SD best hunting!

M

Madison COunty

New member
I know that this has probably been brought up before. I am thinking about going to SD next year to hunt with my new puppy GSP that is now almost 4 months old. What areas of the state should I be looking at to hunt on public land? Any suggestions on places to hunt? It would be just me and the dog and maybe one other guy. Thanks!:confused:
 
It's going to depend on the Bird count that won't come out until August of next year. That will depend on habitat and how the winter, spring and summer weather goes. Even with all that the WIA will vary depending on what crops and cover is available. I've spent more time running around looking for good plots. I wish that this forum would provide good WIA locations. I don't believe location should be a trade secret, I wouldn't think it will add to the Hunters, If you're going to make the trip to SD and spend $800 to $1200 it sure would be nice to have an better idea where the good plots are. Many of the WIA plots we saw just wasn't worth spending any time hunting. It would be nice to have a sub-forum listing some decent spots.
Good Luck, this forum does have some great information.
Duke
 
you wernt in the right areas then duke like i have told some friends here on the forum south dakota was so easy it was boring but fun. it dont get any easier than there the only problem i could see was pressure people already hunting in that area with more of a drive north fixed that
 
WIA areas

The WIA areas sound very good. Is there a map or a sportsman atlas that lists these places?

When is the best time to take a trip there in your opinion? Best time to get some birds?


Are there many hotels out there that allow dogs or where do people with dogs stay when they go out there?
 
IMO, the least pressured areas of the state. Far northwest or Southwest IMO
 
Madison COunty said:
The WIA areas sound very good. Is there a map or a sportsman atlas that lists these places?

When is the best time to take a trip there in your opinion? Best time to get some birds?


Are there many hotels out there that allow dogs or where do people with dogs stay when they go out there?
Click to expand...

The SD Game, Fish & Parks produces a Sportsman's Atlas every year that shows all the public land and walk-in areas. Forget the "blue" areas as they are school land and 99% of them are pastures. From Aberdeen southwest down to Pierre is a good area with plenty of public/walk-in areas.

I would come around the middle of November. The big rush is over and there won't be as many hunters as earlier. And the weather should still be fairly decent. Although that can vary from year to year. Come in December and the weather can really be a crap shoot.

Most motels are quite friendly towards dogs in the room. Some will charge $5 per night for the dog. I just stayed a night in a small "mom & pop" motel in Faulkton, SD. Room was small but fine for me and the two dogs. The room plus $5 for the dogs and tax still was only $48. I bring a blanket to throw over the bed so the dogs can sleep with me. Yeah, I know. They have it tough. But after a hard day in the field they need a good night's sleep too. :)
 
hayduke said:
It's going to depend on the Bird count that won't come out until August of next year. That will depend on habitat and how the winter, spring and summer weather goes. Even with all that the WIA will vary depending on what crops and cover is available. I've spent more time running around looking for good plots. I wish that this forum would provide good WIA locations. I don't believe location should be a trade secret, I wouldn't think it will add to the Hunters, If you're going to make the trip to SD and spend $800 to $1200 it sure would be nice to have an better idea where the good plots are. Many of the WIA plots we saw just wasn't worth spending any time hunting. It would be nice to have a sub-forum listing some decent spots.
Good Luck, this forum does have some great information.
Duke
Click to expand...

This is an interesting,thought provoking post.

Speaking as a South Dakotan,I think the vast majority of we sportsmen want you to be able to come to our state and have a good time and get some birds.On the other hand,one reason we live here is because we don't have to stand shoulder to shoulder with a bunch of others,not just in the field,but in our daily comings and goings.Now you take a guy who has spent a good deal of his life seeking and finding the info that you desire,coupled with the slight tendancy towards isolationism,can be tough to give it up. Heck my buddies,and I still sneak off on our own little missions where we know that big whitetail is hanging-out,or to that secret pheasant honey-hole.
And you are correct from your angle also. It's a long way to come on a scouting mission and a lot of WIAs were some rancher's summer pasture,grazed to the nubs.Could tend to burn a guy out.
How about this? When you are headed this way PM me. I won't point out an exact spot for you,but I will report what I am seeing,and the general areas I'm seeing it in.If you have a WIA map and are also willing to work ditch cover,you'll get some birds.
 
onpoint said:
IMO, the least pressured areas of the state. Far northwest or Southwest IMO
Click to expand...

You hush-up now.

You are very correct, secret spoiler.When you come to these areas,be as self-sufficient as possible.Very isolated.You won't find a Wal-Mart for a hundred miles.And with the energy boom in ND, motel rooms can be tough as there is a lot of construction,exploration etc. Through NW SD,in particular.
These fringe areas are hidden gems.They don't get mentioned when people talk about big bird numbers,but they have more than adequate populations,and far less competition for hunting opportunities.
Oh ya,they don't charge five bucks for a beer at the bar,just because you are wearing hunter orange, either.So leave some cash behind and they love ya.
 
HayDuke - I understand how you feel and we travel a ways as well. But to me part of the hunt and the SD experience is finding the spots and figure out what works.

