Late December Hunt

160andup

160andup

New member
I'm thinking about heading out to Eastern SD in the second half of December (once I'm out of class for the semester) for 4-5 days of hunting. I would be driving out from upstate NY... It's a haul. I have a 4 year old britt that doesn't get to hunt any wild birds because they're all stocked by the state fish and game around here.

Just wondering if it would be worth it to take a little road trip and get on some wild birds. I've been wanting to for years. How realistic is it to get on birds in the late season for one guy and one dog, on public land? Is this a crazy idea or do you guys think it would be worth it for me that late in the season?

Just looking for opinions! Thanks
 
David0311

:p
160andup said:
I'm thinking about heading out to Eastern SD in the second half of December (once I'm out of class for the semester) for 4-5 days of hunting. I would be driving out from upstate NY... It's a haul. I have a 4 year old britt that doesn't get to hunt any wild birds because they're all stocked by the state fish and game around here.



Just wondering if it would be worth it to take a little road trip and get on some wild birds. I've been wanting to for years. How realistic is it to get on birds in the late season for one guy and one dog, on public land? Is this a crazy idea or do you guys think it would be worth it for me that late in the season?

Just looking for opinions! Thanks
Click to expand...




First I admire your commitment and dedication to the sport--

First be aware of weather that time of year--can be brutal or quite nice --be prepared--

You can find birds for sure--just bust the heavy cover where possible--

Besides public land I have found that by that time of year--many land owners are more willing to give permissions to hunt--at least farther west where I do my hunting---( I would consider heading out toward the river)

Good luck on what ever you do-have fun --be careful--

Pretty sure you will get other information here:cheers:
 
It's not a crazy idea but you need to check the weather and be prepared that it might have to be canceled...or at least moved 50 miles north or south if there is a heavy snow fall. With the way the weather has been in recent winters the odds are that there won't be too much snow yet by mid Dec.
If I was given the choice between hunting public on opening week or mid Dec I'd always choose mid Dec.

If there is a little snow and cold one guy and his dog is about perfect. Walking the edges of cattails and thicker cover can lead to some great points and close shots if you are quiet. There is a lot of cover like that on the GPAs and the WPAs...and you won't have a lot of competition.

I personally love to hunt cattails late. I do it with a pointing dog and it works out well most of the time. As long as the snow isn't crusty the birds can hold very well. Birds will be grouping up by then so even if you see ten flush wild in front of you that doesn't mean a couple aren't still holding tight.

Good luck if you decide to come out.
Tim
 
It is a crazy idea, but do it anyway, you won't regret it.
I made my first trip to SD in late Dec last year. Drove from Texas, alone and without a dog. It was cold and there was a lot of snow on the ground, and I had a blast. You'll get into birds, that's for sure. They're grouped up at that time, in the cattails and shelterbelts. And you'll pretty much have the public spots to yourself....I saw two other groups of hunters in four days.

I'm going back in early-November, and can't wait.
 
Interesting proposition...but could be very time-consuming and expensive, especially if you drive.

I would consider flying into Sioux Falls: $425 via Delta and renting a car/SUV. Gasoline, motels et al to drive over 3000 miles is going to be pricey; you'll be worn out just getting there, assuming you are driving alone.

Not sure what the fee's are for flying a dog but its worth checking out...$200 for Delta?

Just some thoughts as you ponder your trip. You might find a hunting group heading from the Twin Cities or Sioux Falls and ride/hunt with them? Last season I drove from Mpls. alone, to Winner,SD. I did find two fellows to hunt with after arriving in Winner...
 
Last edited:
Flying a dog has gotten expensive. It can easily be $200 each way. You'll probably have to have a vet health certificate and that adds a bit.

The largest obstacle to flying a dog though will be the weather. All the airlines now have temperature restrictions on flying pets due to having had some die due to inclement weather.

For example, Delta now says:

"Year-round Restrictions

Delta will not accept animals as checked baggage during extreme weather, if at any point (origin/transit/destination) during the animal's trip the high temperature for the day is forecast to be: (no exceptions to the temperature restriction)

Below 10F (-12C)
Above 85F (29.4C)"

In December you might be fine with those temperature ranges but if a big freeze comes through right when you are going or returning it could really mess up your plans.
 
Last edited:
Just do it! You will wonder and regret it until you try! Just be prepared to be mobile. I did a trip out west 3 years ago and slept in my Suburban with my two Goldens for 4 days at sub 10 degree temps. I'd do it again tomorrow. Sure kept me mobile though! You have enough time to make a couple of contacts on UPH to hook up and plan a hunt together.
also, have realistic expectations. You will have the place to yourself for the most part but probably wont find 100 bird flushes in every slough.

Git'r done
 
160andup I lived for several years in upstate NY, out of Watertown when I was with the 10th Mountain Division, by buddy and I found lots of grouse, woodcock and some pheasant on public land, we also hunted on private land and it fact we had more land to hunt on than we could walk. Jefferson county is nothing but dairy land, I would look into the public land there before I took off cross country, unless you were looking for pheasant in particular and then there are other states a lot closer with about the same number of birds in my opinion.
 
As others have said, the weather is your main concern. No fun hunting in snow with sub zero temps and 30-40 mph winds. Depending on snow depth the last half of December you may not even be able to access fields and most cattails can be blown full of snow. Now, that's the worst scenario. It can also be a great time to pheasant hunt. I would advise you to contact some of us SD guys as it's gets closer to the time you want to hunt for some updates on weather conditions. Be aware that the weather can change in a moments notice out here. If you come, come prepared. Good luck.
 
Thanks for all the information from everyone. Gives me some more to think about that's for sure.

odenney said:
160andup I lived for several years in upstate NY, out of Watertown when I was with the 10th Mountain Division, by buddy and I found lots of grouse, woodcock and some pheasant on public land, we also hunted on private land and it fact we had more land to hunt on than we could walk. Jefferson county is nothing but dairy land, I would look into the public land there before I took off cross country, unless you were looking for pheasant in particular and then there are other states a lot closer with about the same number of birds in my opinion.
Click to expand...

Odenney, I'm actually going to be around Watertown this weekend to chase some pheasants on the opener, even if they are released by the state... I'd be interested in other recommendations you may have as to closer states with the same number of birds...

Central Iowa would save me about 6-7 hours of driving, but from my understanding there isn't nearly the quantity of birds as in SD. Nebraska could potentially provide a bit nicer weather than SD, but it would be a bit further of a drive, and likely not the birds SD has... Definitely open to further opinions/options... Thanks for your help so far!
 
Perch River Wildlife Management Area held some pheasants for us ( in the cattails), Do some door knocking in the little village if Denmark area, those farmers were very nice to us years ago. Denmark is south east of Watertown about 10 miles. South Central Iowa has thousands of acres that is privately owned and is enrolled into the Walk in Program, the government pays the land owner and the land owner allows hunters to hunt on their property at no charge. From the end of Sept to end of March. I can send you the link that maps out the thousands of acres they have. The bird numbers they released this year rival most states, they reported that this will be the best quail year in a very, very long time.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top