shaunpm - Slee definately knows what he is talking about - he's a westside hunter where everyone else heads east. I don't know if there is a problem with shock calling pre-season though... It is a definate no no to try to sound like a hen - those birds remember. The easterns are REAL wiley... I know for a fact that capitol forest holds birds, how many I couldn't tell you - we released around 30 or so in various parts... If you decide Johnson Creek you will have company unless you hoof it way in there (which might not be a bad plan).

If you don't mind knocking on a few doors (actually a lot of doors) check out Rose Valley - Specifically just south of Longview on Rose Valley Road. This is the highest consentration of Easterns in the state, but unfortunately it is 99.9999999% private property and a lot of people view those birds as their personal pets. So, though it isn't impossible to get permision, it will be as much a challenge to get someone to allow you to hunt as it does to bag a bird. One thing that Slee said might work in your favor, and that is join a NWTF chapter in your area - My chapter gives us hats and pins yearly - might help when you knock on the doors... here's a pretty up to date listing of NWTF chapters, plus if you poke around you will find information on the Turkeys in Washington http://www.wanwtf.org/chapter_listing.htm-

If you have a couple days where you can commit to some serious scouting try Tower Road (Tower Road Cutoff can be accessed by taking exit 49 off of I-5 at Castle Rock and heading east) - There are tons of gated Weyerhaeuser roads open to the public, but they don't allow vehicles on them (I'm not sure about bicycles - which would make a great alternative)... There are a lot of birds there, but finding concentrations heavy enough to hunt will be tough (lots of area to cover).. Check out the alder patches along the Toutle River - Especially when the hunting pressure gets heavy.

Slee... interested in writing some for a website and/or Newsletter?<img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle>

Right now, I'm working on putting together some Washington Turkey Specifics (hope to have it out there within a month) that might help...

Oh... and about calling when the season is here, and you are out there tryin' to bag your bird... Seems the Easterns prefer soft callin' (like a slate) and little of it... Also, when you are ready to move on - wait another 45 minutes - they love to come in silent.

http://www.wanwtf.org

Edited by - WANWTF on 02/03/2003 13:01:00