Idaho Turkeys?

[hobbes]

I've just started researching Norther Idaho (Panhandle) turkey hunting. I'll be making a few phone calls to the wildlife dept. soon. Is anyone here familiar with the region near where I-90 crosses through Idaho? From the limited amount of info I can find online it appears that the majority of birds are located on private land. Are there sufficient numbers of birds available on public land in the "general" hunt area to provide a good hunt? I will already be hunting NW Montana some, so its a short drive from there to Idaho.

 

[Mica Man]

Birds can be found up the Coeur d'Alene river drainage and everywhere in between. I've even seen some on the freeway picking grit on Lookout pass. Most birds will be on private ground but I have had success knocking on doors. Might want to venture out towards Rose lake area.

 

[1_pointer]

I've successfully hunted birds on public ground South of where you are looking. I have also had good luck getting access to private ground by just asking, especially if they raise beans. Farmers raising beans seem to have a strong dislike for turkeys as the birds really, really like the young shoots. At least two I asked for permission granted it, but asked that I smash any nests I found! Like I said, many really don't like turkeys...

 

[hobbes]

Thanks for the info. I should have been a little clearer on the area. I'm willing to hunt almost anywhere within 50 miles of the I-90 corridor, and it wouldn't take much for me to venture farther.

I hadn't really thought about pointing my truck farther west to hunt turkeys until I noticed several Idaho posts on here. I started over 20 yrs ago in the midwest and usually head that direction each season. I've been hunting IL, CO, and NE almost every season for a while now, but moved to MT from CO in 2011 and hunted MT, CO, and NE in 2012. I was planning a SD Blackhills hunt in 2013 along with trying to locate a honey hole in MT, but have decided to try and stay in MT this season. If MT works out quick enough, I may very well venture into ID.

Thanks again for the info.

 

[HUNTMAN]

I have had good luck in the clearwater region. I have some buddies that do good around post falls. Good luck with Montana. Birds are staring to spread out and are in new places all the time. I grew up in Ga and cut my teeth on turkeys. Love hunting western birds. HUNT

 

[Joe Hulburt]

I've never hunted turkeys up there but see them every fall while deer hunting.