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Hunters look to fool toms this spring Gobble, gobble, gobble. It's nearly wild turkey hunting season again. For the next month, people of all ages get to dress up in camouflage clothing and skulk through the woods in search of the wily tom turkey. The state spring turkey season begins Monday and continues through May 15. However, while many pursue the elusive game bird, fewer than a couple thousand will bag one. The odds do seem to be improving, though. In 2001, for example, about 2,400 hunters tagged a turkey. "Last spring, hunters reported harvesting about 35 percent more turkeys than during the 2000 season," said Mick Cope, the state Department of Fish and Wildlife's upland game manager in Olympia. "The spring turkey harvest today is more than 350 percent higher than it was in 1995 when the season really came into its own in Washington." In 1995, only 588 turkeys were bagged. And as has been the case since 1995, the northeast corner of the state - including Ferry, Lincoln, Pend Oreille, Spokane and Stevens counties - leads the way with 1,845 birds taken in 2001. That's 76 percent of the harvest. Since 1960, three subspecies of wild turkey have been introduced in Washington: the Merriam's, Rio Grande and eastern. All three are doing well. One reason why Northeastern Washington offers some of the state's best turkey hunting is that two subspecies have scratched out a large chunk of real estate to call home. Merriam's thrive in portions of Ferry, Pend Oreille, Stevens and Spokane counties while Rio Grandes can be found in Lincoln and Whitman counties. Rios also are hunted in Asotin, Columbia, Garfield, Kittitas, Okanogan and Walla Walla counties. And Merriam's also are found in Skamania, Chelan and Yakima counties. The eastern subspecies lives west of the Cascades. One key to being successful is to scout potential turkey hunting areas well in advance of the season. Veteran hunters say they scout for turkeys all year long. Once you've located a flock, the next step is obtaining landowner permission to hunt for them. It's no easy task. Fortunately, turkeys can't read signs and hunters do find them on public lands. And the state has thousands of acres open for public hunting in Eastern Washington under its Feel Free to Hunt and Hunt with Written Permission programs. However, just because you see a turkey early in the spring doesn't mean he's going to be around opening day. During the spring, toms typically fool around with hens much of the time. That's why hunters use a variety of calls that imitate a hen, ranging from mouth-blown diaphragms and wing-bone calls to hand-held versions including box, slate and push-button types. Once in turkey country, the next item of business is to get a gobbler to reveal his whereabouts. If you've done your homework on the ground, you may already know where the turkeys roost at night. Anytime you hear a gobbler before he leaves his roost, you can move in within about 150 yards, set up and start calling. Your chances of calling him in after you've found his roost are 10 times better than just going out there and hoping a gobbler is within earshot of you. However, when a gobbler can't be heard, hunters often turn to a crow or owl call to "shock" a tom into gobbling. And like a Boy Scout, it helps to be prepared when a mature tom sounds off. If he's in the mood, he can be upon you within minutes. Turkey hunters should be well-equipped and well-camouflaged in the field. Most hunters wear a large vest in which they carry all the gear needed, including calls, binoculars, shells, decoys, rain gear, food and water. Most good vests also have an attached, fold-down padded seat which comes in handy when your gobbler plays a waiting game. When selecting a spot to set up and begin calling, make sure your spot gives you at least 40 yards of vision in all directions and sit with your back against a tree that is wider than you are. P.S. Don't wear any red, white or blue clothes because these are the colors of a gobbler's head - the primary target of the hunter. Veterans say one of the biggest mistake hunters make is over-calling. Usually a few clucks, putts and purrs every few times you hear gobbling is all that's needed to bring a tom calling. If you call too aggressively, the gobbler may think you are a hen that is coming to him and will hang up on a hill or in a clearing and wait. If you've waited until your rear is numb, it may be time to move. This is the time to use your shock call to trick a gobbler into revealing his location. But in the long run, patience, stealth, concealment and knowledge of your hunting area are your best bets. In Washington, only gobblers and turkeys with a visible beard (some female turkeys do have beards) are legal. Also, while only one turkey can be shot per day, hunters are allowed three. However, only two turkeys can be taken in Eastern Washington and only one of those can come from Chelan, Kittitas and Yakima counties combined. And while gobblers may be taken with a bow-and-arrow, most spring turkey hunters use shotguns, usually loaded with Nos. 2, 4 or special "turkey loads" that are a combination of shot sizes in that range. Full chokes or special turkey chokes are recommend for making a clean kill out from about 35 to 40 yards. Successful hunters are required by law to report a kill to the state within 10 days, either by telephone at 877-845-3492 or on the Internet at www.fishhunt.drf.wa.gov. Hunters who do not bag two Eastern Washington turkeys can apply for a fall permit. The deadline is June 23. Hunt choices will be published in the 2002 Big Game Hunting Pamphlet as well on the state's Web page next month. So, if the stars align and a gobbler struts into shooting range, expect that rush of adrenaline to turn you into a spring turkey junkie. |
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