Nelson/Castlegar/Trail turkey?

[Hodaka]

So, I'm in my third year of hunting, and have not yet punched a tag on anything. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy every minute in the bush - but my wife would like me to bring home some meat!
Anyways, looking to head out for turkey to redeem myself. Even open to bagging a bear! Any hints?

[Wingman]

Wake up early 3:30 AM and stay in the bush until dark. Work the power lines near water if you can find some.

Grant

[Hodaka]

I did see one last week by the highway, evening. Think ill hit that area first.

[high and to the right]

So, I'm in my third year of hunting, and have not yet punched a tag on anything. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy every minute in the bush - but my wife would like me to bring home some meat!
Anyways, looking to head out for turkey to redeem myself. Even open to bagging a bear! Any hints?

I don't know the area and can't help you there but if you are a new hunter and not seeing animals it could be because you are looking for them. Every now and then I see an animal when I am hunting but most times I see something that doesn't fit in. Trees grow vertical so if you see something that is horizontal down a cutline or in the bush, it could be an animal. Most bears I see do not look like bears, they look like a stump or a pile of dirt. Often they don't even move for a long time. Same thing with moose and other animals. So my advice would be - stop looking for animals and start looking for something that doesn't fit into the landscape. I would say that on average I stop and look (usually with binoculars) at 100 things that don't fit in before one turns into an animal.

[GoatGuy]

Lots of turkeys in trail they're everywhere.

[Brez]

Lots of turkeys in trail they're everywhere.

Just goes to show you - i am having a heck of a time finding any. I've hunted from Rialto creek to the US border and all the way to nelway and back over to Castlegar. Wrong place, wrong time, I guess.

[WKCotts]

Just goes to show you - i am having a heck of a time finding any. I've hunted from Rialto creek to the US border and all the way to nelway and back over to Castlegar. Wrong place, wrong time, I guess.

Saw lots this morning... Couldn't get a clear close shot

[Brez]

Go figure, I guess I'm not speaking their language.

[Hodaka]

I don't know the area and can't help you there but if you are a new hunter and not seeing animals it could be because you are looking for them. Every now and then I see an animal when I am hunting but most times I see something that doesn't fit in. Trees grow vertical so if you see something that is horizontal down a cutline or in the bush, it could be an animal. Most bears I see do not look like bears, they look like a stump or a pile of dirt. Often they don't even move for a long time. Same thing with moose and other animals. So my advice would be - stop looking for animals and start looking for something that doesn't fit into the landscape. I would say that on average I stop and look (usually with binoculars) at 100 things that don't fit in before one turns into an animal.
I didn't say I wasn't seeing the animals. It seems that when I am hunting one species, I see everything but.
That being said, I went turkey hunting today, and also brought my 45-70. I saw turkeys in a field marked clearly "no hunting", and a nice black bear at another spot. Probably should have tried for the bear, but the timing was not quite right.

[deeks1989]

I shot one yesterday in 4-08. 9 7/8" beard called in with my voice(hen call) 3 toms came in. They were very quiet the first 2 days for me.

[Canadian Dad]

Got mine wednesday outside of Fruitvale. They are NOT making much noise at all now. No gobbles at all. Very spooky. He just snuck right in. 8" beard, cool black tipped spurs.
My biggest advice is try and find where everyone is and then go ELSEWHERE. Use binos to scout the birds. I'd love to give out some spots but the wife still wants her turkey. Sorry.

[Brez]

I shot one yesterday in 4-08. 9 7/8" beard called in with my voice(hen call) 3 toms came in. They were very quiet the first 2 days for me.
Sounds like a beaut. Way to go. You'll ahve to let me listen to your voice call. I heard a guy gobble with his voice and was impressed.

[Brez]

Got mine wednesday outside of Fruitvale. They are NOT making much noise at all now. No gobbles at all. Very spooky. He just snuck right in. 8" beard, cool black tipped spurs.
My biggest advice is try and find where everyone is and then go ELSEWHERE. Use binos to scout the birds. I'd love to give out some spots but the wife still wants her turkey. Sorry.

I walked the dog yesterday and brought my box call for fun. Found a nice grassy, sunny logging landing and gave a few chirps and waited a few minutes. Nothing. Walked a few yards and the dog took off around a brush pile 40 yds away and up fly 5 birds! Go figure.

