Last minute advice?

V

VA_Hunter

New member
Driving to South Dakota from Virginia to take my 12 and 14 year old sons (no dog) pheasant hunting next week as a Christmas present (was surprised but happy to see it on their wish list this year!) This will be their 1st pheasant hunt (and my first trip to SD). I've been to North Dakota once for pheasant in the past 5 years and here on the east coast back during my youth (a long time ago). Trying to hunt public land exclusively due to budget constraints. My plan is to start in Mitchell on Monday, Dec 19 and continue west (as far as Pierre) through Thursday, Dec 22. Any responses to this thread with regards to any particular areas to target or avoid in that general (central SD) area would be greatly appreciated. Also planning on knocking on doors to try and gain access to some private land, but understand that there are no guarantees (but doesn't hurt to ask). So, if anyone has any leads (phone #s) for land owners/farmers that permit hunting in exchange for "reasonable trespass fees", that would be great. - Thanks for any help/advice available!
 
Sounds like fun. If I were you I would stay in Pierre and road hunt north and a little east. We saw lots of birds up around Onida and such. It will be tougher with no dog, but there are birds to be had. Mitchell area was a little tough this year. Whatever you do stay out of the east and northeast. I hunted Aberdeen area this past Monday and did not find many birds. If you stay in the center you will find birds. As far as permission goes, I would guess a guy with his 2 boys should have pretty good luck. Sounds like a good time. I just got back wed morning, and I wish I was going with you!
 
Head West

As the post above advises, don't bother around Mitchell and head west. Hunting is much better closer to the river and there are more public access opportunities, as well. Have you picked up a copy of the huntin atlas that shows public access areas?
 
As the last to posters said.... Go north and west.... I'd even go as far to say North of hwy 14 and west of hwy 45... You'll find birds... Good luck and be safe!
 
Thanks for the replies guys. I do have a copy of the SD hunting atlas showing WIAs and plan on trying to get some county land platte publications when I get there that may be able to put me in touch with pvt landowners by phone. I really appreciate the advice regarding where to go and what to avoid. As long as the boys get to see some wild birds and hopefully get a few shot opportunities it will be well worth it. Thanks again to all of you for sharing your thoughts.
 
I hunted between Pierre and Gettysburg for 4 days 2 weeks ago (2 guys, 2 dogs). We saw plenty of birds. Try the public land and private land/walk-in spots N and E of Pierre, straight north of Pierre and towards Onida. Corp of Engineers land along the Missouri River (red on the maps) has birds in some spots that have shelterbelts/foods plots planted, but they are wild from hunting. Best is any cover close to harvested corn. The public land/walk-in birds are wild this time of year. You may find a good public area where you see lots of birds flushing far ahead, but cannot get close enough to shoot one. At least it's nice to see them. If that is happening a lot, try walking road ditches or section lines next to harvested corn. Ditches that are deeper and have good cover will hold some birds, and those birds will also hold better. Respect that the landowner owns the land all the way to the middle of the road, but SD law allows hunting by walking in the ditch right-of-way. There are many roads and section lines in remote areas that seldom see vehicle traffic. Stay at least 200 yards away from cattle or buildings and do not shoot in the direction of cattle or buildings. If a vehicle is coming while you are walking a ditch, stop and wait until it goes by so you don't forget about the car and shoot at a bad time/direction. Since your sons probably do not have a drivers license if you find an area with good ditch on both sides, drop both of them off to walk each ditch. They need to be aware of where the muzzle is pointing at all times (don't shoot your brother!). Meanwhile you drive down the road 1/2 mile and walk ahead 1/4 mile then back, everyone meets back at the truck at the same time and everyone has walking. Walking into the wind works best, birds hold better. I walk ditches every year and it works, even though some guys don't like it for various reasons.
 
Hope for a little snow.

My 2 cents worth.

Send the boys to the door to ask permission or take them with you to the door. Hard to turn a young kid down and good experience for the kids.

Maybe someone on this forum with a dog would take you guys out for a day? Help them out forum members!!!

If you get fresh snow while you are there, don't miss the chance to go track birds. It is a hoot, probably easiest in CRP or other grassland where you can follow tracks. You will learn quickly to tell rooster tracks from hens (rooster feet are bigger and they often drag the tail in the snow). I have seen limits shot in 30 minutes with no dog doing this.

