Anybody done Nebraska?

[Powerstroke]

I'm trying to plan a trip to Nebraska for spring Tom's. I may try to hunt South Dakota on the same trip. Maybe hunt coyotes if the trip is going really well. I haven't decided if I'll drag my camper along or save the fuel and tent it.

I don't know anyone out that way so it would be public land or door knocking if I can't find any connections.

Has anyone made a trip like that before or have any suggestions?

[hockeybc69]

I am working on a Nebraska connection soon.

Trouble is that its within a reservation and my multiple attempts to contact the reservation via email, I have gotten Zero replies....... Why the heck do they have a HSOforum with contact info, and just ignore you?????

[Hoyt4]

Hockeybc69 you will have to call them and keep trying. From what I've seen the one's in the office are also the workers doing everything else, so it get's tough to catch them.

If you do the archery season in NE you can knock on doors and end up with permission on almost all the places you ask. At that time public land is as good as private there is not too much pressure. I have taken 5 or 6 birds off public in NE with the bow.

We tent it when we go the first week of April. That will keep cost down. You can check into the tribal tags a I think they are a lot cheaper then the state. Look up were you are planning on going and see which tribe would be in that area and look up or call into that town court house and they will get you the #.

[Shane Simpson]

I'm trying to plan a trip to Nebraska for spring Tom's. I may try to hunt South Dakota on the same trip. Maybe hunt coyotes if the trip is going really well. I haven't decided if I'll drag my camper along or save the fuel and tent it.

I don't know anyone out that way so it would be public land or door knocking if I can't find any connections.

Has anyone made a trip like that before or have any suggestions?

I have a guy near Curtis, NE that charges between $600-$800 for 3 days. That includes 3 birds and lodging, you'll have to pay for your own meals at the local cafe. I'm heading out that way myself April 18-20 but will be hunting public land nearby. Shoot me an email if you like. [email protected]

[DonBo]

Check out the Merritt Reservoir State Recreation Area west of Valentine. Also the Nebraska National Forest in the west central part of the state. I have some contact info for that if interested....But I do agree, permission on private land is fairly easy to come by in the early season. Check out the riverbottom areas of Cherry County in the north central part of the state.

[Powerstroke]

Thanks for the tips guys. I'm not adverse to paying a little bit but the emphasis is on a little. Part of the reason for the DIY is the cost.

I may bring the camper because A- I own it and B-its nice sleeping on a bed, especially if its for a week. The camper is only 20ft so its not like I'm dragging the 5'er out there, but ti does hog a few MPG's. It might just be a last minute decision based on weather. I don't imagine there's much competition for campgrounds that time of year.

What about care of your bird after the kill? See you need to keep one body part attached, but do you just bag and freeze the whole bird, pluck it on the trip? I guess I've always hunted near enough to home that I haven't had to worry about it.

I will look into a few of those things. Don, I will be talking to you for sure. I've got a few other questions.

Keep it coming guys. I've never done anything like this so I'm very excited, but I'm trying to make sure and cover all my bases.

[sticknstring]

I've hunted Nebraska for the past 7-8 years now. Great place to chase turks around. Numbers are outstanding, tags are OTC, and there's lots of public land to hunt. I tent it and bring food. It's a fairly inexpensive hunt but one I look forward to the most every year. Weather can be tricky - anywhere from 10" of snow on the ground to temps in the 70's. We've seen it all. The NE game & parks has a good HSOforum showing all the public land with a google earth feature as well. I print off all my maps before I leave. The other cool thing is the terrain... rugged bluffs and cedar covered rolling hills - beautiful place. I think you'll enjoy the trip. Cool new avatar btw.

[Powerstroke]

Thanks SNS. I knew there were a couple of you guys that have done this trip before, but I couldn't search up any info through the site. I've done a little research on the G&P site but I haven't checked out the maps. I will definately do that.

Thanks! The photo was from my BWCA solo trip two winters ago. I want to do it again, but this winter is quickly passing.

[Hoyt4]

We will keep a foot on with spur. Keep in big freezer bags with beard and tail. If temps get too warm we bring into the town and the grocery store puts in the freezer at no charge.

The DIY hunts are great. We all bring a meal or two also go to the church during our hunt. They have a fish fry one day and frid chicken the other all you can eat for cheap. Get to meet locals and have picked up land doing this. They all talk about how they want the birds gone so we help them out.

Like SNS stated I looked forwarded to this hunt every year. We have taken a lot of birds during this hunt with our bows. Most landowners think your crazy trying with a bow and say go ahead and shoot them all.

Order plat book and head down in March to the area you think you will hunt. I will be going back down on March 19th and knocking on more doors and shed hunting.

[fletcher]

NW NE around Chadron has some public, near Crawford Fort Robinson. We hung around town/cafe and literally had people offering us to come hunt birds. Wind and weather, temps ranged 26-86 and snow but we got into birds mid-April in cottonwood creek bottoms and in hills. Tags OTC but buy ahead of time as buying at state park is SLOW and Walmart did not sell them. Be advised: Jakes will strut. A real nice hunt, historic, scenic, and birds.