[redneck2]

Looking to go on a dog hunt. July seems like a good time schedule-wise. Thinking of S Dakota.

So...anybody got experience in terms of weather (too hot, etc?) Any season restrictions??

Any advice appreciated.

[Dave R]

No one else will answer? I don't know anything about Dakotas in July. Most places don't have a season, but by then the grass will be high, so it'll be harder to spot 'em.

Bring lots of ammo.

Real helpful, eh?

[dakotasin]

i live in south dakota.

in july, it is going to be very hot, and very humid. don't worry about the grass height because where prairie dogs are, there is no grass, and because of the heat, the grass will be mostly turned down.

chiggers will be in full force, and they are no joke.

yes, there are restrictions here. you will need to get up to date info from the gf&p because most of the good areas for dogs have been shut down so they can get ferrets established. you need to talk to an officer, and you need to buy your maps from the gf&p, and then you need to make sure you aren't shooting where the ferrets are. there is no season dates to worry about in july, but you do need to worry about where you are standing.

[redneck2]

Looking at areas around Winner. I'll do a search and try to find the Fish and Game Department for info. Hadn't considered ferrets. thanks for the heads-up

[dakotasin]

i've never shot them by winner... but i've been there enough to know i don't like it there!

you should have a pretty easy time finding private land there to shoot on, though. most non-resident 'doggers usually go to the pierre area or kadoka area.

the pierre office is the office you want to contact. don't have a number handy, but a google search for 'sd gfp' will turn it up in short order.

just wondering why you think the winner area is where you want to be?

[redneck2]

Had an acquaintance that used to go there for phesants in the fall and dogs in the spring. Said there's a little ma/pa motel there (forget the name) and the owner is real nice.

His comments were the same as yours...that most "out of town'ers" go to other areas and this isn't so pressured. Knock on a few doors and you can find shooting areas (or so that's the word).

I have a couple .22's, a .223, 22-250, 25-06, and my 7mm mag "Long Ranger". Figured I'd bring 500 rounds per day. Been told that's a good average

What part of SD do you live in??? Any other words of wisdom really appreciated.

.

[dakotasin]

i live northeast of winner. used to work construction, and during that tenure was my first introduction to winner... in fact, in a couple more hours, i am headed out of town a few days. just might have to shoot a few dogs while i'm out! :D

i use 'dogs for long range work - i'm not interested in 100 and 200 yard dogs. you need to know what style of shooting you want to do (body-count, long range, as close as you can, etc), and then that will help you determine if you have too many guns, or not enough.

last point for now... we've had lots and lots of rain this year. more than i've seen, ever (9" yesterday). w/ that much rain comes the insects in full force, and the mosquitoes are ferocious this year... and we've already got confirmed cases of west nile (and the mosquitoes aren't even at their worst yet)... so, do get plenty of insect repellant (been having pretty good w/ 'off! sportsman' - 100% deet).