Pheasant hunt, problems and suggestions

I have gave some thought to how to reply to this post. I am a life long resident in the heart of what i feel is the best pheasant hunting in South Dakota. I have experienced the absolute best days of hunting. I am sad to say that those day are over. I respect all the farmers and rancher and their right to charge to hunt. They are trying to make a living in a very dificult buisness. Threfore it is their land and their right to do as they see fit.
 
When I was young you could go to any farmer and get permission to hunt. I remember hunting with my father and uncles who took the time to teach me the right way. It has gotten harder and harder to find places to hunt pheasants. With the dramatic decline in CRP land it will continue to do so. I am fortunate that i have some very good friends and family that let me hunt their land. I can speak from experience that even that is getting less.

Public land is what it is. I hunt big game in other states and mostly hunt public land. You have to be willing to work harder and go farther to find the back corners which 95% of other hunter are not willing to go to. There is nothing easy about public land hunting. As for pay hunting, in my opinion as long as there are people willing to pay there will always be someone catering to that and that in my eyes is what has changed everything. 

The only people I truely feel sorry for are my childern and all children their age who will not get the chance to experience the outdoors as I have.

Jed Bertsch

I can tell you one thing that will drastically increase your success, and that is come later in the year.   In my opinion the pheasant hunting doesn't even get good until early to the middle part of November.   I am lifelong resident of south dakota and always laugh when the nonresidents pile in for the the opening two weekends, as far as I am concerned they can have them.  Public land gets alot better as the corn comes out.  there are so many pheasants standing out in those unpicked crops that it will make your head spin. 

And early november in south dakota can be pretty darn nice as well.  Give it a try and you will not regret it, just bring a stocking hat and some gloves.  You might even get lucky and get to hunt in fresh snow, nothing better.

 Ditto that jspringer!  Also, pump up the shot number you use too!  Those late season roosters have leather skin and get pretty hard to bring down.  But yea, when the corn and flowers come off - look out!

Here are my thoughts, as per your list, with some added thoughts-

1,2, 4. 

I am all for the youth and resident seasons on public land.  Not every SD resident has a connection for hunting pheasants as you state.  I know people who hunt public lands 100% of the time.  The nonresidents come in to the state full force for the opener and just pound the public lands.  The resident opener is hunted by those who don't have that private land access.  And, though their impact is felt, it is nothing compared to the pounding that the public lands take the first two weeks of the regular season. 

Also, I have a tough time believing that in areas with good pheasant populations and public lands with decent cover that 4 days of quiet between the resident season and regular opener that birds wouldn't have time to filter back in and settle down.  Two days of relatively light pressure (when compared to the first two weeks of regular season) is nothing. 

You've also got to have realistic expectations when hunting public land, as someone else stated.  Lots of walking is necessary at times.  It isn't easy.  The first few weeks of pheasant season is pretty much a over pressured mess in most instances unfortunately.  Later is better as some have stated. 

Finally, I've got to say I believe firmly in giving residents the #1 opportunity.  SD has sold it's soul to the pheasants.  In doing so, access and hunting has changed drastically for everyone.  Some people live here for the hunting opportunities and lifestyle.  Those people that live here 365 days a year need to come first.  One weekend of resident only isn't ruining any person's hunting experience, be is resident or non, when the regular season opens.

3.  The state does the pheasant counts.  They are broad representations of populations that represent huge areas.  I personally don't believe they accurately predict hunting opportunity.  Birds can be in pockets even in the "good" areas.  Only time on the ground can give you an accurate representation.  Expectations based on these surveys will only lead to a let down IMO. 

6.  When it comes to access, I believe that farmers should be able to do whatever they want- if that means charging to hunt, so be it.  Either pay it or don't.  And, some guys just are tired of everyone knocking on their door to hunt and want nothing to do with it.  It has gotten that we have promoted and commercialized so much that any freelance type hunter is feeling the pinch of less access.  The farmers of SD are great people, but the days of old are gone.  Building those relationships is tougher than ever.  One needs to fight to keep any good relationship going because it seems like those days are slowly coming to an end. 

5.  I saved this for last-  I'll try not to be too critical, maybe I am reading into things.  What kind of hunt were you looking for if you are suggesting releasing caged roosters onto public land?  That kind of takes the hunt out of the hunt, doesn't it?  Kicking a couple of pen raised birds out and hunting them is like shooting fish in a barrel.  I understand it would be a free for all on public land, but still?  When you say  "a chance at some roosters", that is why it is called hunting- no guarantee.  Shooting pen raised roosters who have been free for an hour isn't hunting to me, but each their own.

Overall, I think I understand what you are saying.  It can be tough at times, and expectations can be high and the letdown huge.  You obviously experienced this.  But, understand you as a non resident is not alone.  There are residents who feel the same way.  Unfortunately, some things won't change or improve.  But, like others say, change up your game a bit.  Come later, more crops will be down and pressure will be less.  And, I bet you'd be surprised that access will be a bit better since most farmers have already had their hunters come and go.  And, come prepared to hunt long hours and lots of miles.  Public land, late in the year (and early at times) is tough.  You and the dog will be tired out each and every day, and if you're lucky you'll have a limit to show for it. 

