HEADING SOUTH!

[Harold Lee Pickens]

South Dakota, that is, in mid January. Damn, what am I getting into. Bound to be quite cold, just hope the snow isnt bad. My best friend is taking his wife out to NE Nebraska to see her 94 yr old mother , and will meet me there. Staying north of Mitchell---south of Huron. Ive never been to SD before, but what the heck, all seasons closed around here now, and I'm not getting any younger. He has hunted around there before so that helps. We will have my 3 seters and his lab to help us. I could have met another good friend in Kansas, might be better weather, and I've hunted there before. Any body hunted late season in SD?

[Garry L Gordon]

Harold, luckily it appears that the winter storm that is hitting us (bad!!) right now will go south of the Dakotas. Our extended forecast is for below zero temps. One thing about the prairie is that the temperature can change 30+ degrees in a matter of hours.

You will be passing through some weather if you are leaving soon, so be careful...and post pictures of your hunt!

Be safe.

[Dean Weber]

South Dakota, that is, in mid January. Damn, what am I getting into. Bound to be quite cold, just hope the snow isnt bad. My best friend is taking his wife out to NE Nebraska to see her 94 yr old mother , and will meet me there. Staying north of Mitchell---south of Huron. Ive never been to SD before, but what the heck, all seasons closed around here now, and I'm not getting any younger. He has hunted around there before so that helps. We will have my 3 seters and his lab to help us. I could have met another good friend in Kansas, might be better weather, and I've hunted there before. Any body hunted late season in SD?

Harold,

There are a couple of us members who reside here in the balmy southern part of the Dakotas. And yes, we hunt the late season. Was speaking to aa member today about going out tomorrow. It is 1 right now and a high of 19 tomorrow.

I have 2 pieces of advice for late season...1) Hit the heavy cover, the birds will be bunched up. 2) Keep an eye on your dog's feet. The snow right now is crusty/icy where we have it. It can be pretty rough on the cuticles and pads.

Best of luck!

[Mills Morrison]

Enjoy! I went to South Dakota for the first time in 2020 and it was fun. Hard work, but fun.

[CraigThompson]

“South” to me means the Carolina’s , Georgia , Florida , Bama , Mississippi and Louisiana . And hopefully WARM :rotf:

[Chris Pope]

The SD guys know the best and they're a rugged lot!! Here are my suggestions:
1. Mushers Wax and/or boots for the pups. I've done well with Mushers Wax;
2. Something that covers your head/ears and secures under your chin because the wind will remove your hat if not secured.
3. Extra food for the dogs;
4. Handwarmer in the pocket on the side of your trigger hand;
5. Birds love to bunch up in cover, don't pass any burning bushes on the section roads without checking closely for roosters:
6. Keep the hunts short;
7. Late season is the best- send photos!! I'm jealous.

[Mills Morrison]

It is currently 78 and muggy. Supposed to freeze later on tonight. And. . . we are under a tornado watch. South Dakota sounds great right about now

[Garry L Gordon]

The SD guys know the best and they're a rugged lot!! Here are my suggestions:
1. Mushers Wax and/or boots for the pups. I've done well with Mushers Wax;
2. Something that covers your head/ears and secures under your chin because the wind will remove your hat if not secured.
3. Extra food for the dogs;
4. Handwarmer in the pocket on the side of your trigger hand;
5. Birds love to bunch up in cover, don't pass any burning bushes on the section roads without checking closely for roosters:
6. Keep the hunts short;
7. Late season is the best- send photos!! I'm jealous.

I second Chris' suggestions, and can vouch for Musher's Secret to protect your pup's feet. Boots are handy if there are some foot issues needing protection.

I would add one more suggestion. If everything is frozen, don't forget to carry water afield for your pup. Dehydration can happen in freezing weather, too.

[CraigThompson]

I was walking the dogs today 1/2/22 in a t shirt shorts and sandles in central Virginia . But they’re calling for chance of SNOW tommorrow what the heck :rolleyes:

[Harold Lee Pickens]

Thanks Dean, Chris, and Garry for the advice. I do have face coverings and carry water for the dogs. Supposedly, Petco, nearby has Mushers Secret and will get that tomorrow. May need it. Dogs hunted 2 1/2 weeks straight in the UP and now 2-3 days/week here, but we have had no snow or ice to toughen up the pads. I am also going to clip the hair between the pads to help with the ice and snow balling. Will be in SE S Dakota somewhere between Mitchell and Huron.

[Chris Pope]

Don't be afraid to really slather that mushers wax on...and pls post some pics with a report on your return!

