collapse

Advertisement


Author Topic: Western WA Turkey Hunting  (Read 3477 times)

Offline JR2020

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Pilgrim
  • *
  • Join Date: May 2020
  • Posts: 2
  • Location: Western Wa
Western WA Turkey Hunting
« on: May 07, 2020, 04:00:59 PM »
Let me start by saying I'm excited to be apart of this forum and I have already read and gathered so much help from this community. With that being said, I am new to turkey hunting and I am looking for some advice.

Due to covid-19 restrictions put on me by profession I am unable to travel to Eastern WA where the turkey population is more dense. Without the knowledge of an experienced turkey hunter I'm starting to think that I will not be able to fill my tag here in western WA. I'm wondering if there is any advice out there that would help me or someone that would be willing to sacrafice their time to allow me to tag along. I'll treat this situation like I am asking permission to hunt on private land and say, I will help pay for the expenses, respect your wishes, do any work required, and provide any help asked of me.

I'm not looking for a hand out and I am more than willing to put in the work. I just need a finger pointing me in the right direction.

Thank you for your time,

JR2020

Offline JasonG

  • Non-Hunting Topics
  • Trade Count: (+1)
  • Scout
  • ****
  • Join Date: Aug 2009
  • Posts: 483
  • Location: Issaquah Wa
Re: Western WA Turkey Hunting
« Reply #1 on: May 07, 2020, 05:36:29 PM »
Western Wa? like this side of the pass? I would not bother .

Offline Russ McDonald

  • Trade Count: (+1)
  • Old Salt
  • ******
  • Join Date: Oct 2011
  • Posts: 8028
  • Location: Enumclaw
  • USN ET3 SW 87-92, USS Excel MSO 439
  • Groups: NWTF, NRA
Re: Western WA Turkey Hunting
« Reply #2 on: May 07, 2020, 06:03:09 PM »
Unfortunately he is right.   Turkeys on the west side of the state is only between 3-10% of the total population of birds in the state.  If anyone knows where the easterns aren't they aren't telling.   Most of them are on private timber land.   Pay to play.  Good luck.

Sent from my SM-N976V using Tapatalk

Russell McDonald
President South Sound NWTF Chapter and WA state board NWTF
The opinions expressed in my posts do not represent those of the forum.

Offline STIKNSTRINGBOW

  • Non-Hunting Topics
  • Trade Count: (+2)
  • Frontiersman
  • *****
  • Join Date: Aug 2008
  • Posts: 4296
  • Location: Chehalis
    • https://www.facebook.com/stiknstring.bow
Re: Western WA Turkey Hunting
« Reply #3 on: May 07, 2020, 07:22:06 PM »
Best advice I can give you is to get out and hunt.
In my experiences, they will be vocal right before fly down.
.
I have found them on state land between Deep Creek and Lincoln Creek off of Teague Road, and Cooks Hill right here in Chehalis.
.
Found feathers out on state land near Doty.
.
Heard rumors of them towards Blue Creek, Cowlitz...
.
If you have a Pe Ell north permit, good flock in off the 615...
.
Basically you want to hike in well before daylight when the birds (all birds) are quiet.
Then as the morning starts, it can get pretty noisy.
If you try calling at this time, they might gobble from the roost.
.
If you don't hear any, keep walking.
Look for any sign.
Mudpuddles will show tracks.
Look for any sign.
Walk along logging roads, it's like looking for large grouse.
Stay out until dark, then walk out practicing your calls..
By now you should be safe from calling one in by accident and educating them (it's after dark)
And if you have not found sign/seen/heard any reason to come back, pick a new spot for tomorrow.
.
They are out there.
.
You just have to find them.
.
You might also find some mushrooms, sheds, or a new deer/elk spot.
.

Finding them is the hard part, but once you locate a flock it all becomes worth it.
The sound of a gobble does not carry as far in Western Washington forest, so if you hear one it is close.
Find a spot and get comfortable.
I have ruined a lot of opportunities by giving up just as they were almost in sight... :(
.
It is called hunting, not shopping, so it will probably be long hunts with no results.
Much like elk hunting is anymore, expect to see more hunters than turkeys.
And they all claim not to have seen/heard anything, but they are there for a reason.

