Washington Turkeys
11-29-2002, 11:38 PM
#1
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Enumclaw WA USA
Posts: 20
Washington Turkeys
I guess our season is april-may. Is this a good time? I've never done turkeys but im pumped, cant wait! What does a good spread consist of?
I heard a shrill call that had to be a turkey, I've heard it in a video game, has to be right!<img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle> This was in the Grays Harbor City area, for anyone who knows Washington.
Any good advice for the coming season? Gear, etc? I think I got the camo down, I got the gun, a Mossberg 500 12 gauge. What loads, spreads, calls, etc? Whats the main tactics? Thanks!!!
Curtis
I just gotta hunt
I heard a shrill call that had to be a turkey, I've heard it in a video game, has to be right!<img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle> This was in the Grays Harbor City area, for anyone who knows Washington.
Any good advice for the coming season? Gear, etc? I think I got the camo down, I got the gun, a Mossberg 500 12 gauge. What loads, spreads, calls, etc? Whats the main tactics? Thanks!!!
Curtis
I just gotta hunt
11-30-2002, 07:26 PM
#2
Fork Horn
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Out in the Boonies of Washington USA
Posts: 294
RE: Washington Turkeys
Well, I would suggest if you are a first time turkey hunter that not to hunt the easterns on the west side. Living here and huntin them for 2 years suggests that they are not for beginners. Go hunt the Rio's or Merriams, you dont even have to do barely anything to kill one, its pretty simple from what I've heard.
12-01-2002, 05:52 PM
#3
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Spokane, WA & King George Va & Andrews AFB, MD
Posts: 2,238
RE: Washington Turkeys
Get a primos turkey hunting video, they help, get a slate call, and practice on it, try to mimic the sounds they do on the video, also hunt the east side of the state if you can, stevens county and also lincon county are the 2 best counties in the state for turkeys. just practice and get your gun set-up ready to go, pattern your gun!!
"ATTITUDE REFLECTS LEADERSHIP, CAPTAIN!"
Edited by - robb92 on 12/01/2002 18:54:33
"ATTITUDE REFLECTS LEADERSHIP, CAPTAIN!"
Edited by - robb92 on 12/01/2002 18:54:33
12-01-2002, 06:53 PM
#4
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Enumclaw WA USA
Posts: 20
RE: Washington Turkeys
What size spreads do you guys typically use? What size shot? How long are the shots usually? Sorry if I seem insistent, but like i said, I'm pumped for the turkey season this year.
I just gotta hunt
I just gotta hunt
12-02-2002, 08:02 AM
#5
Fork Horn
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Columbus Ohio USA
Posts: 225
RE: Washington Turkeys
You are going to have to do some work here. Every gun and every hunter are a little different. You will need to get a pretty restrictive choke for your gun (a number of manufactures make specialized turkey chokes). Then you need to pattern your gun at ranges from 20-40 yards to see how it shoots with #4-#7 shot. You will also neee to try 23/4", 3" and 3.5" shells to see what works best for each shot in your gun and with the choke you choose. The choke and shot set up really depends on your gun and how you shoot it so no one on this board can tell you what will work best for you. You just need to try some different shells, loads and shot to see what produces a good pattern at various distances.
I also agree with the others that you should check out one of the videos designed for beginners such as "So You Want to be a Turkey Hunter" by Hunter Specialties. These can answere a lot of your questions about a variety of topics. I also suggest that you pare up with some one who has hunted turkeys before when you first go out because their knowledge in the field will be invaluable.
Once you have done some of that then come back with some specific questions and there are some experts here (I am not one of them) who can help you.
Goo luck!
The best thing you have going for you is that there is still plenty of time for you to prepare.
I also agree with the others that you should check out one of the videos designed for beginners such as "So You Want to be a Turkey Hunter" by Hunter Specialties. These can answere a lot of your questions about a variety of topics. I also suggest that you pare up with some one who has hunted turkeys before when you first go out because their knowledge in the field will be invaluable.
Once you have done some of that then come back with some specific questions and there are some experts here (I am not one of them) who can help you.
Goo luck!
The best thing you have going for you is that there is still plenty of time for you to prepare.
12-03-2002, 08:49 AM
#6
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Marysville WA USA
Posts: 760
RE: Washington Turkeys
Grays Harbor would be a first for me. I wouldn't say they are not there because those birds can relocate 50 miles in a year. About 4 or 5 years ago, we released 300 birds up and down the I-5 corridor - some to enhance flocks, some to start up flocks. I know some of the start ups are doing well, and I actually saw a hen walking along the water in Everett just north of the Naval Base. Blew my mind.
You are correct on the spring season - April 15 to May 15, but you can also put in for a special tag that would lengthen the season if drawn.
