Watertown Area Bird #s

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IOWA_Tallgrass

New member
Not looking for specifics, just general info on what you guys are seeing out there, those with boots on the ground. I have the maps and will spend a day scouting around if I decide to make the trip.

Struggling with whether I want to take a 2-day trip to SD or focus my efforts within Iowa (take two 1 nighters in state) to save on drive time and hit some places 3-4 hrs closer to home. Busy family, busy work schedule and aging dog are things I have to consider.

This is in all likliehood my dog's last year hunting, he's 11. He can hunt a good day, but needs a day to recover. Not really able to take full advantage of the 10-day license setup. So its tough to justify the cost in terms of time and license fees. But, I am also looking at it as a chance to get away and see someplace new with my dog and 13 year old son.

Regards,

Joe
 
Joe, Two of us have been hunting various public areas within a 50 mile radius of Winner SD for the past five days behind good pointing dogs. We've bagged just 8 roosters; missed about that many that flushed within range. We're seeing decent numbers of birds, but they're bunched up and flying wild. Because of the drought conditions nearly all WIH spots are worthless (we wasted a lot of time scouting these). The State Game Production Areas offer good cover and water (important), but are being pounded due to the lack of WIH availability. If you come to SD I recommend you stick to Game Production Areas and hunt the cattails – tough going, but that's where we've gotten virtually all our roosters.
 
I moved from Aberdeen to Watertown about a year ago. My pheasant hunting took a major hit. The Aberdeen area has always been better but last year there were very few birds within 30 miles of Watertown. In fact last year and now this year I have not shot a rooster within 30 miles of Watertown. You really need to get west of Clark to start getting into any birds. And west of Redfield would be even better. Not necessarily trying to discourage you from the Watertown area but I think if you are only coming for a 2 day hunt you would be quite disappointed. I know some guys are finding a few birds in the area on public land but so far I haven't seen many.
 
Spent 5 days west of Redfield and Aberdeen and there are birds, very little WIA for public hunting. Dakotazeb is right hunt the cattails and mostlly large areas of them making it hard for two people. The reports from Mitchell area wasn't good. Good luck!
 
Thanks Fellas!

Appreciate the "boots on the ground" perspective, guys. I suppose if I decide to make the longer drive to this part of SD, I would look at it as an opportunity to experience a new state and gain some new perspectives, enjoying the journey so to speak. Nothing wrong with that.

With an aging dog and my 8th grade son experiencing his 1st season, staying closer to home in some more familiar haunts may make sense.

On the other hand, there is something exciting about a roadtrip adventure to new hunting grounds.

For that matter, a preserve hunt is not a bad option considering these realities and I think we'll do that sometime next month or over the Holidays, regardless, to ensure the youngster and the octogenarian pooch see some action.

Maybe I'll just flip a coin? :D

Gas is cheaper right now than it has been for awhile, but I suspect the almighty dollar may make the decision to stay in-state more attractive.

Enjoy it out there everyone, and be safe.

Regards,

Joe
 
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