Newport, NE, got a buddy that lives up there. I have been out there 2 times and we have killed 10 birds there. It is alot of fun to hunt there. Public land hunting it tough in MO, alot of pressure on them. Not to say that you couldn't find a good place to hunt them. Do you have rios where you are at. I might swap you a hunt. I've killed some rios in TX but always looking for a hunting trip.
I would love to swap but I only hunt Public so if ya ever want to come this way I can point ya in the right direction even if ya don't want to swap. I hunt at Black Kettle grasslands, its in the far western part of the state. There is plenty of birds but it seems that you either need to be there opening week or during the late season. I am a novice at turkey hunting so I have yet to get one there but I have seen plenty. It is also excellent for deer hunting.
During deer season, fall turkey is going on as well but when deer rifle hits it is bow only for the turkeys. I took the wife to a spot this year for deer and there must have been 400 or so turkeys roosting in the woods by where we were sitting.
The area there is 30k + acres all spread out. Parcels are as large a a few thousand to as small as 40 acre and as diverse as heavily wooded to open grass land that looks more like Wyoming. Let me know if ya want any more info on the area I am more than happy to tell ya what I know. If I get out that way on Friday I'll put up a few pics of the area for ya if ya want. Good luck on the merriam. Kelly