Public land hunting from motorhome?

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DaveH

New member
I've done some googling and haven't really found much info. Looking to make our first trip to SD to hunt the wild birds this year. Somewhat of a last minute planned trip due to work and kids schedules, but we are going to make it work.

Debating a few options right now. We are bringing our own dogs. I'm coming from Indiana, so it's a bit of a drive. We have limited time for the trip this year. One thought to optimize our time is to take the motorhome vs the truck. This way we can leave after work and drive straight through and still have a half day to hunt when we get there. It allows us to sleep/drive in rotation.

What I don't know is accessibility when we get there. If we are purely hunting public lands, how accessible are they going to be in a 30 ft long, 2 wheel drive, 14k lbs van? A big part of me thinks it's going to be a huge pain in the rear. Am I wrong? A big positive besides being able to drive straight through easier, is that we can sleep anywhere that is legal and be out away from the busy towns.

The other option is to reserve private land. I have talked to a couple folks. It would be a far more relaxing trip, but it comes at a $ cost.

Any feedback is greatly appreciated. I've read a lot of the posts and am looking forward to coming up to SD and checking it out. Not too concerned about bird count, more concerned about being out in the field with the dogs.
 
My $ 0.02 worth, but keep an eye on the weather. If it is or has been raining (or snowing) the section road can be absolutely terrible. The roads are usually fine, keep in mind that the road are there in large part to be able to move farm machinery and crops in and out. That said, if it rains, it can get real bad. I was in a spot last year after a couple days of rain that I needed 4 wheel drive in my Yukon to get down the section road. It was clay type soil that turned greasy and covered the tire tread so I was basically on race slicks.

There's not much worry about too narrow or turning around, you just go one mile to the next section road and circle back.

Have a great time. Wish I was going this year.... :cheers:
 
You didn't say when you are planning to come to SD nor how many hunters/dogs you will have. The time you are coming would be a huge consideration in my book. It's not impossible to do a public land hunt via a motor home but like 519vx said, keep a close eye on the weather. And the weather can change in a second. Not unusually to see snow on Halloween and I've seen 2 feet of snow the first week in November. Not the norm but can happen. Most rural roads are pretty good but rain and/or snow can make them soft in a hurry. Stay off the non-maintained section line roads with a motor home.
 
Good points. 2-3 dogs, 2 hunters. Most likely time for trip will be the last weekend in October. Certainly would be much more mobile and "easier" to hunt out of a tuck.

I'm not too worried about judging roads. I've done a lot of stupid things over the years to gain some experience. :) Though I appreciate the insight as it gives me things to look for in planning. And I hadn't thought too much about quickly changing weather.

What's parking like at public sites? I am assuming it's just pulling over on the side of the road and not maintained. That's more of a concern for me. I certainly don't want to block the road, but I also don't want to get stuck in a ditch.

Thanks, I do appreciate it. Feel free to tell me if its a terrible idea. I am leaning more and more towards just paying the fee to hunt private/leased land through an outfitter and be done with it. Far more time to relax on a short trip. Especially as the first trip to the area. And first time dogs will have ever been on wild birds. (Other than a poor attempt at grouse hunting last year)
 
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I have seen RVs while out hunting so other people have done it. It seems like the farther east you are in SD the better the gravel roads usually are...but the pheasant population might not be as high. Out near the Missouri River and west there are a lot of dirt roads. Like 519vx said watch the weather. Those dirt roads get nasty if its just a little wet. The higher gravel roads stay better longer but they can get soft also.

Many small towns in SD have their own cheap campgrounds.

Tim
 
Many of the public lands (GPA's and WPA's) have designated parking areas where you could drive your motor home in and back out. Walk-In-Areas will not have parking thus you just have to park on the road.

Private land at the end of October could be difficult to obtain as much is already spoken for. Best to arrange that in advance before heading out.

Good luck.
 
Get a SD travel atlas from state via phone call travel center etc. U will find spots to camp that way..

You can not camp on or at the public lands outside of army Corp lands so don't plan on parking rv in parking lot of hunt area over the trip u mite catch hell from a warden? Or cop... I've been checked even at camp sites not much for them cops to do I guess???
 
Prairie Grouse season opens Sat.

Headed to S.D. from Oklahoma for Grouse hunting. Will leave Sunday evening and will hunt 10 days. I will be staying at my trailer located at Bob's resort. Will be hunting WIA's west of Onida near Lake Oahe and then west of Mobridge close to Hwy 20. Since it is my first time hunting these areas (have always hunted the National Grasslands near Ft. Pierre), would like to know if anyone has hunted Grouse at these WIA's, and if so, did you see any/many birds. Bringing my 5 year old Brit as my wing man.
 
I would go with the truck if you're going for public land. I've driven a lot of this state and been down quite a few of dirt and gravel roads. Any bit of moisture and they turn horrible, even for a four wheel drive. Pulling that size of a rig off to the side still might not make the road passable for farm equipment.
 
A few years ago I was driving down a dirt road and coming towards me are three huge combines. So I back my pick into an old field approach and actually lean the tailgate on the barb wire. The combines went as far as the could to the opposite edge. They tilted their heads, and the heads actually went over the hood of my truck right in front of the windshield. Couldn't believe ho good those guys drove those machines!
 
Thanks for the feedback. I have a private site lined up for one, maybe two of the 3 hunting days now. Looking at the atlas for public lands and lining it up with places to camp/park a camper.

It's definitely limiting with the public lands for all the reasons you've all pointed out. But it will maximize our time this year since we can drive the 16 hours straight through and take turns sleeping :) We will be well rested to start hunting when we get there.

It's a long way to go for a short amount of time hunting but it should be a good trip regardless and hopefully we can take more time next year.

Though this may all change over the next month if we can talk some other folks into coming as well.
 
Another option would be looking for an inexpensive motel or bunk house near where you want to hunt and then drive there each day. Although you may spend more time driving, you would have way more flexibility and be able to access more remote areas without killing yourself walking. Also, staying in local places gives you the opportunity to meet people and learn a little more about the area you are hunting. The people of South Dakota are very friendly overall. I have made the trip driving from Florida for the last three years and I hope to return this year. It is roughly a 27-30 hour drive depending on how motivated we are. We have stayed in several places and have met a lot of great people staying in small towns.
 
Drive the motorhome out, but on the way, stop in Sioux Falls and rent a small 4x4 SUV. One guy drive the bus, the other the SUV the remainder of the drive to your area of operations, and you have basecamp and dirt road transporation both covered.
 
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