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Nebraska Merriam Turkey Hunts
Email    (719) 591-8934

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Nebraska Merriam Turkey - Photo Gallery

Nebraska Merriam Turkey - Frequently Asked Questions

Outfitter - Frequently Asked Questions

We found hosting the correct number of Merriam Turkey Hunters at one time may vary from hunt to hunt and the type of hunts booked; i.e. Guided or Self-Guided. But, rest assured that number is very comfortable for everyone and it allows our guides, Evelyn and I to provide as much personnel attention to each hunter to make each hunt a success and depart as a friend.

Nebraska Merriam Turkey - Photo Gallery

Nebraska Merriam Turkey Hunts Prices, Dates:

3-day self-guided turkey hunts with Food & Lodging for 1 Turkey...$1050 (per-person)

3-day self-guided turkey hunt with Food & Lodging for 2 Turkeys...$1,350 (per-person) 
 

3-day 2x1 fully guided Merriam turkey hunts for 1 Turkey...$1,350 per-person  (we guarantee a shot on  first turkey on fully guided hunts)

3-day 2x1 fully guided Merriam turkey hunt for 2 Turkeys...$1,695 per-person (we guarantee a shot on first turkey on fully guided hunts)

*Ask for 1x1 prices.

If you do not get a shot opportunity on our fully guided spring turkey hunts you can come back the following year and hunt "free" on a 1 turkey fully guided turkey hunt.

• Non-Hunters are welcome to come with friends or family members. The fee is $400 per individual (with a maximum of 1 per paid hunter).
  
  
• Contact us today to book your hunt Nebraska Merriam Turkey hunting adventure.

• Not included: hunting permits, licenses, guide, field transportation, blinds, decoys, chairs, any hunting gear, trophy field care, bird cleaning or meat processing, taxidermy, gratuities. (Need to bring SUV, AWD, or 4-wheel drive type vehicle)

• Not included: hunting permits, licenses, personnel hunting gear, taxidermy, guide gratuities. (Any turkey peppered or wounded and not recovered is a harvested bird and fills a permit.)

*2016 was our 12th year conducting Nebraska turkey hunts and it went great as usual!  Our Guided Turkey hunts were 100% successful for archery, crossbow, and shotgun. Self-guided hunts on average run 98% with a 100% shot opportunity.

*There is no minimum age to hunt turkeys in Nebraska. Hunters under age 12 MUST be accompanied at all times when hunting anything with a firearm or crossbow by a licensed hunter age 19 or older who if between the age of 19 and 29 must carry proof they have completed a Hunter Education Course.

*We turkey hunt across many Nebraska ranches and farms that we lightly hunt each year. All are well managed having excellent mature Merriam turkey populations.
 
*Many of our Nebraska turkeys again weighed over 21-23 pounds, with many Big Old Tom Gobblers weighing over 23 pounds.  In 2016 we had incredible 11 double gobbler harvests. Our turkeys harvested again average age was 3 years old!  With high numbers of 4 and 5 year old Boss gobblers.  We have an excellent proven population of old mature gobblers with many having tree hanger spurs!     

*We practice "No Shooting Jake's".  Jake numbers this spring were very good from a good hatch in our hunt area the year before!

• If you miss 2 or more times, your hunt is considered complete due to shot over spray that hits the bird, and the lack of hunt preparation on your part or the lack of shooting skills.
  
  
• We need to respect this great resource and you need to be prepared with your weapon prior to the hunt.
  
  
• A hunter needs to be mature and must only take shots they know then can make.  
  
  
• A peppered or wound bird is considered a harvest bird and fills that permit.
  
  
• For the reasons listed above we Highly Recommend all shotguns have a turkey scope or red dot sighted in with a shooting sled.

• Hunters ages 12 through 29 must have completed firearm Hunter Education when hunting turkey with a firearm, or crossbow.
• An Apprentice Hunter Education Exemption Certificate is available for those who have not completed Hunter Education.
• Hunters under age 12 and those using the Exemption Certificate must be accompanied by a licensed hunter age 19 or older.
• Your card by law must be carried with you at all times while hunting.

• Our Shotgun, crossbow and archery turkey hunters don't hunt over feeders or in high fences.  These hunts are Free Ranging Wild Turkey Fair Chase Hunts.  

• Crossbows, overall weight, speed, and having a light crisp trigger pull are critical.
      
  
• Bows need to fit you and be at your normal draw weight.
      
  
• Do not reduce your bow poundage for archery turkey hunting.
  
  
• 50 pound minimum draw weight.
  
  
• Lazar Range Finder is a must for all archery merriams turkey hunting.
  
  
• Pin point accuracy and broadhead performance are critical key factors in archery or crossbow Merriam turkey getting!
  
  
• Turkeys have an extremely small vital kill zone, so we recommend using 3D targets before your hunt that mark the body kill zone. You should practice shooting in all positions to include sitting or kneeling positions for a blind daily before your hunt.
  
