first south dakota solo hunt in works

shooter36

shooter36

New member
Having hunted S.D. the last 5 years in the "big group" hunts and wondering how fun and challenging a solo hunt would be.......finally took the jump and made plans. Heading to Spink county to hunt public ground and ditches 2nd week of November. Looking forward to a different experience. Me and the dog! CANT WAIT!
 
shooter36 said:
Having hunted S.D. the last 5 years in the "big group" hunts and wondering how fun and challenging a solo hunt would be.......finally took the jump and made plans. Heading to Spink county to hunt public ground and ditches 2nd week of November. Looking forward to a different experience. Me and the dog! CANT WAIT!
Click to expand...

it will be peaceful...you will enjoy it,
 
Solo

I'll be anxious to see how you do. I went solo last year and will spend three weeks out there this year, with all but four days being just the dog and me. I think you find out a little of both are great. I sleep in the back of my truck for a couple of weeks with the dog and it tends to clear your mind. It kinda brings you back to the basics. Good luck.
 
I leave tomorrow night for a first ever solo trip to South Dakota. Looking SO forward to it. I will post updates.
 
519vx please keep us posted. interested to see how you do and your thoughts on the solo hunt.

mgorvi...3 weeks, WOW. you are my idol. please keep us posted on yours also
 
shooter36 said:
Having hunted S.D. the last 5 years in the "big group" hunts and wondering how fun and challenging a solo hunt would be.......finally took the jump and made plans. Heading to Spink county to hunt public ground and ditches 2nd week of November. Looking forward to a different experience. Me and the dog! CANT WAIT!
Click to expand...

Did the same thing last year. Had the greatest time ever! You will enjoy it. Good luck and have a safe trip.
 
Assuming the crops are mostly out the second week of November should be prime time for a solo hunt. The birds will utilizing all types of cover and should be spread out enough to hunt them one rooster at a time. I always see some of my best dog work during this time of year and their should be plenty of opportunities for a limit. Don't be afraid to hunt less than ideal cover on the public land. Pressured birds will loaf in some unconventional spots during the day especially if they have weeds or other food sources available.

The only time I feel at a disdavantage hunting solo is late season when the birds start to bunch up in the cats & shelterbelts.
 
I've gone multiple years with a group of (2 hunters and 3 dogs). You should do just fine. It's still early in the season and you will learn the necessary things to improve your odds by the end of day 1.


Good luck
 
I like hearing about You solo guys and your dogs.
Make sure You take in all the sights, habitat etc. pics and stories.
Best of luck you guys. :10sign:
 
I have found myself, just me and the dog, in the middle of 640 acres of Kansas CRP...wandering through it, peacefully, no sounds but the ones we make and those provided by nature....good for the soul.
 
Nothing like hunting solo. Just make sure you be safe, let someone know where you are, have cell phone and first aid kit. When you get to town, find the vet and get his number. You don't want to be driving around in a panic trying to find a vet. Spink county has lots of good small public areas to hit. If your gonna ditch hunt, bring your boat! Hopefully things will be dried out some by the time you get here.
 
PcolaGSP said:
Nothing like hunting solo. Just make sure you be safe, let someone know where you are, have cell phone and first aid kit. When you get to town, find the vet and get his number. You don't want to be driving around in a panic trying to find a vet. Spink county has lots of good small public areas to hit. If your gonna ditch hunt, bring your boat! Hopefully things will be dried out some by the time you get here.
Click to expand...

damn, with all the standing crops and rain/snow...impassable roads, I am really glad I bailed on this week....just getting around would have been a PITA!
 
I love hunting solo. I grew up with the massive bird hunts when I was a kid in SD. Learned to solo hunt chasing chukar in Idaho and never looked back. There is something awesome about laying down in the sun for a break and no one is there to bother you. My dog seems to hunt longer by herself. Honestly, I have shot more birds solo than in a group. Three weeks and I will be home for some deer and birds. Can't wait.
 
Several neighbors have told family & friends to postpone trips this year. It is really tough hunting now. I have told everyone to wait till later if possible.
 
Just got back from 5 days of waterfowl and pheasant in Aberdeen lots of ducks with the north wind Sunday. Drakes were really well colored. Scored a beautiful can and widgeon.
 
solo

I'm doing the solo hunt again this year. Starting the 1st week in Nov., just me and the 2 dogs. Can't wait, I had so much fun last year that I didnt think twice about doing it again.
 
Good luck with that solo hunt. I mostly hunt alone now. My old hunting partner had a heart attack and just can't do it any more. Too bad, we were good buds and really enjoyed the hunt.

But, I also have to say, I like it when its just me and the dog. I go where I want, hunt as long or as short as I want. Take a nap in the truck. Go back to the motel, feed the dog, have a couple Jameson's and hit the sack. Pretty relaxing time for this old guy.

Good Hunting.
 
Had a nice chat with 519xx as he got on the road tonight. We talked a lot about his solo trip and his expectations..(never met before) seems like weve been friends for years. Hardly a word was mentioned tonight during our 20 minute chat that had anything to do with kills, or limits. It focused more on enjoying the scenery, no matter what the bird hunting is like. I told him to get out and watch the sunrise over the prairie as many days as he could. Stand outside your truck, with only your ears, eyes and nose wide open.. Watch the countryside come to life. Remember to slow down and savor it, if its meant to be, it will happen..

We talked about the benefits of going solo. You don't have to ask 4 others whether to turn right or left. Whether to go down this direction or the other. No need to get on the cell and call the guy in the lead, or those 4 trucks following, about where to turn next. Nobody yelling Hen, hen, hen, or ROOSTER! ..just you and the dog in stealth mode.. Few things better than that, in my opinion..
 
Went out solo on Tuesday in central SD. I have hunted in groups and alone multiple times and both have their pros and cons. Being alone you can choose what you want to walk. I personally don't have a hunting dog yet so alone is a little bit of a challenge for me, but I had no problem finding the birds. Good luck on your solo hunt, a lot of crops still in and water in ditches.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top