March 2026 • Nebraskaland 21
A Change in the Nebraska Turkey Woods
W
hen I was young, turkey
season was all about the
chase. There are nearly 15
hours of daylight during spring turkey
season, and I wanted to hunt every minute
of it. Those early years were filled with
restless boots, heart-thumping setups and
an endless obsession with all things turkey.
Spring turkey season felt like a secret
window into the natural world — those
first weeks of spring when the woods come
alive again, unfolding in shades of green
that seem impossible after winter's gray.
In spring, everything smells new and hums
with life.
Spring turkey season also taught me
that, in Nebraska, permission for turkey
hunting comes more easily. Landowners
will often welcome you onto their land
with a smile when you ask about turkeys.
That meant I could explore new country
every season. It gave me a feeling of
endless exploration. It meant the spring
woods never felt small.
Over time, my passion has evolved.
Those early days of filling my own tags
gradually shifted into something else.
Now the most meaningful moments are
about who is with me — first-time turkey
hunters, friends, family and kids.
There's nothing like watching a kid
shake uncontrollably as a tom runs toward
the decoys. Or seeing a new hunter freeze
as a fan tip appears over a terrace. When I
bring someone along, I'm reminded of why
I fell in love with turkey hunting in the
first place: the music of the spring woods,
the unpredictability, the chess match, the
chance to witness an ancient ritual at
arm's length.
The Nebraska turkey woods changed me
from an eager kid who wanted nothing more
than to fill tags to a man who finds more joy
in calling for someone else. These photos
show the splendor of a spring morning and
the way a kid's eyes light up when they
feel the magic of wild turkeys for the first
time.
Turkey hunting in Nebraska has given
me more than just a love of wild turkeys
— it's given me a passion for the land
and a wonderful tradition to pass on. And
in these images, you can see that legacy
starting to take root.
N
Photos and story by Ryan Sparks
