South Dakota Merriams

Looking to add one or 2 to my man cave .Can anyone point me in the right direction for next years hunt or possibly this fall ?Im looking for towards a DIY hunt ,most likely public lands .Thanks in advance.

Id go Nebraska if it was me.

Look at the Black Hills, lots of turkeys and tons of public ground.

Been out to the Hills 3X was snowed out the first 2 times just got back worked birds both days it’s tough the hens are still in the trees here at night, they are sitting on nests in MO what a difference. I’m in the higher country so things are behind up there, the roads are a mess ruts in the snow packed trails with runoff flowing down the roads, some spots impassable.

Did not see 10 hunters the first 2 trips just yesterday I seen TX, MN, MS, FL, MO hunters all looking for their Merriam birds, so pick a window before the fair weather hunters pile in or hunt lower elevations early. Seen a bunch of birds in the snow trips did not see many when it was nicer.

Heading back tomorrow for a few days I have some located to work on if the weather holds, the trick is to get close in the AM before the hens fly down to work the gobblers once the hens fly down they will follow them.

You want a true Merriam stay away from the towns or you could end up with a hybrid in some places.

This looks to be a true Merriam.

I was coyote hunting two days ago out in a very desolate area of NW SD, not a tree around for miles. Up pulls a truck behind me with Mississippi plates in all camo and I knew right away.. “There many turkeys out here” I told him he was in about the worst area for turkeys in a 100 mile radius. He just saw the BLM ground and got excited.

Nice lawdog .I figured I better start planning now .I’m thinking somewhere in central SD .

Prairie tags are different in some counties some of the bigger ones with public lands set a percentage aside for NR hunters, if not the leftovers are up for grabs to anyone in the later drawings.

The only thing you have a better chance of getting hybrids in the flatlands and Missouri River breaks, I read that we have 3 species of turkeys here in SD but in the farmlands hybrids are very common here. The true Merriam species are found in the Hills in places.

You decide to come out drop me a PM we will go over the options.

Thanks Lawdog .If you’re referring to the Black hills ,I’d have no problem going there if need be .

Law Dogs observations mirrored mine 2 weeks ago. We ran into hunters from Oregon, Iowa, Idaho, Mississippi, Louisiana and other Michiganders. On my flight back there was at least 15 other turkey hunters and it was still pretty early . There is plenty of land to escape pressure though. The jake population was very strong this year so next year there should be no shortage of toms around.

Yep seeing a lot of jakes they just need to make it through the winter, not sure how they survive that harsh winter weather.

When our VVA tour group was out in SD May of 2019 I saw several toms in the Black Hills area. They are strikingly impressive birds. Much more color than our eastern WI birds. 4 days in now and still vegetable soup! The area I hunt is quite different this year and the birds are fewer and spookier to date. Big pipeline going through the property, no work being done now but have been at it off and on for several months.

Bryce

Not to high jack this thread. The subject of mixed breeds got brought up so I thought I would ask. My daughter and myself shot these two within about 1/4 mile of each other. After looking at this picture I am starting to question which sub species (two different ones)we have here. Yes mine is a jake, I have no shame haha. After my daughter shot hers we took pictures and started the 1/2 mile walk back to the truck. We stumbled upon 3 Jake's and I asked my daughter if we should try calling them in. She said "well yeah!" We got set up and they came in on a string. I had to use my daughters youth 20 ga, because I didnt even bring my gun with. My turkey was still flopping and my daughter said "Dad are we that good of hunters or did we get lucky?" My response was "We are just that good." Lol Anyways any thoughts on sub species here? These were shot east of the mighty mo if that matters.

WI Eastern my buddy last year.

Yes the Black Hills NF areas at the West end of the State that is where you find the true Merriam turkeys, fly into Rapid City rent what you can for a 4X4 and try to get good tires to get around it’s not a issue in the lower elevations but a game changer in the high country.

Pulled out 2 guys that were stuck the night of that full moon they were stuck in some snow pack with a 4WD Suburban with highway tires that was high centered. Found them the next day the Toy pulled them right out no problem more about the tires then anything else really. That icy snow is like grease once your stuck into it rocks are your friends then for traction.

Nice Birds All