for a bird.  Thanks for the advice!
Title: Re: First timers turkey planning
Post by: Russ McDonald on February 07, 2020, 05:45:50 AM
Forgot to mention for those out in the NE looks.like there might be a couple turkey hunting seminars at the Bighorn show in Spokane.  I won't be there my JBLM seminar is during that time.  Richard Mann will be the instructor and he is super knowledgeable on turkey hunting.

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Title: Re: First timers turkey planning
Post by: cougforester on February 07, 2020, 06:39:23 AM
Oh and watch out for ticks.
Title: Re: First timers turkey planning
Post by: Jakobv on February 07, 2020, 07:26:23 AM
NE of Spokane bear deer park area is best place in wa to hunt turkeys, they are thick in there


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Title: Re: First timers turkey planning
Post by: TheStovePipeKid on February 07, 2020, 10:28:00 AM
I bought a bow and will be trying it out on turkey this Spring. My recommendation if you are doing bows this year is to pack your shotguns as backup. It would suck to be out there and get skunked due to the more difficult aspects of archery hunting. If you can squeeze out a full week instead of four days it would take the edge off the trip and give you plenty of time for scouting without feeling rushed. Good luck!
Title: Re: First timers turkey planning
Post by: baldopepper on February 07, 2020, 11:52:12 AM
Scouting is certainly an important factor in turkey hunting success, but scouting too early can lead to big frustrations.  Birds in late March and early April are still usually in their winter flocks and are fairly easy to locate, but by the time the season actually opens on April 15 they may be long gone from from that area. The first couple of weeks of the season are often a "here today, gone tomorrow" scenario.  I usually figure birds I spot, while the hunt is open, late in the day to be in the same area the next morning. Birds I see early in the morning may be 10 miles away come evening.  I will hunt evening birds the next morning, but morning birds I"ll wait and pattern one more day before hunting.   Don't get in a big hurry to jump out and go chasing after the first birds you see, better off watching to try and get a pattern so you can get a sensible plan in place. Early part of the season can be tough for begining hunters-bad weather, more hunters and birds on the move can be frustrating. Gear up for bad weather and ticks and hope you don't end up dealing with either.
Title: Re: First timers turkey planning
Post by: Fl0und3rz on February 07, 2020, 12:01:41 PM
Tag.
Title: Re: First timers turkey planning
Post by: Bango skank on February 07, 2020, 12:50:34 PM
Birds I see early in the morning may be 10 miles away come evening. 

Oh come on.
Title: Re: First timers turkey planning
Post by: ThurstonCokid on February 07, 2020, 12:51:36 PM
I think the advice on watch out for ticks is the best tip yet.. seriously it’s insane how bad it is


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Title: Re: First timers turkey planning
Post by: baldopepper on February 07, 2020, 01:27:36 PM
Birds I see early in the morning may be 10 miles away come evening. 

Oh come on.
Had a nice tom (missing two tail feathers when he fanned out) along with a couple of Jake's and some hens that came out below my house on Lake Roosevelt every morning for a couple of weeks. Didn't think much of it when they didn't show one morning until I spotted them the next morning (easy to notice those missing tail feathers) at the top of Harvey Creek road. Approximately 12 miles from my place.  According to the NWTF Merriam turkeys can and do migrate over 40 miles from their winter areas.
Title: Re: First timers turkey planning
Post by: buckfvr on February 07, 2020, 01:44:08 PM
The april 15 opener instead of april 1st, allows that 60% of hens are bred by the opener.  Hunting turks when its cold and rainy is no kind of fun.  Watch the weather, Ive hunted all types over the years and can say for the opener, the most fun and enjoyable hunts Ive had were in south east, not north east, purely because of way better weather down south.

Not trying to send anyone south to keep the north east for myself, dont even hunt the dumb annoying pests anymore..........you live with them, you see them for what they are.
Title: Re: First timers turkey planning
Post by: kevinlisa06 on February 09, 2020, 09:24:14 PM
Practice practice practice shooting your bows and know where to hit Turkeys. Learn to use a Box call and maybe a Pot call. Download OnX on your phone and use it for hunting and finding a camp site. Be in the woods way before sun up and put the birds to bed each night. Have fun!


