Chadron, Nebraska

[ryanwatson0214]

I'm looking into hunting Nebraska the end of April/ first of May. Planning on the Crawford/Chadron area in hopes of killing a merriam. Anyone have any info as to where good starting spots would be? Any info would be helpful. Thanks.

[HookedonHooks]

Expect lots of pressure and dwindling bird populations. I heard they've really taken a toll since some of the fires out that way.

That being said still huntable populations if you put in the leg work.

[ryanwatson0214]

I'm not afraid to walk for them. Thanks for the info.

[nebgoosehunter]

Populations are fine since the fires.  It's been eight years since the last big ones.  The thing that can hurt our populations the most are late season blizzards.  Be prepared for temps in the teens all the way into the 80s.  Lots of ground and yes you will run into other hunters, but as long as you put on the miles you can get away from others.  Scout all the WMA's and Forest Service ground on Google Earth before you go to get an idea.  Go to the Game and Parks website and check out the public lands interactive atlas.  I would call the FS office in Chadron and buy the high quality topo map that they sell.  All public ground will be on there and it is almost handier and gives you a better visual than OnX, although I would highly recommend OnX.  I don't have any specific starting spots for you but just pick one and go check it out!  You'll have fun and see some beautiful country that most people don't know exists in Nebraska.   

[turkeyfool]

Also planning on going to Crawford. I'm doing a road trip April 18th to May 1st. Will probably start in SW NE. May cruise through Red Willow and Swanson Res while I'm down there and give it a shot. It's definitely not as beautiful country as the Pine Ridge. I struck out at the Pine Ridge in 2018 and only hunted one private piece near Harrison, NE so not sure how the population is looking on the ridge. From what I've gathered, the best thing to do is just cover a ton of ground. They gobbled their heads off in 2018 but weren't necessarily callable if that makes sense

[RutnNStrutn]

I hunted near Chadron with some buddies back in 2004. We had a good hunt. There were turkeys all over the place on the private lands. The ranch we hunted on had supplemental winter feeding for the cattle, and wild critters, including turkeys. The rancher said it was necessary for the critters to make it through the harsh winters. Definitely lots of wildlife out that way.

[Roost 1]

I'd suggest waiting until May 10 or later for more stabile weather.
Pm for more details. 

[3bailey3]

hey is this the same Ryan Watson that is a great duck call maker from Ms.?

[ColbyModisette]

Went up there in 2013 and killed a Merriam for my grand slam and it was tough, birds seemed to be pretty pressured.  Got out of there soon as I killed him and never went back, felt lucky to have him.  But I have a friend that went up there a couple years ago and did really well, pretty much had the exact opposite experience that I had.

[nebgoosehunter]

2013 is a hard year to judge that area on as it would have only been months removed from over 150,000 acres burning in late summer of 2012.  Populations were more than likely killed or pushed off of a lot of public and into areas of private that hadn't burned.  By spring, I'm sure birds were barely just starting to spread back out.  Glad you still got one though!

[ryanwatson0214]

Thanks for all the great info. I really appreciate it.

[husker]

Don't waste your time.  No Turkeys here.   

[RutnNStrutn]

Don't waste your time.  No Turkeys here.   

Ah yes, the classic answer.

[BBR12]

Everytime someone post a specific area you can bet there are hundreds of internet scouters looking at the same area.
I know this area is well know and there are plenty of old post about it, which shows how little effort you are applying to figure this out. Good Luck and just remember a bunch of the trucks you see could be because you threw out names on the internet. 

This goes to anyone throwing out names. You can bet I'm going to go check it out if I have a care about hunting in that state.

[limhnger]

Check out the Gobbler Company with Michael Spain..