Grouse country update

3

3birds

New member
Had a chance to take in some central South Dakota conditions over the weekend.
Mainly reconnaissance for the upcoming deer season but took the dog along for any spontaneous grouse/chicken opportunities
Most of West River has abundant cover
Heavy crops and more hay then I’ve seen in decades. Maybe ever. Much of the central part of the state is as green as Ireland right now lots of new growth on clover, grass and stubble.
Also noticeable right now is a very impressive crop of sandburs and mosquitoes. Literally any exposed skin is instantly covered by the blood suckers if you’re not out in a strong wind. Really unusual in that part of the state.
 
The mosquitoes have been bad all across the state this year. We ran two thermocells and still had to use bug spray Saturday morning while duck hunting.
 
I'm in NW SD and the same out here. The sharptail have so much feed and water they really aren't forming large flocks. Day length and instinct are about all that is bringing them together. I always have enjoyed the shortgrass of sharptail habitat. This year it is like hunting pheasants in overgrown fields. Getting old I guess.
 
I know Harding County is wet right now. Does anyone know if across the border into SW ND is wet too, or not as much?
 
Look at “current climate summary maps”….click on ND…look @ 7 day, 14 day, 30 day precipitation…or, go to ND 511 and look at highway cameras in that area…
 
I looked at current climate summary maps, pretty dry last 60 days…I call farm implement dealers as well…game wardens, too…
 
NW SD is very wet. Hunted two days ago. Grass/clay mix is not fun when it is this wet. I hate dragging 10lbs of clay on each foot for hours. The grouse are also still not concentrated to any degree. Water everywhere. Food galore. I even saw some alfalfa still blooming. Sharptail were also wilder than March hares, like they tend to get in November. No idea why. I don't believe there has been that much hunting pressure where I was at.
 
I just spent 4 days in the Ft Pierre Grasslands... probably hunted 3+ hours every day and moved around, covered a lot of ground. Didn't have a single sharptail or chicken contact. Spoke with a few others out there who were also struggling, sounds like we should have been there 2ish weeks early.

On the plus side, did get some great pheasant contact in the thicker stuff - the dog did her part, held them for me to flush.
 
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