first trip to south dakota

[rain maker1]

My dad and I are going to South Dakota this fall to pheasant hunt. I have it narrowed down to a couple of different lodges. One is in Bonesteel and one is in Kennebec. I was just wondering if one or the other was a better area. thanks for the help

 

[UplandHntr]

welcome to the site.

 

[waterdog09]

If your going to a hunting lodge it won't really matter where you go as they have pen raised birds on the property to keep bird #'s up and hunters happy. There are wild birds but after the first couple weeks your hunting 75-80% pen raised birds. If they say they are all wild birds just look at the flared nostrals from the blinders. I've shot pen raised birds out road hunting in the middle of nowhere without a lodge setup for 50 miles, some farmers release birds also to keep there out of staters coming back every year. I usually only hunt public land and occasional private fields, far more of a challenge for hunter and dog! Good luck either way!

 

[Bob]

Saying 75-80% pen raised birds is a pretty big stroke of the paint brush. I own land in Lyman county and don't believe this percentage to be true. My neighbors have worked pretty hard on the habitat and on good years there is a pile of birds that just get smarter on each day of hunting. Places do release birds but to say 75-80% is way over the top. Most of the fellows I know take advantage and market what nature gives them. I also think the way this year is progressing we should have a great year as our winter has been really pretty reasonable and we have great ground moisture that will get the cover growing. Though, if waterdog believes his perception I probably won't change his mind. Lyman county is a great area. I don't know anything about Bonesteel.