Decision to make?

[jparrucci]

It appears I mis-calculated my remaining vacation days for the year. I had an extra two days so now I'm going hunting. My dog is getting up there in age and still hasn't gotten to chase pheasants in the dakotas. I have a place to stay in morris mm and a tow behind icehouse that can sleep my friend and I. With the weather forecast this weekend it look like it could be a great chance to get into the ducks as well. I definetly want to hunt pheasants but would like to chase ducks too. Leaving Friday night, coming back Tuesday afternoon. Time and money are a factor.

So the question is what do I do? I can hunt ducks in western mm in the morning, then drive to SD to hunt pheasants during the day. I could also drive to north Dakota and stay there and do both, but it is a longer drive, more time, gas money, and findingand paying for a motel. Or I could drive and stay in south Dakota and just hunt pheasants. Have a canoe so access isn't a problem. Also factor in deer hunting opener in mn and nd this weekend. What would u do? Pheasants are a must but would like a chance at ducks. How far into nd or SD would I need to do for good bird numbers? Any general area or city?

[Superduty]

I don't want to be anywhere near North Dakota on deer opener. It can be a zoo and they shoot rifles-not slugs/shotguns! Minnesota won't be a whole lot better unless you are on a big lake or secluded private land. South Dakota might be your best bet. I don't know when they have deer opener though.

[strait-meat]

I would pick one or the other--doing both in 2 states would be hard. MN doesn't have to much when it comes to pheasants especially this year so if you want to see/shoot a lot it might not be the best but you can do both in the Morris area that is for sure. SD numbers are down too--have to work a little harder but they have a lot more birds than MN. Pick the one that you favor the most. But hunting both in MN is saving $110 right off the bat and giving you the chance to get a mixed bag with saving some on the extra 1.5-2 hour drive in. Good luck!

[bak2MN]

SD deer hunting isnt till later in the month. I would go to SD.

[BrdHunter01]

I also would not enter ND on deer opener as superduty mentioned. I know a few ppl from ND and deer opener is crazy! They do drives w rifles (keep in mind there is not a tree and barely a hill in sight), people trespassing all over, and some people like to check u out to see what ur doing through there rifle scope! I would stay clear... JMO

[mwal]

JP,

I would concentrate on Pheasants in SD you need to head west. I have hunted the Webster area a ton of public land. MY sources say the numbers are down in that area. I have also hunted out by Eureka and Mobridge. Less public land but more birds this year. I know of lodging in West Pollock that is $25 a night for a sleeping shack PM and I can get you the HSOforum. I have not been there for 3 years but at that time they were clean and livable. ND is a complete cluster you know what during Deer season not worth the effort. I also would not pheasant hunt during deer opener in MN either.

Mwal

[Tom7227]

The deer opener in Minnesota always makes me a bit nervous when duck hunting - in fact I haven't done it. It is unclear to me but I think you need to wear blaze orange at least when you're out moving around, and if it isn't required it's probably a good idea. I would also be concerned about the dog ruffling around in the cattails.

I agree that trying the two state thing could very well end up being a mess. Given the deer opener here I guess I would forget the ducks and head to mid to western SD and chase pheasants. You won't have to screw around with the duck gear and maybe you can even forget the camper and use the gas money you save to get a room with a warm shower.