Naming Spots

CowboyBirdDogs

New member
Just curious, does it bother any of y'all when guys post the names of cities they are going to hunt, how many birds they saw/shot there etc? Seems like this forum, especially this state's section of the forum, would be a huge magnet to draw in internet scouts. Now I'm all for good conversation, especially with knowledgeable fellow hunters, but some people just seem to come here looking for free handouts, or free scouting reports on certain cities. Just curious what some of y'all thought and I'm definitely not singling anyone out.
 
It happens on every hunting forum I have been to. I just ignore them. :D
 
Just curious, does it bother any of y'all when guys post the names of cities they are going to hunt, how many birds they saw/shot there etc? Seems like this forum, especially this state's section of the forum, would be a huge magnet to draw in internet scouts. Now I'm all for good conversation, especially with knowledgeable fellow hunters, but some people just seem to come here looking for free handouts, or free scouting reports on certain cities. Just curious what some of y'all thought and I'm definitely not singling anyone out.


Cowboy,

I myself will normally provide info to people I know well. Generally no more than a general direction. I won't point out plots for people by any means. It took me years to fine tune certain areas I hunt that produce year after year.

I think someone who wants to hunt SD should get a Atlas and explore. That's the way I learned areas I hunt. I didn't ask for any hand outs or troll the forums. Discovering good hunting areas is part of the experience of SD pheasant hunting- "Boots on the ground". To be honest I have put on hundreds of miles over the years just like every other hunter that knows SD.

Secondly it just wouldn't be fair to the other part of my hunting group (the dogs) after the thousands of miles they have covered to help establish good huntng grounds.

I hate to sound selfish but you asked for opinion.
 
I agree Beirl. I hunt SoDak and KS and I never asked where to hunt, city locations, walk-in info etc. I scouted on my own. Made a few friends in those states. It's annoying to have guys that post on forums and name towns/walk in areas, that they plan to hunt. I think there are more internet scouts than people realize and the pressure is going to be bad enough as it is without people naming specifics.
 
I agree Beirl. I hunt SoDak and KS and I never asked where to hunt, city locations, walk-in info etc. I scouted on my own. Made a few friends in those states. It's annoying to have guys that post on forums and name towns/walk in areas, that they plan to hunt. I think there are more internet scouts than people realize and the pressure is going to be bad enough as it is without people naming specifics.


Cowboy,

The last few years hunters have been pretty thin around my area. I am sure that the hunters will be more noticeable this year than prior years. That's what is to be expected with the high numbers. Should be a great year for generating revenue for the state & local businesses from the pheasant season.

I am sure that I will branch out even more and investigate new area again this year. That's one thing guys must realize exploring new area is never done. I have been hunting SD for over 20 years now and I am still learning. That makes the whole experience exciting and rewarding at the same time.
 
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There are plenty of hotspots that are not being divulged.

Very true. Why would anyone honestly give up a great spot to post on the internet to be viewed by anyone with a computer?

I've only been on this site a few years and originally came here looking for general information. I got a lot of really great help, but didn't get any (and didn't ask for) specific spots. What I did get was things to look for to put the odds in my favor.

I've only found one spot so far that is truly golden. We'd have to be awful good friends before I'd give it up.

I enjoy the heck out of riding around with the dog in the truck looking for and scouting new areas to try. Isn't that part of the fun anyway?
 
I agree with all of the above posts. I just don't post what city I'm staying at or hunting around. Too many internet scouts and I like to get away from the crowds. Not draw them to where I am hunting/staying.
 
I really don't post at all on this site but I am a frequent visitor. I am stuck in North Carolina. I miss the Midwest alot. Been here almost 13 years after being born and raised pheasant hunting in Nebraska. I return every opening week to hunt with family and friends.


So much of the habitat is gone that if you have a great place to hunt, I believe you really should keep it to yourself. General vinicity of a small town or village is enough along with a "wry smile".

Do the scouting if your lucky enough to live in the pheasant belt. I miss this the most! Know what crops are being harvested. Renew old friendship and shoot straight!
 
Personally, I think it's fine. Like someone knows exactly where you were. Its like fishing. I caught a limit of walleye on lake of the woods. Good luck finding the island I was on. The same areas and towns that are good pheasant areas, have been and always will be. Just my 2 cents.:cheers:
 
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I thought this post was going to be about the names we give some of our favorite spots...the crazy names we put into our GPS after an awesome find..names like "most ever"
 
loose lips sink ships no way around it... i wish the guys who throw bones would ignor the guys who only post 1-2 post then ask for hand outs... theres been i or 2 on here lately asking should i go here there etc. man u will feel better finding ur own spots...

ive met very nice people on this forum been invited to hunt spots & shared info & had info shared nothing more really more then countys & towns wear homes are... a few have said x public land area is better the y spot i think but never followed up on these because i feel better finding my own public land spots...

