Athol, SD

H

Hockeybob

Active member
I am heading out to get my new SM pup on 12/13 and have an opportunity to hunt a couple days near Athol, SD.
Anyone hunt near here this year with a bird report?
Thanks.
 
I've hunted the area a lot over the years due to shirttail family trust lands in the area. There are always some birds in the area due to proximity of the river and habitat. Reports are the birds are fair this year where there is habitat. The bar if open, has the best prime rib deal in America on the weekends. Have not stayed in town in 10 years. They tore the barn down we put camper in.
 
Yes, I did twice. On the opener and last weekend. Less birds than last year, that's for sure. There are birds there, but its very spotty so you will need to move around. West of there seems to be somewhat better. Please harvest the ones that I missed please.
 
Hunted north of there in early november, did fairly well, definitely let a few for you. Have a great hunt and enjoy your new pup.
 
Thank you for everyone's update on the bird #'s. I'll be out there 12/14-12/16.
Looking forward to it. I'll report back after the hunt. I want to wish everyone a Happy Thankgiving.

Bob
 
Hunted opener as well here. It was very dry so we were hitting all the standing water spots in a line from Athol to Cresbard. Didn't find any birds away from water which I think accounts for some of the "spotty" reports I've seen. Might have changed with rains that finally did come and snow but the birds are around. Found birds until we got all the way out west to where the grassland and cattle took over which is par for the course. Limited out 4 guys every day. Last year was outstanding bird numbers in this area so this year was just merely "great".

It looked like the bar was still closed in Athol. But we are long time friends with the Krause family and go to the Sport Spot in Northville in the old high school. Order the side of hashbrowns and you will end up with dinner and breakfast.
 
Good Luck

Bob,

Good luck on the two day hunt. Be sure to post up pics of your hunt and new pup.

I am working on a puppy as wel, but have not completely narrowed it down yet.

Dan
 
Hockeybob said:
Thank you for everyone's update on the bird #'s. I'll be out there 12/14-12/16.
Looking forward to it. I'll report back after the hunt. I want to wish everyone a Happy Thankgiving.

Bob
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Bob, I'll be coming through that area on Tuesday, the 15th, on my way to hunt some land NW of Cresbard.
 
Sounds good Zeb, I'll be on the look out for you! Looks like it will be cold, windy and even calling for snow on Tuesday. Be safe!
 
slidellkid said:
Bob,

Good luck on the two day hunt. Be sure to post up pics of your hunt and new pup.

I am working on a puppy as wel, but have not completely narrowed it down yet.

Dan
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Thanks Dan! Looks like Scott may be going with me. Another pick up in Rosco, IL. I'll post pics if I can figure it out. Otherwise, I'll send to your phone.
 
Sunday- After driving 12 hours, we had arrived near Athol, SD. and had 1 hour to hunt before dark. We walked a crep piece of grass. Birds were getting up out of range about 15-20 but 3 roosters made the mistake of waiting a little too long to leave. My partner Scott one shot one bird. Then me as the bird went left to right.
On the way back my dog Gunner worked a running bird for over 50 yards. Thought we had it pinned down as he pointed 3 times. Bird not there. Gunner then makes hard right and starts working end of field parallel and is "hot". He works fast another 35 yards spins and freezes.
I hustle up there as quickly as I can as light is fading fast. Trying to catch my breath up it comes. Rooster! Bang! Miss! Aim, aim you dummy.... Bang! And it folds. If I don't shoot another bird this trip it will be ok as I was a proud dad the way Gunner trailed and locked on that bird. That sequence will be etched in my mind forever.
Until tomorrow.... Happy Hunting
 
Well done Bob! What kind of dogs are you hunting with? Your new pup or others?
Oh, pics or it didnt happen! :)
 
That is a great start, Bob. Give Gunner a pat on the head for me....glad he got that rooster pinned down for you!!

Keep us informed of your next couple of days....I am jealous and want to be there so bad!

Dan
 
Monday- mike, I have a small munsterlander and my buddy a Viszula. Both are 6 years old
Today started off kinda slow. Saw birds but were flushing 150!yds ahead. Pushed a slough or two and same result. Had we had blockers may have got a few. Went in for lunch at 1:00pm with no birds.
Started again at 2;00. Pushed a hedge fence from both directions and it worked. A rooster held for the Viszula jake and Scott dropped him.
Went across the road and we each walked seperately up parallel tree lines. Gunner locks up and a rooster shoots out low and I get him. Scott puts up 4 hens and 1 Rooster and gets him. Within 1 hr after lunch we have 3.
Hunt a few more small spots and pushed a couple hens.
With 1 hr left we decide to go back to last pm's crep land. Push half and only 1 hen. Gunner then gets birdy and points. Boom got him.
We walk all the way to road. Gunner is now in the ditch and points at top of road. Can't be a rooster there can it? Oh yes it is bang! We have 5. We walk back and I take the farthest fence line. A few trees. 3/4 of the way down Gunner freezes. Fallen log. I walk tree line but don't have good shot. Rooster explodes from underneath the log and gets through trees. I pick a small opening through the branches and dump him in the plowed field. With 15 minutes left we got our 6th bird and limit.
What started out looking like a tough day ended incredible. We hunted very hard for 6 hours but worth the effort.
Back at it tomorrow before the big snow!

Bob
 
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