Anybody out there hunt alone in SD? Looks like I might have to either bag on SD this year or hunt solo. Might be the first time in 26 years I've missed the opener. I normally hunt solo in IL but SD is a different beast with the potential for extreme weather and isolation/rural. If you get in trouble help isn't just around the corner. I can meet up with others but they primarily want road hunt or pass shoot from ditches since they don't have a dog.
First thought that occurs is that it would be best if someone knew you were out hunting in a specific area by yourself, perhaps someone with whom you could make an arrangement to contact by a certain time at day's end.
Communication, if you were in need, would my next concern...cell/sat phone and coverage that included them in the area you'd be hunting.
And, realization it is not going to be the same, hunting by yourself. Over the years, events -- large and small, have taken my human hunting companions. It is a good hunt, still; but things are often not remarkable, if you don't have someone to make a remark to. With friends, the stories take flesh, the anecdotes have more (real or imagined) detail, and there's a richness to the verbal tug-of-war, i.e., "you did not! I did TOO! But YOU didn't rack your shell!"
and, of course, the essentials. Couple of years ago, I got the mandate to carry a little, tiny bottle of eensy-teensy pills all the time. If you have a physical condition, prepare as best you can for self-treatment.
But, bottom line: It'll be great. Just a different kind of great.
Have fun, be safe.
