New Member

[TURKEYSLAYER]

Greetings all,
My name is Jake.
I have been checking in from time to time and finally got around to registering. I have seen lots of great stories and discussions going on. Sure like what I have seen.
A little about me. I have been fishing since I can remember catching my first Steelhead out of the Yakima river in 1974. Also started hunting in 1973 in Yakima chasing around Pheasants, Quail and Ducks. I moved to Portland in 1981 where the Steelhead fever took its hold. I also started hunting Wild Turkey in 1983.
I understand you all would like a story…
It all took place in Goldendale Washington 21 years ago. Loading my gear in to my father-in-laws camper for my first ever turkey hunt. And talking the 1 hour drive to his favorite Turkey woods. I learned all I could about turkey hunting in that short time. “STAY STILL, keep your mouth SHUT and eyes OPEN That’s all you need to know for now! I will do the rest”.
The first day was spent hiking all over the hills walk and sit walk and sit listing to him make strange sound on a little wooden box. It wasn’t till sun down that I heard my first Gobbler. We sat there listing to him sound off from the roost I knew then I was hooked. The second day started off trying to find that bird, walk and sit walk and sit I did not think I could go any farther. While he was calling I decided to be that good little son-in-law and take his advise “STAY STILL, keep your mouth SHUT and eyes OPEN” So I got out a candy bar and started to unwrap it. When right behind me was a PUTT, PUTT, PUTT. My father-in-law looks at me with that disgusting look and said “DO YOU KNOW WHAT THAT SOUND WAS?” Later that evening at the camper I was making a pot coffee and He was down feeding the bears as he calls it. I could see him on a dead run pants half way up waving his arms as to warn me to get down. As he got up to me he said shut up and listen. Across the canyon it came GOBBLE GOBBLE GOBBLE…
He told me he heard 4-5 birds just fly up to roost. I was so excited I could hardly eat or sleep that night. 3 am came to soon. After a quick bowl of oats, we were in the woods at night with no lights on. Stumbling down the side of the canyon, and on our hands and knees crawling up the other side. We got set up next to a large pine side by side. We sat there for what seemed like hours, but was about 30 minutes then it came GOBBLE, with ears straining to hear something GOBBLE GOBBLE. We sat there listing to the music for 20 -30 minute before he made the first call so soft I could just here it. It set them birds off double and triple gobbling it sounded like McDonalds farm. Then all of the sudden we could see them drop out of the trees 3,4,5. Not another sound, nothing dead silence. I could not believe it, so close. I turned to my father-in law to say they heard my heart beating when I noticed the look on his face as if he seen a ghost . I turned back and there was 6 gobblers on a dead run single file down the trail right at us I had to shoot in self defense. So I killed my first Gobbler an nice 18 pound Jake. My father-in-law well he did not get his gun up in time. We have been the best hunting buddies since, he is 86 now but still out there every year. And now it my turn my son is eleven him and me are starting Hunter education classes on Monday, This year he will join us at Turkey camp.

[Wreckless]

Great story.....welcome to a GREAT place to play!!

[Rauly]

Welcome Turkeyslayer. Glad to have you here. I also turkey hunt. Maybe we can get a hunt together.

Rauly

[Silver Eagle]

Great story, still haven't killed a Turkey, I hunt with a couple I've threatened to kill, welcome aboard........Ray

[TURKEYSLAYER]

Rauly,
I would not be rule out the possibility of getting together for a hunt. I have been thinking about trying to find some birds else where for my old stomping grounds Maybe down I5 somewhere around Lynn Co. . I have just about had it with the SLOB hunters on the White River Game Management area. The last 5 out of 6 years I have had birds shot from the roost right out from under us. I can here the stories now… How the bird strutted and gobbled all the way in…
It is getting almost impossible to get away from people over there every time a bird gobbles there seems like there is fourteen hunters v-lining for it. I have had hunters walk up on my set up, see me and run past us to the bird. What’s with that? Some people only think of them self’s…

[SPAZZ]

Welcome

[Blue Tip Spinner]

that was a great story... thanks for sharing. welcome.

[Gun Rod Bow]

Welcome,

Spring before last my then 13 yr old daughter got her first turkey with her 20 gauge, I followed 2 hours later with my bow

They are lots of fun. On weekdays and later in the season even the heavily hunted areas really quiet down.

[Spotted Owl]

welcome to the ranks of IFISH.