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Looking for a Merriam hunt
#7691499
12/17/19 11:37 PM
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Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 225
turkeykillet
OP
Woodsman
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OP
Woodsman
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 225 |
Just like the title says. Does anyone have the hook up for a Merriam turkey?
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Re: Looking for a Merriam hunt
[Re: turkeykillet]
#7691849
12/18/19 05:14 AM
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Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 3,819
Wytex
Extreme Tracker
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Extreme Tracker
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 3,819 |
You can do a public land DIY hunt up this way. We did a trespass fee hunt through Lobo Outfitters in Pagosa Springs, CO many years ago. We hunted down in Northern NM , private land unguided and took our birds.
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Re: Looking for a Merriam hunt
[Re: turkeykillet]
#7692599
12/18/19 11:36 PM
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Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 225
turkeykillet
OP
Woodsman
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OP
Woodsman
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 225 |
I was leaning towards South Dakota but I hear Nebraska has a good population also. Public doesn't bother me but getting close to some feed lots makes it easier. Does anyone have any input about the Black Hills area?
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Re: Looking for a Merriam hunt
[Re: turkeykillet]
#7692849
12/19/19 05:27 AM
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Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 3,819
Wytex
Extreme Tracker
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Extreme Tracker
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That would be a good question for the biologist up there,Joe Sandrini, joe.sandrini@wyo.gov or 307-746-4646 I know they had some rough weather up that way this spring. You could also hunt those birds on the S Dakota side. We've had past luck near Newcastle and up near Sundance. Some decent numbers near Laramie Peak down our way. Nebraska has plenty of birds but lots of hybrids, as does the black hills. You can find birds on the public areas in Nebraska. Fishing can be good that time of the year too up this way and in Nebraska. Early season may have wet and snowy conditions though, it was this past spring.
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Re: Looking for a Merriam hunt
[Re: turkeykillet]
#7693018
12/19/19 02:44 PM
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Joined: Feb 2019
Posts: 343
Clark8907
Bird Dog
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Bird Dog
Joined: Feb 2019
Posts: 343 |
A lot of Nebraska, unless you are in the fart NW corner are hybrids. I have a couple pretty good connections in Wyoming. I am heading up there this year myself. I think its $550 for 3 days of hunting including lodging and food. You do your own calling/hunting. The landowners just point you in the right direction. On the way there though I will also be hunting Nebraska, but the birds their are 100% hybrid.
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Re: Looking for a Merriam hunt
[Re: turkeykillet]
#7693217
12/19/19 05:22 PM
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Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 3,819
Wytex
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You can find pockets of merriams in Nebraska, been hunting over there for about 25 years, but not everywhere. I will say this, we have not been over in about 4-5 years so things may have changed, I will defer to Clark8907. Lots of ranchers do not like the turkeys in NE Wyoming, you may find access for pretty cheap by making some calls. Start with the biologist , he may know some landowners. Most landowners will charge a NR, just the way it is , but for turkeys it own't be high. Good numbers can be found on the NF too, look into the smaller scattered parcels as well as the Black Hills. Your hunt sounds like a good deal Clark, you should look into getting a second tag where it's available.
On by the way, PIzza Barn, Newcastle, has great prime rib on weekends but get there early.
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Re: Looking for a Merriam hunt
[Re: Wytex]
#7693353
12/19/19 08:50 PM
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Joined: Feb 2019
Posts: 343
Clark8907
Bird Dog
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Bird Dog
Joined: Feb 2019
Posts: 343 |
You can find pockets of merriams in Nebraska, been hunting over there for about 25 years, but not everywhere. I will say this, we have not been over in about 4-5 years so things may have changed, I will defer to Clark8907. Lots of ranchers do not like the turkeys in NE Wyoming, you may find access for pretty cheap by making some calls. Start with the biologist , he may know some landowners. Most landowners will charge a NR, just the way it is , but for turkeys it own't be high. Good numbers can be found on the NF too, look into the smaller scattered parcels as well as the Black Hills. Your hunt sounds like a good deal Clark, you should look into getting a second tag where it's available.
On by the way, PIzza Barn, Newcastle, has great prime rib on weekends but get there early. Yes parts of Nebraska still hold true merriams. The place I am going this year is a buddies and it is 100% hybrid. That is what I meant by my post. Where a lot of people get caught up on merriams is think if they dont have these awesome white tail feathers they aren't a merriam. Truth is, a lot of merriams that are killed in true merriam areas are not white. They are more buff than anything else. However, all the other characteristics (beard, wing color, spurs) are that of a merriam. I killed a rio this year in Oklahoma, near Altus, that was more white than half the merriams I have seen killed. However, he was 100% rio.
