Newbie in Sioux Falls looking for partners

L

Leftyhunter

Member
Hi ,
I just got settled into Sioux Falls. I used to live in the LA area and have done some upland, waterfowl and deer hunting in mostly California.
I have never hunted ring neck pheasants as the California Fish and Wildlife Service as far as I know stopped planting them years ago and the local predators keep their numbers low.
I unfortunately don't have a dog but I have money for gas and food. I also enjoy fishing as well. My background is I am 63 and spent most of my working career in armed security in LA. If interested or just want to meet in person then please PM me.
I do have a 2003 Nissan Xterra which I could drive if that helps.
Leftyhunter
 
I'll suggest what worked for me when I moved here to Sioux Falls 23 years ago. Join DU, Delta, PF, and SD Wildlife Federation. Attend some meetings and banquets. Get to know like-minded others. Also in the mean time, try to figure out a way to start building a few land owner relationships.
I'd take ya out but I'm currently without dog so until we find a new pup the only solo hunts i'm doing is road hunting.
 
For hunting without a dog, I would recommend walking ditches along gravel roads and 2-track section-line roads. Look for good cover in the ditch, next to harvested corn or soybeans. When you shoot a rooster flushed from a ditch, there's a real good chance it falls in the harvested field and is easy to recover. If it hits the ground alive, ground-sluice it right away. It's legal to cross the fence to retrieve the bird, just make sure and leave your gun in the ditch.
In my experience this is by far the best way to bag a rooster hunting solo without a dog. Walking in a field with heavy cover, or in cattails, you're gonna lose a lot of cripples without a dog.

There aren't a ton of good ditches around....it takes some driving/searching to find them. I'd recommend getting 30-45 min NW, W, or SW of SF.
I found this photo from a couple of years ago on my phone....I took it because of the deer trotting across the road, but it's a good example of a nice-looking ditch to walk.
 

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roadscholar said:
For hunting without a dog, I would recommend walking ditches along gravel roads and 2-track section-line roads. Look for good cover in the ditch, next to harvested corn or soybeans. When you shoot a rooster flushed from a ditch, there's a real good chance it falls in the harvested field and is easy to recover. If it hits the ground alive, ground-sluice it right away. It's legal to cross the fence to retrieve the bird, just make sure and leave your gun in the ditch.
In my experience this is by far the best way to bag a rooster hunting solo without a dog. Walking in a field with heavy cover, or in cattails, you're gonna lose a lot of cripples without a dog.

There aren't a ton of good ditches around....it takes some driving/searching to find them. I'd recommend getting 30-45 min NW, W, or SW of SF.
I found this photo from a couple of years ago on my phone....I took it because of the deer trotting across the road, but it's a good example of a nice-looking ditch to walk.
Click to expand...

And with bird numbers up, ditches are decent options this fall. Got my 3 last night in a 1.5 mile stretch of minimum maintenance road while on the way out to the river to fish.
 
Leftyhunter said:
Hi ,
I just got settled into Sioux Falls. I used to live in the LA area and have done some upland, waterfowl and deer hunting in mostly California.
I have never hunted ring neck pheasants as the California Fish and Wildlife Service as far as I know stopped planting them years ago and the local predators keep their numbers low.
I unfortunately don't have a dog but I have money for gas and food. I also enjoy fishing as well. My background is I am 63 and spent most of my working career in armed security in LA. If interested or just want to meet in person then please PM me.
I do have a 2003 Nissan Xterra which I could drive if that helps.
Leftyhunter
Click to expand...
I'm putting a thumbs down on California in general, but if you PM me I know a farmer out in that Sioux falls area
 
Leftyhunter said:
The wife says no. I do want one but I would have to pay someone to board the dog .
Leftyhunter
Click to expand...
So the first thing you have to do is assess your risk and how much goodwill capital you have built up then go for it. The first mistake was asking…. You throw subtle hints without actually asking the question. This way you have some level of deniability when the shit hits the fan. But honey you never said I couldn’t get one? Look how cute he is/ what do you want me to do with him now? 😂

BTW this will get thrown back on you at every opportunity forever. But hey I got a dog and she got over it ( kinda) and I got to hunt with a dog/ dogs ever since.
 
Carptom is right, my second dog (current one) came to be just like that. She is still a bit hostile about it, but it has only been 4 years. If the dog does anything wrong, it is MY dog, no joint ownership or accountability with this one. Is it worth it? Heck yes! Can't imagine not having one!
After a hunt, they dog is a bit calmer for the rest of the day and her feelings mellow a bit toward him....and me, so it is all good.
 
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remy3424 said:
Carpool is right, my second dog (current one) came to be just like that. She is still a bit hostile about it, but it has only been 4 years. If the dog does anything wrong, it is MY dog, no joint ownership or accountability with this one. Is it worth it? Heck yes! Can't imagine not having one!
After a hunt, they dog is a bit calmer for the rest of the day and her feelings mellow a bit toward him....and me, so it is all good.
Click to expand...
And you went and got a GSP! Props to you for sticking to your guns in that situation 😂. They’re wild ones.
 
SDinWI said:
And you went and got a GSP! Props to you for sticking to your guns in that situation 😂. They’re wild ones
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Yah. This one has been a wild SOB. He seems to have the anxiety issues about being left behind. Around my back door and the window next to it, will need some work, once this dog is done. When I picked him up, there was also a little female in the room, she was a terror, fighting stuffed toys and into everything....not sure how she turned-out, but it made me laugh and happy she wasn't mine! I took that little docile guy into our home and he took control from the first minutes he was there. He never winded, never seemed to miss his old place or other dogs. He was even trying to bully us in the first hours. Knew right away he was going to be a handful. I am SURE the GSPs aren't usually like this one!
 
Leftyhunter said:
I know its great to have a dig I get that. Its also great to get someone to pay for gas and food.
Leftyhunter
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I am not sure you are correct. A couple months ago, there was a thread about, things you have learned or something like that, one thing I remembered was "90% of the time I hunt alone, the other 10% of the time I wish I did". If you're around SF, the hunting should be somewhat close and the birds somewhat plentiful, so gas is not likely a big deal and you're not going to be out long enough to get hungry.
Work on the wife. If you think you are up to a GSP, ONlY SEE show her young puppies (under 8 weeks old), she might fall in love with those. DO NOT let her experience one a that is a few months old, they are a biting crewing miniature velociraptor, that nothing and no one in your home will be safe from. One of those little spaniels or whatever that is that A5 has would likely be a much better first dog option.
 
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