Hey Guys. A friend and I are headed to Fairbury Nebraska on a spring turkey hunt this week. Has anyone hunted in this area? Wondering what the hunting pressure on public will be like? I will be there for 3 days archery and 2 days shotgun season. Also, any idea what the bird population is like in the area this year? Thanks!!
Fairbury Nebraska Turkey
- Thread starter TN911
- Start date
Hilltop
Veteran member
Hunting pressure typically isn't too bad but during opening weekend you will likely see some hunters. The population is good but the birds are running a little late this year and have been pretty unresponsive to calling compared to normal. They have been still flocked up for the most part. It is 80? here today but supposed to have rain/snow mix Thursday so I doubt you get a lot of strutting action. Keep in mind, youth shotgun is open so on public you may be archery hunting around others with shotguns. Stay safe carrying your decoys. In your shoes I would spend evenings trying to find a consistent roost and plan to ambush the next day. Good luck!
Thanks I wasn't aware of the youth season. I will arrive Wednesday morning, hopefully before day light. Yes the weather is uninviting but we will still have high spirits and try our best. When do you expect the birds to begin splitting up? Missouri youth was this weekend and we had very good luck with birds being responsive and interested in the calls.
Hilltop
Veteran member
I was honestly surprised they weren't split up yesterday evening when I was out with my son- should be now but the late snows and the floods have things a little weird. I'm taking my son out again tonight so will have another report for you in the morning.
Hilltop
Veteran member
There is still minor flooding but we are able to hike in. We got a lot of birds talking last night but they wouldn't break off of the big flock. They roosted 600 yards away from their previous spot so no way to ambush them- frustrating. We were waiting under their roost from the previous evening. If 10 year olds were more mobile, we may have been able to get in front of them lol.
ElkTrout
Veteran member
Hilltop I almost gave you a shout! Came through there on Sunday driving back from Wisconsin! Saw a fair amount of birds. Should be a good season! There were still a ton of cranes around Kearney. Pretty cool sight to see! Good luck to all!
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Hilltop
Veteran member
Hilltop
Veteran member
We didn't hunt last night due to baseball. Tonight looks rough due to severe weather forecast and then we have snow forecast Thursday. We might try Friday evening if the weather clears up. Good luck to those guys heading out!
Slugz
Veteran member
We will be headed to hunt south of Elwood next week. Hope this weather blows through and gives us a couple good days of hunting.
ElkTrout
Veteran member
I will! Was planning a snow goose trip but the migration did not cooperate!
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Hilltop
Veteran member
We got into a gob of geese but they were only here for a week or so.
These were the last two for the year. My little guy is addicted.
Small floater spreads worked well at the end. Hope you can make it out next spring.
Well we searched hi and low all day. Finally worked 3 Jakes in around 1 o'clock. First kill with the triax and possibly the only bird we get a chance at with the bad weather heading in tonight. Anyone else doing any good?
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ElkTrout
Veteran member
Congrats on getting it done!! Be safe with this weather!Well we searched hi and low all day. Finally worked 3 Jakes in around 1 o'clock. First kill with the triax and possibly the only bird we get a chance at with the bad weather heading in tonight. Anyone else doing any good?
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Well its back to Missouri for us and WOW what a great time it was in Nebraska. Bad turkey hunting weather for the most part but we were still able to fill several tags! Everyone who went had a great time and look forward to doing it again next year. The hospitality of the genuine people of Nebraska will be unmatched. I couldn't believe how welcome the locals made us feel!
NE69
Active Member
Glad you had a good time. I still think they should drop the tag price to $20. NR is $109 plus the $25 habitat stamp. Youth at $8 is a bargain though. Turkeys in our end of the state are not hunted very hard and we have more turkeys than pheasants most years.
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The non resident tag prices did make it difficult as our hunt came to a close, a few guys didn't want to chance the 109 dollars at a last morning hunt. Luckily we only went home with 1 unfilled tag. How far southwest in the state do you live? Maybe Next year I should try my hunt a little further from home.