One man and dog

S

Shooter

New member
I would like to hunt in South Dakota this year some time during the season.
I hunt by myself with my lab. I would like to find a place where one man can
hunt with his own dog on private property for 5 days or so. (Pay as you go)
I would be willing to camp on the property or pay for a room. Does anyone know of anything like this. I really can't afford the big dollar hunting lodge type thing, but always wanted to hunt pheasants in South Dakota. I got layed off this year, so for once I finally have time to go, but no money. Ain't life funny? Thanks in advance.
 
I would go late in the season when the sloughs are frozen over and head around the Watertown area. Aberdeen area might be good also. Lots of public ground. That time of year not so much pressure and the birds will be looking for thick cover.
 
Shooter said:
I would like to hunt in South Dakota this year some time during the season.
I hunt by myself with my lab. I would like to find a place where one man can
hunt with his own dog on private property for 5 days or so. (Pay as you go)
I would be willing to camp on the property or pay for a room. Does anyone know of anything like this. I really can't afford the big dollar hunting lodge type thing, but always wanted to hunt pheasants in South Dakota. I got layed off this year, so for once I finally have time to go, but no money. Ain't life funny? Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...


Not saying you can't find an option but solo hunters in the pay-to-play arena are at a big disadvantage. Many of the operations with rental housing want at least four hunters to make it worth their while. I suspect the smaller "under the radar" guys would be more receptive to work with solo hunters especially if your looking late season. How you find them will be the challenge.

Just thinking out loud but some of the hotels help broker deals between out of state hunters and local landowners. Could be an option.

Maybe check the online classifieds in some of the smaller newspapers looking for small trespass fee operations or place a small ad for yourself.

Often the local Chambers of Commerce have lists of trespass fee operations. An email to them with an explanation might help them point you in the right direction.

You also mentioned camping as an option. FYI many of the small SD towns do have city owned campsites at pretty reasonable rates. Usually with water and electrical hook-ups.

For what its worth a freelance trip on public land can be a very good hunting experience and inexpensive too. If you were to go during the week starting about November 10th a guy can basically have the public areas to himself. You won't limit out by noon everyday (some days you may not limit at all) but every rooster is well earned and a trophy in its own way.
 
Shooter, the advice given here is sound. If you don't have the funds to blow then I would stick to freelance and do your homework, especially if you have time on your side.

1, guy, 1 dog, private and exclusive hunting may be harder to find in South Dakota than a couple good public honey holes.

Groups, on the other hand, are a different story in SD.
 
Public land has birds, you just need to be willing to go where others won't. Look for areas with food, water, and heavy cover like cattails. I've hunted a lot of public land in SD and usually have pretty good luck. I can and do hunt private land as well but I like a change of scenery and it gets me more exercise, the dogs love it to. Get a map of the public hunting ground before you go and target areas with public ground so you give yourself more options. Good Luck.
 
Thanks for everything guys. I have the SD map. Will make some calls. I'm really, really looking forward to going.
 
Shooter said:
You really think public will work out. Public land here in Wisconsin is a joke
Click to expand...

Late in the season you should be fine. Most people are done with hunting after the first couple weeks. Thanksgiving finds some people out with family but that's about it. You only need to find three birds. It might take all day to get'em but it takes me most of the day to get three on private ground in SE SD/NW IA.


As far as the snow goes it could be deep it could be none at all. The more snow the more concentrated the birds in thick cover will be.
 
Just my preference but as a solo hunter I prefer mid-season (third week of season to Dec. 1 roughly) over late season.

During mid-season the roosters can use all types of cover and a good dog can frequently lock in on and work an isolated bird or two.

After December 1 (assuming normal snow) the birds start to stack up in the heavy cover and can be tough for a solo hunter to approach because there are so many birds on alert and lots of available escape routes. You will see tons of birds late season but harvesting them can be a challenge on your own.

With public land hunting its best to stick to the fundamentals. Scout out and hunt good cover. Work roosting grass near food at the end of the day. Plan your hunt for an area with lots of public land and lots of options. As long as your east of the river there will be plenty of birds.

My experience is with a decent dog and some work you will have an opportunity to limit most everyday. If your like me the shooting will likely be more to blame than dog work or lack of opportunities if a limit isn't taken.

Good Luck
 
Camping will be tough in the late or middle season as the campground close or shut off water due to freezing. Your best bet is a small local motel. You can get a room for approximtely $30 -$40 a night.
 
1 man and 1 dog will have no problems almost no matter where you go in
SoDak. Even the second week of the season some farmer will let you on to hunt, if you even need it. Cheap motels abound, or camping is just fine at out-of-the-way places. Remember that walking a secluded road ditch can get you as many pheasants as any pay-to-play place will. But, if you are in a bigger group the story changes. Much easier to find 3-9 birds than it is to find 30 in one day. Stay away from the better known areas, like Winner, Aberdeen, Mitchell, etc. and you may not see another hunter in 5 days. The area east of the MO River, 50 mi wide, on a line from NE to ND will give you more pheasant hunting than you can do in a lifetime. To make it easy start in the middle of that and head north--plenty of public lands and abandoned roads. I hope you enjoy your forced vacation:>)
 
Shooter you have a good plan.
Like others have said 1 man 1 dog is a good way to get on private property. After the hectic opening week land owners are in a better mood. The public areas with the good cover will almost always hold a few roosters. After that opening week 1 man 1 dog is a great way to work the cover. 3 roosters a day may take most or all day but heck! that makes for a great hunt. IMO no need to pay to hunt.

As far as camping, I have one of those pop up type pickup toppers I will pull in and spend the night most anywhere. Eat camp meat or cook up whatever. Other then fuel and license you don't need to spend much, if you don't want to.

good luck.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top