5 Day Unguided Hunt

We hunt Merriam's Turkey in Stevens County which has the most turkeys of any county in Washington and one of the highest turkey densities in the U.S. An amazing 74% of all turkeys taken in the state of Washington are taken here in NE Washington. Our guides are Washington’s most successful turkey guides, with more successful turkey hunts to their credit than any other Washington turkey guides — as many as 106 birds in one season.

Hundreds of successful bear hunts confirm that we are one of the most experienced and successful bear hunting outfitters in the business. These are spot and stalk bear hunts using the advantage of natural food sources and our extensive knowledge of bear habits.

Hunt Description

Unguided Hunts: Include lodging, meals, a lighted game cleaning area with water and freezer, a map and directions to good mountain hunting areas.

Hunt Methods

There's nothing better than calling in a big gobbler. Another reason for our high success rate is that we pattern turkey movements. We get a lot of birds by using blinds at feeding and travel areas. By knowing these areas well our hunters consistently kill birds all season.

One of the most effective bear hunting methods is sitting and glassing mountain berry patches for feeding bear. Sometimes bear are spotted at close range so you can shoot when the bear is first spotted and other times bear are spotted at long distance and hunters try to stalk closer. It really gets exciting when a bear is so close in the brush that you can hear him eating but you have to wait for a clear shot. Bow hunters usually watch game trails or waterholes for close range shots.

If the thought of sitting over a bear bait pile doesn't sound appealing and you want to feel like you really earned your bear, this might be the right hunt, give us a call. This bear hunt is perfect for the bear hunter looking for a truly challenging bear hunt. Once you've hunted bear this way, you will likely want to do it again.

Hunting Areas

Private Ranches and Mountain Areas: We lease numerous properties for the guided hunts. The guides know these properties and the game movements extremely well. The most successful turkey hunting method is using blinds at feeding and travel areas. The most successful bear hunting method is watching and glassing berry patches, old orchards, and waterholes..

Trophy Quality

Merriam’s have fantastic color that compliments any trophy room. Mature toms weigh 15 to 20 pounds with 7" to 10" beards, and ½ to 1½-inch spurs. The largest we've taken weighed 24 pounds, had 11 1/4" beard and 1 7/8" spurs. Bearded hens are fairly common and may be taken for a mount, beards on hens have measured from 3 to 8 inches.

Bear hides are best in the fall after chilly nights cause the fur to thicken. Roughly 50% of bear taken are off color, so there's a reasonable chance of taking a brown, blonde, or cinnamon color phase bear. There is an option to hunt a second bear after you get your first bear. Most bear weigh from 100 to 300 pounds and measure from 5 to 6 1/2 feet. Some of the larger bear have weighed from 300 to 550 pounds and measured 7 feet or more.

Shot Opportunity

Guided hunt shot opportunity is over 300%, success for two birds is usually 150% to 200%, unguided hunters are about half as successful. Shot distances vary from 5 to 40+ yards. Pattern your shotgun on Turkey Targets in advance to determine your maximum effective range.

Shot opportunity on the fall guided bear hunts usually runs 50% to 80% but we've had years with 100% opportunity. Unguided hunters average about half the success of guided hunts. Shooting distances vary from 10 yards to 200+ yards. Sight your rifle dead on at 200 yards. Bow hunters should practice for 10 to 50 yard shots.

Seasons & Best Time: Turkey

Spring is good until about May 20. The entire fall turkey season is excellent.

Youth Season: Open April 7-8 for two bearded turkeys.

Spring General: Open April 15 to May 31 for two bearded turkeys.

Fall Season: Sept 1 to Dec 31 for two either-Sex & two beardless.

Late Fall Turkey: Late November and early Dec for one either-sex.

Seasons: Bear

Fall: Opens August 1st and is best in August and September.

Accommodations

Lodge & Cabins: Meals are served in the lodge dining area and there's a pool table in the den. The cabins each sleep 2 to 4 hunters and there are indoor bathrooms. There's a lighted game cleaning area with water and a freezer for meat. Groups of up to 12 can be accommodated.

Motel “Town Hunts”: There are motels only three miles away in town if you would prefer to stay in town at your own expense.