A few observations from a hunt in SD

Toad said:
I loved your story about the retrieve, Carptom. And I think you did it justice. Guys like us who spend so much time with dogs and birds, we understand how much it meant to you. I'm sure we all have a story or two that only a serious dog man would appreciate.

Thanks for posting. I enjoyed reading it.
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Your right Toad. As do many on here I spend a tremendous amount of time in and out of season conditioning my dog and it really pays off. It is hardly fair to the animal to not work with him much than expect him to preform at will, and scream at him all weekend when he doesn't. I had to put my 11 year old lab down last year at this time because of cancer. This one is 2.5 yrs old and already exceeds his skills. While watching him I had a feeling of pride similar to watching my kids be sucessfull at something. My wife tolerates but will never understand. Now I need to get in better condition so I can keep up.
 
I saw some cool photos in a magazine. A pointer was about 6" away from a dizzy pen-raised bird on a preserve in Sept. Absolute staged photo, but had a great point.
 
Great post Carptom! My lab pup's first wild bird retrieve was out of cattails near Mitchell, SD this year. Labs rock!
 
The Icy lake retrieve

Great job writing about your trip to SD. What a great farmer!
I fish a lot in Washington (salmon) i always pack some smoke salmon along just incase, to give some to the farmers that are nice enough to say yes!

I was hoping to gain some knowledge of how and where to hunt in SD.
I have never been there but am very interested in taking my son and my lab for a week and explore the state.

couple questions, i see a lot of people say they hunt private land, so they pay for that and if so, how much is it and how do you find those opportunities. Next the public ground, is there much, does it produce birds, and how do you find that.

Lastly, is lodging pretty easy to come by ??

I would really appriciate some inside into the great state of South Dakota.

Thanks
MacGyver
 
macgyver said:
Great job writing about your trip to SD. What a great farmer!
I fish a lot in Washington (salmon) i always pack some smoke salmon along just incase, to give some to the farmers that are nice enough to say yes!

I was hoping to gain some knowledge of how and where to hunt in SD.
I have never been there but am very interested in taking my son and my lab for a week and explore the state.

couple questions, i see a lot of people say they hunt private land, so they pay for that and if so, how much is it and how do you find those opportunities. Next the public ground, is there much, does it produce birds, and how do you find that.

Lastly, is lodging pretty easy to come by ??

I would really appriciate some inside into the great state of South Dakota.

Thanks
MacGyver
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Thanks. I too usually carry something to give as a token of appreciation. One year I bought some folding knives to hand out. Other years i have brought good steaks. One would be astounded how much a small token will be received. As far as private land, typically trespass fees for good land is 125-150 per day. If I only had one trip i could make there, i would go in mid november. The farmers are more apt to grant access, and there will be less hunters and still plenty of birds. As far as lodging, all major cities have plenty, and almost all are dog friendly. If you have other questions, fell free to pm me, or post questions in the sd forum where they are very helpful.
 
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