  
• We want our archery and crossbow turkey hunters to use one of the best "Turkey Hunting Broadheads".
  
  
  • NAP Spitfire Gobbler-Getter Broadhead, NAP F.O.C. Turkey Broadhead, Cabela's Killmor Turkey Broadhead, or Rage Turkey Extreme Broadhead all work great. These are some of the best on the market at this time proven for turkey bow hunting and crossbow turkey hunts!
    
    
  • Heavier broadhead the better for maximum kinetic energy.  
    

• Bring a spare release. 
  

• Other archery turkey hunting gear items you might want to consider for your archery turkey hunt is a Primos Bow Sling, and a GoPro.
  
  
• On merriam turkey archery hunts or turkey crossbow hunts.  We have found Primos Double Bull Blinds works best.
   
  
• Decoys: we use the very proven best on the market Avian X Turkey Decoys.   My personal three favorites are the 1/2 Strut Jake, Laydown Hen Breeder, and the Stand Up Breeder Hen.  For years now we also have had great success with plain old hand held Turkey Fans.  Note: I recommend having 2-3 extra collapsible stakes on hand. 
  

• We recommend a good comfortable fitted semiautomatic camo 12 gauge 3 1/2" magnum shotgun with a Indian Creek turkey choke using hard hitting Hevi-Shot Hevi-13 turkey loads.  
  

• We have seen many successes with the following semiautomatic turkey shotguns.  The Benelli Super Black Eagle, Browning A5, and Remington VersaMax.  These turkey shotguns are the best turkey jelly head makers that I have seen. They set a standard for those distance shots. 
  

• Turkey Choke tube is a must!  We only recommend the NWTF Still Target World Record and World Champion holder the 15 time Indian Creek Black Diamond Strike Choke Tube, Proven repeatedly, it is one of best turkey chokes on the market to date!

• Magnum Turkey Loads need to be used on our Nebraska turkey hunts.  We only recommend to use HEVI-Shot Hevi-13 Magnum Blends or straight HEVI-Shot Hevi-13 Turkey Loads in 4 or 5 shot.  HEVI-Shot Hevi-13 is the best we have seen to date that will flatten an gobbler out...period!  Holes in paper is one thing, a flat gobbler on the ground that isn't kicking or flopping all over the place is another. Hevi-Shot Hevi-13, currently none better!
  

Note: If you use Winchester Long Beard XR, a red dot or scope must be used and each miss is considered a filled tag!  

• You need to pattern your shotgun at 20, 30, 40, 50 and 60 yards using a turkey head and neck pattern target well before your hunt.  Turkey chokes are very tight, and unforgiving if you are off target some.  You are looking for 10-20 pellets in the head and neck vitals; more the better! 
  

• It is a must you use the same turkey ammo you will be turkey hunting with to pattern your shotgun. 

• Ensure your Turkey Shotgun fits you correctly when you shoulder and hold your shotgun.  Go to a gunsmith or a guns store and have them help you.
  
  
• Use a shooting sled or heavy shooting sand bags for a rock solid rest to get your shotgun shot pattern perfectly centered.  This is a must!  Plus will help with pulling the shot or flinching.
  
  
• Ensure densest center of your pattern mass is spread out evenly on turkey head and neck target.  This will show your shotguns true impact. Just like a deer rifle!  Once centered count your pellets.
  

• Choke tube is the proper constriction.  Please do some research in this area.

• Go to NWTF web page 5 ways to Evaluated your turkey Pattern for great information in helping to pattern your turkey shotgun for your Nebraska guided turkey hunt or Nebraska self-guided Turkey hunt.
  
  
• Turkey Target.  Put turkey target, on a large 4'x4' card board or paper target backing, on a piece of plywood as a holder.  This will allow you to see the entire pattern 
  
  

• Food, water, and juices are always available to you. The biggest complaint we get is a person weighs more at the end of their hunt than upon arriving.
  
  
• If you enjoyed our meals, please keep the cook in when mind when you consider gratuities, this is very much appreciated.
  
  
• Alcohol is not provided, but is allowed after hunting is done for the day and can not interfere with other hunters. Intoxication will not be tolerated.

Plan to arrive between 3-6 p.m. the day before your turkey hunt start date. After arriving you will get your gear unpacked and ready, pattern your shotgun as required, then a hunt orientation, and safety brief. Please do not call early in the morning or arrive before scheduled time.

A problem that faces a turkey hunter who has just driven, or flown across the country to go on a turkey hunt is how to get there turkey/meat safely home.  Please read below on what we have learned and know:

• Ensure you know Nebraska, states traveling thru and state you live in big game transportation and importation laws and any other legal requirements in this area. This is your responsibility.
  
  
• Check with your airline or ground carrier about any restrictions about transporting a frozen turkey and meat.
   