Good Luck and I hope you and the boyz have a great trip. We need to recruit the next generation and you are trying to do it.
 
I'd eat at a small town diner. Make sure you wear some orange. We farmers like young hunters and fathers that take them:thumbsup: I'm sure if they find out whats going on they will help:) Older one anyway. I've heard it working before. good luck:)
 
Had a great time hunting with VA Hunter and his two boys today. First bird hunt for both kids and they were awesome! The younger boy had a chip shot in the first piece of cover we worked. Unfortunately, the rooster flushed and flew straight in front of a moving cattle hauler. He immediately unshouldered his gun and let it fly away. It turned out to be his only chance of the day. He took it better than most full grown men. The older boy bagged his first rooster while walking ditch cover. One shot,one bird in the bag. Good safe gun handlers too. Nice work Boys!
 
Nicely done rancho, thanks for heading out with them and helping out. I'm sure it was greatly appreciated.:10sign:
 
ranchodeluxe said:
Had a great time hunting with VA Hunter and his two boys today. First bird hunt for both kids and they were awesome! The younger boy had a chip shot in the first piece of cover we worked. Unfortunately, the rooster flushed and flew straight in front of a moving cattle hauler. He immediately unshouldered his gun and let it fly away. It turned out to be his only chance of the day. He took it better than most full grown men. The older boy bagged his first rooster while walking ditch cover. One shot,one bird in the bag. Good safe gun handlers too. Nice work Boys!
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nice job rancho. Real nice of you to take them out. Memories like that will last a lifetime.
 
Nice.

ranchodeluxe said:
Had a great time hunting with VA Hunter and his two boys today. First bird hunt for both kids and they were awesome! The younger boy had a chip shot in the first piece of cover we worked. Unfortunately, the rooster flushed and flew straight in front of a moving cattle hauler. He immediately unshouldered his gun and let it fly away. It turned out to be his only chance of the day. He took it better than most full grown men. The older boy bagged his first rooster while walking ditch cover. One shot,one bird in the bag. Good safe gun handlers too. Nice work Boys!
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That is great.
 
ranchodeluxe said:
Had a great time hunting with VA Hunter and his two boys today. First bird hunt for both kids and they were awesome! The younger boy had a chip shot in the first piece of cover we worked. Unfortunately, the rooster flushed and flew straight in front of a moving cattle hauler. He immediately unshouldered his gun and let it fly away. It turned out to be his only chance of the day. He took it better than most full grown men. The older boy bagged his first rooster while walking ditch cover. One shot,one bird in the bag. Good safe gun handlers too. Nice work Boys!
Click to expand...

Thank yoou for helping out. That was very kind.
 
Good work Rancho, The VA boys sound 1st class. I hope their trip is the best of adventures!:thumbsup:
 
First impressions are always true, I say. And, yours Rancho was impeccable with the VA crew. Well done. You are a gentleman.

Walt.
 
Thanks to all of you for replying to my request for advice. I'd like to especially thank RanchoDeluxe for his exceptional hospitality and for extending a hand of friendship to myself and my two boys. It was encouraging and uplifted our spirits to meet a fellow sportsman who is truly interested in sharing his knowledge and experience with a couple of "strangers in a strange land". Rancho volunteered his help with no expectation of reimbursement other than a sincere expression of thanks and a little gas money (which was more than fair given that he carted us around for 3 days in his truck sparing us the trouble of road hunting out of our rented toyota camry). I consider him a true ambassador of the sport and he has made a very positive impression on my two boys that they will remember for a lifetime as they look back over their first pheasant hunt. My work takes me to different parts of the country from time to time and I can say without a doubt that I've never encountered a more friendly lot of folks in any other part of the country than SD. I'm sure this first trip won't be our last! As all of you warned, the birds were extremely wild, but thanks to Rancho and his spaniel, we still got our share of shooting opportunities and enjoyed pheasant for our Christmas Eve dinner when we got back to Virginia. You all are forunate to live in such a wonderful part of the USA and enjoy all the wildlife resources your state has to offer. Wishing all of you a merry Christmas and a very prosperous new year!
 
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