HEADING SOUTH!

Harold Pickens · 01-01-2022, 10:34 AM

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?

mobirdhunter · 01-01-2022, 02:22 PM

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 · 01-01-2022, 03:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 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?

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 · 01-01-2022, 06:44 PM

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

6pt-Sika · 01-01-2022, 07:09 PM

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

Chris Pope · 01-02-2022, 05:46 PM

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 · 01-02-2022, 06:06 PM

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

mobirdhunter · 01-02-2022, 06:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 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.

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.

6pt-Sika · 01-02-2022, 09:42 PM

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

Harold Pickens · 01-03-2022, 11:42 AM

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.