Black hills 2013

[theghost_03]

Heading to the hills again this year for opening weekend out there. Last year was hampered by terrible weather with snow and wind. We're staying north a ways from Hill City. Went out the day before and scouted and couldn't believe how many birds we saw and heard. Hoping for better luck this year. It is really a gorgeous area to hunt birds for. Anyone else heading there or have any tips for a guy and that area??

[Borch]

Run and gunning has worked best for us out there. There are lots of birds in pockets and they cover a lot of ground. The first year we hunted we found spots with lots of sign and hunted them hard. We didn't have much success as the birds moved into new areas. When we switched to a milk run approach with hitting several spots and calling aggressively as we covered ground our success rate soared. Sometimes places with lots of sign there are birds still there and other times not. Even in spots with little to no fresh sign we've shot birds even though our "confidence" was low in that spot based on what we were seeing.

Sure is pretty country to hunt and will always be a favorite hunt of mine.

[Cheetah]

I'll be out there in late April. The first couple weeks are fairly high risk of blizzards and such, so we avoid that time.

[Pigmeat]

Sounds great! National Forest, I assume? Love the area, spent tons of time rock climbing, hiking and trout fishing, but have never hunted it. The Southern Hills look pretty cool, too (south of the park). Good luck!

[theghost_03]

Thanks guys! Hopefully the weather cooperates this year a little bit better however I know how hit or miss it can be the early part of April out there. I am hoping with a few extra days hunting I have planned I will at least get a few decent outings. Borch I am gonna shoot you a PM and get some intel from ya if you don't mind, looking for some advice.