I'm finally heading out to hunt these two states and because of my age this will be a one and done dream trip. No guides. Ill be in the Nebraska pan handle near the Colorado line. Someone told me its possible I could run into Rios there. Can someone confirm that because I never heard of this. Also, a friend that lives in in Wyoming told me he has heard that Wyoming's bird population has dropped like "60 percent" Can someone add to this?
Yes on the Rios in southern NE. Have not heard of the WY population being down, but that's pretty far off my radar.
NE sells permits for out of staters and it's already sold out. Hope you got yours early.
I will be doing the exact same trip early May.
Definitely Rio's in southern Nebraska, they are probably a hybrid technically but who cares!
Have not heard of that large of a drop in WY. Possibly in areas where winter was crazy 2 years ago, deer and Pronghorn got hit hard so the turkey in those places likely did as well, I would contact WY. game and fish and check so you can avoid those places!
I hunt the west Kansas Nebraska border on the Kansas side. Definitely rios in that area
As someone who lives in Wyoming, I will add in my two cents.
Is Wyoming's population down? Maybe not statewide but in the black hills region...yes. I've also heard the 60% number but I have yet to see an actual number on that. I believe it's a spitballed number by people saying "man there seems to be half as many turkeys as there used to be. Maybe a little less than half. 60% sounds good." Populations are doing well in other areas of Wyoming that are basically nothing but private land and inaccessible to us folks. What I would like to point out is the amount of people. There is enough NR bashing and I'm a nonresident Hunter myself most of the spring, however with Nebraska going to a draw there seemed to be a huge influx into Wyoming. With South Dakota following suit, I think it will be even worse. Now, there are still birds to kill but it's much more difficult to find a willing gobbler now, than it used to be, without any completion from other hunters. That's all...be ready for it.
As for Nebraska, you can't tell me there is a pure bred turkey in the entire state. The question for you is if it matters that much and really, are there many "pure bred" turkeys anywhere in the west. Sure the southern turkeys are "mostly rios" and the ones in the northwest corner are "mostly merriams", but if you look at the historical stocking reports and just how these turkeys moved, you'll probably agree with me. To make matters worse, even pure bred rios tail feathers can range from Snow White to dark buff colored. Merriams tail feathers can range from a dark buff to pearly white. So good luck.
Call them what you want, and have fun!
Quote from: POk3s on March 16, 2025, 11:11:49 AMCall them what you want, and have fun!
Indeed. I will say this tho, those Nebraska hybrids make for a beautiful bird, imo. I'm looking forward to heading out that way again in the next few years
Quote from: deathfoot on March 16, 2025, 01:50:50 PMQuote from: POk3s on March 16, 2025, 11:11:49 AMCall them what you want, and have fun!
Indeed. I will say this tho, those Nebraska hybrids make for a beautiful bird, imo. I'm looking forward to heading out that way again in the next few years
Yes! They are unique and some don't look how you'd expect hahaha
Thank you all for the kind responses. Driving from WNY and I have tags. I am aiming for 3rd week in April, hoping for good weather. If lucky in Nebraska, will break camp and head to Wyoming...
Have a good trip, best of luck to you.
Best of luck! Have a great trip and don't drive through Chicago if your not a city person.
Those people are something driving???
Quote from: tracker#1 on March 13, 2025, 11:24:07 AMI'm finally heading out to hunt these two states and because of my age this will be a one and done dream trip. No guides. Ill be in the Nebraska pan handle near the Colorado line. Someone told me its possible I could run into Rios there. Can someone confirm that because I never heard of this. Also, a friend that lives in in Wyoming told me he has heard that Wyoming's bird population has dropped like "60 percent" Can someone add to this?
Sorry I'm just now seeing this but as someone who lives near the Colorado line in the panhandle I'm just curious if you are talking about hunting in the Lodgepole Creek valley or up in the Wildcat Hills area? There are just not many turkeys in the Lodgepole valley at all so that is a long ways to drive on the off chance you might come across a group. If it's the hills you're going to you'll be fine. There will be people, but at least you should see some. As far as subspecies go, like others have said they are pretty much hybirds but the ones in the panhandle I'd call Merriams. Others have mentioned southern Nebraska, like along the Kansas border or Colorado's eastern border, yes those I would call Rio's, but I've also shot what I would call Rio's up in the Niobrara River valley as well.
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If you have onx they have a turkey species distribution map that they worked with the Nwtf to develop.