5.0(5 Reviews)Private 3-Day Turkey Hunt in Battle Creek
5.0(5 reviews)
Private Trip
Big game hunting
Top Rated
Threeday turkey hunt in Nebraska's Elkhorn River BasinMultiple hunting styles across CRP grasses and timber lanesLodge accommodation with homecooked meals included
Looking for a top-rated turkey hunting experience that delivers results? This three-day private hunt in Battle Creek, Nebraska puts you right in the heart of the Elkhorn River Basin's prime turkey habitat. Lawrence and his crew at Top Flight Hunts have been putting hunters on birds for years, and their track record speaks for itself. You'll get three full days of hunting, comfortable lodge accommodations, and home-cooked meals that'll fuel you for those early morning setups. Whether you're a seasoned tom caller or new to turkey hunting, this operation caters to your style with guided, semi-guided, or go-it-alone options.
The Elkhorn River Basin near Battle Creek is turkey heaven, plain and simple. You're looking at thousands of acres of diverse habitat that keeps birds moving and active throughout the day. The property features CRP grasslands that provide perfect nesting cover, timber lanes where gobblers love to strut, strategically placed food plots that draw birds like magnets, and river bottom areas where turkeys come to water and loaf. The early archery opener in late March is when things get really exciting – you'll find yourself within bow range of fired-up longbeards putting on a show. The friendly, relaxed atmosphere means you can focus on what matters: getting your bird. They maintain strict fair-chase ethics, so you know you're earning every gobbler the right way. Groups get discounted pricing, and they welcome solo hunters just as warmly as large parties.
The variety of terrain here gives you multiple ways to work birds depending on conditions and turkey behavior. Those CRP fields are goldmines during breeding season – set up on the edges where open areas meet timber, and you'll intercept gobblers working between roost sites and strutting zones. The food plots scattered throughout the property act as natural funnels, especially later in the day when birds are feeding. River bottom hunting requires a different approach entirely – turkeys use these corridors for travel, so your setup timing becomes critical. Lawrence and his guides know every inch of this ground and can read bird patterns like a book. They'll position you based on recent scouting reports, weather conditions, and time of day. The semi-guided option gives you the best of both worlds – expert local knowledge when you need it, independence when you want to work birds your own way. Archery hunters particularly love the March opener because longbeards are aggressive and less pressured, often coming within 20 yards of a well-placed decoy spread.
"Third trip to Top Flight to turkey hunt, but my first time fall turkey hunting. Lawrence had me right on the bird within two hours of getting into camp. The food was excellent, Ashley was a fantastic hostess. Saw deer in abundance as well. You can't go wrong coming here!" - Robert. "The hunting was amazing and lots of birds. Lawrence and Amy did a wonderful job making us feel at home taking care of us. absolutely delicious food and great accommodations. Highly recommended for your next hunting trip" - Leon. "Lawrence and staff were great guides, cooks, and hosts. Our team nearly limited out for 3 days straight. You won't find better hunting so close to Omaha/Lincoln. Definitely recommend a 3 day hunt." - Andrew.
Eastern Turkey make up the backbone of the population here, and these birds are everything you want in a longbeard. Mature toms typically weigh 18-24 pounds with beards often stretching 9-11 inches. Eastern gobblers are notorious for their wariness, but during peak breeding season they become surprisingly responsive to calling. Early morning is prime time when they fly down from roost trees, but don't count out mid-morning action when subordinate toms are still searching for hens. These birds love the timber-field edges and respond well to a mix of yelps, clucks, and purrs. What makes Eastern turkeys special is their unpredictability – just when you think you've got them figured out, they'll do something completely different.
Merriam's Turkey bring a different dynamic to the hunt with their distinctive white-tipped tail feathers and slightly smaller frame. These birds typically run 16-20 pounds but make up for size with attitude. Merriam's are often more vocal than their Eastern cousins and can be more aggressive in their responses to calling. They prefer areas with mixed habitat – exactly what you'll find in the Elkhorn River Basin. The key with Merriam's is patience; they'll often circle your setup multiple times before committing. Their lighter coloration makes them stunning birds to pursue, and many hunters specifically target them for the unique tail fan display.
