Home Forums Birds & Dogs Turkey Hunting Anything but a Eastern. Turkey hunt 2017

If you were located in Minnesota and wanted to hunt a different sub species than the Easterns. What states would be your top pic? Over the counter tags would be nice. 2+ bird limit is a must. DIY or guided.
I grew up chasing toms in Wva so a 2000 feet elevation change to get within 100 yards of a Tom that's only 400 yards away isn't what I'm looking for. Don't get me wrong. I'm very willing to put on the miles to earn my bird but those damn hills hurt back then. 3 knee operations later, I'm afraid they would make me cry more than normal.
Let's hear what you got. I'd be up for some company if someone would like to double team some state land.

A area that also holds pigs or other vermin that could be chased if the turkey hunting finished early would be a great bonus.

I think Neb. has a two bird limit.. Some units in Wy. you can get a second tag, but it might be a draw.. Texas would be great, but you are looking at $ for a guide.. Kansas or Okla. might be good spots since you mentioned you might consider a guide..
Wy. seems to be rather short on birds right now in the Black Hills.. Just my observation..
Sounds like a fun deal.. I only have the Florida bird to get to have the 4 in the U.S. I doubt I ever go for it, but you never know.. Have fun with the hunt..

Nebraska gets lots of high marks from those that I have read about their hunts and NR kids tags are super cheap.
I didn't think about Kansas. After driving across it west to east, I've tried to forget it. The idea of chasing birds and scouting out areas for a future deer hunt does get my heart pumping.
You said Texas guides were spendy. Is public land with good turkey numbers hard to come by? That state would cover the pigs and vermin with ease.
When I think of South Dakota all I can see is the thousands of goats I seen while driving thru. That's on the to do list.

Les, I hunted turkey with Mt. Home Hunting Services in Mt Home, Tx... I hunted with them a lot before I retired in 1999.. Made a few hunts after, but not like before.. They were not over priced then, but you had to have your own room and food.. It is full of good eating places..

One of the last trips, we took a travel trailer and stayed near the river.. It had some nice bass that took my woolly buggers every once in a while.. The guy who operated at that time was David Lee, super nice guy.. Exotics were also on the ranches.. I did not hunt hogs with David..

Most of my hog hunting has been on the Nail Ranch out of Albany, Tx. They used to have a million turkeys, but I did not see many this spring.. But they offer hunts, so I know they have some. Texas offers some great stuff.. But more costly than when I hunted there for sure..

South Dak. has an east river, west river, and Black Hills turkey units.. I think you can get a license in each one.
I am guessing east river would be mostly private land.. and maybe eastern birds..

Sometime for some thing I would like to hunt in Ks. and Okla. When we were though Okla. this spring, I was really impress with the people and the country, but that is me.. Lots of gunshops..

Osceola in Florida. Scratch your turkey itch by Mid-March. Shoot some piggies if you have some extra time

The only problem is you may be tempted to hunt your way back north and not get home until May.

Spend $234 for a Merriams tag on San Carlos Apache Res, load up the truck and do it yourself.


I spent almost a week there and saw Coues & Mule deer, Javelina, Antelope, Elk, Black Bear, Mountain lion and of course LOTS of turkey.

Also caught a bunch of trout. Great trip.

Steelhead, many quail there??

I don't recall seeing any quail, but I'm guessing they are more down in the lower parts.

Any hassles on the Res. while hunting?? I have thought of staying in Globe and driving up to hunt quail.. Thanks.

I'll have to check that out Steelhead. I do enjoy some trout fishing.

Hell, other than getting stuck up around Dry Lake (pun there I guess), I don't think I saw 5 people the entire week.

We spent a night in Globe after the drive, but camped out the entire time there.

All our hunting was the other side of the Mogollon Rim

Ok, thanks for the infor.. Glad you had a good trip..

I have been studying up on a few states and I'm liking what I've been reading and hearing from a couple guys about Nebraska. I've mainly been looking at the north west corner. Good bird numbers and plenty of public. And it sounds like a smile and a conversation will get you put on more birds than you could kill in a week.

NE has a 3 bird limit. I limited out this past weekend.

That's very good to know. Thanks taz. Was your hunt public diy?
How far west and south does the 3 bird limit go? I was looking earlier and couldn't locate the map.

3 bird limit in the spring is statewide.

A fall bird hunt will get you a 4 bird limit.

7 bird limit for year ain't bad.

We hunt north central Nebraska and there are some good places there as well.