Make a plan

Next is to create a hunt plan. This can become a wormhole of information, and hunt plans usually start broad, but are refined as items are checked off the list. Here is an example of one such hunt plan:

2025 turkey trip

1. Purchase licenses and tags
2. Who is going?
     a. Hunting partners
     b. Solo
     c. Give hunt plan to a family member
3. Hunt location
     a. Virtual scouting
          i. Online mapping vs. cellphone apps
     b. In-person scouting
     c. Accommodations
          i. Hotel/motel
          ii. Camping
     d. Public or private lands
          i. Private landowner permission
          ii. WDFW hunt by reservation/written permission/feel free to hunt
4. Hunt dates
     a. Put in vacation time now
     b. Weekend warrior
5. Gear to bring
     a. Daypack
     b. Clothing
          i. Boots/shoes/socks
          ii. Clothing layers/raingear
          iii. Camouflage/facemask
          iv. Gloves
     c. Safety gear
          i. First-aid kit
          ii. Tick spray
     d. Decoys and calls
     e. Blinds
     f. Food/water/snacks
     g. Optics/rangefinder
6. Firearm or archery
     a. Shotgun
          i. Loads and chokes
          ii. Shotshells and patterning
          iii. Shooting sticks
     b. Archery
           i. Bow tune
           ii. Sight in for broadheads
           iii. Rangefinder
7. The vehicle
     a. Plan for poor weather
     b. Get your rig prepped
          i. Oil change
          ii. Tire check
               1. Bring chains
          iii. General tune-up
8. Start crossing off days until the opener

Creating a plan like this will contribute to success. Obtaining WDFW licenses and tags was covered at the outset, but if there are still questions, feel free to visit https://wdfw.wa.gov/licenses for more information.

Whether hunting solo or with a group, it is always a good idea to write down where and when the trip is planned. Give that information to a family member or another trusted person in case something goes wrong.

Where to go

Deciding where to hunt will have a couple considerations. First, if you know the general area, or have hunted it before, then the decision may be easy. Remember to reach out to private landowners well ahead of time and pre-scout those areas hunted in the past.

For a first-time turkey hunter, there will be some additional planning to do. One good idea is to use a mapping website or hunting app and do some virtual scouting. WDFW offers a great tool called Hunt Planner (link: https://geodataservices.wdfw.wa.gov/hunt-planner/). Locate topographical features often frequented by turkeys such as field edges, open ridgetops, and open hillsides. Add location pins (markers) to the map and check them out to verify they indeed appear promising. An important benefit of online scouting is that some of the apps show private and public lands and that can really narrow down a search.

Hunters shouldn’t be shy about procuring private lands to hunt. There are some exceptionally nice folks in turkey country and contacting them well before the season and asking for permission is the best idea. Even if they don’t grant permission, they know other landowners and where turkeys may be found. Additionally, offering to mend a fence or move some hay bales can secure a good relationship with a private landowner. Always respect private lands and landowners, and be an ambassador for hunting by thanking them before and after the hunt.

Another great resource is the WDFW Private Lands Hunting Access webpage. This page shows lands that offer “Feel Free to Hunt,” “Register to Hunt,” “Hunt by Written Permission,” and “Hunt by Reservation.” Hunters can compare their virtual scouting information with the WDFW Private Lands Hunting Access page and hone in on good private land options.

If you’re planning a multi-day hunt, be sure to book lodging as early as possible. Turkey hunters can quickly book up local motels in small towns, so be sure to make accommodations early. If camping is part of your plan, prepare for winter driving conditions. Washington’s spring weather can be wildly unpredictable.

Gear up

Gear is always on the minds of hunters. Of course, you can bring all the latest gadgets and newest decoys, etc., but it is important that the basics are covered. Some items are a must, such as layered clothing. A thermal base layer, insulating mid-layer, and a waterproof outer layer are required. Insulated and waterproof boots are a must, but hunters should also bring a lightweight pair of boots in case the weather turns warm. Socks are just as important and insulated, moisture-wicking socks are best. Pro tip: A boot dryer is a great way to ensure you start each day with warm, dry footwear!

Unlike deer and elk, turkeys see in color and have amazing eyesight. So, camouflage or earth-toned drab clothing is a must. There is no need to take out a loan to purchase all the trendy new clothing options on the market. Get what you can afford and make sure to include camo or drab gloves. And don’t forget a camo facemask or two. They have a sneaky way of getting misplaced.

A camouflage day pack is another good idea to carry the essentials for your hunt. Get one that is large enough to hold a first aid kit, food or snacks, and enough water for a day. A pack can also hold optics, and it is also a good idea to get a rangefinder. Do not forget to pick up some Permethrin tick spray as warm spring days really bring out the ticks!

