Is early to mid December too late?

C

Chrisco5111

New member
I'm thinking of heading to SD for birds. I've got a young pup and an old girl. I'd really like to give Ally a SD trip before she retires. Due to work December is my first chance to get away. My question is; is this too late to plan on SD? I really don't want to get screwed by the weather. Thanks

Chris
 
I do most of my hunting from mid December to the end of the season. Just bring warm cloths and a good set of gloves that you can use and still pull the trigger.
 
Chrisco5111 said:
I'm thinking of heading to SD for birds. I've got a young pup and an old girl. I'd really like to give Ally a SD trip before she retires. Due to work December is my first chance to get away. My question is; is this too late to plan on SD? I really don't want to get screwed by the weather. Thanks

Chris
Click to expand...

There is no way to predict it. I hunted last year mid december and it was 60 degrees. Several years ago the same weekend was -15 and blowing like hell. You only live once man. Book it and hunt. Three years ago there was 6 inches of snow and it was about 5 degrees. My kind of weather
 
Basically a flip of the coin on weather that time of year. There is some really great hunting to be had as well. Long term forecast is calling for a warmer than average winter. If you believe in those sorts of predictions.
 
Go for it!!!

I went last year on December 13th, the first day I was there was 30-40mph winds and light snow blowing everywhere. The next morning I woke up and there was 1/4" of ice covering everything. It was my first trip (me and my dog) we hunted all public land. In some flusheswe saw 100+ birds.

If I were you I would go for it. I used to be a next year guy and now I am a every year guy. Good luck and tell us all about your trip when you get back!:thumbsup:
 
Chrisco5111 said:
My question is; is this too late to plan on SD? I really don't want to get screwed by the weather. Thanks

Chris
Click to expand...

I've posted this on here before, but it really is just a toss up. I hunt near Winner, SD every year around the 2nd weekend of December and every year we have different weather than the previous year.
2014- 60s, sunny, very very warm. Too warm.
2013- Didn't take our trip
2012- Blizzard, we actually got snowed in and had to stay an extra day. I-90 even got closed.
2011- 50s, sunny, beautiful out.
2010- Blizzard, strong winds, brutal out. This was the same weekend the Metrodome roof collapsed.
2009- I think it was cooler if I remember, 30s or so, but nice out.

To sum it up, just plan the trip and whatever happens happens. I prefer hunting in snow and 20-30 degrees over 60s and sun. Dress warm, and with all the walking you do you will got hot pretty quick. Dogs can go longer without getting tired due to the heat.
 
im curious how many birds make there way into game bags on these late dec public land hunts??? not being sarcastic mods im curious because ive seen hundreds of birds on dec hunts but i manage to bag 1-2 a day more like 1... it is cool to see a 200 bird flush but its a kick in my sac when i dont get a shot at any of them 200 birds its hard for a solo guy or 2 to hunt effective late season bunched up birds...

. by dec on public lands i know u have to hunt different not really a hunt alot of times its more lets surround this slough or corn or shelter belt & push it all to center & have a shoot out as birds errupt... its strategic hunts sandwitching birds together & shooting when the cluster flush happens...

if its warm u mite be able to still have a hunt following ur dogs from bird to bird like oct-nov in my dec hunts its basicly have many spots picked out with good winter habitat & plan on hit n 3-4 spots to get ur birds... once u blow 1 flock of 100+ birds out to private lands move to next area... in oct-nov u can just hang at 1 area & scrape a limit out...

if snow like last yr wear i hunt ditches were drifted by 3rd wk of nov...

alot of guys like late season cuz they can do 1 walk & be done... i kinda like to hunt with my dog so i dont care for late late season... dont care for openers & warm weather & rude hunters so i do make a few dec hunts each season...

good luck...
 
Late Hunt

Hey Chris
As long as you pick a week to hunt that I'm not there you should be OK. Two years ago, second week of Dec, Temp was -20 without any WC...boy that wicked cold, frosted up my nose, cheeks and ears and birds were hard to come by. Last year in Nov, 2nd week, -15 at night...that was some kinda rough camping conditions, everything froze...even the dog water. Was able to get 14 birds (should have been 15 my fault not dogs). Hunt like your trying to sneak up on deer, no yelling at the dogs or your buddies, use the wind to the dogs favor. If you do bust out a big flush, watch where they go to, give em 1/2 hour and circle around the opposite way on em.
Have fun and stay warm!
 
yeah i went out 1st & 3rd wk of nov. & man what a weather change in that time... got warm again in dec if i remember correct . .. got 10-12 1st trip 8 next trip during rifle deer season no fun had 2 hunt 1 spot most trip... buddy shot 6 we seen hundreds of birds daily...
 
I've been able to consistently bag a limit on public land in December. Although I have the advantage of being a resident and having lots of time to scout for good winter areas as well as weekdays off instead of weekends. A lot less hunters during mid week. I also work my butt off if need be and some days it takes from 10 am right up until the sun goes down.
 
I agree Bigrand. December usually produces birds. Though there was one year where the roosters kept coming into roost after dark for a solid week:confused: so we had a trip full of hen flushes with a rooster here and there.

Also, having blockers can really make a difference on late season birds if you have the numbers.

Nick
 
When we hunt in Dec we hunt public and knock on doors. Many farmers will let you hunt later in year as the regulars are gone and family has had their fun. We do very well on both. Some farmers may ask for a small trespass fee depending on where you are at and how big the group is. Agree on weather as stated above, plan for anything!! Good luck!
 
Four of us have hunted the 1st weekend of Dec for in SD for 10 or 11 years now...some years there's a few more of us, some years just 2-3, but we always find birds. My avatar is Carver's 1st year of pheasant hunting (he was 6), and his SD limit on a mix of private and public...the last bird coming on public. Just him and me that day...he done good lol :cheers:
 
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