We're planning on coming up to SD for a pheasant hunt this year. Can you give me some ideas where to stay (motels, etc.). Would prefer places that are dog friendly, as our shorthair is spoiled rotten. Would like to be in the eastern half of the state. Will probably be hunting public land as I cannot find too many places that will allow just 2 hunters. For a reasonable price that is. Will come during the week most likely. Any help will be appreciated. Thanks
Hunting So. Dakota
- Thread starter Mo_GSP
- Start date
Downtown Bang!
Member
IMO if freelancing public land you will want to look at the area east of the river. north of Highway 14 and west of Highway 81/I-29. The area generally has good bird numbers and most important a higher concentration of public land access.
With pointing dogs you may want to focus a little more north and/or west. There are lots of larger walk in areas out there where your shorthairs could really stretch their legs. The area to the east particularly around Webster is prairie pothole country with a higher % of the public parcels intended for waterfowling and having cattail sloughs. Pheasants certainly are present but to me that leans towards flushing dog cover.
If you like options Aberdeen is a good place to stay. Lots of motels, restaurants, retail etc. Problem with Aberdeen is if you want to hunt public land that is less pressured plan to travel at least 45 minutes to an hour every morning before you start hunting.
Almost all of the other small towns that are located on a major state road will have motels. Most are very acceptable but they can vary in quality so make some calls and be prepared to be flexible if needed. Almost all South Dakota motels allow dogs inside the room and most have a spot set-up for you to clean birds.
I'd also suggest going on the SD Game Fish & Parks website and ordering the free pheasant hunting packet. It will have a reg book etc. but also a public access atlas/map that would help a lot with planning your trip. The packets should be available now or very soon.
Good luck with your hunt.
DB
Thats some great info, thank you. I did send for the packet from SD Fish&Game, but have yet to receive it.
I do have a question tho. What we might do is come to SD and hunt for a couple days, and then go to Minnesota and hunt my uncle's farm for a couple more days. My question is, am I going to run into problems with transporting birds from one state to another? Do I need to call SDF&G and MN DNR and ask about this or does someone on here know? Thanks again
I do have a question tho. What we might do is come to SD and hunt for a couple days, and then go to Minnesota and hunt my uncle's farm for a couple more days. My question is, am I going to run into problems with transporting birds from one state to another? Do I need to call SDF&G and MN DNR and ask about this or does someone on here know? Thanks again
Downtown Bang!
Member
Should not be a problem as long as you keep your SD license in possesion and have cleaned the birds per travel reequirements. Basically leaving the head attached or one of the feet.
where to stay
The lake view motel in eurka is good ( dogs can stay inside) My bunch is staying at roy lake lodge cabins are clean & again dogs can stay inside! The hunting is not as good as in other places but not as many ppl either.There are some nice motels around the huron area that are dog friendly as well. hope this helps??
The lake view motel in eurka is good ( dogs can stay inside) My bunch is staying at roy lake lodge cabins are clean & again dogs can stay inside! The hunting is not as good as in other places but not as many ppl either.There are some nice motels around the huron area that are dog friendly as well. hope this helps??
Labman
New member
Roy Lake area is really nice. Stayed in the condo area there 2 years ago. It's alse a great fishing lake. Caught a 5 lb. largemouth bass, and a huge Northern that I had on the dock, but it somehow flopped away from me, and off the dock. Good area there. They also have a campground. I had my Black Lab at Roy Lake with us, and she was able to stay in the building with us. She goes everywhere with us, so if were staying somewhere, they have to be pet friendly. I guess she's pretty spoiled. Family dog first, hunting dog second.........
delahunter834
Member
hunting SD
When are you coming and what do you feel is reasonable for hunting?
When are you coming and what do you feel is reasonable for hunting?
Right now we're planning on the week of Thanksgiving. Will hunt Sun, Mon, Tues, and then head for Minnesota to hunt my uncle's farm.
I don't know what I consider to be reasonable. I do know I'm not paying somebody $1000.00 per gun to hunt. I've got a dog, I don't need someone to follow me around, like I'm going to destroy their property. I just a need a place for the wife and me to hunt. This being her second year of hunting anything in her life, we need more birds then what Missouri offers. So, that's why I'm looking for public land.
Public land on your GPS
I didn't see anyone mentioning that the SD DNR site has downloadable (is that a word?) public land sites for your GPS.... It is great!. I might hunt SD again this year since our house is only 2 miles from the SD border. I hunt ND.
www.feathersfourus.com
Lonny
I didn't see anyone mentioning that the SD DNR site has downloadable (is that a word?) public land sites for your GPS.... It is great!. I might hunt SD again this year since our house is only 2 miles from the SD border. I hunt ND.
www.feathersfourus.com
Lonny