The Complete Guide to Public Land Pheasant Hunting
BY Herschel Smith1 year, 5 months ago
The Cheshire Cat in Alice in Wonderland said it best: “If you don’t know where you’re going, any road will take you there.” How do you navigate the millions of acres of public land and walk-in ground just waiting for you to drop the tailgate and unclip your dog’s leash? Rather than wandering, perplexed as a hunter on Rodeo Drive, here’s how to map out your pheasant quest.
It starts with a destination, dictated in large part by how far you’re willing to travel. If you know how to read, you’ve already got an idea of where you want to go. Each region has sweet spots handed down from father to son, shared by multi-generational groups and “discovered” by newbies dazzled by clouds of birds darkening the sky at the end of a cut-cornfield drive. My revelation came at the nub of an ancient shelterbelt in South Dakota. It was being pushed by two friends while I shivered, hopes high and temperature low. Out of the mist rose a mob of what I thought were blackbirds they were so numerous, until a roar of wings and telltale cackles broke the still air.
I missed twice, shook my head, reloaded and dropped a late riser whose technicolor pelage vibrated against the pristine snow even when stilled by my shot. That was a good year, but even a bad year in South Dakota is better than most other places combined.
Other states have their proponents and having explored them all after three decades roaming public land, I understand the allure of each. Northeast Montana, Iowa, Nebraska, and western Kansas are all strong contenders for the bronze and silver medals. Not coincidentally, most of those states have sophisticated public-access initiatives to help hunters chase ringnecks across vast prairies and through shin-tangling thickets. “Walk-in” programs are the golden key that unlocks the door; start your quest there, long before you fill the tank and crate the dog.
Dickinson and Mott, North Dakota are worth your attention. They’re lower-key, smaller towns with fewer amenities than most, but surrounded by public access. Williston’s oil boom has subsided and lodging options are myriad. The rolling hills beckon, if you don’t mind the mix of drilling and development alongside your new favorite cover. Plentywood and other small towns in northeast Montana along the “High Line” are also on my radar. Western Kansas towns including Norton, Goodland, Jetmore and Osborne are podium-contenders, offering a 365-day license bargain and warmer late season weather.
Like the Oscars, I’m saving the best for last, but the supporting cast of South Dakota towns east of the Missouri River offer plenty of opportunity. Watertown, Aberdeen, Brookings, and Redfield welcome hunters and have plenty of public access. South Dakota counties with the highest pheasant harvest numbers include Brown, Beadle, Brule, Lyman, and Spink.
For those of us who don’t have trained bird dogs, we’re left at the mercy of outfitters and their dogs for guided hunts. That can get expensive.
I’ve got the quail hunting covered. If any of you have suggestions for Grouse and Pheasant, drop me a line in the comments.
On May 28, 2023 at 11:53 am, Bear Claw said:
Like fishing the worst day of hunting is still better than the best day at work. Glad you got to get out. My last person hat was in Nebraska many years ago. Blowing snow up there reduce the shot possibilities heavily. But any day of field is a great day, commuting with our creator, and all he has given us.
On May 28, 2023 at 11:54 am, Bear Claw said:
Hunt not hat. Damn Siri
On May 28, 2023 at 11:57 am, Bear Claw said:
Oops miss spoke thought that was about your last hunt. Growing up my dad was an Oklahoma quail hunting machine. Of course that was back in the day, but just about any rural landowner would let you hunt. I try to keep up the tradition but land access was prohibitive and public access was minimal and generally not very good.