I'm putting together another DIY trip to South Dakota for pheasants and possibly some puddle ducks, and would appreciate any insight. Previously we have stayed at Birddog Bunkhouse in Gettysburg, and one trip to Pierpont area. The Pierpont trip left some to be desired as far as bird numbers, but to be fair a lot of corn was still up, even though there was plenty of walk-in areas. OnX map seems to indicate most of the spots we hunted in Gettysburg are no longer enrolled for access, and in general the areas close to town are mostly not accessible anymore.
Where we did find most of our hunt-able birds around Pierpont was in the cattails, which I don't mind, but my 79 year old father could stand a little easier walking this time. That has me looking back towards the Missouri, but east river. Lodging (rental house) seems sparse out there, but a few places around Bowdle/Roscoe/Ipswich are to be had. Looks like walk-ins are more scattered than out east, (Hecla/Britton?) but generally better bird numbers in general?
We're looking at November, in hopes of crop harvest being done, and curious how the area has been as far as drought, emergency haying, etc. and if there are generally good amounts of un-mowed ditches to be found out there. Is this generally a haying/grazing/wheat production area as opposed to more corn/beans, etc?
Sadly, I lost my amazing Pudelpointer, Jethro, tragically at the beginning of the year, so we'll only have one Lab and I'll have a 10mo. old PP, so I'm thinking smaller areas/ditches/fence rows would be good areas to break off with a rookie dog and an older hunter. Are the WPAs generally left for good cover, or are they hayed/grazed a lot out there?
As always, I understand if folks are reticent to share specific info, but thanks for looking all the same.
Where we did find most of our hunt-able birds around Pierpont was in the cattails, which I don't mind, but my 79 year old father could stand a little easier walking this time. That has me looking back towards the Missouri, but east river. Lodging (rental house) seems sparse out there, but a few places around Bowdle/Roscoe/Ipswich are to be had. Looks like walk-ins are more scattered than out east, (Hecla/Britton?) but generally better bird numbers in general?
We're looking at November, in hopes of crop harvest being done, and curious how the area has been as far as drought, emergency haying, etc. and if there are generally good amounts of un-mowed ditches to be found out there. Is this generally a haying/grazing/wheat production area as opposed to more corn/beans, etc?
Sadly, I lost my amazing Pudelpointer, Jethro, tragically at the beginning of the year, so we'll only have one Lab and I'll have a 10mo. old PP, so I'm thinking smaller areas/ditches/fence rows would be good areas to break off with a rookie dog and an older hunter. Are the WPAs generally left for good cover, or are they hayed/grazed a lot out there?
As always, I understand if folks are reticent to share specific info, but thanks for looking all the same.