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Title: Re: First timers turkey planning
Post by: konradcountry on February 19, 2020, 04:12:58 PM
Ticks are gonna be really bad this year.

I would wear high boots if you plan on tromping through the woods.

Title: Re: First timers turkey planning
Post by: Tracker0721 on February 19, 2020, 07:22:18 PM
First off, Magnus bullheads are the only thing you need to be practicing with come March. Shoot a pillow- watch the YouTube videos put up. A broadhead in the chest doesn’t compare to a bullhead anywhere from chest to head. Really opens up the vitals.

2nd- if I’m not working and you guys want turkeys I’ll guide you around republic/curlew areas. I’ve got 1 farmer so far who has about 200 birds wrecking his cows grain pile and he wants all of them gone. The other birds are all up in the mountains and have never been called to it seems. It’s fun for sure. Butttt I may be gone come April in which case Colville/addy area would be best.
Title: Re: First timers turkey planning
Post by: baldopepper on February 19, 2020, 09:10:54 PM
Ticks are gonna be really bad this year.

I would wear high boots if you plan on tromping through the woods.
Been using Sawyer Tick spray for the last few years. Spray your clothes and boots the night before hunting. Haven't had a problem since we've been using it. Also seemed to have noticed hunters wearing the micro fiber (furry type stuff) have more problems than other type outfits. 
Title: Re: First timers turkey planning
Post by: shorthair15 on February 23, 2020, 12:58:52 PM
Well I’m got my stuff ready just need to pattern my shotgun. Picked up a decoy a hen not sure if it will help or not need to do some scouting going to go east to chewelah area to national forest for a few days of scouting soon. Just posting here as the season is approaching soon. No seminars down here where I live.
Title: Re: First timers turkey planning
Post by: jstone on February 23, 2020, 01:11:27 PM
So Will turkeys roost in the same area as last year? I found a flock roosting last year.
Title: Re: First timers turkey planning
Post by: Big game archer on February 23, 2020, 01:38:16 PM
So Will turkeys roost in the same area as last year? I found a flock roosting last year.

Depends, some of the public land that I hunt is very unpredictable for roost locations from year to year. Private areas near farmland tend to be more predictable imo. Fall roosting areas and spring roosting areas often differ. For the most part, as long as there haven't been any major habitat changes, you should find birds on the same properties year after year. Iv'e found that later in the season, they will start to spread out a little more and roost in odd areas, as all the toms are looking for the few unbred hens.
Title: Re: First timers turkey planning
Post by: Cab on February 24, 2020, 08:34:54 AM
I've posted this before so here is what I've told other newbies:

