booche' - 10/29/2014 1:46 AM
Nice pics. I have always wanted to do that with my son. Do you have any information on the hunt prices that you could share? I am trying to figure out something now for his senior year that we can do together.
The beauty of South Dakota is that you really don't need to hire an outfitter, especially for duck hunting. The state provides an incredible amount of public access hunting through cooperative agreements with landowners. Duck hunting is very easy to "do it yourself." In reality, normally the best time to go is right now, thru first week or two of Nov. I was forced to go earlier than I really wanted because of my work schedule.
The trick however, is that SD is VERY stingy with their non-resident waterfowl hunting licenses. They are on a quota system and you have to apply and be drawn for a license early in the summer. So it takes some advance planning... and some luck. There are different licenses and at first glance it seems very complicated. But it's not too hard to figure out. If you want advice on that when the time comes call me (number on website).
As for pheasant hunting, you can actually "do it yourself" there as well, it just takes a bit more effort... and a dog helps. But no need to plan in advance... you can buy a 10-day, non-resident SD Small Game License over-the-counter anytime ($125).
However there are LOTS of pheasant outfitters to choose from. I've only hunted with a professional outfitter for pheasant one time (last year). Oddly enough, I just now looked and notice he has a picture of me and Ed on his web page:
http://www.dakotasportsman.com/southdakotapheasanthunting.html Click the Rates link and you'll see he offers packages. But he also offers "Day Hunts" for $175-$200/person. That's what me and Ed did.
You should always ask any outfitter if you'll be hunting "wild birds" or "release birds." Lots of outfitters and preserves release pheasant out there. Nothing wrong with it, and when you're shooting there is really no way to know the difference. The only difference is that you typically won't have to "hunt" as hard for release birds and your hunt (3 bird limit) might be over in a matter of minutes. Of course the same thing can happen with wild birds, depending upon where you are... but it's not as likely.
I could go on-and-on about SD... got specific questions, let me know.
