NW South Dakota

The pheasant numbers around Hettinger are awesome. If your going to hunt in ND though, your best bets are going to be between Hettinger and Reeder. I have been hunting this area several times since the season opened, and it doesn't take longer than an hour to get your birds if you know where to look. The pheasants don't seem to have had a lot of hunting pressure this year and they are in large numbers when you find them. Also a must for ND, go to the ND game and fish homepage and download a PLOTS map. Also, don't let the Posted signs deter you. Most of the farmers/ranchers just want to know who is on the land, so don't be afraid to ask permission. Happy Hunting!

I worked in hettinger this summer and fall and the pheasants are thick. I took a guy from nd out when it rained a couple times on plots land west of hettinger and was done in a hour both times and he missed alot.

Excellent news.  I need to check too what the license is for ND.  I can't remember but I thought they had a 2/3 day permit?  SD is 10, but then being only 10 miles from the border down here I might get a season on that one.  We'll see.  I should have a certain amount of land to go on that is my father inlaws.  He'd got ground in both SD and ND but I've got to pick on or the other.  It will be just me and my gun, will borrow a dog from the inlaws if needed.  Looking forward to the trip.  I'll be there Th-M.  Will be nice to have something to do this trip up.

The licensing is easy, you can do it online, and print out your license when your done, saves the hassle of buying a license when you get there. And the hunting days are two seven day periods. Cost is around $100. Wish I was still a resident, it costs next to nothing. Enjoy!

Looks like that might make my decision.  Will probably get the SD permit since I'll be able to use all those days up.  Instead of hunting 4 days and not using the second 7 day session.  With SD I get to drive 10 miles and use the second 5.  From reading it looks like SD is 10 days but you can split 5 and 5?

You can split 5 and 5. The only advantage i see going in nd is you can start hunting at sunrise but that makes it to easy sometime :)

I'd rather hunt ND b/c I'd have more spots, but just the fact on spending $100 on more than likely 3 days and not being able to use the rest.  With the SD I'll be able to use it to the full extent.  

I need that special hunting permit for either state for 3 days for $30 permit....