-Scouting before season is key, if you can find sign or hear birds at least you know where they are. If you can't locate birds or don't know where they are simply get up early(5amish) and when you hear ravens/crows talking you know turkeys should be talking(hike until you hear a turkey). See if you can locate them or their general area you're in business. If you do find where they are but can't get them to play ball GO BACK the next day. turkeys do the same thing pretty much everyday at that part of the year. I got busted one morning, went back the next day and the group of jakes came right in as last time but this time I was ready.(doubled up that morning)
-Face masks are your friend, be covered head to toe in camo and DO NOT MOVE turkeys have incredible eye sight.
-Get there early preferably the day before you want to hunt so you can see whats going on(with people and birds).
-LISTEN at sunset, sometimes the toms will talk a little bit and you can locate them for the next morning!
-Ticks wise I personally have not had too many on me but that's purely because I spray down with permethrin spray(READ THE INSTRUCTIONS some sprays state to NOT spray on clothing that will be against the skin, follow this).
-Slate calls and Box calls are my personal favorites don't worry about diaphragm calls if your new, focus on hunting location since that is much more important. I called in a tom my first day turkey hunting ever and it was on a cheap box call and I had almost no idea what I was doing.
- On that note DO NOT CALL TO MUCH! number 1 thing new people do that they shouldn't, call once if you get a response wait at least 15-20 mins. That Tom knows where you are and is going to usually come in slow. It can take an hour to get a tom to come in 100 yards. Remember you are trying to get this Tom to go against the normal practice of mating. normally he calls and SHE comes to him so playing hard to get can help. I've had bird stay in the same spot gobbling over and over and only until I learned to make them look for me was I able to kill birds.
-Terrain, generally speaking turkeys if nervous prefer to walk UP hill rather than down.(they can turn and kick off the hill side to fly away)
-Weather effects birds, birds can be moody and day to day change how much they call but generally I have noticed ESPECIALLY when it's foggy or poor visibility they won't talk at all. Don't get frustrated, they're around just not talking.
-Decoys are a must in my eyes, go ahead and get the super cheap foam ones they work just fine and actually are much easier to pack.I run just a lone hen as I've had jacks get super nervous around jake decoys and not come in. Decoys are meant so that the Tom has something to focus on, if you don't have one he will be looking around a lot more meaning he can spot you or you moving a lot easier. Place decoys about 20 yards from you and have the backside facing the direction you want him to come in. I've heard, in the morning that Toms like to come in with the sun at their back because it will show off their tail feathers to a mate. place it in a way so that he has to walk PAST you, I also like to have a tree he will go by and that allows me to pull my gun up.
- If you're going to get another call I would get a crow call as a locator call. They are natural enemies and crows/ravines have done wonders for me while running and gunning. I use a simple roll out blind and a butt pad with my pack which has 1 foam hen rolled up. if you use a locator call or any call be in cover of some sort, bird can pop out of no where.
-Morning time is talking time, around 9-10ish hens go off to lay an egg so some birds will start talking again. I personally if I haven't heard anything like to run and gun to locate birds to set up on plus it's more exciting.
-Finally learn how to identify Morels and bring a bag to pick some, it's one of the best parts of turkey hunting because you don't have to go home empty handed. It's almost as fun as turkey hunting honestly and when the birds can't be found or heard it's a great way to stay positive!
-If you can't find birds or Morels, just shed hunt like I do. Might as well since you're out there.

Hope this helps and if you want any other tips feel free to PM me, I'd be happy to help. Turkey hunting is wonderful, frustrating and incredibly challenging.....welcome to the long beard addiction
Title: Re: First timers turkey planning
Post by: one more on March 01, 2020, 11:13:18 AM
Cab, that is the most detailed turkey hunting class I have ever heard or read, and I've heard and read a lot.  I will read it again just before April 15th to prepare for my hunt.

The only thing I'll add for hunting the East side is if you see a lot of birds in a plowed field, that rancher may want them gone.  Wear street clothes when you ask permission to hunt.  They may have family or friends waiting to hunt, if so ask if they know of any other rancher needing help.

Diane
Title: Re: First timers turkey planning
Post by: Cab on March 02, 2020, 09:03:27 AM
Cab, that is the most detailed turkey hunting class I have ever heard or read, and I've heard and read a lot.  I will read it again just before April 15th to prepare for my hunt.

The only thing I'll add for hunting the East side is if you see a lot of birds in a plowed field, that rancher may want them gone.  Wear street clothes when you ask permission to hunt.  They may have family or friends waiting to hunt, if so ask if they know of any other rancher needing help.

Diane

Thanks! :tup: I was a designer at L.L.Bean for years and worked on hunting/fishing product. Those guys in the hunting/fishing team love hunting everything generally speaking but 1 of the guys was obsessed with turkey hunting(he only hunted turkeys). I would hunt ever morning before work and every evening after work. Every morning I would chat with him and he would give me tips. Turkey hunting my favorite so I love being able to help other get into it. Glad I could help.
Title: Re: First timers turkey planning
Post by: jared p on March 19, 2020, 09:06:10 AM
Biggest issue first year up there I had was actually just finding land I could go on. Timber companies lock out much of it. Get OnxMaps and it helps tremendously. There’s plenty of places around Colville and up into kettle falls
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