And once you get an Eastern, the others will seem easy.
The mountains are calling and I must go."
- John Muir
"I go to nature to be soothed and healed, and to have my senses put in order."
- John Burroughs
NASP Certified Basic Archery Instructor
NASP Certified Basic Archery Instructor Trainer

Offline JR2020

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Pilgrim
  • *
  • Join Date: May 2020
  • Posts: 2
  • Location: Western Wa
Re: Western WA Turkey Hunting
« Reply #4 on: May 07, 2020, 11:31:53 PM »
I appreciate the response and even more the advice. Thank you gentlemen !

Offline mitch3159

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Pilgrim
  • *
  • Join Date: Aug 2020
  • Posts: 1
  • Location: Spanaway
Re: Western WA Turkey Hunting
« Reply #5 on: August 19, 2020, 02:52:22 PM »
Let me start by saying I'm excited to be apart of this forum and I have already read and gathered so much help from this community. With that being said, I am new to turkey hunting and I am looking for some advice.

Due to covid-19 restrictions put on me by profession I am unable to travel to Eastern WA where the turkey population is more dense. Without the knowledge of an experienced turkey hunter I'm starting to think that I will not be able to fill my tag here in western WA. I'm wondering if there is any advice out there that would help me or someone that would be willing to sacrafice their time to allow me to tag along. I'll treat this situation like I am asking permission to hunt on private land and say, I will help pay for the expenses, respect your wishes, do any work required, and provide any help asked of me.

I'm not looking for a hand out and I am more than willing to put in the work. I just need a finger pointing me in the right direction.

Thank you for your time,

JR2020

Offline Dan-o

  • Global Moderator
  • Trade Count: (+24)
  • Explorer
  • *****
  • Join Date: Jul 2010
  • Posts: 16700
Re: Western WA Turkey Hunting
« Reply #6 on: August 19, 2020, 05:27:04 PM »
Best advice I can give you is to get out and hunt.
In my experiences, they will be vocal right before fly down.
.
I have found them on state land between Deep Creek and Lincoln Creek off of Teague Road, and Cooks Hill right here in Chehalis.
.
Found feathers out on state land near Doty.
.
Heard rumors of them towards Blue Creek, Cowlitz...
.
If you have a Pe Ell north permit, good flock in off the 615...
.
Basically you want to hike in well before daylight when the birds (all birds) are quiet.
Then as the morning starts, it can get pretty noisy.
If you try calling at this time, they might gobble from the roost.
.
If you don't hear any, keep walking.
Look for any sign.
Mudpuddles will show tracks.
Look for any sign.
Walk along logging roads, it's like looking for large grouse.
Stay out until dark, then walk out practicing your calls..
By now you should be safe from calling one in by accident and educating them (it's after dark)
And if you have not found sign/seen/heard any reason to come back, pick a new spot for tomorrow.
.
They are out there.
.
You just have to find them.
.
You might also find some mushrooms, sheds, or a new deer/elk spot.
.

Finding them is the hard part, but once you locate a flock it all becomes worth it.
The sound of a gobble does not carry as far in Western Washington forest, so if you hear one it is close.
Find a spot and get comfortable.
I have ruined a lot of opportunities by giving up just as they were almost in sight... :(
.
It is called hunting, not shopping, so it will probably be long hunts with no results.
Much like elk hunting is anymore, expect to see more hunters than turkeys.
And they all claim not to have seen/heard anything, but they are there for a reason.

And once you get an Eastern, the others will seem easy.

This might be the most solid single piece of advice I've seen for west side public land birds. 

You might want to re-read it.
Member:   Yakstrakgutp (or whatever we are)
I love the BFRO!!!
I wonder how many people will touch their nose to their screen trying to read this...

Offline Turkeyman

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Longhunter
  • *****
  • Join Date: Dec 2008
  • Posts: 886
  • Location: Castle Rock
Re: Western WA Turkey Hunting
« Reply #7 on: August 21, 2020, 03:03:29 AM »
 ;)
If it flies it dies.