[Garry L Gordon]

Thanks Dean, Chris, and Garry for the advice. I do have face coverings and carry water for the dogs. Supposedly, Petco, nearby has Mushers Secret and will get that tomorrow. May need it. Dogs hunted 2 1/2 weeks straight in the UP and now 2-3 days/week here, but we have had no snow or ice to toughen up the pads. I am also going to clip the hair between the pads to help with the ice and snow balling. Will be in SE S Dakota somewhere between Mitchell and Huron.

Harold, you are a seasoned hunter and I'm sure you'll handle a new locale well...and your dogs are obviously fit and ready to go. I hope the weather conditions you encounter are favorable. Pheasants have a way of holding tight after a fresh snow...:whistle:

[Dean Weber]

Harold,
Fellow member Jeff Sweeter was kind enough to show me some SD hospitality today. SE South Dakota had a high in the upper 30s today and we had a great time. We put up birds normally not seen in this area. Maybe 200 or so. We took a break and captured this pic of a few birds and Jeff’s great young dog Katie.

Birds were bunched in cat tails and were pretty spooky. However, a large number of birds were in sparse cover and would have held good for pointing dogs. We did switch from 16s to 12s after the first walk.

[Harold Lee Pickens]

Damn Dean, talk like that will get me fired up . I kind of have low expectations for a late season hunt. I'll be more than happy to get a bird/day if that, and would love temps like that. We are staying in Artesian.

[Harold Lee Pickens]

I was planning on shooting 16's. I am not a 12 ga guy, and really dont have a good 12 ga pheasant gun . My Fox pin gun is cyl/m. I will bring my GH 16 and 1oz RST's in 5 and 6. I also have a G grade Lefever 16 choked F/F and a Savage era 16 Fox SW with 2 3/4" chambers. I also have a 16 Rizzini OU with double triggers and choke tubes and have 1 1/8 oz loads in 4,5, and 6 for it. Oh yeah, an NID Ithaca 4E 16 choked M/F is a good pheasant gun but I dislike the flat safety.

[Dean Weber]

Harold,
Shoot the 16s. Leave 6 shot at home and shoot your 5s. These birds are tough, heavily feathered this time of year. Tight chokes with a 16 and judicial shots will still work.

[Harold Lee Pickens]

Think I was crazy going to SD in Jan. Almost 50 degrees here , a foot of snow back home. Not a Parker, but had to use non tox shot on a WPA. Rizzini 16 ga. With double triggers. WILLIE, but unfortunately was a hen.

[Garry L Gordon]

Think I was crazy going to SD in Jan. Almost 50 degrees here , a foot of snow back home. Not a Parker, but had to use non tox shot on a WPA. Rizzini 16 ga. With double triggers. WILLIE, but unfortunately was a hen.

Harold, How in the heck did this last storm miss you and dump 10 inches on us south of you?!?! You must be livin' right. Enjoy your lack of snow and warm temps. I have a feeling they will not last long.

[Harold Lee Pickens]

zero degrees, 24 mph winds, minus 30 wind chills, making things a little brisk. High of 8 today. Only shot at 2 today got 1. Good success on WPAs , so using Boss nontoxic. Ithaca 4E 16 today.

[charlie cleveland]

gota be tough and want to really hunt in those conditions....charlie

[Harold Lee Pickens]

Started out at -8 and got up to 8 yesterday, but sunny and no wind. Lots of birds, but most getting up out of range.. Going to be worse today, high winds shaking the cabin now and 9 degrees .

[charlie cleveland]

to cold for me...but enjoy hearing somebody is out there hunting...charlie

[Chris Pope]

keep at it!

[Daryl Corona]

Are you hunting by yourself? I love SD but not at that temp.:eek:

[Harold Lee Pickens]

Heading off into the sunset. Moved 100+/- birds today. Horizontal blowing snow, we both shot at 2 and each got 1. Heading out for home at 5 am.,17 hrs drive.

[Garry L Gordon]

Heading off into the sunset. Moved 100+/- birds today. Horizontal blowing snow, we both shot at 2 and each got 1. Heading out for home at 5 am.,17 hrs drive.

Great hunt, and thanks for sharing some of it, Harold. Be safe on your drive. It looks like you'll have a tailwind as there are several clippers headed SE.

[Dean Romig]

Safe travels Harold!
Thanks for taking us with you.





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[Harold Lee Pickens]

Going to make this an annual trip. Booking the cabin for next January---my license will still be good then