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

wanwtf-
Thanks for all the places. I am gonna have to check out the area down by castle rock.

At the Pyullup sportsman show I talked to a couple guys from nwtf I didnt get there names but they were very nice and helpful.They told me about a banquet coming up,I am intrested in going but I have to check out my financial status!! This last saturday 2/1/03 I went and walked up in the capitol forest behind Turkey Road and I also walked on the other side of summit lake on the timber company roads.Even though I didnt see any birds it was a blast and I figure it cant hurt getting firmiluar with all the roads.THANKS AGAIN--
Shaun

Shaunpm, if my partner isn't going with me, you're welcome anytime I go. If he shoots another bird out from under me, he's gonna have to find a new partner.<img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle> Better bring your breakfast and lunch though, cause we won't likely be back in time. Most birds aren't right next to the road, and mid-morning is probably the best time to connect if you don't at first light. Many hunters have packed it up by then too. If the toms are henned up, this is the #1 time to score because you aren't likely to take them from there harem off the roost. It's all about playin' the odds and being flexible.

My partner and I have talked about taking his 2 horses back into Capital Forest and Skookumchuck to do some scouting way back in there. A fun way to travel, and it's much faster than walking. May be worth a trip down to Tower Rd on horses just to check it out. I've got some leads on specific areas of Capital Forest too, but it's always crappy weather when I go. Spring time in western Washington, what else is new?

I've always heard that soft calling works best over here, but I'm not convinced. The reason I say this is sound doesn't travel well in this jungle stuff. It stands to reason that a clear, high pitched slate, box, or diaphragm would carry better, much like on windy days. If they can't hear you, they won't come. However, if you're in a clearing or power line, definitely call soft and sparingly. In most popular areas, this is where they've been called to the most. Now, I think the soft call rule is probably true when one is responding, but his mood should dictate your response. You've heard the saying &quot;Taking his temperature.&quot; Easterns are typically more responsive to soft, occasional calling, especially in high-pressured areas(most of western WA) because most people are too aggressive, or the birds have just been educated to poor set-ups and techniques.

And an important thing to remember, which WANWTF pointed out, was to wait 30min-45min after you've stopped calling. I don't know how many times I've been busted by silent toms and/or hens when I thought it was clear. Another thing to keep in mind is that Easterns cover ground veeerrrrrryyyyyy slowly compared to the other species in this state. While Merriams and Rios will close 500 yards in a matter of minutes, an Eastern may take a half hour or more, if he's inclined to come at all. Be patient.

WANWTF, I'd be happy to help with potential topics, but that's about as far as I would feel comfortable going. While I'm flattered by offer, I'm not a journalist. I'm just a kolledge edumacated suthern boy who loves to hunt. Besides, I wouldn't give much credibility to any &quot;how to&quot; articles because I've never pulled the trigger on a bird myself. One of the downsides to living in a state with a 6&quot; beard minimum is you'd better know you have a mature bird in front of you. They don't usually stand still for a measurement until they've got a head full of lead. Many close calls, wasted time on birdless property, fooling around with jakes, busted set-ups, scouting trips, chasing hard-hunted toms with veterans, etc., etc., have taught me what I know today. The last hunt I made in MS, I had 6 jakes standing within 15 yards, none with more than a 4&quot; beard. Talk about nerve rattling. Life's hard in the Deep South.<img src=icon_smile_wink.gif border=0 align=middle>

Hunt hard, live right, and tell your kids you love 'em!

Shaunpm, after logging on to Wayne's website suggestion, I remembered another one that offers some really good stuff too. It's www.wildturkeyzone.com. It has some of the same topics, but you can never read too much info. It'll also help you remember something you might have forgotten along the way, that may be just the trick you need to put Ol' Tommy over your shoulder.

Hunt hard, live right, and tell your kids you love 'em!

This weekend I am going to go walk around Capitol Forest AGAIN and I was wondering if any body knows any specific places for turkey where I should start.
I Have walked alot up behind Turkey road above Summit lake and have not seen any sign.I have saw some droppings on the other side of the lake in the timber co land, but not Capitol Forest. It is a lot of land and I thought maybe somebody could help me to narrow it down!

Thanks in advance,

Shaunpm

Shaunpm, giving up a good turkey spot is like losing your virginity to an ugly chick. No matter how excited you are about it, you don't dare tell a soul. And if you do, you speak in general terms. &quot;It was OK&quot;, or &quot;she didn't look too bad&quot;. You following me here.<img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle> Good ones, especially on the west side, are hard to come by. I won't leave you hanging though. My partner and I are going to check out a few spots in the Capitol Forest on Sunday morning. I'll e-mail you to let you know what I know about the Capitol Forest in general, but I won't get specific. I've got to hunt 'em too. I will say that the birds are pretty well scattered out from what I understand. I also think the area around Summit Lk gets the least amount of pressure around there.

If you've found droppings, I'd spend my time looking that area over REALLY well. You've got to remember that your not dealing with elk, deer, or even Easterns like you see in videos. There are so few in any given area, that you may have found as good a spot as there is around that area. I may be asking you for directions to your spots. Spend a few days in there poking around. If you can get in there at first light or dusk, listen to where they are flying down/up from. Listen for hens tree yelping. They tend to roost in the same general areas, so if they stay there until the season rolls around you're halfway there. Then, just show up the evening before the hunt and roost your bird for the next morning.

If you bump the birds now, you aren't hurting your chances during the season. It will also be a good time to see what kind of gobblers are around since they will be in larger groups. As I said earlier, their patterns will likely change between now and April 15, but you will have a good idea of the number of birds in the general area. Just keep your eyes open for J turds, and pay attention to the size of the tracks you see. It's really hard to mistake a mature gobbler's track for a hen's. Feathers can give info too, so don't ignore them and walk on by. Shoot me an e-mail anytime you want to talk turkey.

Hunt hard, live right, and tell your kids you love 'em!