Medicine Creek
I have hunted that area for years. The quail population is slowly coming back, but no where near where it was. Nebraska values turkeys above quail, and where turkey populations thrive, quail populations suffer. And it has suffered. We used to see 8-10 coveys on any given weekend, 8-10 years ago. Now if I see 2-3 I feel like it is a good weekend. I take 2-3 birds and never chase singles.
The good news is that the pheasant population around there is better than it has been in 20 years. Lots of birds. Naturally, like just about everywhere fence to fence agriculture and loss of CRP is creeping in, but not nearly as bad as eastern Colorado or Western Kansas.
There isn't a lot of public land in that area, but the farmers are a really decent bunch. I have only been refused access if they have family coming for the Thanksgiving holiday to hunt, or something like that. Otherwise permission is almost always granted.
My advice, stop and talk to any farmer you see in the field. They will know who owns what, and where to find them. Use your cell phone to get the information and either call or drive over to see the owner. They have almost without exception been gracious and good to talk to.
Good luck.
