Duck Hunting NE South Dakota?

[Top Gun]

A couple of buddies an I will be heading to NE South Dakota next week for a combo waterfowl / pheasant hunt. We were hoping for the migration to be in full swing by then but it doesn't look real promising right now. Reports have alot of birds at Sand Lake and surrounding area but not many northern birds have moved down.

Does anyone have any experiance with waterfowl hunting in the Webster area that they would like to share? We would like to get into some field hunting for Mallards but are prepared for pothole hunting too. We aren't bringing a boat so waders will have to do if it's over water.

Thanks for any help.

[gorrilla]

I hunted that area the last 3 years and I believe if you go out there and the water isn't froze you can't help but have a great time. Ducks were crazy again this year and it only gets better. Call Sportsman's Cove in Webster or Lynn Lake Lodge if you want the skinny on the local numbers of quackers.

[Top Gun]

Thanks Gorilla - we are staying at Lynn Lake Lodge and I know Paul will help us any way he can. I'll check with the Sportsman's Cove when we get out there too.

Did you hunt potholes or did you get in some field hunting?

[gorrilla]

We hunted almost all water this year but we were out there early. Last year we shot numerous honkers and greenheads in the fields. The only thing is right by Webster the terrain doesn't allow for large open fields so it isn't always conducive for huge concentrations but if you look you'll find plenty. If you can bring just a small duck boat or canoe you can hunt the majority of potholes. A guy just needs something to get decoys out and possibly retrieve birds the dogs can't get. Good Luck!!

[Tyler Holm]

TG,

Here are some confidence photos. This beautiful limit was shot within 1 mile of Lynn Lake Lodge towards the NW. Just west of Lynn Lake.

I've got several more that came within 5 miles of Lynn Lake. If you notice the date, its about this time of year. Good Luck.

[kurtkwe]

I hunted this area the first weekend in October. The hunting was fantastic. I never needed a boat though I had brought my canoe along. The majority of sloughs are walk in and assuming you have a dog you will be fine. We scouted each afternoon to locate the birds and set up each morning to hunt in very small potholes. I hunted mainly north of Webster near the Lake City area. I never saw a pheasant in this area however, it appeared that the Webster area had more pheasant habitat. I also never saw another hunter. There are large sloughs and lakes that should not freeze up should the weather turn bitter. If it looks as though the weather is turning I would then bring a boat. The south end of Roy Lake is all public land and you could hunt there quite late into the season. I did see quite a few sharptail flocks though they were already very wary, getting up at least 75 yards ahead of us.

Good Luck and Enjoy.

[Walleye Seeker]

Top Gun,

I just got back from Webster on Sunday. We started hunting October 26th. The duck hunting was decent. Not great, but still ok. It was warm and a lot of south winds. We too were hoping to get there when the northern flight was coming through. There still are thousands of ducks in the area. We shot seven different varities. The pheasant hunting was poor. There was a lot of corn standing, but the farmers were really combining Friday and Saturday and the public areas have diffinately have been pounded. We had roosters getting up 200 yards in front of us. The best pheasant hunting was south of Webster about 10 miles. The best duck hunting was north and west of Webster. I hope this helps. It was a pretty good time.

Seeker

[Tyler Holm]

If your having problems finding ducks near Webster, I recommend taking a look at Sand Lake. Without a doubt, there are 10s of thousands of birds there. You will see them. Hunting them is a bit more difficult because you have to compete with the Aberdonians.

These came 1 mile from Sand Lake last year.

Roslyn area is always full of birds this time of year as well. Look West / Northwest of Roslyn.

Bitter Lake holds a load of local honkers and a decent number of ducks.

[Top Gun]

Thanks to all of you for the replies and advice. Tyler- that is what we are looking for. I think I saw your photos before on this site somewhere but they sure get a guy pumped.

A freind called yesterday that had just returned home from Saskatchewan. They slughtered the ducks in Canada but said the were very few to be seen in ND so after alot of discussion, searching migration reports and weather forecasts we have decided to postpone our trip until the week after next. Gorrillla, Kurtkwe and Walleye Seeker- your reports all helped us make the decision last night- thanks again.

They got some snow and cold up north yesterday so maybe the move will get started but the weather for the next week or so is still relatively mild. We also want to get in some pheasant hunting and so more or most of the corn should be harvested by then making the WPAs more attractive for the pheasants.

Field hunting will be our first choice and if that doesn't work out we will hunt the potholes from shore. We have very good dogs so we won't need a boat. I'll let you all know how it went when we return.

[carpshooterdeluxe]

i was working in aberdeen all week and there are ducks all over. all it takes is one drive down u.s. 12 from groton to waubay and you will know. mallards and geese all over along the sloughs visible from the highway. ive got to go to fargo tomorrow; but i might swing off and hit a couple public spots on the way

[Tyler Holm]

My boys back home just shot their 20 mallards in 45 minutes this morning. They pretty much got'er done. They borrowed a Vortex and said every duck in the sky sucked into their spread. They were hunting a couple miles west Sand Lake.

Dave Frank... You live?

[Top Gun]

Tyler - Now I'm thinking we should have gone this week but what the heck, it's got to get better until the weather pushes them out of SD - right?

What is a Vortex?

[Tyler Holm]

TG,

A vortex is this wacky machine that is "V" shaped and spins/rotates. At the top each arm of the V, a wind duck is attached. It basically looks like 2 ducks spirialing down into a decoy spread.

If you look on Cabela's site or do a search on Vortex, you will find pictures and prices.

Oh, by the way, I recommend bringing motorized ducks if you have them. They can be a big asset in field hunting mallards.

PS I will be in Aberdeen next weekend. Shoot me an email if you have any further questions.

[David Frank]

You know it!! The 45 minute limit was a blast!!! We owe it all to good scouting!!! The vortex, robo and lucky didn't hurt in the field either. There for a while it was absolutely raining ducks on our spread! What a hunt!

Dave