planning a nodak hunt

[superfish2]

A friend of mine who lives in boston (orginaly from Mich), and I hunted in iowa last year and had a great time. It was his father, grandfather, my lab and his two dogs. We stayed with and hunted on a friend of his dad's land. We are not sure we can get back on that land this year.

Plus he knows that I am more of a duck hunter and he would like to get his dogs (a brittany and a lewelleyan) into some huns, sharptails, and pheasants. We have tossed around the idea (if Iowa falls through) of going to North Dakota for a week in late oct or early november. I would rather do it earlier then that but that is when he has the time to go.
Does anyone have any suggestion on where to find decent numbers of both ducks and upland birds. If it were just me hunting (ducks, pheasants)I would guess the devils lake area, or maybe the valley city area (I used to live in Gwinner). But I have no idea where to go for all three upland birds. Do I have to go even farther west (bismark, dickenson) or will something in south east work?

[FOOT]

Superfish, I have hunted NoDak for over 20 years in the middle South of the state. There are tremendous numbers of ducks and geese but its a little shy on the pheasants. A few years ago when the water was down the pheasants were everywhere but with the high water a lot of the cover got flooded. Sharptails and Huns are decent, if you hunt for them you'll find them. The pheasants can be hit or miss. One section the birds are decent the adjacent section may hold nothing.
5 years ago several of us went together and purchased a house we use as a base. In fact we rent it out during the hunting season when we're not using it. It's $20 per day, per person, no minimum time limit. The house will sleep 15. Has a furnished kitchen w/ eating area for 6 plus a dining room with table and chairs. 2 bathrooms w/ showers. It's located in the town of Kulm and for the most part the people are friendly.
One thing to remember - Last year NoDak seperated their waterfowl and upland bird hunting licenses, each now cost $100 a piece. Also again this year you will need to pick your zone to hunt ducks and you can only hunt 7 days in zone 2 or 3 and the other 7 need to be in zone 1.
Good luck, I know you'll enjoy Nodak.

[N Hardy]

I hunted the Oakes area last year and that has every thing you are looking for. Good luck. Foot where is Klum located?

[This message has been edited by N Hardy (edited 07-07-2004).]

[FOOT]

N HARDY, from Oakes go North on 1 about 15 miles to Hwy 13. Go West on 13, 45 miles and you'll run into Kulm.
I've hunted the Ashley/Wishek/Kulm/LaMoure/Oakes area and it all seems to be about the same. Waterfowl is great, Pheasants-Sharptails-Huns you'll have to hunt for.
When it was really dry we were hunting around Ashley and we had no problems getting our ducks in the early morning and our pheasants late morning to early afternoon. Hardy ever saw another hunter. We didn't shoot our limits on purpose for the first part of the week. If we did we would have filled our possession limit and had to come home early. With the increase in hunting pressure it takes a little longer to get your birds. We take our golf clubs along the first week or so (depending on when we go) and take the afternoons and sit on the porch, work on the house, golf or go on tour for new hunting spots.

[superfish2]

thanks for the replys guys. A couple more questions. Is the majority of the land in that area posted? And if it's posted how hard is it get on?

[ATM]

superfish I was just in the Forman, Oakes area for a golf tournament and there is pheasants everywhere. Also the sloughs were full of water and baby ducks. As far as hunting on private land I have had much better success in this area than where I hunt in SD or MN. Also around Forman I have found some good public land. Adam

[superfish2]

No problem on treating people right. I also ask permission and error on the way far side of caution. Is there a public land map of Nodak aviable anywhere.

[FOOT]

Not many problems getting on to private land to hunt ducks or geese. There is some land that is rented to guides and then you might have a problem. Most locals want you to go ahead and shoot those grain eatin sob's.
Pheasants will be a little different. Several times I've asked permission to hunt and was told to hunt all the ducks I want but don't shoot the pheasants.
I always ask permission and have only been turned down 4 - 5 times in over 20 years to hunt ducks & geese.
The people are nice and don't forget to treat them and their state as you would want them to treat you.

[FOOT]

Best place I've found for that is the county seat. Their maps are usually more up to date then others but the NoDak DNR is also a good source. Plus the PLOTS lands are very well marked and expanding yearly.

[Guest]

Superfish--Pick up the DeLormes Gazeteer of N. Dak. it's the Bomb...you can get them at any major outdoor store, Cabela's or a book retailer will order it for you...

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Chells

[superfish2]

FOOT,

could you possibly send me an email about the house for rent? My freinds and i are trying to start planning something out.

charger904 at yahoo dot com