Pheasant Hunting Paradise Found

ALL About the Hunt - Carter, SD

All wild birds

Access to the Rose Bud Indian Reservation

Timetable: 2008 late October – early January

Accommodations: Modern

Food: Down home cooking - breakfast, lunch and dinner

Hunt: Easy to moderate

“All about the Hunt” is a world class hunting destination.  The property is managed for pheasants, grouse and deer through wildlife smart farming practice for over 25 years. Carved deep into the prairie, you’ll find huge fields of cane, milo, corn and sunflower. These feed crops are cut into narrow walking strips just before pheasant season opens. The owner is said to be a personable, non-assuming hunter/conservationist, who has spent his entire life out on the prairie framing and ranching and loves the rich landscape of the uplands. The property was homesteaded in 1909.This is south central South Dakota and the sheer number of wild birds will blow your mind.

“All About the Hunt” is located thirty miles northwest of Winner and is nestled right in the heart of South Dakota’s “Golden Triangle” of pheasant hunting.  12,000 acres of private ground is available for upland bird hunting adjacent to the Rose Bud Indian Reservation to the west. Bordering the property to the north is the White River, just shy of it’s confluence into the Missouri River. The country is grouse wild, yet tamed just right for roosters – an upland hunter’s haven.

The first clue that you’ve arrived in bird hunter’s paradise is the giant rooster that greets you at the out skits of Winner complete with a sign that reads: “Pheasant capitol of the world.” The landscape contained within “All About the Hunt” is quite varied, even on the relatively flat terrain of the South Dakota prairie. At first glance, it appears nondescript and relatively plain, but a hike out there quickly reveals hidden pockets of cover bursting with wildlife. The White River is surrounded by rolling hills and valleys. The valleys are planted with feed crops and the hills retain the same wild prairie grass that buffalo foraged on over a hundred years ago. This result is the perfect combination for wild pheasants and indigenous prairie grouse.

Native prairie grass supports strong numbers of sharptail grouse and prairie chickens which can be hunted with good success at “All About the Hunt.” Prairie grouse numbers have risen significantly along with pheasants in the past few years what with recent mild winter weather patterns and wet spring hatching conditions. These indigenous birds are definitely more difficult to bag as they are usually found in large coveys and in shorter prairie grass. Since sight and flight is their main defense against predators, getting close enough for a good shot can be tricky. As the season wears on, grouse tend to flush wilder with each human interaction. Prairie grouse can be a special bonus to your take and can provide you the opportunity to keep hunting well after you have filled your limit on pheasants.

Guided hunts at “All About the Hunt” are led by veteran guide Scott Winston who is a very knowledgeable, died in the wool upland hunter who knows the country like the back of his hand and he has the ability to keep you entertained as well. Bring your dog, hunt with his spaniels or both. All hunts are orchestrated to allow several “no pressure” days for each area. It is very possible to finish a standard three to five day hunt without setting foot in the same area twice. The birds presented have always been outstanding. This is an all wild bird hunt. The upland bird population according to South Dakota wildlife officials is now at an all-time high. If you have been thinking hard about a South Dakota pheasant hunt, your timing couldn’t be any better. In terms of birds in the bag, groups limit out, even late in the season.

After an exciting day afield, your return to the spacious lodge will give you a chance to relax while our cook prepares a delicious home style meal for you. Enjoy a game of pool, poker, foosball, or darts while watching your favorite team on the big screen TV. Or perhaps you’d prefer to smoke a good cigar and sharpen up your shooting skill with some trap. Scott takes great pride in the experience he offers his hunters. A major renovation was recently completed to the lodge adding on a second story poker room via a spiral staircase, complete with a large balcony directly above the new bar and billiards room. Excellent food, comfortable “double occupancy” lodging and a family atmosphere, gives All about the Hunt” a home away from home appeal.

Access can also be provided to the Rose Bud Indian Reservation. Turkey hunting has been especially good on the Reservation and the grouse hunting is virtually untapped. All packages include lodging, three meals per day and of course unforgettable hunting. The South Dakota pheasant season runs from the third Saturday in October through the first weekend January. Pheasant season opens daily at noon the first week of the season and switches to 10:00 AM the second weekend.

Just this past fall while preparing gear and packing the Rover for the 10:00 AM opener, I was over come by the unbelievable number of roosters cackling and flying from nearby cover into feed right around the lodge. I stood there for a long moment immersed in the autumn light, surrounded by the colorful sights and sounds of the wild South Dakota prairie and absorbed all of it into my soul. Several big cocks even sailed just overhead almost as if they could tell time. For more information on “All About the Hunt,” call Scott Winston 303-450-5013. For license information, contact South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks at 605-773-3485 or go to www.sdgfp.info.