Hunting on the Prairie
 

Here are some pictures of a hunt just completed. I live in the state of SD, but I am still amazed at what I see on these adventures. Hunt was for pheasant, sharptails, and prairie chickens.

https://i.imgur.com/jEu8p4e.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/FDOQtZ2.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/og2Ij4M.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/zaJDbwD.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/2oNPVdQ.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/wYg4c5p.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/KK3Hvr4.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/mFahfiQ.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/qRi5qUr.jpg

Great pics! That is some big country you have out there! Thanks for posting.

Absolutely stunning!

I was there opening week Dean a little West of Winner. Phez numbers were down a bit which combined with the drought conditions and some very windy weather for a couple of days made for some challenging hunts. In the end we did quite well, just had to work extra hard. We encountered way less Sharpies than previous years but the Chicken count was up, way up. I did note that we killed mostly mature birds, I never counted but I would think at least 2/3 or maybe even more were mature. I would assume that is a direct reflection of the hatch. I love the prairie and look forward to this trip every year, beautiful country. We both probably enjoyed this same sunset.

Prairie chicken is on my bucket list!! I'd love to have one mounted for our lodge.

Three bird hunts I want to do:

Sharptails
Grouse
Mearns Quail

. . . Just one of these days

mills you me sure have the same thoughts on those birds....great open spaces and beautiful sunsets it don't get any better....charlie

Dean,
Thanks for posting these great pictures, please tell us about that Grade 4? Underlifter your using, Parker Laminate barrels, Wow!
Stan

Randy,
My assessment is birds were better West of the Missouri than last year. Hard to tell on chickens since their numbers are not great overall. Pheasants were all day long but sharps and chickens were where you found them. Of course, Labs and pheasant cover is not necessarily the best combo for grassland birds. May be very different around Winner.

Get on your horse and come out with a setter and we will get you one!

Stan,
Close. Its a grade 6, 12 gauge. I had a lot of fun with it and I shot it surprisingly well. I was undefeated with it until I totally blew a flock shot at prairie grouse!

Dean

To those thinking of heading to the prairie for the first time, read John Madson’s Where the Sky Began— a great prep for life on the prairie.

Great photos, Dean!!

Big Sky Country for sure!!

Please tell us about that flag out in the middle of nowhere Dean, there must be a story to it.





.

For those not zooming in, one of the sunrise photos shows the flag under lights. When enquiring with the landowner about the significance, he said it was not a memorial. He just wanted to fly Old Glory where it could be seen from a distance. So he erected a pole and dug electricity to it. He has a sporting clays course "near" it, so he was able to trench cable to it with "moderate difficulty". A wind some years back broke it off, so they cut 5 foot and erected it again. Albeit a bit shorter. Catches the eye from a distance. Although I am unsure one could see it from another ranch as it is more acres than I can imagine owning.

If we plan for 2023 it just might happen!! Susan’s cousin lives in Lead, maybe kill two birds…..

SD Experience
 

Wonderful country and hunt! Thanks for sharing the experience Dean!

Headed up your way tomorrow Dean!

Wow,
Sounds like a really special gun there Dean, what is the length on those beautiful barrels?
Stan

I’ve spent a lot of time in South Dakota chasing Springers and pheasants. I’ve transitioned to chasing grouse and woodcock behind an English Setter and an English Pointer but my love of the prairies and the desire to see my dogs work big, beautiful grasslands in search of birds is calling me back.

Dean, now you had to mention prairie grouse too!! That is also a bucket list bird.

Stan,
Barrel length is 30 inches.

Best.

Mike,

We categorize 3 species into the PRAIRIE GROUSE category...they are

Prairie Chicken
Sharptail Grouse
Sage Grouse - closed in SD

Years ago I wound up spending 3 1/2 days in Lead (pronounced LEED) SD as an EPA HQ rep for Denver's Region 8 annual meeting. After the first 2 days I had no real substantive input to the proceedings other than sitting on volunteer panels to discuss fiscal plans for the following year.

The afternoon of the second day I decided to take the rental car and drive over to Mt. Rushmore, an hour or so away as I recall. I asked two other HQ reps if they wanted to go; neither had ever been but said "Once you've seen the postcard or the National Geographic cover, you've seen it all."

So I drove over alone and I must say it is one of the most impressive "live" monuments I've ever seen. As good or better than "the heads" themselves, the museum there showing the planning and progression of the sculpting of the massive faces, along with the tools and equipment used is absolutely fascinating. Even the coffee in the tourist restaurant, pretty much deserted at the time, was great!