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Pheasant hunting South Dakota

Posted on 10/5/22 at 12:39 pm
Posted by El Segundo Guy
1-866-DHS-2-ICE
Member since Aug 2014
11376 posts
Posted on 10/5/22 at 12:39 pm
Any of you baws pheasant hunt in South Dakota? My wife's uncle and his friends have a house in a small town in east central SD that they use as a hunting camp for pheasants.

I got invited to go next month. If I did go, I'd tow my new 5th wheel up so I'm not worried about the lodging.

Is it worth the trouble? Would I need a semi auto? All I have 12 ga wise are pumps and have never bird hunted before.
This post was edited on 10/5/22 at 12:44 pm
Posted by bbvdd
Memphis, TN
Member since Jun 2009
28092 posts
Posted on 10/5/22 at 12:44 pm to
I've never been but I'd go in a heartbeat

O/U, pump, or semi is what you'd need.
Posted by El Segundo Guy
1-866-DHS-2-ICE
Member since Aug 2014
11376 posts
Posted on 10/5/22 at 12:47 pm to
Ok I have serial pumps. My grandpa's A5 Sweet Sixteen is at my dad's house in Missouri, so that's out.
Posted by hophead
Member since Nov 2007
2028 posts
Posted on 10/5/22 at 1:02 pm to
You’ll have a good time with your current gear. Buddy goes every year and loves it.

By the way, Blink twice if you need for us to suggest you get new gear (just to support a purchase you have planned but not the approval). :). I hope you go and come back with nice pics.
This post was edited on 10/5/22 at 1:03 pm
Posted by El Segundo Guy
1-866-DHS-2-ICE
Member since Aug 2014
11376 posts
Posted on 10/5/22 at 1:11 pm to
I guess I'd need brown clothes huh? I have tons of turkey, deer and elk gear but that's really all I've actively hunted.

Im thinking I'd definitely need brush pants. They all bring their dogs from all across the country so good on that.
This post was edited on 10/5/22 at 1:16 pm
Posted by wickowick
Head of Island
Member since Dec 2006
46270 posts
Posted on 10/5/22 at 1:18 pm to
You don't need much, but orange is needed. Both on the head and a vest. An upland vest is a nice addition, plus some comfortable boots, you will be walking a lot, and probably limited odds of getting into mud.
Posted by REB BEER
Laffy Yet
Member since Dec 2010
17684 posts
Posted on 10/5/22 at 1:24 pm to
What town is their house in? I used to go with a group on an annual hunt for about 10 years to Kimball. It's a great time. As far as guns, guys in our group shot a variety of pumps, semi's, O/U, and some even shot side by sides.

I personally shot an A5 Light Twelve

ETA one other note...no plug is required in your gun.

This post was edited on 10/5/22 at 1:25 pm
Posted by El Segundo Guy
1-866-DHS-2-ICE
Member since Aug 2014
11376 posts
Posted on 10/5/22 at 1:30 pm to
Nm
This post was edited on 10/6/22 at 2:39 pm
Posted by Canard Gris
All over
Member since Jan 2015
104 posts
Posted on 10/5/22 at 2:50 pm to
The gun is not critical, bring whatever you are comfortable shooting. I would take into account the weight of a gun more than anything, lugging around a very heavy gun could get old, but it’s not a huge deal.

You would need to find out if you are going to need steel shot, some public land areas (if that’s what you are hunting) require non-toxic shot. For lead loads in 12 gauge, I typically shoot 1-1/8 or 1-1/4 oz #5’s or #6’s. In 20 gauge, I usually shoot 3” #5’s when I can find them. Most high brass loads are sufficient, I have killed many wild roosters with 20 gauge 1oz 7-1/2 high brass loads. It’s not the ideal pheasant load, but I wouldn’t lose a ton of sleep over not having extremely heavy loads. Just something sufficient.

I would bring a pair of rubber knee boots and a pair of hiking boots. Knee boots might be needed if it’s wet and you are hunting cattail sloughs. You don’t need special clothing other than some heavy faced pants, or you can get a pair of chaps. A bird hunting vest of some kind would be nice to hold shells and birds. Typical hunting coats/pullovers/layers are sufficient. Some people make it too complicated. I typically quail and pheasant hunt in a pair of light brush pants or jeans with a worn out old hoodie on.

And yes, I would say it’s worth the trouble to go.
Posted by CHGAR
Haile, LA
Member since Aug 2022
1248 posts
Posted on 10/5/22 at 4:05 pm to
Not necessary for brown clothes unless you just want them. Carhartt pants seem to work fine unless there is a lot of brush in which a set of chaps might be needed.