As far as loads, some swear on 4's some on 6's there is even a 4/6 combo that works great. Main thing is to pattern your gun and see which load works best for you.
Starting with calls - I would suggest a box call or push pin to start with, and then slate, and then a diaphram. The merriams to the east seem to just love a box call.
Tactics range depending on the weather, the terrain, and the bird. The neat thing about hunting turkey is as soon as you have them all figured out - they do exactly opposite of what you would think they should do. You can find some hunting information on Washington turkeys at http://www.wanwtf.org.
One of the best things to do is hook up with someone who is familiar with turkey hunting - Most turkey hunters are happy to take someone under their wings and teach the tricks to the trade. Find a local NWTF chapter and get plugged in - you'll hear places rumors of places and other things that would be beneficial to your hunt.
Small warning though - when you hear that booming gobble echo through the woods there is a VERY good chance you are gonna get hooked. And if you happen to call one in - forget it, the only way to get out is join TA (turkeys annonimous) but I don't think they exist yet. Good luck
http://www.wanwtf.org
You are correct on the spring season - April 15 to May 15, but you can also put in for a special tag that would lengthen the season if drawn.
As far as loads, some swear on 4's some on 6's there is even a 4/6 combo that works great. Main thing is to pattern your gun and see which load works best for you.
Starting with calls - I would suggest a box call or push pin to start with, and then slate, and then a diaphram. The merriams to the east seem to just love a box call.
Tactics range depending on the weather, the terrain, and the bird. The neat thing about hunting turkey is as soon as you have them all figured out - they do exactly opposite of what you would think they should do. You can find some hunting information on Washington turkeys at http://www.wanwtf.org.
One of the best things to do is hook up with someone who is familiar with turkey hunting - Most turkey hunters are happy to take someone under their wings and teach the tricks to the trade. Find a local NWTF chapter and get plugged in - you'll hear places rumors of places and other things that would be beneficial to your hunt.
Small warning though - when you hear that booming gobble echo through the woods there is a VERY good chance you are gonna get hooked. And if you happen to call one in - forget it, the only way to get out is join TA (turkeys annonimous) but I don't think they exist yet. Good luck
http://www.wanwtf.org
12-03-2002, 11:48 PM
#7
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Enumclaw WA USA
Posts: 20
RE: Washington Turkeys
Hey thanks guys! I'm DEFINITELY going this season, I'll probably be taking the 20 gauge, because its full choke. I'll be tryin a few calls, practicing them up...
Hey, you guys make this sound all rough. How hard could it POSSIBLY be?
I just gotta hunt
Hey, you guys make this sound all rough. How hard could it POSSIBLY be?
I just gotta hunt
12-04-2002, 06:48 PM
#8
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Gleason, TN
Posts: 1,327
RE: Washington Turkeys
I would go with the mossberg 500 if I were you. I use one jake decoy, it works better than any hen decoy (makes them mad).I learned to hunt turkeys with eastern turkeys so it's not impossible.
If I were you I would use the 12ga. with 3" #5 shot federal premium shotshells. Buy a xx-full turkey choke from mossberg.
Hunting tactics-
Go out in the pre-dawn morning and stand on some high ground where you can hear the turkeys gobble before or just after they fly off the roost. When you hear them, walk within 100 yards of where you hear them at, sit under a wide tree to breakup your outline. Set the jake decoy about 20-25 yards in front of you and call to the bird. Idealy, the bird gobbles back and comes to you. He'll see the decoy and go over to strut around or fight it. Then, you shoot him in the head and he'll start to flop around. Then you have your turkey. Any video will show most of this. I'm no expert but this is what I do. I use a mouth call.
"Hey ya'll, watch this"
If I were you I would use the 12ga. with 3" #5 shot federal premium shotshells. Buy a xx-full turkey choke from mossberg.
Hunting tactics-
Go out in the pre-dawn morning and stand on some high ground where you can hear the turkeys gobble before or just after they fly off the roost. When you hear them, walk within 100 yards of where you hear them at, sit under a wide tree to breakup your outline. Set the jake decoy about 20-25 yards in front of you and call to the bird. Idealy, the bird gobbles back and comes to you. He'll see the decoy and go over to strut around or fight it. Then, you shoot him in the head and he'll start to flop around. Then you have your turkey. Any video will show most of this. I'm no expert but this is what I do. I use a mouth call.
"Hey ya'll, watch this"
12-10-2002, 07:57 PM
#9
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Waipahu HI USA
Posts: 2,915
RE: Washington Turkeys
Some more $.02...to quote somebody from a year or two ago (Hawkshaw maybe?)..."Turkeys can see you think and hear you change your mind." Once you get out in the woods with them, you'll see what I mean. Other than that, keep at it. Once you pull the trigger on your first, there's no going back.
