Last minute turkey trip

[Frac]

I found out today I'm being forced to burn a week of vacation. If I'm going to use vacation, then damnit I'm going to go hunting or fishing. I'm thinking of going OTC Turkey. I haven't hunted them since I was a kid many years ago in a different state.

Will birds at elevation be strutting later than birds on the plains? I'm hoping to buy a little time to gather up my spring camo gear, practice with my 30 year old box call, pattern the shotgun, and, in general, try to get my act together.

What else can you guys tell me to shorten my learning curve?

[ray1970]

Before I realized this was in the hunting section I just saw the title and wondered what kind of fool would want to go to Turkey right now.

[hunterhawk]

Watch some turkey hunting videos? My experience is Turkey hunting in Colorado is tough. At least compared to MI and NE. Unfortunately NE closed its boarders to NR turkey hunters becsuse of covid. I have never hunted KS. The birds will be more active in the plains first as it will be warmer first.. but they will be active in snow too when they are really going. The weather coming up sucks. If you van postpone your vacation until the weather gets nicer you will have a much better chance

[Frac]

I turkey hunted southern Ohio years ago. Amazing turkey hunting in some areas there. I expect it?ll be tougher here, but I am really OK coming home without a bird. I will enjoy hunting, and I might as well start learning turkeys in Colorado.

[Mazin]

Some of the toms in Phillips County are pretty good size. They were bigger when my wifes great aunt was feeding them though. I bet the miss her because I know they don't miss me [Coffee]

[Frac]

LOL!

Thanks for the info so far. Please keep it coming.

@Mazin how relatively early or late in the season were you hunting them out on the plains?

[whitewalrus]

I used to wait till later in the season to chase them at higher elevations, but you can still find them early in the season and may not have as many other people out there.

[def90]

I see turkeys all the time, unfortunately they are never on huntable property.

The river bottoms along Left Hand Creek between Boulder and Longmont, the river bottom along Boulder Creek East of Longmont running in to St Vrain State Park, the butte on the East side of I25 at Tomah Road in Larkspur and all along East Plum Creek. Just a few of the places I've seen them in the last month..

[Frac]

Thanks guys! Still trying to decide the best week to head out. I?m a bit concerned about some of the forest closures I have read about.

I see them in the spring in the pastures across the street from the tree farm on 52.

[ferrum]

I have had mountain birds strutting and gobbling on the opener, have also had them not make a peep as they run across the trail in front of me.

Make sure you have good walking boots. They have a pretty large range.

I much prefer hunting Rios.

[Mazin]

LOL!

Thanks for the info so far. Please keep it coming.

@Mazin how relatively early or late in the season were you hunting them out on the plains?

I hit them late because they were on my wifes families land in holyoke which was pretty close to a swa so I think they hid out on their land during the season, but using a swa I couldn't even tell you honestly. Sniper7 might have a better idea.

[sniper7]

They are strutting already. Most birds still bunched up from their winter flock but I?m starting to see them breaking apart, I?ve seen a couple hens already on their own further out from normal areas meaning they are nesting.

Out East most OTC is private or a draw only tag so you?ll probably want to look west. I?ve taken my BIL up near rampart range there are birds in there but they will still elude you and you have to catch them coming off private land.
If you know anyone with Riverbottom or close to it property I?d hit them up, if not start looking at some National forest

[Frac]

Hey, thanks for that!

I finally have my dates nailed down. First week of May. Sounds like I?ll be a little late, but I hope access opens up a bit at the end of the month.

[sniper7]

They keep looking for hens well into late May and even June, sometimes they get more desperate finding the hens that didn’t get bred and go further distances. I would think by early May you could get further up, especially if you have an atv to take into rampart

[def90]

Hens may also breed, lay eggs and then lose the nest and start all over again.

[Frac]

Thanks for the encouragement. At first I was upset to be forced to take vacation. Now I can hardly wait the two weeks to take a week off!

