SD or NE

[delzz7]

I hopeing to take a trip to South Dakota or Nebraska for Spring turkey hunting. I'll be most likely be hunting on public land because I don't have connections to hunt on any private land in either state. I was wondering if anybody had any opinions on which place would be better than the other. Thanks

I don't want to pay for a guide.

[Hoyt4]

Nebraska would be a great place.You can go down and hunt the archery season and get on public and not run into any hunters.Also very easy to get permisson during the archery season none of the locals really bowhunt and wait till gun.This starts at the end of March.I also hunt SD but I really think you would like NE archery season public land is just as good as private.Good luck on what ever you choose.

[Borch]

Either place has lots of public land and excellent turkey habitat.

I love those Merriams!

[sticknstring]

Lots of birds along the Missouri river bottoms both in SD and NE. A quick 5-6 hr drive to either one. 3 bird limit in NE, 1-2 in SD.

[theghost_03]

Someone can correct me if I am wrong, but I believe if you are not hunting a res in SD you have to apply for their lottery. I know several people that hunt the Santee Indian Res on the NEB SD border and have had alot of success.

[elevatorguy]

Yes you have to apply in SD if you are a non-resident. Except in the Black Hills, you have to apply but the tag is guaranteed. I love the Hills and have been going every year for 8 years now and just made cabin reservations for this year. The great thing with the Hills is all the public land available to hunt. If you look on SD's HSOforum you'll see that over have of 2.3 million acres in the Hills is public land and open to hunting.

Here is the link to the SD fish and game site for turkey hunting,

http://www.sdgfp.info/Wildlife/hunting/BigGame/Turkey.htm#BLACK

Getting the itch now and can't wait till spring!