Non-Resident Pheasant Opener Reports

UGUIDE

UGUIDE

Active member
Thought I would start a thread to collect some of the reports that will be coming in.

I got a nice one already from one of my landowners whose was very concerned with bird numbers last year. He wanted me to come up opening weekend and take new video because he says he was 2X the numbers of birds they have EVER seen before which would be ALOT.

I am also seeing more at my place. I opened door to my shop and walked out and 20' away there stood 6 roosters and a fawn outside a big food plot. I haven't seen a pheasant there all year. Heard more cackling too. Also saw a bout 15 at neighbors place along tree belt.

I am sure the crops being out is bunching them up in remaining cover. Bring me your poor and huddled masses!!!:D

Good luck on opener everyone. Looking forward to hearing about the real state of pheasants.:cheers:
 
Birds...Birds and more birds!!!

I have been running my german shorthairs this week near Pierre on my grandpa's land. I have six guys heading this way. I always come out a few days early from Illinois and run them and help with chores. Like the last three years our party will be done in an hour or less. More birds than last year on the farm. Grandpa does not even slow down anymore when they are in the road.:cheers:
 
I reported elsewhere, but four of us were done before 4PM in an area well outside of the Golden Triangle. Roosters were well plummaged,early hatch.
 
WOW, the wind is raging right now outside the hunting lodge in Lake Andes.

You ever heard of mud rain? You got wind, dust storm and just enough spitting rain to make it all stick to your windows:thumbsup:

However, the good news is much of the eastern part of the state is to fall under a decent much much needed rainfall today and overnight.

High of 70 and winds around 10mph for Sat. opener with all the crops out across state.

Rain will hopefully knock the fire danger down a notch or two but things dry out really fast so all bets are off in that regard.

This could be one of the most memorable Pheasant Openers in recent history.
 
Would just like to wish you all happy and successful opener. Enjoy hunters & dogs
 
If you look at KELO land radar there is rain coming down across the whoel eastern half of SD like a Godsend.

My windshield on the old F350 was plastered with bugs and enough rain to wash them clean.

Will be interesting to see what we have in the morning. Regardless, it looks like the makings for a very memorable opener in Sd this weekend.
 
LOL.......Wait one minute!:rolleyes: Didn't the drought kill most of those chicks and even a number of adult birds looking for water on dried up ponds/pot holes this summer:confused::D (couldn't resist, sorry;))

Good luck guys.:cheers:
 
1pheas4 said:
LOL.......Wait one minute!:rolleyes: Didn't the drought kill most of those chicks and even a number of adult birds looking for water on dried up ponds/pot holes this summer:confused::D (couldn't resist, sorry;))

Good luck guys.:cheers:
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The drought is serious business and I am sure there was some mortality in broods, especially hardest hit areas south of I-90. 80% of the deer are dead in many counties from EHD which seems drought related in IMO.
 
UGUIDE said:
The drought is serious business and I am sure there was some mortality in broods, especially hardest hit areas south of I-90. 80% of the deer are dead in many counties from EHD which seems drought related in IMO.
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Of course it took some birds and I agree with the severity of the situation south of I-90 Chris.:( But remember the doom and gloom earlier in the season? People were literally canceling their hunting trips to SD over this drought situation. Turns out, bird # are up for most of the state.

As far as the deer go, it's a sad situation no doubt, but pheasants where the focus of my light-heated post;) ----I was just having some (indirect) fun with you my friend;).:cheers:
 
Birds

I will not be able to hunt this year as I am in Afghanistan until the spring but bird number looked great when I fishe Oahe this spring. I saw a ton of birds and hopefully I will make it up to hunt in 2013. I love hunting South Dakota. Good luck and have a safe season. Enjoy it for me.

Tom
 
1pheas4 said:
LOL.......Wait one minute!:rolleyes: Didn't the drought kill most of those chicks and even a number of adult birds looking for water on dried up ponds/pot holes this summer:confused::D (couldn't resist, sorry;))

Good luck guys.:cheers:
Click to expand...



Remember. there is not crop 1 left in the state except for some sunflowers in the west.

what youre seeing, is what is there.. There will be no influx from the harvest..

I do agree, its probably going to be a tremendous opener, but its more because of the conditions surrounding the opener.

I could be wrong though, its happened before.

I'm loading the dogs,guns,coolers,shells, and the boat.

Im gonna find something to do this weekend..
 
Ranger6 said:
I will not be able to hunt this year as I am in Afghanistan until the spring but bird number looked great when I fishe Oahe this spring. I saw a ton of birds and hopefully I will make it up to hunt in 2013. I love hunting South Dakota. Good luck and have a safe season. Enjoy it for me.

Tom
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Ranger6

Contact me when you are in SD next,I'd consider it an honor to cast a line,walk a field or just buy you a cold one. THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE!
 
I won't be out S.D. way till the second week, but will be starting in Michigan on the 20th (Mi always starts on the 20th. My first bird will be dedicated to you. Thanks for your service Tom and good Luck.
 
Ranger6, stay safe and my family thanks you for your service and keeping us safe. God bless.
 
Ranger6 said:
I will not be able to hunt this year as I am in Afghanistan until the spring but bird number looked great when I fishe Oahe this spring. I saw a ton of birds and hopefully I will make it up to hunt in 2013. I love hunting South Dakota. Good luck and have a safe season. Enjoy it for me.

Tom
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I can't help but to keep you guys in my thoughts every year I'm hunting in SD (and of course elsewhere). I'm out and about chasing roosters while you're putting time in a God forsaken desert dealing with a host of issues.:(

I hope and pray for your safe return.;)
 
5:43AM.Loaded up and heading East.Have a safe hunt all.:thumbsup:
 
Ranger6 said:
I will not be able to hunt this year as I am in Afghanistan until the spring but bird number looked great when I fishe Oahe this spring. I saw a ton of birds and hopefully I will make it up to hunt in 2013. I love hunting South Dakota. Good luck and have a safe season. Enjoy it for me.

Tom
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Hey Tom,
Thank you for your well wishes, but mostly thank you for your service to our country! You and you brothers and sisters in arms are why we have the freedom to carry a gun, follow our dogs and hunt! Think we all realize that freedom comes with a price, and people like you are the ones that bear it. Our group will be heading to S D in 3 weeks. Will be pausing before each days hunt to pray for you and all our soldiers, for a safe return, and to see you next season in S D!:thumbsup: Going to sew an American flag on my orange hunting vest, is there any proper etiquette to follow, left or right side? Above all, God Bless you, and keep you safe!!!
PS... Please keep us posted, be an honor to hunt with you, or any returning veteran...ANYTIME!!!
 
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Well I'll go first.Left the cabin 8:eek:oMT for Jones County.depressingly dry out there,lots of cover gone that was there last year.Very warm to run dogs.I found a spot around water that held several dozen birds,had to let most go as they flew right toward some other guys walking cover,they got some good shooting.I managed to take three nice roosters in about an hour and a half,stopped at the Busted Nut (highly recommended)in Draper for a Coke and a huge burger.Back home by 4:00 Pm.I have pics of Bighorn Sheep and a big Mulie buck but they were too large to upload.Unfortunately a great day had to end on a sad note as two motorcyclists hit the guardrail down the road a couple hundred yards and we could not save one,the other we were able to keep going with CPR until the pros arrived.Being a lifelong motorcycle guy,I take it hard.When you say prayers tonight,couldn't hurt to add these poor souls
 
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