Decoys and portable pop-up blinds can quickly become cumbersome to pack around, but in many turkey hunting scenarios, they are a must. Usually, one hen or one hen and a jake (immature tom) decoy is all that is needed. But add these items to you list for sure. Much like camo clothing, you can spend a small fortune on blinds and decoys but rest assured, there are economical options that get the job done without breaking the bank.

Calls can be confusing and difficult to learn for some people but are also an important ingredient of the recipe for success. There are several styles and design options such as a box call, slate or pot call, mouth reed or diaphragm, and the sophisticated wingbone calls made from three bones from a turkey wing. For beginners, purchasing a standard box call and learning how to make basic clucks, purrs, and yelps will get the job done. Search and watch online how-to videos to learn the basics and be sure to practice before the season so you feel confident. Turkeys have great hearing too, so don’t call too much. Sometimes a few soft clucks or a simple 3-note yelp every hour is enough to pull in a gobbler looking for love.

In Washington, it is legal for hunters to use a shotgun ranging in size from .410 to 10-guage (holding no more than three shotshells), muzzleloader, crossbow, or bow and arrow. Shotguns and muzzleloaders must use #4 or smaller shot. With advancements in shotshell technology, the small and light .410 has become quite popular when combined with TSS (Tungsten Super Shot) loads for turkey.

Well before the season, hunters should pattern their shotguns at ranges from 10-40 yards. Extra full or turkey-specific choke tubes do not shoot the same pattern as other factory choke tubes and hunters need to know where the shot is hitting. So, it’s imperative to pattern your shotgun setup before the season to ensure your shot pattern is hitting where you are aiming. Shooting sticks can be a useful addition both with patterning and while hunting.

The same goes for archers: Be sure your bow is tuned, make sure the rangefinder has a fresh battery, and practice right now and throughout the season. Be sure you are using razor-sharp broadheads and study shot placement resources to ensure quick, humane shots.

In Washington, spring weather can range from 80 degrees to below freezing quite quickly. An all-wheel-drive (AWD) SUV or a truck with 4-wheel drive is recommended. Bring snow chains and make sure the spare tire is good. Also, consider getting an oil change, multi-point inspection, and tune-up if needed. And never leave home without a couple LED headlamps with fresh batteries.

Youth Hunts

The statewide youth spring turkey season runs from April 1 to 7, offering a fantastic opportunity to introduce young people to the joys of spring turkey hunting. Here are some proven tips to make your spring youth season both enjoyable and successful.

• Set clear expectations for the hunt by asking your young hunter what they hope to experience. There are many ways to define a successful hunt, so be sure to gather their input.
• Create a foundation of comfort, fun, and snacks for first-time hunting experiences. This tried-and-true approach is a hit with young hunters.
• Portable ground blinds provide many benefits including the ability for youth hunters to fidget and move! Consider adding one to your gear list.
• Dress in layers and bring hand warmers or even a portable heater for a pop-up blind. This can make those crisp morning roost setups much more comfortable.
• Involve your hunters by letting them carry decoys and decide where to place them. This is a great chance to teach them about turkey behavior.
• Plan for breaks ahead of time and regularly check in to see how your hunter is doing or if they need anything.

Remember, new hunters aren’t yet “hooked,” so do your best to make the entire experience fun. A great time in the field will make them much more likely to want to go again.

Resources

Lastly, now that there is a plan, get out a calendar and start marking off the days until the opener. Please visit the WDFW website for more information. Happy hunting!

Here are some helpful links for more information on turkey hunting in Washington:

• WDFW Home
• WDFW Licensing
• National Wild Turkey Federation
• First Hunt Foundation

Turkey hunter’s definition and lingo guide:

• Tom: Male turkey
• Hen: Female turkey
• Jake: Immature male turkey
• Poult: Turkey chick, or baby turkey
• Decoy: A plastic replica of a male or female turkey; usually painted to look realistic
• Blind: A concealment device or shelter designed to hide hunters from detection
• Shot size: The size of the pellets in a shotshell. Legal shot size for turkey is #4 or smaller.
• Choke tube: A steel cylinder inserted into the end of a shotgun that changes the pattern of the shot
• Rangefinder: An electronic instrument used for estimating distances
• Camo: Camouflage
• Calls: A device to mimic the sounds of a turkey or other animal to entice a response from a turkey
• Virtual scouting: Using an online mapping tool such as Google Earth or OnX to view maps and select likely hunting areas
• Weekend warrior: A person that hunts on Saturday and/or Sunday only, often leaving on a Friday and returning Sunday
• License year: WDFW’s annual license is valid from April 1 to March 31, every year
• Valid license: A current unaltered license issued to and signed by the holder prior to participating in license-specific hunting or fishing activities
• Valid tag: A current, unaltered, unnotched tag issued to the holder to hunt for the specified game animal on the tag