Ok, If you were to go looking for a merriam in these states on public ground which one would the best. I hear alot about the Black Hills and that thing is huge. Are there birds in the whole thing or more in certain areas. Where would be a good place to even start. Nebraska has tags over the counter up to 3 a person. So that has SD beat. Does anyone know about hunting in NW Nebraska. Is there good public access? How do these areas compare in hunting pressure, access, birds? If anyone has suggestions or advice on these areas, thanks in advance.

I gotta vote for the Black Hills. We were out there last year and are planning on returning this year. You put in the time you can find the birds.

Where is most of the turkey country at? Is it up north or down south. Or does it not matter. I have never been there. Just need to start in the right type of terrain to begin with so we don't spend the first day driving around wishing we would of stayed an hour away from where we are. Looking at doing a 5 day hunt in the first of May if that makes a diff.

Anybody have anything good or bad to say about NE.

Gator123, I hunted the Harlan County Reservoir last year in NE. Its on the NE KS Line and full of turkey. Did not see another turkey hunter and saw birds everywhere. Took 3 birds in two days. You have the option of hunting them in different places, the open plains, the hardwoods, or the ag fields, as the land carries all three terrains. I hunted the plains, to see birds come in from a few ridges over. I'd recomend this place as I have confidence that you'll have no problem not finding birds, but shooting at them!

Hard to beat the Hills and only $85 for a NR tag.

Thanks guys for the info. strutnbuck what type of turkey did you kill down there? Were the Merriams or Hybrid or Rio? Thanks again.

how do you tell the difference between a Merriam and a Hybrid? Do they both have the white tips on the tail feathers?

The true Merriams will be snow white. hybrids have more of a buff color to them or a more cream color

I took 2 Merriams, my brother took a hybrid. Like utimag said, the Merriams will be white tips, while the hybrids almost appear a dirty white cream color. Passed a few up that were hybrids. There are a lot of birs there and no hunting pressure!