Looks like I may be headed to Nebraska for an upland bird hunting trip in Nov. The area I'm headed towards is full of turkeys (per the game warden I talked to) and turkey tags are available over the counter. Would like opinions on whether fall hunting in the western states is equal to fall hunting in Virginia (if anybody has tried it).

I've had some great time in Va chasing after them in the fall and breaking them up and calling them back in. Just wondering if it would be as much fun out west where the flock sizes can run into the hundreds

Also, are fall gobblers considered part of a grand slam, or does that only apply to spring gobblers? Thanks folks.

I have never hunted in Nebraska but would think hunting birds in the fall would be fun. Would be the same as hunting them in VA, probably not. However, it would be a new adventure and that is always good. I would bet it might teach you new tactics you can bring home to VA and that is always good. Hope you have a great time.

Vic

Two friends of mine fall hunted in Kansas a couple years back.
They found huge flocks, some with as many as 100 birds - estimated.
They had a blast.
You may find the same.

barry

I have never hunted out west, but it sounds like fun; go for it!

As to the slam question... If I recall you only have to kill a bird of each subspecies to qualify for a "NWTF Slam". So a fall gobbler or hen would work for an "offical" slam.

With that said. If I ever go for a Slam it won't be official, just a Slam for me. So a fall gobbler would rank for me Heck a fall gobbler can be harder then a spring one anyway.

Tut, if I were counting, I'd most definitely count fall toms in a slam!! They're even tougher to kill than spring birds! As for the NWTF's view, I don't know.

Are you using dogs? Taking your own or using ones there? If so, I'd love to hear your experiences with them.

Good luck out there! Take plenty of pictures and be prepared to tell us all about it when you return!

I've got a field breed golden retriever (Abby) who has been out west twice before, to Mt and Nd. Had a great time. My hunting partners have Springer Spaniels out of Maine Grouse Hunting stock. This will be our third trip out west hunting.

Decided on Nebraska as it is closer then Mt by some 10 hours of driving and it also provides the chance to hunt prarie grouse, which would be both Prarie Chickens and Sharptail Grouse. Throw in a few quail and some pheasants and you have the makings of a pretty good hunt (Hopefully). I discovered on previous trips out west that weather is the absolute wild card. We hunted in Shirt Sleeves one day and the next day in snow and 25 MPH winds. When the cold winds come in from the north things can chance in a hurry.

Regarding turkeys, spoke with the game warden out that way while doing my research on upland birds in that area and he said turkeys were almost in the pest category. Said he had personally seen flocks in the 300 hundred range. Hard to believe.

Pests!?

I've heard of this before, but thought it was an extreme rarity. Wow. And Nebraska has a fall turkey season? I guess they'd have to if their turkey numbers are that high!!

Hey, anyone up for a turkey hunting trip to Nebraska?

I wonder if there just aren't many turkey hunters out there. Maybe all the other upland bird hunting opportunities outweigh the turkey hunting opportunities for the locals?