2020 Merriam hunt

[smoke_em]

Last year I started working on my grand slam. Went to okalahoma and got a rio. This year I’m going to try to go to NM,CO or WY and try to get a merriam. I have a slide in truck camper, so the plan is to drive out and camp/hunt on public land. Has anyone been out there in recent years and had good luck that would be willing to point me in the rite direction? Any help would be greatly appreciated

[Hoobilly]

theres a few fellers who go out west and a few who live out there that should be able to point you in a good direction.

I haven't had the chance to head west, but Lord willing it will be sooner than later

[Hobbes_mobile]

I've lived in CO and hunted it on public ground. I live in MT now and hunt on public land here. CO puts you closer to historical Merriam's range, but I think is a tougher hunt. However, find the right bird and anywhere could be a great hunt. SW CO used to have the highest numbers in the state.

I've not hunted WY, but assume that you are considering the Black Hills. I think SD Blackhills will be a similar hunt but I've not hunted it either. SD probably gets more publicity.

I've hunted NW Nebraska and SD plains, but some folks will question if they are killing Merriam's.

I've not hunted NM.

[Hobbes_mobile]

I'll add, don't expect every Merriam's to have snow white tips. If you are in a fringe area of Rios, yes they are crossed, but Merriam's range from buff to creamy white to snow white. That creamy color with a hint of buff is the most likely. Kill one (or two or three) where the NWTF map says they are Merriam's and check off your Merriam's.

[firedup]

Northern NM around Grants has public land with a fair population of birds. But its big country. Prepare to have to cover ground and find them.

[smoke_em]

Thanks. I mite have to check into some of that. I was also considering the black hills

[mboro03]

I have hunted the Hills in SD near Hill City for about 10 years and as recently as 2018.
Taken nice buff Tom's in multiple areas. Seems to be more hunters in recent years, Archery hunters too.
I'd be will to tell you more for some rio info on Oklahoma or Kansas.

[hambone50]

The black hills are fun but challenging. Went there in 2017 with a friend and we filled 1 of 2 tags...had a chance on the 2nd one but bumped him.. we were in/around birds most everyday but they are very tough to catch up with because they walk from sun-up to sun down seems like!

You might consider researching the Indian res lands as well. We did that last spring and checked off my merriam on the first day.

[935]

It took me 2 years but I got mine in the Black Hills. About halfway between Crazy Horse and Mount Rushmore. Stayed in a rented cabin walking distance from where I hunted. I can give the GPS coordinates of the spot.

[trkykilr]

Western hunts are about weather. The turkeys are more receptive to calling than these Southeastern birds, but weather can be a real challenge. I have done a few "grand slams", but it is such a marketing deal. A wild turkey gobbler will screw a titmouse if it will stand still, so he will darn sure screw a rio or eastern or peacock. Pick a place with beautiful scenery, and go turkey hunting. Call folks in the area, do your homework, remember that a turkey needs water daily, and go have some fun.

Prepare for the weather. I was in short sleeves on Pike's Peak one afternoon, and sitting in 6" of snow at daylight the following morning. Prepare for anything.

Also, remember that damn near every hiker now wears a Go Pro, and you can go on youtube and prepare for what the country is going to look like. I have found that to be helpful from South Florida to Northeast Washington. I think knowing what a place looks like before you get there is very important.

Good Luck

[Realwarrior]

All of my Merriam's hunts have been in Lincoln National Forest and the biggest factor for there and most of New Mexico has to do with water availability and snow levels. If snow was deep they move away from it. Water they will be close to. There less water, the more concentrated. Especially if you had a dry fall and not much snow over the winter.
Also wanted to add that is you look at some state fire maps and find 1-2 year old Burns, they can be phenomenal.