[ACE2GOOD]

I have hunted in the Deer Creek canyon area, not high elevation mountains but still mountains. When it's cold they strut later than Eastern gobblers, more into mid-May. But usually they are still in their bigger groups when its cold so you can figure out the area they are in. They will still gobble to locate them but they may not come running into a call. If you can figure out a roost or feeding area time you can get in there and setup for them without having to rely on calling them to come in. Good luck! I forgot the second year in a row to put in before deadline for out East...DOH! [facepalm]

[Frac]

Thanks guys, very kind and generous for these tips.

[spittoon]

3 toms taken off the hill .It was quiet for a day now 6 new long beards strutting the hill some new jakes even showed up.I have only seen 10 hens weird year I should have waited to get a bigger bird

[ChickNorris]

I see more birds up past Conifer than anywhere else. Hard not to see them daily, actually. Can't speak to access though.

[Frac]

3 toms taken off the hill .It was quiet for a day now 6 new long beards strutting the hill some new jakes even showed up.I have only seen 10 hens weird year I should have waited to get a bigger bird

Nice! Hope I run into some

[eddiememphis]

GMU 51, 511 and 501 all have turkeys and are close enough to town to scout year 'round. Mostly Pike National Forest with some private land scattered around.

[Frac]

Thanks for that. Only a few days away from my trip and I?m getting excited!

[eddiememphis]

Well???

[Frac]

Nothing yet. Pike National Forest is open, except the campgrounds are all closed and every dirt road is gated and locked. Really?

Regrouping and heading back out tomorrow.

[UrbanWolf]

Nothing yet. Pike National Forest is open, except the campgrounds are all closed and every dirt road is gated and locked. Really?

Regrouping and heading back out tomorrow.

That's no good, I was planning to go this weekend, sounds like it's not worth it.

Edit: I tried calling Forest Service Field office for Pikes and San Isabel NF, they are closed. State office doesn't know much about closures, only saying most field office don't have full staff and lots of the forest roads are closed.

[BushMasterBoy]

Last time I seen some turkeys was by Bishops Castle. This was 5 years ago. Not sure what the forest service roads are like as far as gates locked etc.

[Frac]

I?m hunting Teller county 511. Must be in the wrong areas because I haven?t seen sign or heard any birds. I?m still enjoying the week so far.

I think the problem I have is the places I can access are normally overrun with humans.

[def90]

Gates along many of the forest service roads are closed this time of year, just park along the road and walk in.

[bkincaid]

81451
Seen this guy in 511 a couple weeks ago

[Frac]

Gates along many of the forest service roads are closed this time of year, just park along the road and walk in.

Planning to set up camp for a week, so this isn?t really an option for me.

[Frac]

81451
Seen this guy in 511 a couple weeks ago

Good looking bird!

[def90]

Planning to set up camp for a week, so this isn?t really an option for me.

You can camp anywhere in US Forest Service land.. park on the road and set up your camp next to your vehicle or carry your stuff in how ever far you choose.

[Frac]

You can camp anywhere in US Forest Service land.. park on the road and set up your camp next to your vehicle or carry your stuff in how ever far you choose.

Thanks, I appreciate you trying to help. Pike National Forest rules state only allowed to disperse camp on marked locations. Yes, if I could carry everything far enough it would work. If I?m missing something in the regs, please point me to it.

[def90]

Thanks, I appreciate you trying to help. Pike National Forest rules state only allowed to disperse camp on marked locations. Yes, if I could carry everything far enough it would work. If I?m missing something in the regs, please point me to it.

Where do you see that?

https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/psicc/about-forest/?cid=fsm9_032556

"Camping
Camping is allowed throughout the District in both developed and undeveloped sites.

There is a 14-day stay limit anywhere in the Forest; vehicles MUST be parked in established sites.

You may camp outside of developed campgrounds if you do not cause any resource damage, and keep your vehicle within one vehicles length of main roads.

Use picnic sites, swimming beaches, and other day use areas only between the hours of 6 am and 10 pm.

