1st trip to SD

Crusaderhunter

Crusaderhunter

New member
My son will be comming up to hunt in SD for two days on Dec 21 & 22. I have hunted 30 year plus in Kansas pheasant hunting but we have never been to SD to hunt. What should we bring and what should we look forward to in SD?

Thanks
 
Bring warm clothes, be prepared for cold weather. Birds are bunched up. It could be some of the best hunting of the year if you are ready for it.
 
Was out the last few days, birds are bunched up and sitting tight. As stated warm clothes and work the heavy cover. Good luck and enjoy your hunt!
 
And as I post in another thread, when you get here and buy your license after Dec. 15th it will be a 2014 license. Good for 5 days this season and 5 days anytime next season.

If you are hunting public land remember that non-tox shot is required on all Waterfowl Production Areas (WPA) and all state Game Production Areas (GPA). You can use lead on Walk-In Area (WIA) and CREP land.
 
When thinking warm, think layering also. I actally wear a very light gortex hooded jacket over a thermal top, sweatshirt and fleece vest. When I get too warm, the vest comes off or I vent the jacket vest. Fleece stocking type hat if no sun, otherwise I need something and a bill to keep the very low sun out of my eyes. Sunglasses too and they shield the eyes a bit too. You want to be able to identify those roosters when they get up in your face between you and the sun. They don't seem to cackle much in the bitter cold.
Won't be bad this weekend compared to last, but I won't get out much as 9 Pudelpointers get picked up by their new owners.
 
Layering is key. Temps could be around zero when you start at 10:00 AM and warm to the 20's by afternoon. I sweat easy and a lot so tend to not wear anything cotton (except maybe jeans). Once cotton is wet it's wet for a long time. I also hate any Gor-Tex type products (unless raining or wet snow) on my upper body. They do not breathe. I start with a layer of long underwear made of a polyester type wicking material. Next is a Worsterlon shirts from Cabelas. Warm, breathable and quick drying. From there out it just depends on the temp. If there is no wind I can hunt easily in the long underwear and Worsterlon shirt with my hunting vest over it. If it's windy a "neck gator" in really a nice warm addition. When cold I frequently put my stocking cap over my regular cap and have both warmth and shade. Inside my boots I start with a sock liner made of a polyester or wicking material and over that a pair of Merino wool socks. If you are walking you don't need real heavy super insulated boots. Lighter boots with 200-400 gr. of thinsulate are just fine. Gloves?? Depends on how much cold your hands can take. I like to carry a glove liner to fit into my regular gloves if it's real cold.

If you have room in your vehicle bring EVERYTHING. That's what I do. :)
 
also try a pull over stocking hat/face mask type face mask like snow mobilers wear they fit over a regular baseball cap nice & leave you with a nice opening for your face/eyes... plus helps your neck stay warm keeps the wind snow ETC from coming down the back of your neck... you mite get a little warm though if you walking alot...
 
Here are a few more tips for cold weather, in addition to what "Dakotazeb" has outlined:

I wear long underwear bottoms - makes a difference when it's windy. And chaps!

Also, there's snow on the ground. A pair of high gaiters are great for keeping the snow away from your legs or underwear. I wear them under my pants as the brush/weed keep pulling them down.

A heavy sweater works well and is easily removed in the field, if it gets too warm.

For the hands: buy some handwarmers to slip into your gloves; they can make a big difference. I wear a heavy glove on my left hand, different glove on the right. Still experimenting with gloves...when it's very cold, and difficult to find the trigger, the birds have the advantage!
 
Thanks men you have been a big help. We are going to buy our license Dec 16th and headed to hunting store for more cloths.
 
I wear windproof bibs and a windbreaker on top, don't really wear a lot under it, long johns and a shirt is about it

As long as I am walking I stay warm although it takes me about a 1/4 mile of being out of the truck following the dogs to get warm.
 
bobman said:
As long as I am walking I stay warm although it takes me about a 1/4 mile of being out of the truck following the dogs to get warm.
Click to expand...

That's a key point above in my mind.

I need to feel a "little chilly" when I first get out of the truck and start putting on clothes. If I feel "just right', I'm too warm soon enough when we start making tracks following the dogs.

NB
 
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