Eastern WA Pheasant opener

[307_BOWS]

I can agree that sometimes it can be an outright slaughter, but others you really have to work for your birds. It can be tough when none of the fields have been harvested and the grass is tall and thick. To our group it is more than just going and killing three birds a day, it is a time that my family and friends get together no matter where our lives take us in the world. 

Fortunately, another guy in our group and I both have family close to each other that have farms that we hunt for free, so it makes it a bit easier on the pocketbook.

[BOWHUNTER45]

 

[jetjockey]

Jeeeez.. You guys are mean  It would be nice to go to SD at least once 

You need to read some stories or talk to folks who have had wonderful hunting dogs. Steady to flush and shot. Well trained.

Took them to SD and the dog lost it's mind. Too many birds. Makes them a little crazy.

Sure, some dogs will do better. And you can say it is the training. But I know of a few dogs who were really good that went deaf.

Think I will stay more local and keep my dogs in sight. Good lord willing.

It's ALL about training and experience.  If a dog has experienced it, it isn't an issue.  That's why summer camps in the Dakotas are so valuable to a dog... 

Btw.  There are many places to hunt pheasants in SD that are self guided for under $1000 for three days.  Hell, we pay about $750 for 4 nights lodging and three days hunting on a 5000 acre farm we have all to ourselves.  Unfortunately demand is making those prices rise, but you don't need to spend $3000 for a great SD experience.

[HighCountryKing]

Do any of you have good recommendations where to go in south Dakota for pheasant hunting? I'm looking to bring my own dog and hunt with a small group and self guided hunts. Any tips would be helfpul.

[TVHunts]

I did the DIY hunt last year in Martin SD about 2 hours South of Rapid City.  As said in a previous post,  last year was a very down year due to drought = no cover.  Just my luck....The farmer we rented a mini ranch house from said it was the worst drought in 30 years for that area.  We worked hard to get our birds, 2 guys & 2 dogs.  There are a couple Motels in Martin you could check into and there is a huge refuge (LaCreek WF)  to hunt which is where we spent all of our time. I don't think there is many bad places to go in SD.  The 21 hour drive straight through home, not so fun!  He may still have space available and is a super nice guy.  www.sdpheasants.net

Good Luck

[T-Bone]

Thank you TVHunts for the nice tip.

Other than distance and $$$, my main reason for stalling on a SD pheasant hunt is the style of hunting at many of the resorts. I grew up in Iowa in the Soil Bank years of the 1960's and experienced those pheasant drives...Never Again... No Thanks...No Way!!!

I prefer to hunt pheasants either by myself with my wife and maybe a friend and my Springer. I realize the Platoon Attack and the socialization is important to some, just not for me.

Tom

[canyonduck]

amen

[eastsidemallard74]

I've hunt North and South Dakota, the hunting is better in South , but you save alot of money in North because the farmers hate the roosters. They are(for the most part) happy to allow you to hunt. We hunt near Minot, and there was alot of birds for our group of 12, actually enough to limit every day for the"4" days your allowed to hunt

[TVHunts]

Thank you TVHunts for the nice tip.

Other than distance and $$$, my main reason for stalling on a SD pheasant hunt is the style of hunting at many of the resorts. I grew up in Iowa in the Soil Bank years of the 1960's and experienced those pheasant drives...Never Again... No Thanks...No Way!!!

I prefer to hunt pheasants either by myself with my wife and maybe a friend and my Springer. I realize the Platoon Attack and the socialization is important to some, just not for me.

Tom

I hear you on the distance and the $$$.  This wasn't so bad, we were 1K a piece door to door including the lodging, licenses, fuel, and food. 

I am not into the group hunting thing either, when the bird gets up and I shoot I like to know it was mine and my dogs.  Not the " I think I got a piece of it too" crap that happens when your in a group.  Or someone elses dog running out and retrieving the bird my dog put up.  I find it very peaceful with it being just the dog and I.
I pretty much hunt alone 90% of the time also.   At a disadvantage most of the time but thats half the fun, working for them. 

Can't wait until October