Campgrounds and other recreation sites can be used only for recreation purposes. Permanent use of use as a principal residence without authorization is not allowed.

In campgrounds, camp only in those places specifically marked or provided.

At least one person must occupy a camping area during the first night after camping equipment has been set up, unless permission has otherwise been granted by the Forest Ranger.

Do not leave camping equipment unattended for more than 24 hours without permission from the Forest Ranger. The Federal Government is not responsible for any loss or damage to personal property.

Remove all personal property and trash when leaving.:

[Frac]

Every forest has its own district rules. In addition to being posted with signage, the ranger district states the following. I also saw large groups of cars ticketed for parking outside of locked gates and alongside highways.

https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/psicc/recreation/camping-cabins/recarea/?recid=80379&actid=34


Please observe these requirements when dispersed camping:
Plan your trip; phone ahead for restrictions and special regulations.
Dispersed camping and parking is allowed in designated sites only.. Do not create resource damage by driving off-road, beyond designated parking locations, or behind barriers. Parking should be within 30' of site markers.

[def90]

Every forest has its own district rules. In addition to being posted with signage, the ranger district states the following. I also saw large groups of cars ticketed for parking outside of locked gates and alongside highways.

https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/psicc/recreation/camping-cabins/recarea/?recid=80379&actid=34

That is for camping within the Rampart Range Recreation/OHV area.

[Frac]

Thanks again.

[Frac]

We're back home now and vacation is over. I just wanted to add my sincere appreciation to each of you who gave me tips, pointers, and encouragement. We found bears, ticks, deer, elk, but didn't get a shot at a turkey. We did figure out where they are, after some tips from locals and boots on the ground. Thanks everyone!

My stepdaughter was able to join me for 3 days. We had an awesome trip!
https://i.imgur.com/rRafzP0.jpg

We walked up on this herd of elk. I'm guessing about 20. We were fairly close and she decided she wanted to try to stalk to see how close she could get. Sure, great experience so go for it. This picture was after she bumped them further out.
https://i.imgur.com/OYP7Ysc.jpg

This is mama bear and her 2 cubs in the tree. I encountered them once in the dark at 4:30am and wisely backed out. I bumped into them mid-morning a few days later. I heard movement and looked over to see mama about 75 yards away standing upright and a little one scurrying up the tree. I took a quick picture and headed the opposite direction. Later on I noticed the photo captured the image of two cubs up in the tree.
https://i.imgur.com/mhbVfiw.png

We received tips from a few locals and followed each one up. Now I know at least two areas that hold birds. I might make a trip up for a day hunt over the remaining weekends.
https://i.imgur.com/K8wfUIb.jpg

[buffalobo]

Looks like a successful trip if not successful hunt.[emoji106]

Bonus time with daughter learning the wilderness pretty much priceless.[emoji106]

[def90]

Awesome! I went out today and saw and heard absolutely nothing..

[Frac]

Looks like a successful trip if not successful hunt.[emoji106]

Bonus time with daughter learning the wilderness pretty much priceless.[emoji106]

Yes, she is a great young lady! Good company and great sense of humor. She?s a real trooper camping out below freezing and getting up at 3:30 AM.


def90 - Birds were silent for us too. I don?t know if that is normal here, but in Ohio I could usually get a gobble, even if nothing came in. I?ll probably make some day trips on the remaining Saturdays. Good luck to you!

[sniper7]

Sounds like good time off spent!

[def90]

Meanwhile at a friends house in the Highlands.. 32nd and Lowell neighborhood.

https://scontent.fapa1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/97087079_10158825390003755_2912801856134578176_n.j pg?_nc_cat=101&_nc_sid=1480c5&_nc_ohc=iE7q-K6wREUAX-S3OMA&_nc_ht=scontent.fapa1-1.fna&oh=27ea4b81c60f0d2a1377bdd1fa97d618&oe=5EDE263D

[Frac]

There's my problem. I was looking on the ground, in a forest...