2023-12-29 17:34:58
With sprawling prairies, lush forests and abundant rivers & lakes, South Dakota is the ultimate destination for year-round hunting and fishing. Two locals share some of their insider tips and tricks for a successful excursion in the great outdoors. Get hunting and fishing licenses and learn more about regulations at gfp.sd.gov. PHEASANT HUNTING IN FALL & WINTER By Tammy Bashore, Writer/Photographer/ Avid Outdoorswoman South Dakota is world-renowned for its pheasant hunting, with the average annual harvest of more than 1 million roosters. Prepping for the hunt is possibly the most important step. Start by purchasing your hunting license and downloading the SDGFP app Go Outdoors South Dakota. I recommend getting a paper copy of the public land maps — it’s free and available anywhere licenses are sold. We absolutely love hunting after it snows. The minute you step into the field, you’ll be able to see — or not see — pheasant tracks, which will give you immediate confidence in that hunting spot. Remember to be patient, persistent and flexible. Peruse the public hunting atlas to find the pieces of public land closest to you and determine how far you are willing to go to increase your chances of success. By being prepared with the right gear and knowledge, you’ll be one of those hunters contributing to our incredible harvest number. But hunting is about so much more than the actual harvest. Experiencing our natural world as a participant and feeling an intimate connection to the place? Priceless. GEAR RECOMMENDATIONS: Hat, jacket for those cold days, durable pants, water-resistant boots and first-aid kit. For the dogs, bring collars, protective vests and a jug of water. SPRING TURKEY TIPS By Jeff Gutenkauf, South Dakota Game, Fish & Parks Spring is simply the best time to hunt turkeys. We like to locate birds in the evening and set up on them the next morning in the dark. Walking creek bottoms on the prairies or in the Black Hills trying to locate birds can be very productive. I like to call every couple hundred yards and wait for 20 to 30 minutes. If nothing comes in, keep moving down the creek. Set up away from the roost tree (100 to 150 yards at a minimum), either sitting in a blind or with your back against a tree. When hunting out of a blind, you have more ability to move around undetected. We try to sit on the way to their morning feeding area or normal travel pattern. I usually set up a couple hens and maybe a jake decoy. Once I hear the hens make their morning yelps, I then let out a few soft yelps with my mouth diaphragm call. This way, they believe another hen is nearby. I often imitate a turkey fly-down by beating a turkey wing against my thigh, making them think another turkey has flown down not far away. Good luck to all of you in the spring! GEAR RECOMMENDATIONS: Full camouflage with face mask, lightweight gloves, hat, bug spray, comfortable walking boots and a turkey vest to carry tools. YEAR-ROUND FISHING Fly-fish for trout in a flowing Black Hills stream. Reel in bass on a northeast glacial lake. Cast a line into a Missouri River reservoir. With 98 percent of its waters accessible to the public, South Dakota has become a year-round haven for fishing fanatics. Learn more on why anglers travel from all over the country to fish our prolific waters at TravelSouthDakota.com/Recreation/Fishing.
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