Couldn't make it east for the opener yesterday, but bouncing out of the city a little early tomorrow to get there in time for a little sleep before hitting the woods on Saturday morning.

My old man hunted the opener and didn't see or hear anything.

Broodbuster is joining this time, and he's got an archery tag, so his chance of bagging a deer is pretty high; they are all around. This unit is "any whitetail buck" for archery, and there have been some decent 2s and 3s around, and a really big 2.

My young ladyfriend is ready to go on her first hunting trip; her first salmon fishing trip last week ended up with her bagging a limit.

Fish on...

Todd

We did get out on our opener, the old September 1st Grouse opener. As the stupid Wa. state game managers moved the new real Grouse opener to the 15th , we only took the dogs with us and ran them on a training / scouting trip. No shotguns, and no shooting.

We Got one nice staunch point on a mature male Grouse, and on the wayback to the truck, we flushed another mature bird that was already up in the trees.

Great weather , but near freezing (34) early up near the crest. Fall is really here for sure.

Damn, I’m sure that Grouse would have tasted so fine had we bagged it, but I’m told that the birds will be less chewy after they mature in the woods for two more weeks as the WDFW has asked...

Turkey hunting was scratchy, but turned out ok.

Called in a flock of 12 on Sunday morning, my first time hunter friend got buck fever like crazy and didn't get a shot, I popped one as the flock spooked. They popped out from behind us and time between their arrival and departure was only about 10 seconds.

Bigger flock came in on Monday, and we had about 30 minutes to watch them work they way towards us, so by the time they arrived her nerves had settled and she was cool as ice, and helped me shoot a double.

For her first time ever hunting, or anything even remotely like it, choosing to not take a shot when she didn't think she could take a good one (for whatever reason), and then stepping up and getting a clean kill on her second chance...the whole experience was a resounding success.

Those three were the only ones in our camp...spoke to a few others in town while securing supplies, didn't hear of any others. Weather was hot and dry, but nothing crazy...birds just weren't being cooperative in our area, at least.

Fish on...

Todd

Right on. Thanks for the write up and glad to hear you got some action.



-Steamy

So, did the .410 s get it done, or did you fall back on the
old 12 gage ?

BTW, congrats and enjoy the drumsticks!

12 gauges for the win... .410 is being serviced still.

Fish on...

Todd

I have never hunted turkey but have some land in the family up near Priest Lake Idaho that is overrun with them. All the locals say the turkey taste terrible and are just grizzle. Seems like people still like to eat them based on how popular they are with hunters. Do you guys have any recommendations on how to target the good eaters instead of the grizzled ones? I think I may give it a try soon.

I only eat the breasts and thigh meat, and marinate it, or at least brine it in salt water before cooking. I think it's excellent.

The rest all goes in the stock pot, along with the carcass, and it makes really really good stock.

I've baked and fried the whole critters, and they are fine, but they can't be treated like a domestic turkey, they will dry out much more easily.

Fish on...

Todd

Thanks Todd. Sounds like they get treated like geese. Makes sense.

We’ve tried to utilize the running gear, but life’s just too short..so we just chunk up the breast meat and soak in buttermilk for a couple of days, then fry like grandma’s fried chicken recipe. Honestly, Turkey nuggets are divine! Google is your friend, as there’s many variations of delicious nugget recipes. Haven’t had a bad one yet, but we don’t deal with the rest of the carcass.