Help me plan a trip to NoDak

So let me see if I got this straight. The Hunting Atlas shows the posted, no hunting land but may list the owners contact info (so I could try to see if I could get permission)?

The areas of the map that are not red crosshatched are presumably open, but may be posted no trespassing on property?

And what would you think about using Bismarck as a base of operations?
 
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You are correct about the maps and the posting. You won't see a lot of unposted land within an hour of Bismarck. Bismarck is certainly in the middle of pheasant country. Fair amount of public land and good amount of hunters. You mentioned being interested in huns, not a ton of them around here.
 
N/E Montana has Huns, pretty jumpy little pricks if ya ask me . We hunted out there the past 2 years for pheasants, about the time frame your going. we’d put up a covey or 2 just about every day hunting the coolys between wheat fields while we were there. They always flush 50 to 60yds out, have yet to kill one, and this is on private land. I guess if it was a bucket list bird I’d be there when the season opens in sept. Only problem with that in my eyes would be the possibility of the dog running across a dam snake, with fangs. OR find someone to load you up some 3 or 3 1/2 inch shells with as much shot and buffer that it will hold and screw a Muller UFO choke in the barrel, because the little pricks have noe problem flying between the #5 and 6’s I’ve been throwing at them
 
Huns for me would be a bonus. I grew up in WI and we had a covey that hung near our mailbox that would scare the beejeezus out of my mom a few times a month. I remember them but have never seen any since. That's over 50 years ago.

Wouldn't mind getting a chance but not a deal killer.
 
Right now looking at staying near Cole Harbor on the SE end of Lake Sakakawea. Any personal insight on that general area as a base camp to travel probably within 1.5hr one way? WMA, PLOTS, etc.
 
Beware planning a hunt during the ND deer season dates . Many landowners who might allow access shut down before and during deer season for family /friends accesses . They don’t want dogs and hunters spooking the deer! Going after deer season canola, grain and most flowers and , corn , will be harvested. Birds will be concentrated and spooky. However you’ll likely get a higher yes rate to access.
 
AtTheMurph said:
Right now looking at staying near Cole Harbor on the SE end of Lake Sakakawea. Any personal insight on that general area as a base camp to travel probably within 1.5hr one way? WMA, PLOTS, etc.
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I've hunted the area 20-30 miles east and north of Coleharbor. Quite a bit of public land in that area, PLOTS and WPA's. Good numbers of phez, sharpies, and huns. The earlier in Oct the better. The sharpies start getting very jumpy by early Oct.
 
dustin mudd said:
Beware planning a hunt during the ND deer season dates . Many landowners who might allow access shut down before and during deer season for family /friends accesses . They don’t want dogs and hunters spooking the deer! Going after deer season canola, grain and most flowers and , corn , will be harvested. Birds will be concentrated and spooky. However you’ll likely get a higher yes rate to access.
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Dates are probably not adjustable due to others. Will have to try to make it work.
 
Headin west said:
Take your boat out to Mallard Island that would be fun to try.
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looking at trying to rent a boat. I've heard about Mallard Island and is one of the reasons we are going to this area. Really hope it happens. Might even try it a couple of days. It's about 8 sq miles.
 
Mallard Island is fine, but it is not pheasant nirvana. We did well though and it used to be on a weekday you would probably have the place to yourself.
 
Been over 5 years since I tried Mallard, seemed the last couple times we tried it was pretty slow. It was the first week of the season too. Not sure why, lots of habitat. Lots of public land within a hour of Coleharbor; I wouldn't expect easy limits but with decent dogs you should get some shooting.
 
BRITTMAN said:
Mallard Island is fine, but it is not pheasant nirvana. We did well though and it used to be on a weekday you would probably have the place to yourself.
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Probably going to do it on a Mon or Tues for this reason. Depends on being able to get a boat and where.
 
I live in SW ND and it's lousy with pheasants and huns around my place this year. Best numbers of both I've seen since I moved out here in 2018. I'm really looking forward to hun & grouse opener in a couple weeks. My labs often flush a covey of huns just walking up to the mailbox.

Be aware that during hunting season, my neighbors often have hunters stopping and asking to hunt their land several times a day. Folks out here take land owner rights very seriously. It's not uncommon for landowners to charge $200-$250 per gun per day to hunt their land, particularly down in the Mott/Hettinger area. I can't blame them a bit.

I suggest using Hunt OnX and being very familiar with electronic posting. Also get a plat book before coming up. If you find a piece of unposted land (very unlikely), use your tools (OnX & the plat book) to figure out who the landowner is and ask before going on the land. Trust me, a little courtesy and respect for the land owner will go a long way.

Also get a PLOTS (Public Land Open to Sportsmen) book so you can find public hunting areas. PLOTS get hunted hard but it's not uncommon to be the second or third hunters on a piece and still get into birds. I hunt the PLOTS around my place almost every day once pheasant opens.
 
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BUL2023 said:
N/E Montana has Huns, pretty jumpy little pricks if ya ask me . We hunted out there the past 2 years for pheasants, about the time frame your going. we’d put up a covey or 2 just about every day hunting the coolys between wheat fields while we were there. They always flush 50 to 60yds out, have yet to kill one, and this is on private land. I guess if it was a bucket list bird I’d be there when the season opens in sept. Only problem with that in my eyes would be the possibility of the dog running across a dam snake, with fangs. OR find someone to load you up some 3 or 3 1/2 inch shells with as much shot and buffer that it will hold and screw a Muller UFO choke in the barrel, because the little pricks have noe problem flying between the #5 and 6’s I’ve been throwing at them
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You can't be a real Hunter unless you complete the Eastern slam. You have not gotten a Hungarian.
 
Another stupid question. PLOTS land is walk in only (I believe). I have found some that have Private Roads. Can I drive on them or would I need to stay on the main roads?
 
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