Harold, I moved 11 inches of snow in (SFs) the last 18 hours. Huron got a couple inches less, but I believe already had a snow pack. Besides the safety of you and companions while hunting, beware of roads or pull-ins not plowed. Don't want to get the vehicle stuck out there in these temps. Be safe. Hunting should be good considering.

Let me know if you need a single trigger gun!

Dean

SoDak Trip Cancelled
 

I'm no whimp and generally hunt 3-4 days/week starting October, but just cancelled upcoming trip to SD. A new foot of snow on top of what was already there and temps at -17 at night and the highest temp predicted for the next week or so( after I get There) to be 9 degrees. Called the ranch we rent a cabin off of and said there were some pretty serious drifting.
Last year we battled heavy snow--above your knees at times--and cold temps but were successful, but hunted only 5 days instead of 10. Both man and dogs were wore out. The extreme cold takes its toll on the dogs also. It was hard last year even trying to find a place to pull the truck off the road to park as Dean alludes to---and yes got stuck in an unplowed parking lot at a WPA on the first day last year.
Had a great season none the less with 2 trips to the UP (should have been three), lots of pheasant hunting at home, and a ball hunting quail on the WV public hunting areas where they are working hard to establish them. But its all over now until next year.

Harold, as tough a decision as it is to call off a hunt, I think what you're doing is very prudent. No need to risk injury -- or worse -- for you or your pups. It's also hard on the birds to be flushed away from thermal cover at these bitter cold times. We had about a foot of snow here in North Missouri and forecast temperatures that have highs in the lower single digits (with minus teens at night). I've hunted in that cold before, but not with snow that was that deep. Our poor quail will die if these conditions persist, and it looks like they will. I won't flush a covey in weather like this. We may also cancel our trip to Kansas which appears to have similar poor weather (and after a year of drought!).

When you work your whole life to have retirement to hunt, losing time is a big deal. It's why I go every chance I can. I know you're a kindred spirit in that regard. I hope things work out for a great coming season, and that we both -- and our pups -- are well land able to enjoy it.

Take care!

Harold,
Sorry to hear you will miss your hunt. I get it though, tough for everyone/thing involved in this type of weather. Think about November/December.

Harold,

You made the right decision. It may warm up to allow you to get the last week in, but it looks brutal for the next 5 to 7 days.

Ken

Go Harold! Stay home and hug that fireplace, wood stove or whatever. No snow here yet but very strong winds and cold temps are mucking up my plans for woodcock hunting here in VA and MD. Had super heavy rainstorms yesterday and last night, more expected for Fri. and Sat. then VERY cold temps for these parts (near-zero by dawn Sun.). Could be time to head for the seacoast and rig out for a brant shoot. Ducks are still in, too! No better Blackduck shooting than a crystal-clear, windy day with temps down in the storm cellar!!

Same with me Harold. I’ve decided against my quail trip as well. I enjoy hunting educated, late season birds but if the weather turns bad I prefer not to add more stress chasing them from their wintering sanctuaries. Not to mention, I’ve become adverse to the “white knuckle” driving. Time to run the dogs on the golf course to burn up their energy, hunt some late season geese if they show and reflect on the 2023 season.

Sorry the hunting trip did not work out for you Harold, I know you were looking forward to it. I think you made the right decision the weather out there now and into the near future is not just cold, it's dangerous. I hope to see you at Hausmann's.

That's the main reason we head out in Oct. Harold. We have run into 80*, rain, snow and if course the wind in the 5 days we hunt out there. My main concern is the travel in that horrible weather. They must have those gates on I90 for a reason that I don't want to find out. BTW.. I know you are in the UP that time of year but we always have a spot open if you want to join us.

Daryl, the gates were closed recently on I-80 from Des Moines to the IL line. I can only imagine what it was like in the Dakotas and Kansas. Here in North Missouri we finally saw a snow plow on our state maintained road late yesterday, two days after the storm. I've not seen my mailman since the storm. Maybe I should hop on the tractor and go look for him. And we haven't even gotten really cold...yet(!).