Going out of state for Pheasants?

[freddogs]

I've been hesitant to make plans for a big game hunt because it looks like I will lose my job. Is it possible to go to the Dakotas or somewhere and hunt pheasants  inexpensively?

[harley]

Hey Freddogs

Colorado has a very good program for pheasant hunting in the eastern part of the state.Cost is minimal and gives a hunter access to over 150,000 acres of private croplands. Go to www.colorado.com and follow the prompts to the WALK IN ACCESS. The maps are a bit primitive but they are accurate enough to give you a good idea of which parts of the state offer the best croplands. I plan on taking advantage of this program alot this comimg season!!! Maybe we could hook up on a hunt ?

[freddogs]

:-D Thanks Harley for the info. I hope I can use it this fall. I might be doing more hunting here in Wisconsin for grouse and woodcock. Those pheasants are sure fun to hunt. Hmmm. :roll:

[Buckshotliam]

I'd like to suggest South Dakota.  Lotta birds, lotta good people, lotta state land to hunt if you don't want to pay a guide etc.  See my post from 3/12 about the Pheasant Country website to get ideas.

Buckshot Liam

[prairiedog555]

Give a thought to Central to Western Ks.  Lots of public access and I hear a lot of birds with not much pressure.  All I ever hear about SD is that without paying it is hard to get permission to hunt.  Is that correct?  my friends go and say going rate is about $100 a day for no guide, just access.  I know there are lots of birds in SD, the best, but for an out of state hunter can you have a good hunt, get permission ect ?

[charto]

I live in south Central ND last year we moved into 2nd on the pheasant scale or so i read, Im not far from SD border there's birds everywhere ok yes you could, ok you would need to do it right. there are plenty of places to hunt with access for all ,You need to realize the people here make alot of money off hunters. But it doesn't mean you would have to spend alot. 

[dukkillr]

South Dakota is king, period.  But, early in the season you can't hunt before noon, then 10.  It's a drag sitting around all day.  Lots of places you go will have so many birds you'll be done in a couple of hours anyway.  That being said, it's a cool experience.  It can be expensive.

Western Kansas is far less pressured and has a great deal more public land.  The WIHA program is much more successful here than in SD.  The major difference is that SD has so many more birds.  There isn't really a comparison.  You'll see dozens of birds just driving down the road in SD (which you can hunt because SD allows road hunting).  The good part about KS is that you can do it more economically.

Let me put it this way:

Here's a 2 hour hunt we had in South Dakota 2006


And here's a whole day in Kansas 2006


Obviously it depends on the day and the place... The very best pheasant hunt I've ever had was in KS, but on average SD is better.

[Omaha-BeenGlockin]

South Dakota is the best pheasant hunting------not exactly cheap though.

Non-res permit in Iowa isn't too bad----plus you can road hunt.

Just doesn't seem like there's very many birds here in NE----you'll kick one up here and there---but they aren't thick here like in SD. No road hunting here.

Never tried KS--but might have too---since I have a daughter living there.

[halfacop]

Right - SD is king. However - Iowa is great hunting as well.

We live in MI and can a do a 4 day hunt with 4 guys for $400.00 a peice.

Thats Rooms, gas, meals, license etc etc.

Good Times:

[GRIMJIM]

A question for you guys hunting in Iowa. Is there a lot of public land? I live in Illinois and the only way you can get on a decent amount of birds is to join a club for 500.00-600.00 a year and after so many birds you have to pay market price per bird. There just ain't a lot of free range pheasant here anymore. Unless someone can tell me different or where to go to hunt. Iowa is in the range of possibility though. My parents have a little cottage in Joe Davies county in the north eastern corner of Illinois and it's about a half an hour drive to the border.

[halfacop]

There is a fair amount of public hand to hunt in Iowa. Roughly 270,000 acres. Its the lowest percentage in the nation compared to other states.

But really you don't need it......You can get on 9 out of 10 farms to hunt. You just need to go knock on the door and ask.

I have been hunting Iowa since 1985 and have never had to hunt public land. There are so many farmers and as long as your polite and respectable you will have no problems getting on.

[GRIMJIM]

I'll have to try that, thanks for the reply,
Jim

[jrfrmn]

There is a fair amount of public hand to hunt in Iowa. Roughly 270,000 acres. Its the lowest percentage in the nation compared to other states.

But really you don't need it......You can get on 9 out of 10 farms to hunt. You just need to go knock on the door and ask.

I have been hunting Iowa since 1985 and have never had to hunt public land. There are so many farmers and as long as your polite and respectable you will have no problems getting on.

Where would be a good place to start looking? I live in Illinois. Two hrs east of Miss river.

[halfacop]

We hunt roughly 60 miles East of Des Moines and about an hour North of I80.

We have hunted down by Washington and as far North as Mason City..........The birds tend to go up and down depending on the weather and such but the people usually don't change. Drive around, find some good bird cover, and knock.

[Nimrod71]

I live in Georgia.  I hunt if S.D. often.  Last year I went to Winner S.D.  We had a great time.  I saw more birds than I have ever seen.  Gas for the trip was the most expensive part.  Motel room was $40 a night.  Ate out every meal.  Total expense for the week was about $1,500 and $600 was for gas.