Will public be any good in SD this year?

I can walk my legs off scratching out roosters on KS WIHA all I want. When I'm in SD, I want my dogs to get as many bird contacts as possible. If I gotta pay a trespass fee to get hunting that meets my expectations for SD, then so be it. I'd spend nearly $150/day in gas scounting more public places to hunt anyway (ok, maybe half as much). Enjoy those public hunts, if I lived closer I'm sure I would do the same. For so long as I live in KS and drive that distance, I will continue to pay trespass fees or buy gifts for those gracious enough to share their land. Oh, and I'm NOT "well-heeled" by any stretch of the imagination.
 
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carptom1 said:
I guess to some on here those of us that pay are somehow less noble sportsmen.
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I can say there is a form of satisfaction, or, maybe a feeling of tradition, a reflection of what was "hunting in America" when hunting ditches, public land, or getting permission to hunt private land with a simple "yes".

The flip side of this of course, is when you pay to hunt, your undoubtedly going to have hot action. This amongst other benefits too. This is what many come to SD for. To be honest, I wouldn't mind a hunt or two with a quick limit like that either!

I made an argument in favor of pay to hunt operations last fall. Had my ass handed to me.:eek:

The point I was trying to make then was one has to consider the vast amounts of habitat put into the ground as a result of pay-to-hunt hunters, and of course the income proved to the landowners of such land. Pay-to-hunt is one of the few things that can compete with grain prices at this time.

There's a lot of habitat in SD due to pay-to-hunt operations. It produces birds, as does public lands. Birds roam from area to area, ditch to ditch. Each of us gets our chance at them at some point.

IF we can manage to maintain millions of acres of public land, and increase those acres over time, along side with pay-to-hunt operations, we have a recipe for birds and other wildlife.

Of course we have to be VERY careful we don't fall into the same trap our European friends fell into through pay-to-hunt hunting operations. It's no good. And, right now, we are walking a fine line between the two. Our "free access" saving grace is public land.
 
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Well said!

On a side note I grew up in your neck of the woods and still have all my family living there. Small world. Born and raised in Mchenry Co.

:cheers:
 
Just back again, and I think I can safely say, that paying is trespass fee this year is no guarantee of anything other than what it is....ground to hunt on that others cannot without paying the same fee... I hope I'm wrong..

Corn is 80% out and seen the first beans being combined today.

Alot of fall tillage is done on the corn ground..

The harvest will be completed in the central part of the state by Oct 1..
 
The theme here seems to be that those of us that pay are somehow looking only for quick limits. I take my sons with me in october, have for the last 3 or 4 years. Does it cost a little to take them, sure. For me it is worth every penny. I save for it the entire year. The licences were bought three months ago, the deposit for the land was paid in March. The hotel, Super 8 one room, was bought on the cheap 6 months ago. I want my boys to experience what I experienced hunting in my youth. Does getting into some birds make the experience a little better sure. But as Chris said that is only part of the equation. The pheasant hunting experience is far more than that to me. It reminds me when I was a kid and my dad took me to western kansas, and we paid a farmer 70 bucks a head for crappy accomodations and even crappier food so we could hunt his land. I enjoy our time on some private ground without a bunch of huckelberries running around. I have been able to teach them the sport of hunting while spending time with them that will never be forgotten. 1pheas, to me that is a traditional american hunting experience. I am not a ditch hunter. I know it's legal but where I grew up it isn't and it just doesn't feel like hunting to me. I don't criticise people that do, just not my thing. I also have hunted in ND a couple times. Can't get into hunting un-posted land either. Again not where I grew up. I also go back in december and hunt all public with some other guys. I also enjoy freezing my arse off doing that.
 
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carptom1 said:
I am not a ditch hunter. I know it's legal but where I grew up it isn't and it just doesn't feel like hunting to me. I don't criticise people that do, just not my thing.
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Would you say those who hunt ditches are "less noble" in a way:rolleyes::D
 
Yes, lots of business owners get depreciation. However, only farmers get millions in farm subsidies and other payments. Welfare for the wealthy.
 
CRP said:
Yes, lots of business owners get depreciation. However, only farmers get millions in farm subsidies and other payments. Welfare for the wealthy.
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You sound like our current leadership "Everyone but you gets everything"

Here is an idea.......

If it's so great, buy a farm and become wealthy!