nameing exact wma gpa wpas is just dumb any way u look at it it draws more hunters then average to 1 specific spots wildlife biologist try to avoid directing hunters to 1 specific area as well when out state hunters call asking wear should i hunt...

ive noticed most guys name droping exact towns or public land wmas etc are older guys who hunt either private land or pay to play most times they are brag n about the birds they got there or dog found after a others hunted it b4 etc. they have no plans on hunting the areas public land again so who care if i blow a spot up...

write about a lake a county a forrest etc. in a magazine it draws crowds not as much on the forums but i dont think these guys with loose lips realize people can google these town names & hunting & thse threads can pop up years after they gave info others can find them selfs... if they private msg the guys thats not a issue...
 
loose lips sink ships no way around it... i wish the guys who throw bones would ignor the guys who only post 1-2 post then ask for hand outs... theres been i or 2 on here lately asking should i go here there etc. man u will feel better finding ur own spots...

ive met very nice people on this forum been invited to hunt spots & shared info & had info shared nothing more really more then countys & towns wear homes are... a few have said x public land area is better the y spot i think but never followed up on these because i feel better finding my own public land spots...

nameing exact wma gpa wpas is just dumb any way u look at it it draws more hunters then average to 1 specific spots wildlife biologist try to avoid directing hunters to 1 specific area as well when out state hunters call asking wear should i hunt...

ive noticed most guys name droping exact towns or public land wmas etc are older guys who hunt either private land or pay to play most times they are brag n about the birds they got there or dog found after a others hunted it b4 etc. they have no plans on hunting the areas public land again so who care if i blow a spot up...

write about a lake a county a forrest etc. in a magazine it draws crowds not as much on the forums but i dont think these guys with loose lips realize people can google these town names & hunting & thse threads can pop up years after they gave info others can find them selfs... if they private msg the guys thats not a issue...

My point exactly. You aren't just replying to one persons post when you reply with a town name or exact wia or wmas, you're replying to countless internet scouts. Word travels fast and these small towns fill up.
 
Very true. Why would anyone honestly give up a great spot to post on the internet to be viewed by anyone with a computer?

I've only been on this site a few years and originally came here looking for general information. I got a lot of really great help, but didn't get any (and didn't ask for) specific spots. What I did get was things to look for to put the odds in my favor.

I've only found one spot so far that is truly golden. We'd have to be awful good friends before I'd give it up.

I enjoy the heck out of riding around with the dog in the truck looking for and scouting new areas to try. Isn't that part of the fun anyway?

very un true in my experience ive found areas wear i have seen hundreds of birds had got limits in short walks & then seen guys name the town & say i hunted public land here i know ok there like 3-6 good public areas that hold birds every walk if i was not gonna hunt these area b4 hand i would take a look for sure & or head to another town trying to avoid spooky pressured birds etc. point is people do on line scout & good towns wma gpas are being caughed up...

i could take u to some public land honey holes 519 no offence but i remember the town u hunted 1st trip to sd not many honey holes left in that area after opening 2 wks man that area gets hammered head back east to small town sd u will find honey holes overlooked by guys going way west...

actually seen a guy on dakota sportsman tv on pursuit channel on direct tv show a specific gpa in south dakota could not beleave it showed all the birds on private land next to gpa thats what happens with average hunter pressure he advertised it on national tv lol
 
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My point exactly. You aren't just replying to one persons post when you reply with a town name or exact wia or wmas, you're replying to countless internet scouts. Word travels fast and these small towns fill up.[/QUOTE

especially on up years in the pheasant counts i had my best hunts in SD in 2013 seen more birds last year but killed fewer seen more gut piles & pheasant skins on fence posts though...

i left the area after i found a full garbage bag full to top in a trash can was 2 more in can lol could not count # of birds seen the town named a wk later lol guys were like thought we would kill more birds but seen lots... let people flock to that town lol
 
I have posted towns places a zillion times. Guess what. I never see anyone where we hunt LOL. Just because I say I hunt near Canby MN, or Humboldt IA, or Pierre SD, Bismarck what ever. Doesn't mean a butload of so called internet predators will show up and surround you. How do they know your even telling the truth? If people wish to post towns etc. there is no real harm I feel.
 
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I don't mind helping people out but I think you should PM people. It just makes sense. Depending on how you act I might even give you my honey hole but im not going to post on the main forum.
 
A few years ago I needed a new hunting partner. I felt my contacts were more important than the spots I hunt. I told him the land changes so we have to change with it. After a couple of years he thanked me and realised the bone he got. He took me to Canada grouse hunting last weekend, lots of birds and going again on the17th. Dakotas on the 24th for long tails.
 
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