After my MN trip I headed to western South Dakota with a work pal, basically April 25-29. He has in-laws just north of the Black Hills area, I've gone out there with him 4 years in a row now. Always a great trip, fantastic people and just cool country when compared to the woods where I began hunting these things in WI.

The first bird was given a shot-sandwich on Friday afternoon when we got out there. 21 lbs, 1 1/8" spurs and two
beards, one 9 1/4 and the second scraggly one is just over 4 inches (has about 11 strands but it counts!).

SD turks #2

Saturday the wind was blowing like the end of days was coming so there were no additions to the freezer even thought we did have some action, but it was a tough day.

Sunday we set up near a roost and while it was still windy and we worried we were wasting our time once the sun poked up the action started. There were at least 5 gobblers and about a dozen hens in the area. I had one gobbler 40 or so yards away in the roost and another at about 70 yards, it was fun watching them gobble in the tree. We ended up getting a tom each from that spot. My pal had some fly right down to his spot and I had one about run me over in an effort to get away from the first shot. Both toms were 2 year olds, 19-20lbs and 8+ inch beards.

SD turks #3

We then we drove and checked out a few other spots after eating an unhealthy amount of eggs, pancakes, hashbrowns, toast and bacon at a local diner but saw nothing. Went to a new spot and spotted some birds hiding from the wind in a little ditch/gulley. The sneak was on. The wind and grass helped us get right in their lap and we scored on a pair of gobblers. 18-20lbs, 8+ and 9 inch beards each.

Again, awesome hunt, the Merriam's are just the prettiest of all the turks, imo.

Congrats, thats alot of hunting! i agree, they are pretty birds.

Congratulations! I am very jealous.