Ne sd

R

rubberduck

New member
A good friend of mine is building a hunting camp for him and his friends on 660 acres of his families land about 23 mile s.e. of Sand Lake. Basically a 25 x 45 pole barn that's finished inside. It's a pretty sweet place. Anyway been out there a few times already this summer, I've heard several roosters in the mornings but haven't see much for broods driving around. I'm sure their there but this coming weekend I'm taking the dogs to get a better idea of the bird numbers in that area.

Just curious what do you think the best places to walk the 1st hour of light is this time of year? I'm sure the answer is the edge of something, but maybe you know something I don't.

I'll get back to you next week with my report.

Thanks
 
We look forward to your report!

There's broods out there. Some of those roosters you're hearing may be from this years hatch already.;)

Are the ditches mowed? That may have something to do with you not seeing broods running around the roads.

As far as flushing birds off their roosts at first light, everything "grass" is game right now.:thumbsup:

Have fun my friend and work on getting some pics if possible:cheers:
 
If there is a lot of dew, you should just be able to drive the gravel roads around sunrise for an hour or so. Same at sundown, birds move tho some mey be hanging in the corn most of the time.
 
23miles SE of Sand Lake has to put you awfully close to Groton. Typically the birds numbers in that area are not as good as they are west, south and SW of Aberdeen. But there are decent numbers in the area. Should be good this year with the mild winter we had. I have reatives just east of Groton and while we do shoot some birds in the area it's not as good as it is wurther west. Good luck and please do report back.
 
I'll be sure to post some pics.

Zeb,

your pretty close with your guesstimate. Yep, we also head west, typically 40 or so miles southwest of Abeerdeen sometimes west river. Back in 2007, 2008 the area you speak of was loaded with pheasants. It was not a problem to fill a 6 guy limit on a 2 day weekend trip 2 or 3 times a year. I really hope those days have returned. It would really help out with the gas bill.
 
Just got back from NE SD. I drove an 8 mile square (2miles north, 2 miles east, etc.) each morning around the farm and areas we hunt between 7:30 and 8:30. I saw 3 Roosters on the road each day and 2 Sharpies total. I walked a 1/4 mile tree line with the dogs and got up a brood of 7 and 2 Roosters right at the end. I guess I was happy with what I saw. Heard a few in the morning as we were building on the shack as well.

Bad news is a lot of crep land and plots land is mowed and even a few smaller sloughs we hunt on the neighbors land have been mowed. Mostly all the ditches have been mowed or are going to be. There is still plenty of water in the area but the small/medium sized sloughs are receding 10 to 20 yards from the cattails on some of them. Some are bone dry. Big sloughs are fine.

Looked like more beans than corn in the area. Still looked pretty green. Some corn looked bad some looked good.

Wasn't quick enough with the camera so sorry boys no pictures.
 
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