pheasants are really down

T

thebabybrahma

New member
just found this forum for pheasants. been coming to south dakota for 15 years and the hunting is awful. killing a few roosters but not seeing any hens. the State better help out or the hunting will be gone. sounds like drought, disease and loss of habitat have all been part of it, hope it turns around on the next few years
 
thebabybrahma said:
just found this forum for pheasants. been coming to south dakota for 15 years and the hunting is awful. killing a few roosters but not seeing any hens. the State better help out or the hunting will be gone. sounds like drought, disease and loss of habitat have all been part of it, hope it turns around on the next few years
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The data suggests otherwise. You might wnat to check out this report and the one I just got from and openeing week group in Miller.

"Chris, here are our results:

Day 1: 9 hunters 21 birds killed(the camp owner ran some people out of the field we were expecting to kill the majority of birds on day 1. Saw very few birds on that property)
Day 2: 9 hunters 27 birds killed
Day 3: 9 hunters 27 birds killed
Day 4: 5 hunters 15 birds killed(hunted the property that we expected to kill birds on day 1 and saw a lot more birds than we did on opening day)

We saw a lot of very young bird, some of which had not even started to get any color and where maybe the size of a quail. I think the hunting will only get better as crops are harvested. The bird numbers may be down but it is hard for me to say since I have not hunted wolf creek with so much unharvested crops. As always the owners went out of their way to make sure we had an enjoyable stay. Looking forward to next year."

UGUIDE Weekly South Dakota Pheasant Camp Report
 
UGUIDE said:
The data suggests otherwise. You might wnat to check out this report and the one I just got from and openeing week group in Miller.

"Chris, here are our results:

Day 1: 9 hunters 21 birds killed(the camp owner ran some people out of the field we were expecting to kill the majority of birds on day 1. Saw very few birds on that property)
Day 2: 9 hunters 27 birds killed
Day 3: 9 hunters 27 birds killed
Day 4: 5 hunters 15 birds killed(hunted the property that we expected to kill birds on day 1 and saw a lot more birds than we did on opening day)

We saw a lot of very young bird, some of which had not even started to get any color and where maybe the size of a quail. I think the hunting will only get better as crops are harvested. The bird numbers may be down but it is hard for me to say since I have not hunted wolf creek with so much unharvested crops. As always the owners went out of their way to make sure we had an enjoyable stay. Looking forward to next year."

UGUIDE Weekly South Dakota Pheasant Camp Report
Click to expand...

Chris, your managed ground and habitat is producing well...I think those areas, that are managed for bird production will be above average, unfortunately, there is not enough of that habitat left over...and as we know, the first hatch was pretty dismal.
 
Tbear, bigjon, myself and another guy got our 4 man limit on public land in 2hrs 45mins and should have been done a lot faster. Easily saw over 100 birds with a good mix of hens and roosters. A lot of standing corn out here but we have seen a ton of birds in ditches and on public ground. No complaints out of us! Glad everyone thinks the birds are down a lot less hunting pressure than years past.
 
The bird numbers are down--so what--this year it is hunting not shooting--some people that have hunted on my farm have enjoyed the "hunt" and the great memories they have from that----no doom and gloom here and given better weather I'm sure that the number of birds will improve---until then just enjoy the "HUNT" :thumbsup:
 
If you are coming from a state that does not have pheasants or very few you will LOVE SD. If your a veteran hunter who has been going to SD for the last 10 years or so you will be very disappointed this year in bird numbers..
Talked to a guy who just hot back from SD with his group of 5 hunters and 3 dogs. Hunted 100% public ground and they shot a grand total of 5 birds.
His comment to me was "Never Again"
 
Hockeybob said:
If you are coming from a state that does not have pheasants or very few you will LOVE SD. If your a veteran hunter who has been going to SD for the last 10 years or so you will be very disappointed this year in bird numbers..
Talked to a guy who just hot back from SD with his group of 5 hunters and 3 dogs. Hunted 100% public ground and they shot a grand total of 5 birds.
His comment to me was "Never Again"
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NEVER AGAIN is too soon :)
 
:10sign:NEVER AGAIN TO SOON.......

Guys who are hunting in bad areas need to realize not all of SD is like this. They should take some time to research new areas if the numbers aren't good where they normally hunt. Your reward in SD is based on the effort you put into it.

Last year's low numbers pushed me to run 60-70 miles outside of my normal area. It was well worth it- I found new areas that held birds and it expanded my territory. I guess you could say it added diversity to my pheasant hunting in SD.

Guys may say that's to far to run for pheasants when you are in the middle of SD. Well if you aren't into birds then you need to do something about it. For me, I travel 600 miles just to get to my house in SD to start my hunt, another 60-70 miles isn't going to hurt me.

It's true the numbers aren't close to what they were 6,7, 8 years ago. But there are some honey holes that are rewarding if you put the effort into finding them. I was young once and thought it was all about limits and running around like I am crazy to shoot a limit. To be honest it took me 7-8 years of hunting SD before I realized just how beautiful it was. It's funny how when you get older your eyes open more to the experience rather than the kill ratio.

