Posted By: jnd59
So, you want to hunt South Dakota... - 03/16/24 10:40 PM
I'm starting this now to see if we can build momentum for a group hunt to SD. SD NR waterfowl is a draw state. The draw application period opens June 6 and ends July 8. Based on the 2023 draw, if you had zero points you would have about a 75% chance of drawing a statewide, nonresident 10 day (broken up into two 5 day periods) license. I've never hunted SD but I have two waterfowl points. You must be twelve (chronological age, not maturity) to hunt in SD. Total license cost, assuming you already have your federal duck stamp, would be about $150. I'll get more exact numbers once we get down to the draw period.
I'm starting this thread to explore interest, get feedback from experienced SD hunters and hopefully start a group plan before the draw begins. I have no preconceived expectations about how or where we hunt as well as lodging and food. We can go cheaper or less cheaper but I will say I have to pay for an elk guide and a fly in caribou hunt in the next three years so guided hunts in SD are probably a no go for me. That doesn't mean others can't go guided for a day or two while the group is up there, though.
Here are my initial ideas. None are set in stone:
We will need to have multiple vehicles as we will all need to scout daily. Whether that means we rent them up there or drive up is up to each hunter. I think, if we have six hunters we will need at least three vehicles to scout.
Based on the scouting/hunting I expect we will be happier staying in motels but I'm open to camping.
I'm not sure we will need a boat. As I've read, we will need to decide how we want to hunt (field, pond, river or lake). I'm not inclined to drag my boat up there just to have it. But if the majority wants to hunt big water I will.
I would prefer to hunt earlier rather than later. I don't want to risk late season weather for travel or bird numbers. Low plains season starts Sept 21st. HIgh plains season starts Oct 12th. Unless someone chimes in with more information, it looks like we would do best to maximize the available hunting area to go mid October. I've hunted Wyoming in mid October. Blizzards are possible but most water is still open or can be opened easily.
It'd be great if someone in our group has a dog. I don't at the moment and I won't have one trained for this year.
I'm willing to handle a lot of the planning (i'm retired) as well as sending out emails, etc.
My one hard/fast rule. Money is due when it is due. It's not due after it's due. But I would prefer to minimize the amount of money we have to pool. Two people staying in a motel can work that out between themselves. The only things we would need to pool money on, as far as I know now, are applications and any possible field decoy/trailer rental.
If some of us have one or two points and some have zero, I would consider grouping by point level (1+ in one group and 0 in the other) or each apply individually and see where we end up.
I would prefer to hunt with four of us but I will say, I've been on 8 man group hunts and it's just not as enjoyable. If we end up with that many people I would prefer we split into two four-person groups when possible and rotate those groups daily. Again, these are just my thoughts. Nothing is set in stone.
Lets start with anyone that even has a hint of interest. We can get down to the nut cuttin' later.
If this works out I may change my mind about guided elk and change that to a diy hunt. That's a lot more complicated though.
I'm starting this thread to explore interest, get feedback from experienced SD hunters and hopefully start a group plan before the draw begins. I have no preconceived expectations about how or where we hunt as well as lodging and food. We can go cheaper or less cheaper but I will say I have to pay for an elk guide and a fly in caribou hunt in the next three years so guided hunts in SD are probably a no go for me. That doesn't mean others can't go guided for a day or two while the group is up there, though.
Here are my initial ideas. None are set in stone:
We will need to have multiple vehicles as we will all need to scout daily. Whether that means we rent them up there or drive up is up to each hunter. I think, if we have six hunters we will need at least three vehicles to scout.
Based on the scouting/hunting I expect we will be happier staying in motels but I'm open to camping.
I'm not sure we will need a boat. As I've read, we will need to decide how we want to hunt (field, pond, river or lake). I'm not inclined to drag my boat up there just to have it. But if the majority wants to hunt big water I will.
I would prefer to hunt earlier rather than later. I don't want to risk late season weather for travel or bird numbers. Low plains season starts Sept 21st. HIgh plains season starts Oct 12th. Unless someone chimes in with more information, it looks like we would do best to maximize the available hunting area to go mid October. I've hunted Wyoming in mid October. Blizzards are possible but most water is still open or can be opened easily.
It'd be great if someone in our group has a dog. I don't at the moment and I won't have one trained for this year.
I'm willing to handle a lot of the planning (i'm retired) as well as sending out emails, etc.
My one hard/fast rule. Money is due when it is due. It's not due after it's due. But I would prefer to minimize the amount of money we have to pool. Two people staying in a motel can work that out between themselves. The only things we would need to pool money on, as far as I know now, are applications and any possible field decoy/trailer rental.
If some of us have one or two points and some have zero, I would consider grouping by point level (1+ in one group and 0 in the other) or each apply individually and see where we end up.
I would prefer to hunt with four of us but I will say, I've been on 8 man group hunts and it's just not as enjoyable. If we end up with that many people I would prefer we split into two four-person groups when possible and rotate those groups daily. Again, these are just my thoughts. Nothing is set in stone.
Lets start with anyone that even has a hint of interest. We can get down to the nut cuttin' later.
If this works out I may change my mind about guided elk and change that to a diy hunt. That's a lot more complicated though.