Merriam's Hunt for Next Spring. NM or SD?

[ChattNFHunter]

Hey guys.  I  am about to graduate from college and I wanted to take off with couple of friends and hunt some Merriam's gobblers in early May.  Right now I am thinking about either South Dakota or New Mexico.  We want a straight public land hunt so I was looking at the Black Hills National Forest in South Dakota, and for New Mexico I was looking at the Gila, Lincoln, Carson, or Santa Fe National Forests.  Which would be your preference?  Any tips or experience from these mentioned areas would be appreciated!
   If any of you fellas have any better suggestions I am open to them and will take any and all advice.  Not looking to do a guided hunt, but really want a public land hunt with a lot of room to roam. 

Thanks!

[Tail Feathers]

I think NM is a one bird state?
I've never been so please check that.  That fact may help make your decision.
Either place would be a great trip tho.  You may not get much info on NM from turkey hunters but I bet if you asked on an elk hunting site folks would share where they've seen birds.
Good luck, and congrats on your pending graduation!

[Rapscallion Vermilion]

New Mexico is a two bird state, with over the counter tags.  The season ends May 10. Your two best bets would be the Lincoln and the Gila.  The Lincoln is more accessible; the Gila has vastly more room to roam, both for you and the turkeys.  For a late season hunt, with car camping or backpacking thrown in, I would head for the Gila, especially the Wilderness areas.  Spectacular country too.  I've never hunted turkeys in South Dakota, but I get the impression from others that the Black Hills area has a high density of birds.

[ChattNFHunter]

That's a great idea Tail Feathers, I will post something on Elk 101 and Rokslide to see if I can get any info on NM. 

Vermilion that's what I found about the New Mexico bag limit as well.  I will most likely be camping/back packing so it is good to know that the Gila has more room to roam.  I've heard the black hills has a good bird population as well, but I've heard there are quite a few hunters out there as well.  That doesn't necessarily deter me though because I hunt the National Forest in North Georgia and there are quite a few hunters around there as well.  Thanks for the info!

[FL-Boss]

I hunted this past spring in NM ...it's a 2 bird state.  I hunted at the bottom of the Santa Fe Forrest.  Can't comment on public land as I always hunt private with a outfitter. But Northern NM is hard to beat.. that part of the country is amazing.  I'm actually going to black hills this coming spring.. Can't wait for that one too.   

[Cove]

Both states offer amazing turkey hunting opportunities. New Mexico gives you 2 birds, South Dakota gives you 1 bird and you need to apply for the guaranteed Black Hills tag. You should have no problems having birds to hunt with a reasonable amount of research. If you're wanting to backpack in and be more remote, NM is your answer. The Black Hills of SD have a road network where it can be difficult to get away from one without closing in on another.

[Tail Feathers]

Thanks for clarifying the limit guys.  It is a state I'd love to hunt someday soon.

[ChattNFHunter]

Thank you all for the information!  As far as research goes, what are the typical steps you guys take to finding areas to hunt?  I am familiar with Google Earth, but what kinds of features do ya'll look for? 

[Rapscallion Vermilion]

Water, some nearby meadow areas, and more or less East facing tree covered ridge line slopes.  In NM I would be looking primarily at elevations from 8000 to 9500 feet.  If you go to the Gila, get a copy of the Gila National Forest map for starters.

[TRKYHTR]

I've hunted Gila and the Black Hills. Both had plenty of birds. I liked the Black Hills better. We never saw another hunter in the woods in either place. Good luck