Duck Hunting in Dakotas

nruehmeier · Jan 19, 2010

My family will be heading out to Wyoming this year to hunt Antelope and would like to stop in the Dakotas on are way back east and duck hunt for 3-4 days. Does anyone have any suggestions?

Thanks,

nrueh

Califelkslayer · Jan 20, 2010

Never been to the Dakotas BUT I will pheasant hunt there some day. From what I've learned, they limit NR licenses. Go to the S. Dakota web site if you're interested.

My first year of retirement I plan to hunt Alberta for a couple of weeks for ducks and geese (maybe huns too) and then drop into S. Dakota for the NR pheasant openin 2 weeks. Guess that'll a PP year in every Western state that I apply in. I believe the 1st week of pheasant season is for residents only.

Good luck!! Hope you get the info you're lookin for.

tonkamuskie · Jan 22, 2010

Head to North Dakota. It is a limited draw for licenses in South Dakota. Usually permission is easily had and plenty of birds and places to hunt. Devils lake area and the James river area are good places to start.

nruehmeier · Jan 24, 2010

thanks, that gives me a few areas to start research, sure appreciate it.

nrueh

Iowan · Feb 15, 2010

I have hunted both a lot over the years. In the early 90's ND was unreal. In 1994 they issued under 3,000 licenses and by the late 90's they were issuing the max quota of 30,000. The hunting was still good but we had been spoiled by the previous years. We almost exclusively field hunted in ND and permission was not a problem for the most part.

We now hunt SD when we can draw tags and we do most years. I saw a report that stated 3/4 of puddle ducks in North America were in SD at one point last fall. There was so much water and flooded grain, I am surprised every duck was not there. We hunt mostly over water in SD, using waders (no boat necessary). Apply for the licenses in SD and go there if you draw them. Almost anywhere in NE SD is loaded with ducks in late October adn early November depedning on the weather of course.

If you love to jump shoot ducks go somewhere else.

Let me know what you decide and I will be happy to point you to specific areas, especially in ND since I have no plan to return there in the near future.

Califelkslayer · Feb 18, 2010

Iowan, you hunt pheasants in ND too, or just ducks??

Iowan · Feb 19, 2010

We shot some over the years but there were a lot more sharptails and partridge. We never went out west in ND for pheasants. There were good numbers along the SD/ND border. If you want pheasants hunt western ND. South Dakota would provide a better waterfowl/pheasant hunt and it can be done on public land or walk in areas. Avoid the openers and there will be much less pressure.

IF_Hunter · Apr 5, 2010

I grew up in the Devils Lake area and yes, the duck hunting is phenomenal. I have since moved to Idaho and gone out duck hunting with some buddies once but....I haven't been out since. I was too spoiled, ha.

There is also some fantastic pheasant hunting in the middle/west part of the state. Minot is just west on highway 2 about 2 hours drive from devils lake. There is some decent bird country there if you're looking for something close to DL.

P.S. SD sucks, but I may be biased...

Gator · Oct 24, 2010

SD is a draw for waterfowl.
But if you put in for and draw you can hunt both Waterfowl and pheasants at the same time in the late morning to evening.
Anyone who drives from the east coast should do just that since it will make the trip a little nicer to hunt in Wyo or MT for dee/Elk then head back thru South Dakota for Waterfowl/Pheasants.
The area around Clark, South Dakota has alot of great spots for duck/Geese9sloughes and fields) and tons of places for pheasants ( lots of CRP).

"I have found if you go the extra mile it's Never crowded".

Gator · May 22, 2011

Deadline for the draw is next month so get your paperwork in.
This year should be outstanding with the amount of water that is standing, there will be tons of ducks and geese around.

"I have found if you go the extra mile it's Never crowded".