The sunrise, the sunset, family, friends, the chance to shoot a mature rooster over one of my setter's points. There's nothing better than this!


Well I am offically excited for my first trip out to my second home next week, no matter what the bird numbers are!!!!!! Good luck to everyone.
 
You're dead on Chad! My youngest brother went with us one year and we saw literally clouds of pheasants get up. Simply amazing. Following year was a bad drought and we worked hard for our birds. I had a great time, but he wasn't satisfied and said he would never go back [and hasn't].

A couple times I've gone out with a plan exclusively to recon and hunt new areas. Shot plenty of birds on those trips, but had to work for it. To me, those trips were more enjoyable than the ones where we had our limit in 1-2 hours in the field.

If I just kept on going back to the same place every year I'd never have seen as much of the state as I have. There's a lot of great country out there and I'm glad I've been able to see it. Can't wait for the next adventure.
 
BeirlSetters said:
:10sign:NEVER AGAIN TO SOON.......

Guys who are hunting in bad areas need to realize not all of SD is like this. They should take some time to research new areas if the numbers aren't good where they normally hunt. Your reward in SD is based on the effort you put into it.

Last year's low numbers pushed me to run 60-70 miles outside of my normal area. It was well worth it- I found new areas that held birds and it expanded my territory. I guess you could say it added diversity to my pheasant hunting in SD.

Guys may say that's to far to run for pheasants when you are in the middle of SD. Well if you aren't into birds then you need to do something about it. For me, I travel 600 miles just to get to my house in SD to start my hunt, another 60-70 miles isn't going to hurt me.

It's true the numbers aren't close to what they were 6,7, 8 years ago. But there are some honey holes that are rewarding if you put the effort into finding them. I was young once and thought it was all about limits and running around like I am crazy to shoot a limit. To be honest it took me 7-8 years of hunting SD before I realized just how beautiful it was. It's funny how when you get older your eyes open more to the experience rather than the kill ratio.

The sunrise, the sunset, family, friends, the chance to shoot a mature rooster over one of my setter's points. There's nothing better than this!


Well I am offically excited for my first trip out to my second home next week, no matter what the bird numbers are!!!!!! Good luck to everyone.
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Spot on bullseye!!! Research before you go, look for good areas and have realistic expectations. Just enjoy your time in the field. The good Lord only gives you so many days, make the most of them.
 
Sent friends from PA to a good public spot, said saw quite a few hunters being a Saturday, but they both shot limits and had great dog work. Very happy, and said other hunters they ran into were courteous and helpful. Great day. I did not hunt today, but hunted private yesterday and we shot 3 limits. Took us all day and 5 spots to get them. Normally would have had limits at first spot. Real huntin' this year.
 
Nice to hear other hunters doing well on public ground. That's all we are hunting out here are wma's, and crep and the occasional ditch.
 
Man o man it's not all doom and gloom. Today four of us shot a limit, helped round up some cows that got loose and had an awesome homemade dinner. Yesterday we only shot 5 but were invited to tour a dairy farm that had a 50 cow rotary milking parlor. Tomorow we are going to church with a Mennanite family and than hunting with the whole family. It's not the killing it's the experience.
 
Gatzby said:
Man o man it's not all doom and gloom. Today four of us shot a limit, helped round up some cows that got loose and had an awesome homemade dinner. Yesterday we only shot 5 but were invited to tour a dairy farm that had a 50 cow rotary milking parlor. Tomorow we are going to church with a Mennanite family and than hunting with the whole family. It's not the killing it's the experience.
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Thanks for a positive post. Sounds like a great time!

Its surely a breath of fresh air, after hearing from the crybaby "Debbie Downers".:p

NB
 
Gatzby said:
Man o man it's not all doom and gloom. Today four of us shot a limit, helped round up some cows that got loose and had an awesome homemade dinner. Yesterday we only shot 5 but were invited to tour a dairy farm that had a 50 cow rotary milking parlor. Tomorow we are going to church with a Mennanite family and than hunting with the whole family. It's not the killing it's the experience.
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Gatzby that sounds like a blast. It is great to get experiences like that. I have been up here 4days now with my boy's. We have worked our Butts off for birds. Only limited 1 day. Have had the opportunity everyday. Been a great hunt.
 
carptom1 said:
Gatzby that sounds like a blast. It is great to get experiences like that. I have been up here 4days now with my boy's. We have worked our Butts off for birds. Only limited 1 day. Have had the opportunity everyday. Been a great hunt.
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We expect a comprehensive report when you get back Tom. I hope you and the boys are having a great time!
 
Gatzby said:
Man o man it's not all doom and gloom. Today four of us shot a limit, helped round up some cows that got loose and had an awesome homemade dinner. Yesterday we only shot 5 but were invited to tour a dairy farm that had a 50 cow rotary milking parlor. Tomorow we are going to church with a Mennanite family and than hunting with the whole family. It's not the killing it's the experience.
Click to expand...

Ok, I've helped round up some cows, I've been invited to tour a few farm facilities, but how's'a fella get in on a Mennanite family hunt:confused::D

Being serious now, the point of your post is well-taken:thumbsup:

It seems most folks are still enjoying their time in SD this season;)
 
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