Spring turkey...Nebraska or?

[Mike Bolin]

Now that I am retired and have two new knees, I am looking at doing some low cost out of state hunts. Thinking that a Spring turkey hunt in Nebraska or maybe South Dakota could double as a scouting trip for Fall mule deer and turkey and maybe antelope. I am somewhat familiar with the Chadron area in Nebraska and know that there is some good public land in that area but I have not actually hunted there. I am also looking at South Dakota and I am starting totally from scratch there.
I don't expect anyone to supply me with the GPS coordinates for their "honey hole". Just looking for whatever info anyone cares to share.
I would be tent camping so a camping area within walking distance of the hunting area would be a real plus.
I have a couple of buddies that also recently retired and we are looking forward to chasing some different critters in new places! Any input would be appreciated!
Thanks-Mike

[Jack Hoyt 75]

Turkey numbers are good in Nebraska plus 2 bird limit.   NE puts out a very detailed booklet on Turkey hunting,  I picked one up at NWTF convention.   I will try and post a pic of it later or the info may be online. Northeast corner has lots of birds but mostly private land. There is a big Indian reservation you can hunt on and a state Park to camp at.

[Flingblade]

I'll be following this one as I'm also thinking about a turkey road trip to NE this spring.  I like the fact they have a separate archery season.  I'm wondering how far east in NE the Merriams distribution runs?  Always wanted to hunt Merriams.  Looks like there are a lot of small tracts of public property in the southeast corner.

[Mike Bolin]

Jack Hoyt 75, thank you for the feedback! I hunted NE several years back around a little town that was called Broken Bow if I remember correctly. Went early in the archery season and had to leave after just a couple of days. A blizzard was rolling in and we barely got away before it hit. When I got home I had an email from the guy that I met up with out there and he said they got 26" of snow since I had left. Saw more turkeys in NE in a day and a half that I had seen in 10 years here in Indiana...even missed one!! I will look online for the info you mentioned. Thanks again-Mike

[Jack Hoyt 75]

I am not a expert on Nebraska turkey hunting but I am going back for my second time this year.  I will be near Verdigre in the far Northeast corner.  From that area you can hunt NE and SD.  The Indian reservation you can hunt on is called Santee Reservation.  I think it gets hunting pressure but a big area with birds and a chance at another tag.  This area of NE has Merriams and what they call "hybrids" which look like a Eastern but are smaller and less vocal so I am told.  I got on Merriam with a very white tipped fan last year.

This is the booklet I got at NWTF and it has lots of great info in it.
   

Outdoornebraska.org

Also, there are several turkey guides in NE and if you want to stay in the Midwest I can assure you a great hunt with Terry of Turkey Creek Outfitters in MI    http://turkeycreekoutfitters.com/   or Steve of Steve Hartley Outdoors in KY.   http://www.stevehartleyoutdoors.com/  
Booth are great, small, honest outfitters.

[Steve O]

Mike,

Do your homework and you can hunt both sides of the NE/KS border--it's a blast. I've hunted the Black Hills in SD for Merriams and that is a great hunt but a lot more like an elk hunt. Rugged country!

I envy you retired guys.