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I hope coming by LearJet is not the only option?

Joined: 26 Feb 2007 Posts: 190 Location: Washington State

I went to Sturgis in '94 and rode out as far east as Wall. I was on two wheels and was not carrying a shotgun for sure. That's been my only venture into SD.

I'd love to drive over (or fly with some of my air miles) and experience such a hunting opportunity. It would tickle this old grouse hunter...

Sproket , if you finnaly got a job you won't be making it , butttttttt it appers as if I'll have plenty of time. How's about I drive the RV out and pick you up at the airport

SD Trip Cost Breakdown....

South Dakota Hunting License for 10 days: $100
Single Occupancy Lodging per night at the Winner Holiday Inn: $80
Breakfast at the local Diner: Depends on your waistline.
Hunting per day at the USA-Bar Ranch: $100
Miles walked per day pushing birds: 7
Miles walked per day blocking birds: 0
Getting your cocks cleaned at Cooches: 2.50/bird
Gas to get there: Depends on Exxon

Limiting out on pheasants and in the process seeing 10 Mule Deer, 5 Jackrabbits, 3 Turkeys, 1 Badger, 1 Peacock, 2 coyotes and 20 eagles all while razzing your buddies and watching the dogs work: Priceless!

Like my dad always said. Never calculate the cost of a pheasant per pound!

Member Joined: 09 Jul 2006 Posts: 57 Location: Newport.OR

I'm out N.Dakota way chasing ducks around that time. What better than to throw in some roosters to boot.

Hopefully I'll be able to fly in and rent a - somethingorotherwith4doors and pitch in as taxi for some of the event - if my gear could ride out with you Hunshat, all the less crap to deal with the airlines...

[things are progressing on several fronts and I'm sure I'll be earning more miles on a card than previously anticipated...]

Member Joined: 20 Mar 2005 Posts: 1522 Location: NH

Huns,
How's things going for ya? Haven't heard much, know you've been busy.

I'd like to do the trip this year. I've been looking at places in Kansas, Nebraska.

Keep this posted. I need to get away for a hunt.

I'm doing something this year, regardless. Keep me and sprocket updated

what are the So Dak dates.....and revdoc, what have you up your sleeve?

OK-HERE'S THE DEAL:
1. You might have noticed the change in the title of the thread which more accurately reflects my intention Rolling Eyes

I was NOT looking to organize another 'Drew and Dirk's excellent bird hunting adventure.'
2. Mitch was in Presho this last season and might weigh in here. They were hit hard by the drought last spring/summer but still had decent bird numbers. They've had more moisture this winter, and to my knowledge, no terrible ice/snow storm like Western KS and the OK and TX panhandles but the 07' season is not going to be an exceptional one.
3. This is such primo bird hunting country, that about 10 outfitters/guides/lodges are now near Presho AND unfortunately, every acre is leased up/locked up/posted/'you want on you pay'. That's just the reality of bird hunting S. Dakota today. There are options from super lux lodges (Garnos Ranch and Torilil Farm) to just paying and hunting property with your dog. I've got a list of about 10 options and would be happy to e-mail them to anybody interested.
4. The property where that 95' pic was taken was sold to a Las Vegas casino mogel the next year and is no longer open for hunting. I've contacted a guy who I met in the 90s that still runs a hunt/lodge about options.
5. I personally am not interested in a mass military exercise mob push and block pheasant slaughter 'hunt.' I'll be doing that in Plankinton Nov 10-11, but these are long time hunting friends and I do it just because I enjoy the fellowship (3DocPop and tjwalker joined us last year) I'm not in charge of the Plankinton gig and unfortunately it's not open for new guys to join us.
6. I am of the belief that it just doesn't work to try to hunt close working labs with big running pointing dogs in the sort of environment I've hunted around Presho. Frankly, labs do ALOT better job than my setters unless there is a big snow to force those running SOB pheasants to hold up. BUT, if you have labs and want to bring them, all the guide services are usually happy to let your WELL TRAINED lab join the fun.
7. SO, I'd personally want to just stay at Hutch's and find some decent property and pay to let my setter run with the wind and maybe flush a bird within shooting distance BUT some other guys with labs could sure hook up with a guide and all of us get together for cocktails, laughs, and lies after the hunt.
8. My plan now is to hunt in Presho maybe Thursday Nov 8 & 9 (and anybody could sure stay longer) on my way to Mitchell. I understand this conficts with opening weekend (Nov 10) for some of the east coast guys.

Since we all have different desires & wants, probably the best option would be to 1. have a group lab guy guided hunt and 2. also let the guys who just want the give their pointing dogs some work hunt on pay-to-hunt but non guided property and 3. guys without dogs can hunt with whomever they want and 4. all get together someway in the process.
Please post your thoughts. What I'll probably end up doing is posting the contact for a group hunt, the phone # for Hutch's, the phone # of whoever I find that might have good property to pay-to-hunt (and obviously we don't want to pay to hunt property a group of 10 guys and 5 dogs went through the day before Confused

)
I really would like to put some faces with names and would enjoy meeting you fellas and do hope we can work out a way to meet up-you'll love the folks, the sky, and the country in S. Dakota.

Member Joined: 20 Mar 2005 Posts: 1522 Location: NH

I guess I'm the Paladin on this gig - "Have gun, will travel" - no dogs, just me my kit & the gun...

Perhaps this is the beginning of the "First Annual 16 Gauge Society Hunting Gathering"

THIS was the FIRST annual 16ers hunt and I'm leaving it up to brdhnt to organize the second annual KS hunt Cool

http://www.16ga.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=2128&start=0
Dr 16g and me in Russell probably doesn't count but we sure had fun! Very Happy