• Keeping the same airline on connecting flights will help avoid luggage issues.
  
   
• Award Winning Local Taxidermist is available to mount or expedite your trophy.  They are very knowledgeable, and highly skilled on all species we hunt.  This is an easy and efficient way to handle your taxidermy needs.  Most often they will often do a better job than someone who has seen few of the particular animals from our areas. 
  
  We highly recommend Tall Tails Taxidermy Studio, LLC in Burton, NE. They are a "small Full-Time Taxidermy Studio" focused on providing high quality taxidermy within a reasonable time period, averaging six to nine months. They do everything they can to meet your expectations.  Ann and Aimee are very methodical, meticulous, and driven that never settle for second best or "just good enough".  I would trust them with my finest trophy. 
  
  Studio: 402-497-3360
  Ann's Cell: 1-402-376-6379
  Aimee's Cell: 1-402-382-8696
  
  Web Site: www.talltailstaxidermystudio.com
  
  
  • Note: They use a highly reputable Concierge Shipping Service that ships from there door to your door that is insured, and bonded.
    
    
  
  

• Transporting your trophy turkey home to taxidermist.  On fully Guided hunts we help you with the below steps and on Self-guided it is up to you. We recommend the following before freezing for transport: 

• Most taxidermist's prefer the turkey not gutted.  Check with yours before the trip. You can get the meat after you take it to the Taxidermist being it is frozen.

• Treat the turkey very carefully to keep the turkey feathers from getting damaged, only lay on turkey's stomach/breast, and keep all blood off of feathers. 

• To help with blood, put paper towel or cotton balls in turkeys mouth, next wrap turkey head with paper towels and tape or rubber band in place, next tuck wrapped head under the wing. 

• Next, put your turkey head first in the leg of a pair of queen size panty hose.  Then pull up around entire turkey to include the turkey tail, then tie the open end of the panty hose in a knot, then freeze.  This will protect the turkey feathers holding them securely in place. 

• After it is frozen, take out of freezer, then wrap entire bird completely in Aluminum Foil, then wrap entire bird in bubble wrap, then put head first in a large plastic bag and roll gently squeezing the air out of the bag and securely tape bag in place before putting it in the cooler for transport. 

• This is the best method we have found to date to get your trophy home to mount.

• You should use coolers for transporting your meat and turkey.

• Flying: duct tape the coolers shut after you get to the airport in case they need to open and pack them as tightly as possible. 

• Driving: use duct tape to hold the lids tightly shut. This keeps out air, even when the truck is on rough roads, and hits bumps.

• If you fly, once meat and turkey is processed and frozen, it can be boxed and checked as excess baggage.  Meat/trophy bird should be frozen as dry ice is not allowed on airplanes.  

US Mail, UPS, or FedEx, we have had hunters use all with good success.  To make this work best with perishable items. They need to be shipped out at a office by the main airport you fly into. Reason, where we are located in Nebraska we are far away from the interstates and major airports so everything is Ground shipment first, then overnight so "overnight" actually turns into 2-3 days. Note: if shipping nonperishable where time isn't a factor. We have a Post office's and drop boxes for UPS and FedEx in our local areas.

Note:  Our hunters are telling us it is best "to drive when you can".  They say with a partner and rotating driving, you can get anywhere within the states in a days travel, which is what you are burning up flying anyway, along with renting a car and driving to us.  This way you get to bring all your gear and take everything back and use a meat processor close to home.

Most important it is a must to plan ahead in this area and determine before the hunt how you want to handle your meat and trophy turkey. 

• If you fail to plan for this and put it on us to get it to you there will be a $400 handling fee on top of whatever charges there are to getting the bird to you. This will need to be paid prior to us shipping this to you.
  

Tipping is a way of saying thank you to those who made your turkey hunting trip enjoyable.   

Hiring an guide or outfitter for hunting is a considered a service based industry.  Tipping has been a part of guiding and outfitting from the beginning. Its nothing new.   I have been asked many times by clients about tip amounts. First, I believe tip's must be earned, and is a personal gift from the client for services they are happy with.

With that said, I have been a guide/outfitter for almost 20 years and rule of thumb is, if cooks, guides, or guide/outfitter do a great job tip them. Most cooks, guides, or guide/outfitter work there butt off to produce a quality hunt, and should be compensated for it.

Tipping the Outfitter: many say not to tip the outfitter, however if the outfitter is also the guide, then it is customary to tip them just like a guide. Also, if the outfitter goes above and beyond in a particular aspect of the hunt, a tip would then also be in order.

Industry Standard:

• 10%-20% for a Guide or if Outfitter is your Guide.

• $15-$25 a day for the Cook

Food for thought: I have been told by many other Outfitters that "Hunters that don't tip in our camp are not invited to come back. Gratuity isn't included in hunt price.