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Re: Looking for a Merriam hunt
[Re: turkeykillet]
#7693514
12/19/19 11:40 PM
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Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 225
turkeykillet
OP
Woodsman
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OP
Woodsman
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 225 |
I can't thank you guys enough for all the info. I'll have to do some calling around after the holidays. I obviously picked the right place to post a question! Thanks Again!!!
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Re: Looking for a Merriam hunt
[Re: turkeykillet]
#7693844
12/20/19 02:12 PM
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Joined: Feb 2019
Posts: 343
Clark8907
Bird Dog
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Bird Dog
Joined: Feb 2019
Posts: 343 |
I can't thank you guys enough for all the info. I'll have to do some calling around after the holidays. I obviously picked the right place to post a question! Thanks Again!!! If your interested, I can put you in contact with some landowners in Nebraska and Wyoming. Shoot me a PM.
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Re: Looking for a Merriam hunt
[Re: turkeykillet]
#7693901
12/20/19 03:25 PM
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Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 86
circlep
Outdoorsman
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Outdoorsman
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 86 |
I am also interested in hunting turkeys in Nebraska. Some good information. Thanks.
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Re: Looking for a Merriam hunt
[Re: turkeykillet]
#7694154
12/20/19 06:37 PM
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Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 3,819
Wytex
Extreme Tracker
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Extreme Tracker
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 3,819 |
Clark8907 did you hunt this past spring up thus way? We had some snowy conditions until May-ish. Just wondering if you had success.
If you hit Nebraska at the right time the fishing is good as well on the public access spots. Some of the small towns newspaper offices and real estate offices sell landowner plat books that show property boundaries and landowner names and contact info. Worth the price of you plan to hunt there often. I've had good luck calling folks we found in the plat books. They usually go by county.
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Re: Looking for a Merriam hunt
[Re: Wytex]
#7694246
12/20/19 07:47 PM
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Joined: Feb 2019
Posts: 343
Clark8907
Bird Dog
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Bird Dog
Joined: Feb 2019
Posts: 343 |
Clark8907 did you hunt this past spring up thus way? We had some snowy conditions until May-ish. Just wondering if you had success.
If you hit Nebraska at the right time the fishing is good as well on the public access spots. Some of the small towns newspaper offices and real estate offices sell landowner plat books that show property boundaries and landowner names and contact info. Worth the price of you plan to hunt there often. I've had good luck calling folks we found in the plat books. They usually go by county. I did not make it up there last year. Had a couple buddies head up there the last week of April and they both killed their birds in Wyoming and then both killed their 3 birds a piece in Nebraska. I have become pretty decent friends with several landowners throughout Nebraska. I will be in Nebraska this year April 26-29 and in Wyoming Apr 29-May 2. Before that I will hunt Florida Mar 9-12, Texas Opening weekend in South Zone, and Kansas Apr 24-26. I will also probably run up and hunt a buddies place in Oklahoma as well.
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Re: Looking for a Merriam hunt
[Re: turkeykillet]
#7695091
12/21/19 06:12 PM
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Joined: May 2018
Posts: 1,093
2flyfish4
Pro Tracker
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Pro Tracker
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 1,093 |
Any info on merriams in new mexico or colorado?
Instagram - 2flyfish4
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Re: Looking for a Merriam hunt
[Re: turkeykillet]
#7695171
12/21/19 07:43 PM
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Joined: Feb 2019
Posts: 343
Clark8907
Bird Dog
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Bird Dog
Joined: Feb 2019
Posts: 343 |
Let me look. I used to have a good contact for new mexico. Be careful with Colorado. They brought in Rio's there a couple decades ago to certain parts of the state.
Last edited by Clark8907; 12/21/19 07:44 PM.
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Re: Looking for a Merriam hunt
[Re: turkeykillet]
#7695475
12/22/19 02:20 AM
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Joined: May 2018
Posts: 1,093
2flyfish4
Pro Tracker
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Pro Tracker
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 1,093 |
Thanks Clark! I prefer DIY hunts, but dont mind paying a land access fee and being pointed in the right direction by the landowner or guide.
Instagram - 2flyfish4
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Re: Looking for a Merriam hunt
[Re: 2flyfish4]
#7695543
12/22/19 03:27 AM
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Joined: Feb 2019
Posts: 343
Clark8907
Bird Dog
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Bird Dog
Joined: Feb 2019
Posts: 343 |
Thanks Clark! I prefer DIY hunts, but dont mind paying a land access fee and being pointed in the right direction by the landowner or guide. Yea I wont go to a guided place. I more or less want a place to lay my head and tell me hey we see birds here sometimes and then let me do my own thing.
