I'm hoping some of you can suggest a good way to go about getting a Merriam's? I live in Michigan and have only hunted Easterns to date. I've always wanted to bag a good Merriam (the fan is gorgeous). I'm hoping this might be the first serious step to actually making it happen. Where is my best chance (WY, MT, SD, NE, CO, AZ or NM), do I have to go guided, or can I get it done on public land? Any recommendations as to good outfitters that provide great Merriams hunts?

Appreciate your help.

i'm going to the SD black hills this spring to try to bag my first merriams. i can't afford a guide so we are going to try public land. my cousin, who lives there, says there is ample opportunity to get one without a guide. i hope he's right. good luck

A buddy of mine goes to Idaho for cats and bears and said public land is plenty with Merriams....perhaps visit the West Forum and hit those guys up for public opportunities.

no guide needed plenty of birds on publlic land i think you have to apply in S.D. but it is a garaunteed tag Wy. is over the counter try the Wy. Black Hills Mt. is over the counter a little more expensive than Wy.65.00-70.00 mt. is 135.00 i think for the 1st bird