Pheasant Hunting the Snow
Courtney, Joe and Tyler in West River South Dakota near Winner. Credit: (Ultimate Pheasant Hunting Staff)
Source: www.ultimatepheasanthunting.com
Published: Nov. 08, 2008
I am always amazed at how many sportsmen rack their guns, stow their upland gear and make ready for ice fishing when the weather begins to get cold in the Dakotas. For some it may be a matter of having to decide between two fun winter sports. For me, when it gets cold, I will always pick up my Winchester before my jigging rod. This is pheasant hunting at its best.
Winter in the Dakotas can be downright bitter and it does take some preparedness to pursue ringnecks in icy conditions. This means:
- Take a partner. Hunting alone is something I cherish but a great hunting partner enhances so many parts of the hunt. Besides, two minds are better than one if an emergency arises. And they do. Twice I have gone thru up to my waist on what looked like frozen sloughs. Ice around cattail sloughs is prone to freezing and thawing as the sun warms the plant. Both times the hunt quickly ended as we quickly made our way back to the vehicle to dry off and warm up. If you are hunting alone, bring a cell phone and let someone know where you will be hunting.
- Dress in layers with hunter orange as the top layer. Wool underwear was standard back in the day but silk is hard to beat now. You will not regret spending something extra on good silk base layers. I have three pairs that I wear almost all winter even when I am not hunting. They last many seasons. Other layers are preference driven. Probably the least practical top layer in cold weather is waxed cotton. It looks nice and is traditional but really has a tendency to get brittle and rigid when cold. It makes movement and swinging on birds more difficult.
- Carry water, tea or coffee. Soda will only give you a false energy rush that quickly wears off. You will exert much more energy hunting in snow and you will sweat. Energy bars and dehydrated fruit or jerky will keep your tank full. Don't neglect your canine's needs as well.
- Guns should be wiped clean of oil. Don't worry, they will function fine without it and you will avoid the frustration of hang ups, failure to eject, stiff actions and firing pin freezing. Wipe it dry before you take it out of your house. I have carried every action type available and have had problems with all if there is oil in the action. Disassembly and oiling is for after the hunt.
- Now is the time to pull out the heavier loads of shot. For lead shot this means 4's and 5's through at least a modified choke. For nontoxic, shot size 1, 2 and 3 works well. I especially like 3" steel 2 shot.
This is a basic pre-hunt list that can be modified as you have more experiences with this type of hunting.
Birds are highly concentrated this time of year. It is all about survival. A good place to start hunting is near cover out of the wind near a ready food source. The most scenic cattail slough will not hold birds if food is not nearby. Native grass covers such as Big Bluestem and switchgrass, along with cattail sloughs are ideal. Tree strips, especially evergreens such as Black Hills Spruce or cedar, can hold lots of birds.
Fresh snow, what I call tracking snow, can really tell you what is going on out there. The birds will be active after a snowfall to replenish energy stock and you will easily see which areas are holding birds.
Heavily hunted birds will flush wild. Now is when you really need to look at how to approach and hunt an area. Sometimes an area will have to be hunted a couple times to actually "figure it out." Wind has a lot to do with this but generally you will have a better idea on how to hunt certain areas the second time through.
Don't give in to the temptation to fling out long shots. Crippling is unacceptable. It is better to let them go today and be there tomorrow after you have determined where they flush from and have organized a drive with blockers.
Finally, enjoy this time of year. This is a unique time of season on the prairie. It is serene and splendid. The crisp air reaches your very core and invigorates your senses. You and your environment are at your prime. Native grasses, blown from the stem by winter wind have dropped much of their seed under a blanket of snow, beneath your boot. You are part of the whole prairie. You will never forget a winter pheasant hunt in the Dakotas.
© Copyright Greg Petersen 2008
Late Season Hunts. If your looking for a late season hunt in the Dakota's, a lot of the outfitters on Ultimate Pheasant Hunting offer discount prices late in the year. View our South Dakota Outfitters, Land & Lodges ;or North Dakota Pheasant Hunting Outfitters, Lodges & Land.
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2 Comments on Pheasant Hunting the Snow
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Are there good public lands to hunt in late winter?
12/06/08 9:48 AM by Tom German -
There are. Any public lands off I90 & I29 get hit pretty hard. Tom, do you have a good dog?
12/06/08 10:22 PM by Ryan