:rolleyes:
 
Guys, I never said what you do is a bad thing ever. Read all my posts again please.:rolleyes: I said I wont do it. In another post I said the farmer deserves to do what he wants, his land, his choice. cant blame em for making doe. Dont put words in me mouth that are out of context. I said if you dont want to support it dont go... I said you cant bitch about it if you do go...... I could care less if someone charges for it. More power to ya. Take there money. Hell I would in your shoes. I'm not going to is all. I dont go to shooting preserves either. Clear case of not reading everything again folks. Got no prob with people making money. As said, works great for many. And again said, if you pay, dont bitch that you did. Period;) Carry on.
 
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UGUIDE said:
Come on Wayne. You are experiencing what I enjoyed hunting solo in Iowa. South Dakota is a whole different game. You have underestimated the surreal value of Pheasant Camp. Shooting 3 birds a day is not the only activity at Pheasant Camp.:D

I admire your style though as you go where others are not will to go and by principle have reserved yourself a nice little honey hole as long as others are not willing to go the distance.
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I am with Wayne on this. I believe that a lot of people like pheasant camp for the beer and strippers. Dont have to get up until noon just have to hunt a couple of hours, shoot some birds and then back to the beer and strippers. I like to hunt all day. I can go home drink my good German beer, ask my wife to strip for me, get slapped and drink another beer.
 
moellermd said:
I am with Wayne on this. I believe that a lot of people like pheasant camp for the beer and strippers. Dont have to get up until noon just have to hunt a couple of hours, shoot some birds and then back to the beer and strippers.
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That ain't my pheasant camp bro.......never was and never will be.

Heck most of our guys never even go into town for a strip steak:D. They love hanging out at the lodge and cooking their own meals family style.
 
UGUIDE said:
That ain't my pheasant camp bro.......never was and never will be.

Heck most of our guys never even go into town for a strip steak:D. They love hanging out at the lodge and cooking their own meals family style.
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It may not be at your camp. You know that it is what it means for a lot of people. I might be wrong but I bet there is a fair share of beer and cards at your camps.
 
I got into party hunting in the 80's, knew a lot of people, customers etc. that wanted a part of my hunting adventures. I was in charge of course, getting a place to hunt, lodging and worse of all I was responsible for everyone getting along and fun for all. For some it was just a get away, drink and party like they couldn't do at home. A few were very good, but still were a lot of work. Solo started in the early 90's, changed States again. Solo is Soooooo easy. I do exactly whatever I want, just me and the pups on the endless prairie.:) I enjoy visiting with other hunters while on my adventures, met many that are doing the same things I am.

Those that have the pay to hunt operations are usually good for peasant production on their land and surrounding property. I have no problem with it and no problem with those using it.
If I were going that route, Chris would get a call.:cheers:
 
mnmthunting said:
Solo is Soooooo easy. I do exactly whatever I want, just me and the pups on the endless prairie.:)
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I agree with you Wayne. I try to hit SD before my group goes up every year if I can swing the $.

It's me, the dog, the birds, and the handy work of God.;) No guiding or putting each person in the right place at the right time to have birds flush near them, or putting up with moody friends/family because they were up until the wee hours of the morning drinking and now they have to hunt with little sleep and a hangover.

To them, it's a vacation. That's 100% fine with me if that's what they want to do.;):) :cheers:

I don't see as many birds while hunting solo. Can't close in on groups of pheasants as I can with a group of guys. But it sure is nice hunting alone once in a while. Even if it means seeing fewer birds.:)
 
carptom1 said:
I wouldn't count Wayne's money in any future budget
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LOL, mine either. Blessed to walk out a door and get some birds I guess. If i lived in a city and drove an escalade. I might. But I'm country, And country's what I'll be. never had to pay, never will have to pay. And Love every stinking minute of it. Loads of birds, loads of fun.:thumbsup: I'm with ya Wayne.:D There is more acres to hunt out there for free then you or your Grand children will ever be able to walk in their lifetimes. Hell if you can walk Minnesotas alone, your a better man then me.
:cheers:
 
Be interesting to determine the results this thread has generated, regardless of its intention. Vote now #1 How many hunters switched from public hunting to pay to play? #2 How many are canceling their trip this year? #3 How many devoted hunters are still making this trek with all the "uncertainty" hoping this thread scared off a good percentage of the competition for public spots. Our group of three is voting #3. This is our vacation with dogs afield and we still feel South Dakota provides the greatest odds. See you in November!:cheers:
 
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