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Re: Looking for a Merriam hunt
[Re: turkeykillet]
#7699521
12/27/19 05:43 AM
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Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 703
Tjack28
Tracker
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Tracker
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 703 |
I know a guy who does Merriam hunts on Pine Ridge up in SD...tons of birds and usually books up pretty quick due to the high success rate. Message me if you'd like the info.. I was leaning towards South Dakota but I hear Nebraska has a good population also. Public doesn't bother me but getting close to some feed lots makes it easier. Does anyone have any input about the Black Hills area?
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Re: Looking for a Merriam hunt
[Re: turkeykillet]
#7710896
01/07/20 10:18 PM
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Joined: Jan 2020
Posts: 4
nemeth8
Green Horn
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Green Horn
Joined: Jan 2020
Posts: 4 |
I was leaning towards South Dakota but I hear Nebraska has a good population also. Public doesn't bother me but getting close to some feed lots makes it easier. Does anyone have any input about the Black Hills area? I was born and raised in Chadron Nerbaska (the severe NW corner) and my dad has been a turkey guide for 15+ years. They are mostly pure Merriam's, but there are some hybrids (Merriam and domestic turkey). I could help you out, or point you in the right direction.... I just moved to Texas a few years ago and maybe you could help me out down here.... seems hard to find any public land around here?
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Re: Looking for a Merriam hunt
[Re: turkeykillet]
#7711710
01/08/20 05:53 PM
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Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 3,819
Wytex
Extreme Tracker
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Extreme Tracker
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 3,819 |
There you go. Looks like a win win for both of you. By feed lots you mean areas they go to feed , not actual feed lots for cattle ?
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Re: Looking for a Merriam hunt
[Re: Wytex]
#7711829
01/08/20 07:43 PM
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Joined: Jan 2020
Posts: 4
nemeth8
Green Horn
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Green Horn
Joined: Jan 2020
Posts: 4 |
There you go. Looks like a win win for both of you. By feed lots you mean areas they go to feed , not actual feed lots for cattle ? I hope he means feed lots like food plots.... feed lots out in Nebraska keep most everything well away.... although when I get home, I roll the windows down and smell it.... no smell like home!
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Re: Looking for a Merriam hunt
[Re: turkeykillet]
#7712609
01/09/20 03:17 PM
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Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 3,819
Wytex
Extreme Tracker
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Extreme Tracker
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 3,819 |
I know exactly what you mean, feed lots are not food plots up this way, lol.
Biologist or this local contact will be able to let you know how the bird numbers are up this way. May could be really cold and snowy, check the weather before you come up.
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Re: Looking for a Merriam hunt
[Re: Wytex]
#7712717
01/09/20 04:51 PM
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Joined: Jan 2020
Posts: 4
nemeth8
Green Horn
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Green Horn
Joined: Jan 2020
Posts: 4 |
I know exactly what you mean, feed lots are not food plots up this way, lol.
Biologist or this local contact will be able to let you know how the bird numbers are up this way. May could be really cold and snowy, check the weather before you come up. Wytex, this may not be the place to discuss, but My dad and I are looking at a Wyoming Pronghorn hunt this fall. He has 3 points and I have 2.... that should be enough to get a decent unit with a lot of public land right?
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Re: Looking for a Merriam hunt
[Re: nemeth8]
#7719764
01/16/20 06:10 PM
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Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 3,819
Wytex
Extreme Tracker
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Extreme Tracker
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 3,819 |
I know exactly what you mean, feed lots are not food plots up this way, lol.
Biologist or this local contact will be able to let you know how the bird numbers are up this way. May could be really cold and snowy, check the weather before you come up. Wytex, this may not be the place to discuss, but My dad and I are looking at a Wyoming Pronghorn hunt this fall. He has 3 points and I have 2.... that should be enough to get a decent unit with a lot of public land right? Maybe not lots but you should get a decent area. It seems 4 PP is about the magic number for good public access. pm sent
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Re: Looking for a Merriam hunt
[Re: turkeykillet]
#7719889
01/16/20 08:12 PM
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Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 1,248
QMC SW/EXW
Pro Tracker
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Pro Tracker
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 1,248 |
I used to shoot a good number of them over by Parachute, CO when I lived out there. The western part of CO has pretty decent turkey hunting along the river banks.
Retired Navy Chief NJROTC Instructor for Tascosa High School
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