We are headed to SD to do an upland hunt this season. We are after pheasant, quail, prairie chickens, partridge, and grouse. I have hunted pheasant, quail, and chickens before, but never partridge and grouse. What tips can you provide that will help us with our hunt? What type of habitat do they like? What do you look for in a flush to properly identify them? Are they in coveys or singles usually? Any tips are appreciated.

Also how does your dog react to these different birds? In low to no wind, my dog will point a quail at 5 yards, pheasant at 10 yards, and a chicken at 20 yards.

I think this is the 12th year in a row that I've hunted pheasant near Ipswich, SD. Every day is different as far as weather and how close the birds will let your dogs get and what cover you'll find them.

I'm curious what part of the state you might find all those bird species to hunt at the same time.

X2 I have been up in that country a bunch of times. If you want to see all those species, you need to go even further north into
Canada, Montana or right on the border in North Dakota.

We will be moving around. We will rely on the state maps for locations, but don't know what type of habitat these other birds like.

They all stink the same , your dogs will point them all.
Partridge will be in coveys , grouse and chickens in smaller groups, after they're scattered they'll hold.
All are edge birds, look for them around or close to wheat or grain fields. They'll be shaded up after mid morning until late evening, then back to the fields. You might get some pass shooting coming to the fields in early morning and late evening, if you can determine flight patterns. Huns will walk in.
As they flush, Chickens show black or dark color, Sharpies. show white. They all cluck as they flush and fly off, including huns.
Hope this helps.

Thanks. That is exactly what I need.

Take the free English pointer that you posted about in the gun dog topics with you to South Dakota. If she is the dog I think she is and I'm pretty sure it is her. She'll teach you some things about those prairie birds. She is 11 yrs old and has 1 horseback win. I owned her at one time and sold her. She was a $5000.00 dog as a 4 year old. Her call name is Mickey. She is very hard of hearing, so have her ears cleaned by a vet and take her to the prairies and let her roll, she has had lots and lots of birds shot over her and will retrieve but not well. If you have a lab and I think you do. Then put the lab with her and let it flush for you. She is steady for this and will stand tall and rock solid as you shoot and let the lab do the retrieving. Oh! and she is spayed.

txdogman, PM sent.