Niobrara Nebraska question

[Tailwalk]

Anyone familiar with the birds in this area??? Are they hybrids or merriams. I know the NWTF shows they are hybrids but has anyone killed some no doubt merriams there? Thanks


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[turkeyfoot]

I've hunted it several times and am currently staring at 11 tail fans on my wall that are as white as they get have also killed several buff colored. Now are the hybrid or not I could care less myself and only way anyone can really say is with testing of your in right creek drains you'll have fun

[Blackwing]

I'm headed there this week. From what I know there are supposed to be a lot of clean white birds there. I'll find out soon!

[hobbes]

I know everyone back east wants snow white, but the idea that all Merriam's are snow white simply is not true.  Their color varies just like any other subspecies.  I've killed multiple birds in areas that have seen nothing but Merriam's that were a buff color instead of snow white.

I know that complicates the whole hybrid thing.  However, if the state has released both Merriam's and Rios in the general vicinity you can make the assumption that they are all hybrids to some degree after several years.  Birds from the same clutch of eggs may vary in color with some displaying the whiter tips that folks associate with Merriam's and others displaying a little more coloring similar to that of a Rio,  but they are all still hybrids.

If the NWTF map or the respective state's map says Merriam's,  I'd call it a Merriam's.  If it says Hybrid, Id call it a Hybrid.  If it's white tipped and killed in a Hybrid area, I'd call it a Merriam's if it made me happy.    I'll almost guarantee that he won't gobble like an eastern either way.  You won't care as he struts in drumming and gobbling.

[fallhnt]

True Merriams turkey have short legs. Beards will be shorter due to that fact. Hobbes is also correct on color too.

[mgm1955]

Our group killed 11 birds, one was pure white, the rest were more buff colored. IMO those ten were hybrids.

[Tailwalk]

Interesting points fellas! Thanks for your input. I'm heading there Thursday to have a go at some merriams/ or hybrids. Also the hybrid would be considered a merriam/eastern there I believe.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[jepcho]

I went out there with a buddy last year and we each killed birds with white tips.  We did see some that were more buff color.  I consider what we killed to be merriams.  Either way, it is a beautiful area!  I loved hunting there and really would love to go back.  You will have fun.

[turkeyfoot]

you are correct will be eastern/merriam to far north for Rio. And as said the color has nothing to do with purity in strain that is why I could care less about it they are as fun of a bird as can be had and prettiest of all to me have fun and enjoy the experience

[Farmboy27]

It's not really as cut and dry as "white tips = merriams". Merriams turkeys are defined as having white to bluff colored tail feather tips. We all want those Snow White tips but some merriams don't have them.

[Tailwalk]

Well we had some luck


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[spaightlabs]

Attaboy!

[Ozark870Hunter]

Nice work!

[hobbes]

Awesome!

[perrytrails]

Nice birds, great pic.

Beautiful country for sure, congrats!!