Spring turkey hunt Wyoming vs. South Dakota

[Walleyedrifter]

For the past 5 years we've been hunting the Black Hills in Wyoming during the first week in May. I'm from Minnesota and so the Black Hills are a beautiful and fun place to hunt. Wyoming seems to be getting busier and busier over those 5 years. This last seasons heavy snow in early May really concentrated the hunters. Could anyone tell me if the Black Hills in South Dakota might be a less competitive place to hunt in early May? Thanks.

 

[KurtR]

No its packed with people just like the wyoming side. Went out there a few years with my kid and it looked like peak tourist season just with flat bills and first light

 

[Walleyedrifter]

No its packed with people just like the wyoming side. Went out there a few years with my kid and it looked like peak tourist season just with flat bills and first light

 

[Walleyedrifter]

Wondering if there are less hunters if you go in mid April or later in May?

 

[KurtR]

Wondering if there are less hunters if you go in mid April or later in May?

The one time i went mid april is snowed so no one cold get around and went third week of may and it was really busy not just with hunters but the tourists and trail riders were there in big numbers. I would think there are less people on the wyoming side with being less touristy. To much talk on social media at some point we are going to have to start limiting license numbers

 

[Djacker]

I went to WY in 2023, I was shocked at home many people were turkey hunting. I saw plates from all over the country. To busy for me to really enjoy.

 

[Sodak_Lewno]

Of course turkey hunting in the hills is a destination, fun thing in a lifetime kind of thing. I would recommend getting a prairie tag and getting to know some landowners. Much more enjoyable hunt then being crowded.

 

[Scottf270]

I'd take some contact info. You probably can't private message yet.

 

[Fetty Wapiti]

We offer black hills turkey hunts for a trespass fee. Big Wyoming ranch

Prices?

 

[OzTor]

Those States like Florida have seen a massive onrush of hunters chasing the "Slam". Good for Turkey hunting not so good for the Turkeys or the locals...

 

[Shadowbuck]

The South Dakota side definitely gets quite a bit of pressure, and I would say there is more recreational traffic than the Wyoming side. As the season goes on there is typically less pressure but more recreational traffic. It's not easy hunt honesty, but I don't like hunting super hard for turkeys honestly. Birds bunched up on private land eating out of people's bird feeders etc. As the season goes on, they scatter more throughout the hills. But weather is always a factor we typically still get some winter storms during season which shuts the birds down. I would try to be flexible with dates depending on the weather.

 

[DawgsWinAgain]

Planning to do the same hunt (SD and WY) in early May. Hoping to find some birds in both states, but it will be a blind go for me. Staying in SD but close enough to be able to hunt both states easily.

The information related to road use and conditions is pretty sparse, and I’m a southern born midwesterner, so no experience with big woods and forest service land to speak of. Are the forest service roads closed until a certain date? The permits for the roads are currently not available on the website, so I’m a bit uncertain as to if they will be passable May 1. Any help appreciated.

 

[270-300]

Planning to do the same hunt (SD and WY) in early May. Hoping to find some birds in both states, but it will be a blind go for me. Staying in SD but close enough to be able to hunt both states easily.

The information related to road use and conditions is pretty sparse, and I’m a southern born midwesterner, so no experience with big woods and forest service land to speak of. Are the forest service roads closed until a certain date? The permits for the roads are currently not available on the website, so I’m a bit uncertain as to if they will be passable May 1. Any help appreciated.

Theres no permit to use forest service road. Even if they arent closed a late snow or heavy snow pack can make them impassable well into june.

 

[DawgsWinAgain]

Theres no permit to use forest service road. Even if they arent closed a late snow or heavy snow pack can make them impassable well into june.

Thanks, so what are the permits for then? Trails? ATV/UTV?

 

[KurtR]

Thanks, so what are the permits for then? Trails? ATV/UTV?

Ya the passes are for sxs out trail riding. Unless something changes snow isnt going to be and issue there is hardly any

 

[DawgsWinAgain]

Ya the passes are for sxs out trail riding. Unless something changes snow isnt going to be and issue there is hardly any

Great, thanks for the info. IN/IL had more snow that normal this year, so I won’t be sad to get there and not see any.

 

[270-300]

Great, thanks for the info. IN/IL had more snow that normal this year, so I won’t be sad to get there and not see any.

It usually hits in april may here

 

[KurtR]

It usually hits in april may here

I dont know the last time we have had a decent snow in the spring in the hills that isnt gone in a few days. Hardly enough now to even track lions