where to start in south dakota?

[ole matty]

Hello, past few years me and my father have annual pheasant hunting in iowa. Last few year it gotten lousy as we have to move farther west to find good number, but less public land, this year I decide to try south dakota, I m wondering which area have more public lands also with good numbers of pheasant as well.. I had heard some good thing about pierre area but don't know if plenty of public land around pierre,

Any good hotel, motels that allow dog inside with decent price?

Thanks!

Happy shootin!

Matty

[WaveWacker]

Pierre is good for bird numbers. Don't know about public land. Aberdeen also has a lot of public land. All areas will have plenty of people around. If you can get there during the week there may be slightly less.

Not sure but look on the SD game and fish HSOforum. They may have maps of areas with the public land highlighted on it.

[rundrave]

here is all the info you need for public lands

http://www.sdgfp.info/Publications/Atlas/Index.htm

[pureinsanity]

I have hunted mitchell, to aberdeen almost anywhere in south dakota is good. Most places will allow dogs. If they don't. just ask for a corner ground level room so the office cant see you. we sneak our dogs in for the night.

[gurkster]

Aberdeen

[Jarrod32]

Open the map in rundrave's link...I would strongly suggest grids 36, 37 and 38 on that map....

[ole matty]

i think i m decide on pickin aberdeen area, any good hotels with decent rates for weeks? is there any sporting good store in town that i can buy ammo, license from?? any cafes, supermarket etc? thanks

[Buckcountry]

I am heading to aberdeen, we have 10,000 acres to hunt for just my group, my uncle owns it and he doesn't let anyone touch it but us so I can't wait.

There are several hotels but you will not find a room this weekend and probably for the next week, better off checking out a camp site. Kens supermarket is a great place to buy any sporting goods items, food and they have a bar...everything you need in one store!! Plenty of places to eat.

[Chef]

Pick up a DeLorme's SD Gazetteer for reference too.

[BLACKJACK]

As you drive into Aberdeen from the east on the main drag, on the right side, right by a small fleet farm on the north side of the road is a gas station/grocery store/sporting goods store, we usually stop there, they have tables set up with people filling out licenses, not much of a wait, plus we can pick up a few groceries if needed.

Then across the street is a nice restaurant where we go for breakfast, don't know the name (Old Mill xxxx?) but they serve a good breakfast.

[ole matty]

Thanks. We might head there in mid nov.

[Jarrod32]

BLACKJACK is referring to the Millstone restaurant (I think), and to Ken's Express for license. Both places are good. There is also a Runnings Farm and Fleet on the West/Southwest side of town that has a good selection of hunting equipment (shells, clothing, etc.). Lots of hotels that offer good rates...

[reddog]

You can upload all the the management areas and Walk In areas to your gps device here:

http://www.sdgfp.info/wildlife/gps/index.asp

It will really help out in getting around.