Let's talk Turkey

Tilla · 01-10-2002, 05:00 PM

I want to try it. I watch it on the outdoor channel almost too much. I even got some diaphrams around, but I need to get started. Guns, loads, camo I got. But how and where I don't got.
I don't mean to say I am giving up on the waterfowl yet, but it's not too early to inquire.

birdhunter · 01-10-2002, 05:13 PM

3 tops spots in the state (IMHO):

1. S. Oregon (obviously). The turkey capital of Oregon has got to be Douglas County. Higher density of bird there than anywhere else. Jackson and Josephine are increasingly worthwhile too. Problem is, much of the land is private and ranchers learned a while ago that they could charge saps a lot of money for access. You'll be hard pressed to just knock on doors and get access. You probably need to know someone, but if you do....oh man. The best hunting here is on agricultural lands. Hunting national forest land adjacent to open fields or private land can be very productive, but you have to really know your area.

2. White River - The game refuge on the east side of Mt. Hood is a very popular place to go for turkey. Almost all public and lots of birds. This is a rolling oak savanna, with deep canyons. Later in the season the birds work there way up the Cascades and you have to follow them up into the timber. Easiest to hunt early when the snow still has them concentrated down low in the open flats. You have to compete with a lot of other weekend warriors here, but if you're willing to hike you'll do fine.

3. Blue Mts. - The biggest toms I've killed seem to invariably come from the areas they are hunted the least. Funny huh? The Blue Mts. and Hells Canyon harbor large numbers of turkeys. Check openings in larger mature timber. Snow is a big factor here as the turkeys follow the snow-line as it receeds. One week they'll all be at a certain elevation and the next....nothing.

Timing: I like to go late april, early may. I've killed turkey on the opener and I've killed turkey towards the end of May. They'll respond to calls before and after the season so you really don't have to worry too much about timing. The heat of their "rut" though would probably be late April/early May. Hunting later is also a good idea because it ensures that the tom you take has had the opportunity to plant his seed before you take him home for supper. Just means more birds in the future!

So, this is the basics for turkey locations and times. Oh, and the Keno area around Klamath might have a few too.

Let me know if you need more specifics.

[ 01-10-2002: Message edited by: birdhunter ]</p>

birdhunter · 01-10-2002, 05:37 PM

You got me going now. Here's my birds from 2000 (L) and 2001 (R). The one on the left was a big tom I killed out in Hells Canyon. Weighed 21 lbs! The turkey I killed last year was a young bird. In addition to the smaller size, you can tell that the central rectrices (tail feathers) of the bird are noticibly longer than the other rectrices. This signify's that it is a Hatch Year bird and would probably be considered a jake. Still, that bird had a 6" beard and good sized spurs! Gobbled and acted just like any other tom. Good luck out there man. Let me know if you need any more advice. You're gonna love it. I'm really gonna try hard to make this the year I fill all 3 tags. We'll see.

Tilla · 01-12-2002, 12:08 AM

:shocked: Birdhunter :shocked: You da man!!!!! It occured to me that I know someone who does very well out in that area and the K Falls to Ashland area.I should follow up with him. Do you pre season scout or are you confident that the area holds the birds fairly well?

Fishalot · 01-13-2002, 12:29 PM

Tilla what is the matter are you getting tired of eating the store bought plastic wrapped turkeys? Why don't you just eat a few of the geese you have been putting the hammer on. Sorry I forgot you haven't been hammering the geese.

Good hunting
Fishalot :grin: :grin: :grin: :grin: :grin:

birdhunter · 01-13-2002, 07:42 PM

I generally don't scout too much before the season, because the bird aren't necessarily going to be in the same area. If I had the time and wasn't really familar w/ the area, I'd definately go and scout to learn the area. Find the open meadow, the feed, which roads go where and how to get there from here. The area between Ashland and Klamath definately holds birds. I'd talk to your guy for some road #'s or areas. Good luck.

Tilla · 01-14-2002, 11:54 PM

Well fishalot, do we want the list published of what you haven't been hammering lately? You opened up a new one on the list last week. (It rhymes with Havolina motor oil. or maybe it should be Haventalina!!Ha Ha Ha You lost your spot in the driftboat, now you ain't gonna get a sled seat by the heater! :grin: There is a new steelie king in town. Oh, and it ain't happening on the lower Sandy.

Fishalot · 01-17-2002, 08:46 AM

The way I heard it was a person in you boat caught 2 steel head, not 3 so I am still the winter steel head king. Ha Ha Ha and one more Ha just for you Tilla. When you get old the mind starts to go, forgeting and repeating.
I love to hear the stories Tilla tells mainly because I'm in most of them.

I love ya Tilla :tongue:
Fishalot

Tilla · 01-17-2002, 07:46 PM

Oh I bet your gonna start talkin' about how I always need help with my limit of ducks now!

Well I'm still gettin' the pup some training! :grin: Sounds like a Sturgeon weekend, what do you think?