Rio Grande Turkey round out the subspecies you might encounter, and these birds are known for their adaptability and intelligence. Slightly smaller than Easterns but larger than Merriam's, Rio Grande gobblers are excellent fliers and incredibly mobile. They're often the most challenging to pattern because they cover so much ground throughout the day. These turkeys are particularly active during temperature changes – overcast mornings and late afternoons often produce the best action. Rio Grande birds respond well to aggressive calling sequences, especially fighting purrs and cutting. Their copper-colored tail tips and bronze body feathers make them beautiful trophy birds that photograph amazingly well.
This world-class turkey hunting experience delivers everything serious hunters want: abundant birds, diverse habitat, expert guidance when you need it, and the flexibility to hunt your own style. The three-day format gives you enough time to pattern birds, adjust your tactics, and capitalize on peak activity periods. With comfortable lodging, hearty meals, and professional service, you can focus entirely on the hunt. The option to add a second tom for $350 means you can maximize your Nebraska tag, and the proximity to Omaha and Lincoln makes this an easy trip to plan. Lawrence and his team have built their reputation on putting hunters on birds and creating memorable experiences. Whether you're
Eastern turkeys are the heavyweights of the turkey world, with big toms pushing 20-25 pounds and sporting dark, bronze feathers with subtle iridescence. These birds love our mixed habitat here - they'll roost in the mature timber along the Elkhorn, then work into the CRP fields and food plots to feed throughout the day. Spring brings the best action when longbeards are strutting and gobbling for hens, especially during that late March archery opener. Easterns are smart, patient birds that'll test your calling skills and nerve. The table fare is outstanding - dark, rich meat that's worth every minute of the chase. My go-to tip: listen for them flying up to roost the evening before, then set up within 100 yards of that spot before first light. They often pitch down in the same general area and start gobbling right off the limb.
Merriam's turkeys are the mountain birds of the turkey family, averaging 16-20 pounds for mature toms with distinctive white-tipped tail feathers and rump patches. Around Battle Creek, they favor the timber edges and creek bottoms where they can roost in tall cottonwoods near water. These birds are incredibly sharp-eyed and vocal, making spring the prime time when gobblers are fired up and responding to calls. The meat is lean and flavorful, and there's nothing quite like hearing that first gobble echo through the river bottom at dawn. Here's a local secret: set up where timber meets open ground early morning - Merriam's like to fly down into clearings but stay close to cover. Their white markings make them easier to spot than other subspecies, but don't let that fool you into thinking they're pushovers.
Rio Grande turkeys are medium-sized birds, with mature gobblers running 18-22 pounds and showing off buff-colored tail tips that set them apart from other subspecies. They're perfectly adapted to our river bottom country, using the scattered timber for roosting while ranging wide into grasslands and agricultural areas to feed. Spring hunting is prime time when toms are gobbling and displaying, but these birds can be called in throughout the season with the right approach. Rios are known for being a bit more cooperative than their Eastern cousins, making them great for newer hunters while still challenging veterans. The meat quality is top-notch, and they're beautiful birds with lighter, more golden coloring. Local tip: focus on the transition zones between timber and open country during mid-morning - Rios love to strut in those semi-open areas where hens can see them showing off.
5.0 out of 5.0Third trip to Top Flight to turkey hunt, but my first time fall turkey hunting. Lawrence had me right on the bird within two hours...
The hunting was amazing and lots of birds. Lawrence and Amy did a wonderful job making us feel at home taking care of us. absolute...
Lawrence and staff were great guides, cooks, and hosts. Our team nearly limited out for 3 days straight. You won’t find better hun...
Great place and great people! Lawrence makes sure your hunt is something to remember! Looking forward to our next trip back there!
They guted and fed us it was vary nice experience
Nebraska