Power

I have to admit I'm not very happy about this hunt. Don't get me wrong, I think a special hunt for the kids is great. I don't have any kids yet but there's one in the oven. My beef is the fact they had the hunt mostly state-wide including the area around here. I've been out pre-scouting a ton so I've got birds located all over but my primary spot was awash with hunters this last weekend. I just think the State dropped the ball with their scheduling of this hunt. To allow the woods to fill with hunters 3 days before the general season in this area was a bad move in my opinion. We don't have very many birds around here and the few we do have are more skittish now than a house cat in a rocking chair factory.

I think the hunt should have either been a week or two earlier or after the general season. Or just in areas where there are a lot of turkeys to the point they are a problem. I'm not sure what the estimated population is for Chelan County but after seeing almost 50 people in 1 spot this last weekend where I would say there are probably no more than 50 turkeys that live there, that just can't be good.

kirkl

Power, those were my thoughts on the subject also when this first came out, Its great for the kids but I think they should just give them a few more extra days after the general season or couple weeks prior like you said or areas with high turkey populations, they put in a few areas around here in yakima that theres not very many turkeys, my spot i hunt wasnt on list though.

trapper T

POwer, I participated in the hunt last weekend, and after I got home I started thinking like you said. I did think it was good for the kids(birds were really active) but now I'm wondering if it will really hamper this weekend. Are you an NWTF member? If you are this is something we can bring up with the state chapter president. He meets regularly with WDFW officals on matters concerning us. Drop him a line, I'll do the smae the more people who get involved like this will help our cause.

tiggeer

I agree with you guys too....It does give the birds a fair warning....you mine as well go out and call to them before the season...not really but thats what its like right!!!![:'(]

Power

I'm not trying to make anyone mad either, just for the record. I do like the idea of a youth hunt, I really think it will be great for the kids. Just the timing was not great.

The good news is I just got back in and still managed to find some birds "out there" that no one else seems to know about so I'm pumped for the morning. The transplants in the area do seem to be doing well and their numbers are good (have a note into a local Bio. for numbers in our area) so I'm not quite as mad as I was this weekend. I do have contacts with the F&W and talked to someone today about it so my opinion has been noted. Just looking for feelings from everyone else on the matter.

trapper T

I sent an email to Len Brandt the State president and asked him to bring it up next time he meets with the state. I don't want to see it gone, but I suggested maybe moving it to a week or so earlier? I would still like to see it prior to the season to give the kids a taste of undisturbed birds, but I also don't want to wreck it for everyone. I also brought up with him the fact that just about everywhere was open.And maybe they should restrict it to more populated areas ie: Stevens/Ferry areas.

slee

I don't think that in the grand scheme of things this past weekend made any difference with how the birds are going to act. Yeah, they may be laying low for a day or so, but they'll be back. I agree that some areas just don't have the numbers to support being open, but I don't think they should be kept out of the youth hunt. If they shouldn't be hunted on the youth weekend, then they shouldn't be hunted period. This youth weekend isn't unique to Washington. It's done in states all across the country, and normally on the weekend before season. It would be pointless to have it at the end because most of the gobbling/breeding is over, and you think you are seeing call-shy birds now. And if you move it up a week or so, the birds will more than likely still be on private land on the east side due to snow(in normal years). And if you limit it to Stevens and Ferry Co, you are limiting the people who can't make it over. I can understand your beef Power, but you guys need to give it an honest chance before making adjustments. This is the rookie season for this thing. People don't like change, and we don't know if it's for the better or worse yet. When it's all said and done, I don't think it will make any major difference in the outcome of anyone's hunt. It may even make you a better hunter. Just my .02 worth.

trapper T

Good points Slee, your probably right on this.

WANWTF

I'm in %100 agreement with Slee - Give it a chance. How much does the youth hunt really disturb the birds? Do you always get your birds on opening weekend? How do you explain if your answer is "no"? It is good for the kids, actually, it is GREAT for the kids - just like the waterfowl season for youths. What better way to get kids into the outdoors than giving them a chance at unmolested birds? This youth hunt was a hard sell that a lot of people worked real hard on getting. Besides - isn't it called "Hunting" rather than "getting"? I'm not even heading out opening weekend - it seems too early for me - I'll head out when the hens have started nesting a bit and the toms still want to get it on. I will HUNT them, not expect to walk off the road on a gobbler and shoot him. Just my 2 cents.