Turkey season is here for some and right around the corner for others.

Washington held a youth turkey hunt last weekend and Idaho opens a youth season today that runs through Wednesday. Both states open general turkey seasons next Thursday.

Idaho hunters will be able to bag a second bird this year without waiting two weeks. In the past Idaho has allowed hunters to take two birds in the spring season. But the second bird could not be taken until May 1.

The Idaho Fish and Game Commission did away with that rule recently. The daily bag limit remains one bird a day. But those lucky enough to bag a gobbler on opening day can start pursuing the second bird the next day.

This year's warm weather doesn't appear to have the birds beginning their breeding season early, according to one turkey hunter.

Justin Mortensen is the assistant manager of Tri-State Outfitters at Lewiston and an avid turkey hunter. He recently took a drive to check out some of his better spots and said the birds were still in big groups and the toms had not yet started to kick out younger jakes or isolated hens.

"I didn't see they were any further along than they were in previous years," he said.

Like many turkey hunters, he likens chasing turkeys to going after bull elk in the rut. Hunters sit, call the birds to them and hopefully get a good shot.

"It's just like bow hunting elk, but you don't have to quarter them up to get them out of the woods and there are thousands of birds out in the woods."

Calling is the key. Mortensen, who prefers to introduce young hunters to the sport, takes to the field with a quiver of calls, including at least two slates with several strikes, a box call or two, several diaphragm mouth calls and one or two calls that imitate coyotes, owls or peacocks and are designed to elicit a gobble from toms.

The multiple calls ensure he has one that will get a bird to respond.

"It's pitch," he said. "Just like when you are elk hunting."

Many turkey hunters like to get in the field before sunrise so they can get a shot as the birds leave their roosts. Mortensen likes to be out early too, but says it isn't necessary.

"I kill most of my birds between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. When hens leave to go nest, the toms start getting vocal again because they are looking for hens."

The Idaho general turkey season runs through May 25. In Washington, hunters have until May 31 to bag birds. Idaho hunters can kill two turkeys in the spring season. The season limit in Washington is three but only two can be from eastern Washington. Idaho's youth season is open to hunters from ages 10 to 15.

---

Barker may be contacted at ebarker@

lmtribune.com or at (208) 848-2273.