[HarryToolips]

So, I'm in my third year of hunting, and have not yet punched a tag on anything. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy every minute in the bush - but my wife would like me to bring home some meat!
Anyways, looking to head out for turkey to redeem myself. Even open to bagging a bear! Any hints?
Tell your wife I know people who have hunted for 20+ years, and in that time have only taken a couple deer and moose..thats just the way it goes sometimes..My best friend has two spring bear and two fall seasons under his belt, and hasn't taken anything yet either..Last season was my 4th hunting season, I had more knowledge of course than the previous seasons, and I wasn't able to connect on any deer/moose (although I passed on WT does during the season cause they had yearlings with em)..GOOD LUCK! PS If you really want a black bear, go revelstoke area in June theyre everywhere there..

[The Hermit]

Serious Hunting Advice (wrapped in shameless promotions from a gear junkie sales guy) LOL

Time and Timing
How much time are your spending per month hunting? If you are only out for a couple days looking for game in random spots it could take a LONG time before you connect. If you are spending 10 days plus a month and still not connecting then either you have terrible luck or you're doing something wrong or have the wrong gear. No doubt you have heard all the following before but is worth repeating as a reminder to us all. Obviously, some of the hints and needs apply to more than bear hunters.

Spot and Stalk Tips
* Drive to a good VantagePoint (https://www.vantagepoint-outfitters.com/)
* Using awesome an Kowa (https://www.vantagepoint-outfitters.com/kowa-optics/) spotting scope and binoculars scan big, sunny south facing slopes for shiny black stumps that move. Make sure to capture a bit of video thru the spotter or binos using the iPhone Adapter (https://www.vantagepoint-outfitters.com/iphone-smart-phone-digiscoping-adapters/)! Upload images to HBC immediately for feedback - someone will tell you it it is a dink or "nice bear" within a couple minutes.
* Now that you have found a shooter, plan your stalk making sure to hunt the wind wearing First Lite merino wool (https://www.vantagepoint-outfitters.com/first-lite-merino-wool/)in a camo design of your liking (Don't wash them with detergent that contains brighteners and don't wear these clothes anywhere other than when hunting)
* Get to within your comfortable, confident, and ethical yardage and fling your Gold Tip (https://www.vantagepoint-outfitters.com/gold-tip-arrows/) arrow and Montec (https://www.vantagepoint-outfitters.com/broadheads/) broadhead (no Gold Bond needed) from your Limbsaver (https://www.vantagepoint-outfitters.com/limbsaver-bows/) Proton or G5 Prime (https://www.vantagepoint-outfitters.com/g5-prime-line-up/) bow punching a big hole thru Mr Bruin's boilerroom.
* Once you recover your trophy and take some pics, making sure you are in the picture with the date and time stamp showing and upload to HBC (otherwise it never happened); cut your tag and field dress/cape using your new Havalon Knife (https://www.vantagepoint-outfitters.com/havalon-knives-and-replacement-blades/).

Still Hunting Tips
* Hunt old skidder roads on foot in big sunny south facing slopes for bears in the spring. (Drive to the cut block then walk up the skidders)
* Walk SLOWLY and do more glassing with those fabulous Kowa Genesis (https://www.vantagepoint-outfitters.com/binoculars/) binos - scan the hillside inch by inch with ninja like concentration
See above for next steps...

Treestanding
* Once you find where the bears live and travel buy a tree stand and hang out - tree stands are killing machines!

Hope you found this helpful and BTW - I still have a couple of Demo Kowa Genesis (https://www.vantagepoint-outfitters.com/salamagundi-demo-discontinued-and-used-gear/) binoculars on sale at 30% off retail!

Alternative Strategy
Pick up a rifle and put a Quigley-Ford Long Range Scope (https://www.vantagepoint-outfitters.com/quigley-ford-long-range-riflescopes/) on it, spot bear as above then from a reasonable distance given your skill and kill it with confidence... Range, Aim, Shoot (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cE16g6NARuw)! Add to your chances and be just like Jim Shockey and trust your hunt on a Limbsaver Sharpshooter X-Ring (https://www.vantagepoint-outfitters.com/limbsaver-sharpshooter-x-ring/) for only $10.

Final Tip - Buy your wife some Serious Hunting Gear (https://www.vantagepoint-outfitters.com/) and get her involved! If she isn't interested then a) buy her some new shoes or b) plan on vacationing in Vegas.


Good luck out there!

[outdoorsk]

LOL thats good Hermit. I like how you put all those little details in there. All good information. I agree with the Final Tip b) thats what I have to do either before hunting season or after.

[Hodaka]

Saw one walking through town yesterday. I was going to "follow" it, but no beard.