Of course PF is going to say the SW corner of Nebraska is the place to go this year.....that part of he state has many walk in properties and 2 large WMA's.
Look Campbell.....you're new here.....so I'll cut you a bit of slack......
Those reports are usually biased and only give a snapshot of the actual conditions, habitat, and bird numbers.
As the season draws near......do yourself a favor and hit the back roads and do some scouting and talk to the local landowners in a given area. They know the real score and have boots on the ground daily.
I'm 44 years old and live way down in Kentucky, however I have many friends and family across Kansas & Nebraska who either farm, hunt or travel the back roads for work.
I base my yearly reports from their observations....and from my own travels across the prairie each year.
Fact: bird numbers are near record lows across the prairie due to several factors!
1. Several years of severe drought.
2. habitat loss from extensive farming due to high grain prices.....ethanol and such.
3. Reduction in new CRP contracts......
4. other weather events like flooding during peak nesting and winter blizzards.