We first started going to SD I think 8 years or so ago now. we didn't have a clue (sometimes still don't). But we take pride in finding the spots and having a decent day. Do we limit out everyday, no and we don't expect to as we only hunt public land.

Yes, it can take a lot of windshield time and some luck. With hunting not starting until 10 or noon you have plenty of time to scout!

It isn't cut and dry either...We found a couple fields last year that were awesome.. how did we find them...circled on map and drove!...this year we took the extra drive to get there and they were hayed. We were upset but then had to move on.

It's like fishing too, if you tell everyone where good fishing is..pretty soon, there won't be good fishing anymore!

Have fun with it....we do! Just my .02 cents and good luck hunting SD...we have a blast every year no matter the bird numbers and how many we miss....I mean shoot :)
 
Madison COunty said:
I know that this has probably been brought up before. I am thinking about going to SD next year to hunt with my new puppy GSP that is now almost 4 months old. What areas of the state should I be looking at to hunt on public land? Any suggestions on places to hunt? It would be just me and the dog and maybe one other guy. Thanks!:confused:
Click to expand...

You'll find a lot of great advice here...here's mine. Go with someone who has been there, that can put you in a descent opportunity. Last year was my first time' that's what I did. If you don't, you may come back with an opinion similar to one found in the Iowa forum entitled "sd no better than Iowa". Believe me, I have land IN Iowa, and even with last years low count sd was better than anywhere I ever saw! Check it out. You can start now by going to "build a hunting group" section on this forum. Best of luck...maybe we'll see ya afield. PS There are a lot of guys in central Iowa you might be able to hook up with.
 
Last edited:
In late August, early September go here http://gfp.sd.gov/hunting/info-request.aspx and get the information packet.

Minimum maintenance roads, and section lines are your friend in areas without a lot of public access land.

Use the GPS tools gfp provides and then use Google Earth to see if they have a recent satellite picture you can zoom in on. Even the ones a couple years old will give you some idea of the lay of the land for public and WIA areas. Don't look at a piece of WIA land that is wheat stubble and just blow it off. You might be surprised at how many birds the short stuff can hold, depending on what other types of cover it is near.
 
Non Solicited response

I have been traveling to SD for many years and recently hooked up with Chris from UGuide after a waning couple of seasons hunting all public land hunting.

I am not saying that U Guide camps are a sure thing but we have always had lots of luck and it takes the guessing game out, and we no longer have to drive across the state looking for walk-ins that have not been trampled on since season opener. It is nice to a have a "private" chunk of land and nice camp to retire to every evening, knowing that you will see birds the next day.
 
Some very good points here. You're going to get out of your S.D hunt exactally what you put into it. You'll never meet a finer bunch of people than those on this site and the ones that are going to cater to you when you arrive in the town you plan on hunting from. Good tips to your bartenders and waitresses and you'll find some great spots to hunt. My first trip to SD was 15 years ago and my head was swimming with the visions of bird "tornados" in every field. Hunting days anywhere are like women.....none are bad but some are better than others. If you go there with a bit lower expectation, your hunt will be better. Do your homework and put in the time. Get the dog in shape and shoot some clays before you pack up. The wild bires in S.D are bred with "Kevlar" for feathers. They aren't the pound and a quarter pen raised birds that drop when dog barks to loud. I firmly believe that 6 shot just pisses them off. When you find a promising WIA don't jump out and start running.....survey the field.....find the escape routes. Look where you may be able to funnel the birds. Hunt against the wind and block the field the right way......text book hunt......Just when you think you've seen it all you haven't......the birds in S.D have read the same books you did......It's more than a good hunt it's a great experience......Weather you limit every day or not it's a trip you'll aways remember
 
been going to sd 4 or 5 years and havent done very good on wia. but have had very good hunts on the seasonal roads and there is lots of them and they seem to produces alot of birds. we also hunt private land for 4 days and its been very good but is also $$$$. so we do wia and road ditches for 4 days after the private land hunt its a blast the winter area has been good to us
 
Excellent Points! Completely Agree!




TerryB said:
Some very good points here. You're going to get out of your S.D hunt exactally what you put into it. You'll never meet a finer bunch of people than those on this site and the ones that are going to cater to you when you arrive in the town you plan on hunting from. Good tips to your bartenders and waitresses and you'll find some great spots to hunt. My first trip to SD was 15 years ago and my head was swimming with the visions of bird "tornados" in every field. Hunting days anywhere are like women.....none are bad but some are better than others. If you go there with a bit lower expectation, your hunt will be better. Do your homework and put in the time. Get the dog in shape and shoot some clays before you pack up. The wild bires in S.D are bred with "Kevlar" for feathers. They aren't the pound and a quarter pen raised birds that drop when dog barks to loud. I firmly believe that 6 shot just pisses them off. When you find a promising WIA don't jump out and start running.....survey the field.....find the escape routes. Look where you may be able to funnel the birds. Hunt against the wind and block the field the right way......text book hunt......Just when you think you've seen it all you haven't......the birds in S.D have read the same books you did......It's more than a good hunt it's a great experience......Weather you limit every day or not it's a trip you'll aways remember
Click to expand...
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top