Being a SD resident myself I don't have private land to hunt so all i have is public to just becaus your a non-resident dosn't entitle you to all the public land. Also you were hunting in pierre thats your fault, yes there are plenty of birds around there but so is the population pierre is a major hub for everyone in the country to come and do it all.  My suggestion is that you get your walkin atlas and start doing your research, I found non-residents in just about every county ive hunted this year, some with the biggest populations and the smallest, as far as people, limited places to stay in some cases are your best bet.  I skipped the oppener and hunted the weekend after and limited out all 3 days all on public land.  Most of the birds were all in thick cover with cattails and rushes around sloughs, as par for the course, just because the area has good grass dosn't mean it holds birds.  Second you might try hunting north dakota they have great numbers of birds as well and probably less hunting pressure as its not nearly commercialized.  Oh and it was just my crippled up dad and a brand new shorthair doing the hunting.  I also agree on coming later!

Just another SD resident, that can testify that there is more than a million acres of public land in this state but you will get out of the hunt what you put into the hunt.  Scouting to learn the best public, finding out what time of year is best for public, talking with farmers at other  than 10 minutes before you want to hunt will help your success ratio.  I lived in Pierre for quite some time and could have told you that it is one of the hardest hit areas and hardest areas to get on private property.  Posting on this site is a good start to doing your research since most SD residents are very helpful and friendly.  I don't expect to shoot a trophy elk on public land in a different state with no knowledge of the surrounding.  We do have millions of birds, but putting in the ground work will lead you to  the best enjoyment of "hunting" which creates "shooting"

Born and raised in aberdeen some of the best hunting and fishing in the world, but as far as birds go you just had a bad weekend. Its gotten so bad around hear that your best friend wants 100 dollars to go shot three birds. In which I would rather spit in their face then pay money to shoot anything. And as far as telling outa staters to come later cause it is better doesnt make me very happy either let them figure it out on there own. Just saying not trying to be a dick. just cause i hunt alot of public archery and dont want all those cock hunters trouncing around the good land. I really hope something changes, cause I have a 4 year old that can use a elk call better than most adults, he lives for the hunting channel and shooting his shotgun and bow. We are just average people that try to do what they do on tv and shoot big bucks lots of birds and catch a few limits of fish.

And sorry nothing against outa staters, but if your a true hunter you will figure it out do some research, and think like a hunter. Everybody have a safe and great 2010 hunt.

I use to hunt SD as a NR 8-10 weekends a year. Theres still lots of farmers who let you hunt for free. Its not the areas where the state says bird #s are high, thats for sure. I dont begrudge the residents their opener on public. I dont really have a problem with paying to hunt, but I`m not paying $100 for 3 lousy pheasants. Thats a joke. I can walk ditches and get 3 birds. And as far as releasing birds on public land, whatever man.

can't swing a dead cat in SD without hitting at least three roosters.....

ain't that the truth! This is the best season I've experienced here in SD. Heck, if you just drive around you can get your roosters out of the ditches pretty easy. Its not tough.

bigone Said:
can't swing a dead cat in SD without hitting at least three roosters.....

Hey Deerme,

Correct me if I am wrong but don't you only have 2 - 5 day periods as a NR to hunt in SD?

a NR can re-up as many times as they want.  $100 for each 2-5 day periods.

wow!!! i'm not sure how you hunted for 3 days and never took a shot. i can leave my house and have a limit within an hour just driving around or walking a small piece of public ground without a dog. i'm all for the economy boost that out of state hunters bring in but personally, i'm tired of fighting the hundreds of hunters for a place to hunt. i havn't seen this many orange clad out of staters in my life. the one week that we get as residents is on public land so that we may have a chance to put some birds in the freezer before the onslaught hits and we can't hunt until mid nov., which is fine, i'd rather hunt then anyway. the thing that pisses me off is those of us who try to bowhunt on publice land for deer and you have to compete with 20 hunters walking around scaring every deer in the county. i've already had 3 trophy class bucks lost as a result of this crap. in particular to some people from iowa bow hunting, why are you hunting here? you have some of the best hunting in the country and you come here and walk around like a grizzly bear in duck camo and enjoy my mulie that you shot, i'm not sure how you did it but great job. i'm so tired of out of state hunters coming here expecting the birds and deer to fall into the back of their truck and not having to work for them like we do every day. STAY HOME, if is sucks so bad for you, go somewhere else. sorry for being so blunt but i'm fed up and have had my worst year with dealing with out of state hunters who have no respect for the opportunity they have.

Very Well Said, I knew it was only gonna be a matter of time before someone said what every resident was thinking.  Kudos!!!

I have had PLENTY of locals screw up a bow hunt for me this year and last year, some were people I knew.

i had to register to reply to this. I am a non resident and the only problem I have with hunting SD is that it is a long drive from my home. I have been to some of the private lodges there and the hunting was better than great. However, what do you do with the rest of the day after you get a limit in an hour? So, now I only hunt public land. Yes it is harder most of the time. Get the maps! There are hundreds if not thousands of places to hunt. Yes I've had some days in SD when I didn't get a limit. (hard to believe) But sometimes everything that can go wrong does. That's hunting. For the most part the hunting is great, the people are friendly and the views beautiful. If the residents get first crack at the birds so what. I buy one or two $100 licenses a year. The residents pay taxes all year, let them enjoy an early hunt.
I also endorse hunting later. Way fewer hunters, the crops are cut and the birds easier to find.

Well said, come enjoy our bird hunting anytime. 

The excuse of having to charge to hunt just to keep the farm afloat is long gone with the high commodity prices.  It's turned into easy money for nothing for many.  There are some that plant for the pheasants to help their "friends" with cash get their birds.  Without legislative changes pay to hunt is here to stay.  Personally I don't think the founding fathers had this in mind when they commissioned the game to be the property of the public.  But the almighty dollar has spoken.

Well said Swift,I agree wholeheartedly. $8.59/bushel wheat.Plus subsidies, makes even more millionaires.