Washington State Youth Weekend

[dblcluck]

It's been I long time since I've been able to check in on OG. After moving to Washington State, pastoring a new church... the family staying in Missouri for a year while I got things settled, me traveling back and forth, then moving them all out here, I just haven't had the time to think much about other things. Anyway, this is the first Spring our whole family has been here, so I got to take my 15 year old son out for his first WA bird. I also took two boys from our church who've never turkey hunted before... a big "Youth Weekend Extravaganza". I have to say, I had NO IDEA the quality of turkey hunting this state has to offer, and not many guys here hunt them. Washington offers 3 sub-species (Eastern, Merriam's, Rios). These birds were Rio/Merriam's hybrid found right on the border of the two ranges.

Anyway, it was a nasty, nasty weekend weather wise, 35-48 degrees, 40 mph winds and rain/snow/sun/rain/rain/rain... but we were able to get 2 of the 3 boys their birds. Fortunately my son could kind of take care of himself. He has been hurt (track injury) and couldn't really hike like he wanted, so he hunted an area he thought would have birds moving through and just sat up and waited. He shot a jake out of a group of 9 he called in. He told me he figured that with the weather conditions, and his leg messed up, a bird in the hand was better than two in the bush... plus, he pulls this out of his hat, "Dad, it was an adult when it came in, but 3.5" Heavy Shot 5's at 10 yards hit him so hard it blew him back into LAST year..." hahaha.

The other boy got his bird the second day. Pouring rain and 35 degrees... but this 2 year old and his buddy gobbled like crazy off the roost. He got so darn wet he looked terrible for the picture. The younger brother didn't get the bird we were working for him. A coyote came busting through and messed it up, but a coyote at 5 yards is pretty fun with a 20 gauge  Once regular season starts I'll take him back to get a bird.

Here is some pics of the fun...

[TauntoHawk]

That is some beautiful country, congrats on the birds 

[BBD]

Good Job, Good pics 

[mnturkey]

Congratulations, the smiles on the boys faces tell it all.

[Rio Fan]

Congrats! Those are some really cool photos. Whereabouts do you live in Washington?  I live in the tri-cities (Kennewick).

[dblcluck]

Congrats! Those are some really cool photos. Whereabouts do you live in Washington?  I live in the tri-cities (Kennewick).

We live on the west side, near Enumclaw. Just moved here, so are getting used to the wet weather and trying to figure out the hunting "situation". A LOT different than Missouri, but good. Headed back over east for the opener, then have a buddy coming out from MO to hunt the end of the month.

[tomstopper]

Congratulations, the smiles on the boys faces tell it all.

Congrats....

[boomer]

Congrats!!

[DirtNap647]

congrats great pics

[nitro]

Very nice!!!

I will be out for my annual dose of WA Gobbling on May 2-4.

We hunt not far from Spokane. Gorgeous country and Turkeys that don't mine dying.

Enjoy your time in WA.. wonderful place.

[Gold Spur]

Congrats to all on a great hunt!

[surehuntsalot]

congrats on the birds
beautiful pic's