New Mexico Turkey- unit 34 Merriams

[Playa]

Have an opportunity to hunt there this spring. It appears it is all OTC. The area we will be in is S of Cloudcroft and East of Alamogordo, an area called Snap Canyon. We penciled in 4/29-5/2 to go.

I’ve never hunted Merriams, but beyond terrain I expect they are a bit tougher to hunt than Rio’s, probably not as talkative, is that accurate?

[Charrison]

I've found Merriams in northern NM and Montana to be as talkative as any subspecies- on par with the Rio at least. I grew up hunting Osceolas and anything is a chatterbox compared to those.
One thing I had to adjust for- the sound travels differently in the mountains and makes it harder to tell how far away a bird is gobbling. But hunting mountain turkeys is a blast! Had my best success bt 10 and noon- don't give up early!

[diamond10x]

If you go, give a report back on how it went. Been wanting to hunt there as I have a buddy with a house in High Rolls and every time I’m out there there’s always birds passing through their property up in the hills. Wish I some advice for you other than all the turkey I’ve seen are in the forested areas and usually up higher on ridges than down low in the valleys.

[BuckRage]

Merriam are VERY talkative but move a ton more to. I've hunted them for a few years in 34 near Cloudxroft and at 9800ft be ready to have your lungs burn lol. You will have to move a lot more and follow until they are ready to commit amd that's usually by getting on the same level of them on the mountain side inside their bubble. Beautiful terrain beautiful birds and just all around awesome hunt. Oh and expect good amt of hunters.

As stated above those Hills will confuse your ears. Take a crow call to locate. Bring good hiking boots Where I have been there are tons of birds but the toughest part is terrain they live in.

[ClayW]

We plan to hunt Unit 36 week of 4.19

My advice is to find multiple birds to give yourself options. The main difference between them and rios is the amount they will travel. They can cover some ground!

[ClayW]

If you go, give a report back on how it went. Been wanting to hunt there as I have a buddy with a house in High Rolls and every time I’m out there there’s always birds passing through their property up in the hills. Wish I some advice for you other than all the turkey I’ve seen are in the forested areas and usually up higher on ridges than down low in the valleys.

Say when

[TwoHighways]

Don’t have a particular weekend penciled in yet, but look forward to it every spring. I have too much success in 36 to venture south, but there’s birds all over the Lincoln. Having that much country can to hunt can humble you though and the wind is a factor up there more often than not. Hunt high and don’t go chasing after birds up and down canyons.

[J-Bone]

It will be interesting to see how crowded the Lincoln is this year. Last year was bonkers with people everywhere due to covid. I ran into a couple first time turkey hunters last year, countless recreational hikers/backpackers, and shed hunters. It's a very fun hunt in some beautiful country though. I find the birds to be very talkative, but the pressured areas seem to have birds a little more reluctant to come to calling. Good Luck!

[quackadikt]

Lots of good info for you so far. Get on level or slightly above the birds if you can. Expect some pressure from hunters and joy riders. If you can roost multiple birds on the evening roost, it’ll boost your success significantly.

And plan on it being quite a bit cooler than you’re used to during a Texas turkey hunt [emoji51]


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[quackadikt]

Also, hangovers are way worse at altitude.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[ladrones]

That time of year the winds can make it difficult to communicate with turkeys.

Consider adding a lion tag while out turkey hunting. Not uncommon for a turkey hunter to call in a lion or bump one while walking between stands.

[diamond10x]

Say when

That’s what I’m sayin! I could sure use to learn a thing or two from a turkey pro!

[CTR0022]

I'm planning to be out there opening day. Will show up Tuesday evening, scout all day Wednesday and hopefully be on some birds for Thursday.

[jaspermac]

Check the New Mexico drought map. There are several areas that go zero rainfall last year and the game has suffered. May even call a biologist in the area. I was there 2 years ago and it was bad. I hunted several times and didn’t have a problem finding birds.

[Playa]

Man this is really good info. Thank you