| live anywhere in the U.S. and have never gone | | | | vet near the area your are planning to hunt. This |
| through the process of booking a pheasant | | | | research can be a "hunt saver". |
| hunting trip to the Dakota's, it may not be | | | | Shopping and Supplies |
| obvious to long time pheasant hunter as to just | | | | As far as meals go, whether you are doing your |
| how to go about doing that. | | | | own cooking or eating out, 2 meals per day and a |
| After having talked with and assisted many | | | | snack in the field is sufficient. Plan your meal |
| hunters in answering questions about their trip, it | | | | shopping accordingly. As far as shells go, I like a 2 |
| has become apparent to me that there are many | | | | ¾", 1.25oz, 1500fps, #5, premium load. |
| facets and phases to pulling off a successful | | | | Whatever you do get a quality load and it will |
| pheasant hunting trip to the Dakota's. So for the | | | | decrease your cripples and increase your bagged |
| first-time non-resident pheasant hunting tourist, I | | | | birds. Assuming your going to be taking some |
| thought I would put together a phased approach | | | | birds home, you'll need supplies for cleaning and |
| "how-to" article on "everything you ever wanted | | | | packing. I like wearing latex gloves. Bring a lawn |
| to know about booking a pheasant hunt to the | | | | garbage bags if you want to clean right in the |
| Dakota's" from A to Z". | | | | field. Rose pruning shears work great for quick |
| Phase 1 - Researching and Reserving | | | | snipping of wings, head or feet (one must be |
| Sources | | | | attached to bird for legal transport). Bring freezer |
| Whether you are planning a bargain budget public | | | | bags, vacuum bags and coolers to store your |
| hunting no frills trip or the Bo Jackson all-inclusive | | | | birds for rest of hunt and trip home (some |
| fully guided hunt, you'll need to do your | | | | outfitters will have freezers to get your birds |
| homework. For public hunting the best sources | | | | froze for you). If you can't freeze your birds |
| are going to be your Game & Fish websites. For | | | | keep a block of ice in your coolers until you get |
| outfitters of self-guided, semi-guided or | | | | them home and can freeze them. |
| fully-guided hunts you'll find excellent sources of | | | | Clothing and other Supplies |
| info from pheasant hunting websites, hunting | | | | Check with your outfitters to see if you need to |
| magazines, internet articles, and internet searches | | | | bring your own sleeping bag, pillow, towels (some |
| on Google, Yahoo and MSN. | | | | outfitters only provide the beds). As far as |
| Requirements | | | | clothing goes you want to bring plenty of orange. |
| What are your expectations? What are your | | | | I generally recommend planning for warm |
| requirements for your group for lodging, hunting, | | | | weather and cold weather and dress accordingly. |
| meals, bird cleaning, cover types, etc. Hunting | | | | You never know what you are going to end up |
| operations and experiences vary widely in the | | | | with for weather conditions. Other musts are: |
| Dakota's and knowing you groups specific | | | | shooting gloves, shooting glasses and orange hat |
| requirements will go a long way to helping you | | | | (think safety, safety, safety). Pheasants are |
| have a better than average outcome. Some of | | | | known for their low flying escape tactics and that |
| the requirements common to all groups are these: | | | | is why these articles are a must. |
| What hunting dates did you have in mind? Do you | | | | Phase 3 - Traveling and the Hunt |
| intend on hunting wild birds or preserve hunting | | | | Travel |
| released birds? How many are in your group? | | | | I like a 4-night stay and a 3-day hunt. The reason |
| How many days did you want to hunt? What | | | | being is that most hunters are driving 6-16 hours |
| accommodations and services does your group | | | | each way. To get the most out of your hunting |
| need? (Lodging, guiding, meals, other), what are | | | | days pleasure, don't travel on your hunting days. |
| your favorite types of cover to hunt? | | | | Plan to arrive the night before your hunt starts |
| Reserving | | | | and get a good nights rest before launching a long |
| Some hunting operations have a "wait list" and | | | | drive back home. |
| take reservations up to 2 years in advance. The | | | | The Hunt |
| more common time frame is 11-12 months in | | | | Spend a sufficient amount of time with your host |
| advance. The average hunter waits until Aug-Sept. | | | | to show you around the property. This is |
| to book. The best time to book a hunt is right | | | | especially important if you have booked a |
| after the one you were happy with. If you don't | | | | self-guided hunt. Make sure you are comfortable |
| have that luxury and you are within the year of | | | | with the layout and location of the property you |
| your hunt, the clock is ticking and you and your | | | | are hunting. Take some time with your group on |
| group need to find a sense of urgency about | | | | strategizing how you are going to hunt it. Believe |
| getting a spot lined up because most operations | | | | me, if you are hunting wild pheasants, the birds |
| book first-come-first-serve with a 50% deposit | | | | have the upper hand. Also, the biggest mistake |
| required to reserve your dates. If the operation | | | | hunters make is by getting all excited and walking |
| only provides hunting then you will also need to | | | | TOO FAST. Bottom line: Land is expensive, don't |
| check dates of local motels in the area to insure | | | | waste it. You need to maximize to acres you |
| you have lodging to go with the hunting. Don't | | | | have to hunt that hold birds and hunt more slowly. |
| book a "hunt only" package until you have your | | | | You would be amazed to know the numbers of |
| lodging in order. | | | | birds you are actually walking by. |
| Phase 2 - Preparation and Packing | | | | Phase 4 - Rebooking |
| Off-Season Activities | | | | What do we do next time? |
| Assuming you now have your land and lodging | | | | Both before and during your hunt, talk with your |
| tied up your focus can shift to other off-season | | | | group about next years plans. There is never a |
| activities. Don't overlook the physical shape of you | | | | better time than to discuss next years hunting |
| and your dog. Hunting can be physically demanding | | | | plans than when you are with your group this |
| at times and especially if the weather is warm as | | | | year. In the long run, this saves time and will |
| is the case in the earlier season. Think of activities | | | | result in a better quality experience in the future. |
| you enjoy that emulate what will take place in the | | | | If the place you were hunting at met your needs |
| hunting fields. It is also a good idea and time to | | | | I would suggest rebooking it within 2-weeks of |
| research a vet that will be in the area in case you | | | | the conclusion of your hunt. If it didn't meet your |
| dog needs stitches or any other urgent care while | | | | needs the best time to find a replacement hunt is |
| on your trip. Your local vet, hunting outfitter or | | | | within 1-2 months after your hunt concludes. |
| internet search are your best options for finding a | | | | |