Something special about South Dakota

B

Bob Peters

Well-known member
I've upland hunted 3 states. MN IA and SD. I've been lucky enough to hunt SD on 2 trips. Both times were great. Birds were never a given and honestly I had more struggles than anything. But there's something that reinvigorates the soul getting out there 1,000 miles from nowhere, trying your damndest to find some wild birds for you and your dog. You really can't put a finger on it. The isolation, beautiful country, gravel roads, friendly people, wild places. It's way too much to ever nail down in words. Oh, and the wind. It wouldn't be a trip to South Dakota without the wind. I've got some tentative plans to make it out this fall. And I got a new starter put in the old truck. So Lord willing I'll be out in the Mount Rushmore State sometime this fall. And if I make it and I'm lucky enough to walk that wild open country, then I'm lucky enough.
 
i've hunted pheasants in nebraska, kansas and SD. as my kids would say, "SD just hits different."

Last year was the first time i was able to hunt SD 3 times in one season. i did a freelance public land trip at the end of October, a hybrid 2 day public/3 day guided private land trip in December, and a guided private land hunt the last weekend of January. After all was said and done, I believe I logged about 6,500 miles of driving to SD and back. when we left SD on the last day of the January hunt, i told my self I was content with the season being over and was ready to pack up all my gear away until next fall. it took about 3 weeks before i started making plans for the 2024-2025 season.

ive already sent my deposit for the annual guided hunt in mid-November, and booked an AirBnB for a week in October. Over the last couple of weeks, I often find myself trying to remember where I put all my gear, and planning the meals I'll have once i'm back on the great plains.

Only 17 more fridays until i pack up and head north.
 
gps4 says: "i've hunted pheasants in nebraska, kansas and SD. as my kids would say, 'SD just hits different.'"

a unique aspect of SD over KS and NE is that there are actually birds there
 
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I've hunted Montana, Kansas, NE, ND, and SD. What's great about Montana is you never know for sure what birds are going to flush next, pheasant,hun, sharpie. Plus, most locals don't hunt upland birds so permission is easier. Too bad it's another 10 hour drive added to my already17 hours to SD.
All that being said it's hard to beat the vibe in SD where everything centers around their roosters!
 
I started my pheasant hunting in Wyoming around the Bighorn Basin. Made a trip to Iowa where I met up with friends from Michigan.
I hunted Montana a bit.
I began hunting pheasants in South Dakota mid 1990's and have done it every year since.
I hunted my way around the state.
I bought my house there in 2014. I fish some there in the summers and pheasant hunt 30-40 days each season. It's one of my great pleasures of life!
I've made lots of friends who have come out to hunt pheasants at my house. That's part of the enjoyment.
 
Bob Peters said:
Nope, I didn't spend the night with you on brokeback mountain so I'm all good.
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Well I had to research Brokeback Mountain as I had no clue as to the reference. I guess we know what kind of movies you like. That's fine just keep that lifestyle in Minnesota , we don't need it a 1000 miles from nowhere.
 
Gobbler said:
I've hunted Montana, Kansas, NE, ND, and SD. What's great about Montana is you never know for sure what birds are going to flush next, pheasant,hun, sharpie. Plus, most locals don't hunt upland birds so permission is easier. Too bad it's another 10 hour drive added to my already17 hours to SD.
All that being said it's hard to beat the vibe in SD where everything centers around their roosters!
Click to expand...
Yeah sd is cool.I didn't find it easy at all in January, but I had fun.Very smart birds in the areas I hunted.They outsmarted me several times.I only hunted 2 days,got one rooster,only fired my gun one time.I couldn't get close.
 
dukxdog said:
I started my pheasant hunting in Wyoming around the Bighorn Basin. Made a trip to Iowa where I met up with friends from Michigan.
I hunted Montana a bit.
I began hunting pheasants in South Dakota mid 1990's and have done it every year since.
I hunted my way around the state.
I bought my house there in 2014. I fish some there in the summers and pheasant hunt 30-40 days each season. It's one of my great pleasures of life!
I've made lots of friends who have come out to hunt pheasants at my house. That's part of the enjoyment.
Click to expand...
I have considered buying a house out there.No broke back mountain, no grab ass, no Gucci suburban driving Filson types.
 
Gobbler said:
I've hunted Montana, Kansas, NE, ND, and SD. What's great about Montana is you never know for sure what birds are going to flush next, pheasant,hun, sharpie. Plus, most locals don't hunt upland birds so permission is easier. Too bad it's another 10 hour drive added to my already17 hours to SD.
All that being said it's hard to beat the vibe in SD where everything centers around their roosters!
Click to expand...
Yeah and you might flush a grizzly as well.Remember that.
 
Bob Peters said:
I've upland hunted 3 states. MN IA and SD. I've been lucky enough to hunt SD on 2 trips. Both times were great. Birds were never a given and honestly I had more struggles than anything. But there's something that reinvigorates the soul getting out there 1,000 miles from nowhere, trying your damndest to find some wild birds for you and your dog. You really can't put a finger on it. The isolation, beautiful country, gravel roads, friendly people, wild places. It's way too much to ever nail down in words. Oh, and the wind. It wouldn't be a trip to South Dakota without the wind. I've got some tentative plans to make it out this fall. And I got a new starter put in the old truck. So Lord willing I'll be out in the Mount Rushmore State sometime this fall. And if I make it and I'm lucky enough to walk that wild open country, then I'm lucky enough.
Click to expand...
Yeah it's just great to get out.Im coming back with the camper I think,although gas is going up again.😐
 
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