I would recommend looking into a pheasant hunting vest. All the ones I have seen come with some blaze orange which is a really good idea. Also, check the regs up there about orange being needed. It's a few years since went so I don't the rules on this.

I went to a place called echo valley near Wessington Springs. One of the best hunting experiences I've ever had and really want to go back again.
Posted by MrWhipple
West of the Mississippi
Member since Jun 2016
1138 posts
Posted on 10/6/22 at 11:48 am to
Take the trip. The towns cater to the hunters.

Try to do some road hunting if you get a chance. Fun beer drinking activity for late afternoons.

Hit the corn palace in Mitchell.

I’m headed to Kimball, SD in 2 weeks. To me it’s the group you hunt with that makes/breaks the trip. The birds will be there.
This post was edited on 10/6/22 at 11:51 am
Posted by southside
SW of Monroe
Member since Aug 2018
647 posts
Posted on 10/6/22 at 12:37 pm to
quote:

is the name of the town.


go ahead and do your unc in law a favor and remove the town name off the internet.
Posted by REB BEER
Laffy Yet
Member since Dec 2010
17684 posts
Posted on 10/6/22 at 1:24 pm to
quote:

I’m headed to Kimball, SD in 2 weeks


Have you been there before? We used to hunt with the Husman's. The bars there can be pretty fun too.
Posted by MrWhipple
West of the Mississippi
Member since Jun 2016
1138 posts
Posted on 10/6/22 at 2:13 pm to
Club Vega baby!

They use to do a car blow-up deal in downtown Kimball. Chain to a tree, brick on accelerator, cut coolant, and bet on time to seize! That was a fun event.

We hunt private land and with a small outfitter.
Posted by REB BEER
Laffy Yet
Member since Dec 2010
17684 posts
Posted on 10/6/22 at 3:16 pm to
Tell Russ I said hi.

We used to bring a group of 70-80 people and Russ would let us cook jambalaya, gumbo, and all kinds of stuff at Club Vega. As long as we all kept buying beer from him we could do whatever we wanted.

Posted by Chinese Bandit Boy
Member since Jun 2021
900 posts
Posted on 10/6/22 at 8:48 pm to
quote:

My grandpa's A5 Sweet Sixteen is at my dad's house in Missouri,

That gun is worth a fortune. Do not refinish.

Most important item is comfortable boots. Lots of walking. Also, need lined game vest for dead birds. Pheasant is a mild white lean meat.
Posted by El Segundo Guy
1-866-DHS-2-ICE
Member since Aug 2014
11376 posts
Posted on 10/6/22 at 9:14 pm to
Thanks for the help everyone. I've made my mind up to go.

Usually November I'm targeting big blues but damned if I didn't drag cut shad over half of Lake Texoma today with only one takedown and no hook ups.

I did salvage the day by using live shad to catch a limit of stripers.
Posted by GREENHEAD22
Member since Nov 2009
20534 posts
Posted on 10/6/22 at 9:16 pm to
Been wanting to take my dad but probably too late to find an opening with anyone up there.

I have also heard it is not worth going after the first two weeks of the season.
Posted by choupiquesushi
yaton rouge
Member since Jun 2006
33754 posts
Posted on 10/7/22 at 1:10 pm to
I wanted to move there the first time i went. I still want to move there. Just not January thru march.

walked 4 miles without encountering a fence.

unreal experience.


they treat siouxs like garbage though.
Posted by iwantacooler
Pig Nose Feet
Member since Aug 2017
2686 posts
Posted on 10/7/22 at 5:31 pm to
quote:

I have also heard it is not worth going after the first two weeks of the season.


We typically go mid-to late November. Have been in December a couple of times and went the last 4 days of the season (end of January) this year. We always get our birds on the private land (not a preserve) and often scratch out several on public land. Our group size ranges from 6-12 depending on the year.

Pheasant hunting is a great time. Very social hunt where you can talk and enjoy the camaraderie of your group while you walk the fields. Another plus is the mandatory late start. You can enjoy a late breakfast or sleep off the night before.

ETA: We hunt the Mitchell area. Another good thing that South Dakota does is put out an interactive public hunting app. You can look up public land, types of public land (some areas require steel shot, even for pheasant), and view your location on the map relative to the walk in areas.





This post was edited on 10/8/22 at 6:07 am
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