Merriam hunt suggestions

[seamonster1]

I will have the last half of may off next year. Would like to give a merriam hunt a try. Suggestions? Looking for specific outfitters, places, ect that are inexpensive. Please just dont suggest the black hills- rather could you lead me to more specific areas,ect. I consider myself an experienced turkey hunter- so a guide would not be needed.

[Borch]

Seamonster,

I've been hunting the Black Hills for several years with a group of folks and we've been right about 40% harvest rate. The terrain can be tough for a flatlander but is beautiful. If you want specific spots get a National Forest map and call the Forest staff out there. They know where these birds are and can really narrow you search by giving you current specific spots that are holding birds. Later is usually better out there as these birds can really get henned up and you never know when a late spring snowstorm will hit. Accomadations are inexpensive. We had 5 of us in one big cabin and two trucks. With liscense, gas, lodging and food for 5 nights it was $400 per person for the trip.

The reservations can be good as well. Not all of them are created equal. Rules, cost, etc, vary greatly. Nebraska offers over the counter liscenses. There's lots of public land opportunities there as well, especially in western Nebraska(Pine Ridge and others). Both Wyoming and Montana have opportunies as well although I don't have much in specific info on them.

Hunting Merriams is a blast. They tend to be much more vocal but are no push overs when they are henned up.

Good Luck!

[Hotspotter]

Borch summed it up very well.

Of all of them, the Hills and NW Nebraska probably get hit the hardest. Wyoming and MT have some premium spots with less pressure. Specifically, Wyo. has the Nat. Forest just west of the hills that has some great hunting.

The reason I mention pressure is because of the time (mid-late May) that you have to hunt them.

As for reservations, all I can say is call them on the phone to get a feel for the situation. It can be hit or miss.

They're as close as NE South Dakota on the Wahpeton Sioux res., and as far as Idaho if you want to make it out that far. Colorado also has some overlooked hunting in their national forest lands.

Joel