Offline GFB_Recon

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Tracker
  • **
  • Join Date: Oct 2020
  • Posts: 25
  • Location: Vancouver, WA
Re: Western WA Turkey Hunting
« Reply #8 on: October 25, 2020, 11:56:53 PM »
Best advice I can give you is to get out and hunt.
In my experiences, they will be vocal right before fly down.
.
I have found them on state land between Deep Creek and Lincoln Creek off of Teague Road, and Cooks Hill right here in Chehalis.
.
Found feathers out on state land near Doty.
.
Heard rumors of them towards Blue Creek, Cowlitz...
.
If you have a Pe Ell north permit, good flock in off the 615...
.
Basically you want to hike in well before daylight when the birds (all birds) are quiet.
Then as the morning starts, it can get pretty noisy.
If you try calling at this time, they might gobble from the roost.
.
If you don't hear any, keep walking.
Look for any sign.
Mudpuddles will show tracks.
Look for any sign.
Walk along logging roads, it's like looking for large grouse.
Stay out until dark, then walk out practicing your calls..
By now you should be safe from calling one in by accident and educating them (it's after dark)
And if you have not found sign/seen/heard any reason to come back, pick a new spot for tomorrow.
.
They are out there.
.
You just have to find them.
.
You might also find some mushrooms, sheds, or a new deer/elk spot.
.

Finding them is the hard part, but once you locate a flock it all becomes worth it.
The sound of a gobble does not carry as far in Western Washington forest, so if you hear one it is close.
Find a spot and get comfortable.
I have ruined a lot of opportunities by giving up just as they were almost in sight... :(
.
It is called hunting, not shopping, so it will probably be long hunts with no results.
Much like elk hunting is anymore, expect to see more hunters than turkeys.
And they all claim not to have seen/heard anything, but they are there for a reason.

And once you get an Eastern, the others will seem easy.

Good info!
Breath Aim Relax Squeeze

Offline DIron

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Tracker
  • **
  • Join Date: May 2020
  • Posts: 60
  • Location: South Puget Sound
Re: Western WA Turkey Hunting
« Reply #9 on: November 08, 2020, 10:14:14 AM »
Best advice I can give you is to get out and hunt.
In my experiences, they will be vocal right before fly down.
.
I have found them on state land between Deep Creek and Lincoln Creek off of Teague Road, and Cooks Hill right here in Chehalis.
.
Found feathers out on state land near Doty.
.
Heard rumors of them towards Blue Creek, Cowlitz...
.
If you have a Pe Ell north permit, good flock in off the 615...
.
Basically you want to hike in well before daylight when the birds (all birds) are quiet.
Then as the morning starts, it can get pretty noisy.
If you try calling at this time, they might gobble from the roost.
.
If you don't hear any, keep walking.
Look for any sign.
Mudpuddles will show tracks.
Look for any sign.
Walk along logging roads, it's like looking for large grouse.
Stay out until dark, then walk out practicing your calls..
By now you should be safe from calling one in by accident and educating them (it's after dark)
And if you have not found sign/seen/heard any reason to come back, pick a new spot for tomorrow.
.
They are out there.
.
You just have to find them.
.
You might also find some mushrooms, sheds, or a new deer/elk spot.
.

Finding them is the hard part, but once you locate a flock it all becomes worth it.
The sound of a gobble does not carry as far in Western Washington forest, so if you hear one it is close.
Find a spot and get comfortable.
I have ruined a lot of opportunities by giving up just as they were almost in sight... :(
.
It is called hunting, not shopping, so it will probably be long hunts with no results.
Much like elk hunting is anymore, expect to see more hunters than turkeys.
And they all claim not to have seen/heard anything, but they are there for a reason.

And once you get an Eastern, the others will seem easy.
Thank you for sharing this info to us newbies.

 


* Advertisement

* Recent Topics

World Record Archery Blacktail by huntnnw
[Today at 10:09:06 PM]


Let’s see your best Washington bull by huntnnw
[Today at 10:06:34 PM]


Fishing with kids in Wenatchee by HardCorpsHuntr
[Today at 10:03:34 PM]


Let’s see your best Washington buck by jjhunter
[Today at 09:12:44 PM]


Hunting Dog Memorial by ghosthunter
[Today at 08:55:30 PM]


Pairs by Dan-o
[Today at 08:15:34 PM]


Springer 2024 Columbia River by Blacklab
[Today at 06:50:06 PM]


Holster for FNS 40C by bb76
[Today at 06:37:56 PM]


Bangers and mash by elkrack
[Today at 04:32:06 PM]


Wenatchee Hydro Park Fishing by Jake Dogfish
[Today at 03:40:17 PM]


Owners of Ireland Farms Dogs by ASHQUACK
[Today at 12:24:39 PM]


1x scopes vs open sights by andersonjk4
[Today at 09:23:28 AM]

SimplePortal 2.3.7 © 2008-2024, SimplePortal