Merriam's Hunt Help

[fenderhunt4]

I'm looking ahead to spring of 2018 and would appreciate some suggestions. I'd like to surprise my son with an early high school graduation gift of taking a special trip to hunt Merriam's with my dad (his grandpa) and me.

Here's what kind of outfitter I'm searching for:
- an unguided or self-guided style hunt
- has a cabin or farm house accommodation
- under $1000 per person
- preferably northwest Nebraska or southwest South Dakota (so we don't have to drive any further than we have to from Ohio. Shorter time travel will also fit in better with my ministry schedule and his schooling.)

I'd love to hear if you know of anything that fits those desires. If you'd like to PM me information instead, that's fine. Thanks in advance for any leads. It's much appreciated.

[VA Gobble Addict]

A few more miles north will put you in the black hills. No guide needed and all the land you could want.

[fenderhunt4]

A few more miles north will put you in the black hills. No guide needed and all the land you could want.

Is there a lot of pressure up there? Trying to find some place that will give my son a good experience and a high yielding opportunity for success.

[VA Gobble Addict]

There's gonna be some pressure, but there's 1.2 MILLION acres of forest just in SD right there. Went there last may and the only reason I had trouble getting my bird is because they got 8 inches of snow the day before I got there. Once the weather broke and it hit 70 degrees they gobbled like crazy and basically ran into my lap. Not saying it's a slam dunk, but if you get off the road a little ways you shouldn't have a problem if you're a halfway decent turkey hunter. I saw more jakes than anything there last year, so there should be a ton of eager two year olds running around. My hunt literally lasted 5 minutes once the weather broke. Plus if you score early you can see all the awesome things in the black hills.

[kjnengr]

There's gonna be some pressure, but there's 1.2 MILLION acres of forest just in SD right there. Went there last may and the only reason I had trouble getting my bird is because they got 8 inches of snow the day before I got there. Once the weather broke and it hit 70 degrees they gobbled like crazy and basically ran into my lap. Not saying it's a slam dunk, but if you get off the road a little ways you shouldn't have a problem if you're a halfway decent turkey hunter. I saw more jakes than anything there last year, so there should be a ton of eager two year olds running around. My hunt literally lasted 5 minutes once the weather broke. Plus if you score early you can see all the awesome things in the black hills.

This sounds like my South Dakota trip exactly.  Freezing rain and snow and many miles walked for mere glimpses of turkeys.  On our last morning, the weather broke and it was a complete different story. 

[hunter22]

I hunted the San Isabel National Forest in southeast Colorado in 2015. I killed my Merriam's at 8500 feet elevation with a herd of bull elk around me when I pulled the trigger. We stayed at a great cabin at Stonewall. Some of the most beautiful scenery you can imagine. 

[fenderhunt4]

There's gonna be some pressure, but there's 1.2 MILLION acres of forest just in SD right there. Went there last may and the only reason I had trouble getting my bird is because they got 8 inches of snow the day before I got there. Once the weather broke and it hit 70 degrees they gobbled like crazy and basically ran into my lap. Not saying it's a slam dunk, but if you get off the road a little ways you shouldn't have a problem if you're a halfway decent turkey hunter. I saw more jakes than anything there last year, so there should be a ton of eager two year olds running around. My hunt literally lasted 5 minutes once the weather broke. Plus if you score early you can see all the awesome things in the black hills.

Sounds like a great hunt for sure. Don't mind getting away from the roads and putting down some boot tread.

[VA Gobble Addict]

Save yourself some money and ditch the guide. Plenty of turkeys in them hills. Plus finding a guide that provides lodging and hunting for under $1000 by next season may be difficult to do. Send me a pm if you have any questions.

[fenderhunt4]

Thanks to everyone who has weighed in with their advice!