I would have to say that hunting these merriams is probably easier than your Eastern birds.. less hunters, more birds.. but for me stalking a group of turkeys is a lot like hunting elk.. except you don't have to worry about the wind.. i use the shadows and contours of the land to mask my movements..and move slow, very slow. the last six turkeys i shot were all inside of twenty yards and every one of them saw me at the moment i drew and shot..they can see
my method is to lie in wait along a trail or creek bottom in the mornings and evenings.. and stalk during the day.. works for me so far.. Calling in the spring works, but for me the calling only lets them know of my exact location
so i only do it to locate birds.. then move in.. most stalks take about four hours on average and using the land for cover (rolling hills, brush and timber) has been perfect for closing the deal.. the biggest problem is their uncanny ability to cover miles of land while feeding.... Plus they taste great and give me materials for more feathered death sticks... Hawk