Looking to go Pheasant Hunting in SD, NE
- Thread starter darens
- Start date
We are headed to Clark in two weeks. Good times, good times!
In my opnion, public walk in areas are tough walking early in the season. I've spent many of opener's walking for miles to see one bird. You need alot of walkers for them and they get walked alot. I honestly think that they are not worth my time until iit get's cold, crops are out. Usually around deer rifle season. Seems alot of people hang it up for deer hunting and the holidays. Opening weekend it is best to be on private land. People balk at paying $75-$100 a gun and $25 a bird. But it sure beats walking 20 miles for nothing and then hear someone else who hunted private land and limited out within 30min. Best thing to do it either goto a preserve where you are guaranteed to shoot your limit or find someone who has a large group coming in that you can get in with (12-15 hunters). Old friend of mine used to guide at his in laws in Wessington Springs. He's got a decent setup with a seperate farm house for guests with a large garage that's been transformed to a lounge seperate from the farm house. Might want to check him out. Guys name is Mike Dorris. http://www.echovalleyranch.com/ here's an article on one of their hunts. http://www.lonestarlabradors.com/Pheasant_Hunts/Echo Ranch 2005/Pages/index.htm Good Luck!
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shortstop20
Well-known member
I can understand that if you're only here for one weekend or do't get many chances to hunt but I'll wait for another weekend to hunt before I pay somebody $200 for three birds.
I'm sure I would think different if I didn't live here though.
I'm sure I would think different if I didn't live here though.
Well you can pay $2250 for 15 pen raised birds. Alot of guys will comment on how "tight these birds sit". I tell them the birds are just cold, they were in the pickup a half hour ago. lmao
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shortstop20
Well-known member
I tell them the birds are just cold, they were in the pickup a half hour ago. lmao
You mean they aren't all wild birds, they wouldn't lie would they?
Some of those pet birds are so damn stupid you don't even need a gun, just sneak up on 'em and ring their neck
M
MPS
Well-known member
chit!
i will bring my boots then. we lost our private land to hunt this year so it looks like walk ins and road ditchs will be it for us
we have thousands of acres of private land to hunt, but with all the crop in and the sloughs full of water the birds will be hard to wrangle. they still have not harvested any beans or even chopped any corn around where we hunt, should probably stay here and get our crop out for another couple weeks.
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shortstop20
Well-known member
It's been raining all day here, probably have an inch and a half of rain or so. Farmers aren't happy I'm sure.
It's supposed to get cold on Saturday, lows in the 20's. Could see some snow.
It's supposed to get cold on Saturday, lows in the 20's. Could see some snow.
It's been raining all week here in Sioux Falls too. Makes sitting in the blind for archery miserable. Reminds me of the Octobers as a kid in the 70's early 80's. I think we could easily have one of those wet Octobers where it suddenly freezes and we get a foot of snow on top.
I don't get out and pheasant hunt very much anymore so that's where I can justify going to pay to hunt. I still have private property to walk but not much to walk with one or 2 guys. I personally don't like taking just anyone to my private area's after getting burned by friends in the past that nearly ruined my hunting privileges. I don't have a dog, nor do I want the expense of raising a hunting dog. Granted some guys have all the access and frequently hunt their area's alot. I grew up in a small town and the land I frequently hunted has been traded out, owner died etc. I estimate I had about 25,000acres of prime hunting area. It's been cut down to about 2000. Guy from Santa Barbra Ca, bought a big chunck of the most prime land. Will only let us hunt if we lease the hunting rights for 2 years at a considerable cost. I never thought I would pay to hunt but when I tally up the cost I have food, fuel, ammo, etc for scouting and hunting. I would actually save money for the 2 or 3 times a year that I get out to pheasant hunt. The trend is out in this state that if you don't own land or have real good connections that you have to pay to hunt. Guys complain it is getting to be a rich mans sport and in a way it has been that way for years now. Look at what we buy for equipment now vs 25-30 yrs ago.
I don't get out and pheasant hunt very much anymore so that's where I can justify going to pay to hunt. I still have private property to walk but not much to walk with one or 2 guys. I personally don't like taking just anyone to my private area's after getting burned by friends in the past that nearly ruined my hunting privileges. I don't have a dog, nor do I want the expense of raising a hunting dog. Granted some guys have all the access and frequently hunt their area's alot. I grew up in a small town and the land I frequently hunted has been traded out, owner died etc. I estimate I had about 25,000acres of prime hunting area. It's been cut down to about 2000. Guy from Santa Barbra Ca, bought a big chunck of the most prime land. Will only let us hunt if we lease the hunting rights for 2 years at a considerable cost. I never thought I would pay to hunt but when I tally up the cost I have food, fuel, ammo, etc for scouting and hunting. I would actually save money for the 2 or 3 times a year that I get out to pheasant hunt. The trend is out in this state that if you don't own land or have real good connections that you have to pay to hunt. Guys complain it is getting to be a rich mans sport and in a way it has been that way for years now. Look at what we buy for equipment now vs 25-30 yrs ago.