Writing for:  PheasantCountry.com

Know what you need to succeed for pheasant hunting in South Dakota.

Shotgun shells. Just grab some and throw them in the duffle bag right? Wrong. When it comes to pheasant hunting, all shotgun shells are not created equal. The subtle differences that show up only as numbers printed on the box can mean the difference between bulging game bag and long walks in the grass in pursuit of wounded roosters. To make things even more complicated, ammunition requirements change depending on when and how you hunt and even on what type of shotgun you’re using. How do you sort your way through the maze? Read on, you’ll learn why and how the right shotgun shell could make or break your hunt.

Bird hunting is not cheap. The last thing you need is substandard gear on the hunt of a lifetime. So it’s odd that each year thousands of hunters spend millions of dollars on hunting trips and simply reach for the first (and cheapest) shells they see in the store. Bargain shells are no bargain if you have to use twice as many to bring down a limit of birds. Look past the promotional specials on the end caps of the Big Box stores. Those shells for $3 or $4 per box are not what you need. The shot charges are too light. The power is substandard and the lead they sling is soft and imperfect, meaning your shot pattern will likely have holes in it big enough for a rooster to fly right through. Use those cheap shells for target practice if you must, but when it comes time to hunt reach for the premium loads.

Every major ammo manufacturer makes a premium line of shot shells and the most important benefit these shells provide is better shot. The lead pellets in premium ammo (we’ll talk about non-toxic shot later) are harder and more uniformly round than the pellets in the cheaper stuff. This means the pellets suffer less deformity as they are shoved out through the full choke ahead of several thousand pounds of force. Deformed pellets don’t fly as straight; they don’t provide the uniformly dense pattern required knock a flying pheasant from the sky quickly and cleanly. And make no mistake about it – you’ve usually got to put several pellets into a bird to insure that when it hits ground it does not immediately take off running.

What you need and when you need it Now that you’ve opted for the top-shelf rounds, there are still plenty of options left to confuse you. The first is shot size. On this topic everyone has an opinion. Lots of people love No. 4 shot because it is big, heavy and hits hard. No. 5 shot is a good compromise. The truth is you should choose your shot size based on when and where you will be hunting. Here are some suggestions.

Early Season

If you are hunting early season birds on a shooting preserve you can use No. 6 shot and still be confident that if you shoot reasonably straight the birds will fall nicely. Pen-raised birds, especially those hunting in September and early October are not particularly tough to kill. They have thin skin and usually flush pretty close to the gun.

Opening Day

Come opening day of the regular season move up to No. 5 shot, especially if you expect to be chasing wild birds. Birds that have dodged predators and battled the elements all year throw a new wrinkle into fabric of the hunt. They are tougher. The will run, flush wild, scramble through the toughest cover they can find and generally do anything they can to put something between themselves and their pursuer. Raise your power level a notch for these birds.

Late Season

As the season wears on start thinking about No. 4 shot, especially when the snow flies. Birds coming into a South Dakota winter are more densely feathered and have a tougher hide. They also have gotten really wily when it comes to strange stomping noises in the grass. With each passing day they seem to flush farther and farther from the gun. No. 4 shot hits a bit harder at longer range. It is no magic pill that will allow you drop every pheasant at 50 yards, but it will give you some added power when you need it.

All that other stuff The shot charge, measured in ounces, and the velocity, measured in feet per second (fps) round out your shot shell power triangle. Typically more of each is better, but the laws of physics being what they are we all have to make some compromises. Ideally, a heavy payload of shot, going really fast, gives you enough pellets and enough power to bring down the birds. Read the boxes before you buy. Here’s what you’ll typically see on a box of shells. I chose Federal Premium Wing-Shok because I had the information handy and they make a donation to Pheasants Forever with every box of shells sold.  Their 12-gauge, 2-3/4-inch is throwing 1-1/4 ounces of #4 lead at 1500 fps . That is a hard-hitting round and all the major ammo companies are making something similar. Anything in that vicinity will do just fine.

It may seem complicated, but choosing the right shot shell for you pheasant hunt is one of the little details that can make a big difference. Remember, the success of your trip depends on an ounce of lead pellets. That’s no place to skimp.

Author: Kevin Michalowski

Writing for:  PheasantCountry.com

Electronic Dog Collars
E-collars have grown in popularity and an ever increasing number of dog handlers are buying them. The wide range of collars available in the marketplace have improved dramatically and they have never been more reliable or easy to use.

Many different types of E-collars are available.  Some are plain, one dog unit collars; there are units made for multiple dogs; combination beeper/E-collars; and many more. Electronic collars are so helpful in keeping dogs in control and where you can monitor them, we can’t imagine pheasant hunting without one.

Why Use an E-collar?
E-collars can help hunters accomplish dog handling goals in less time and with greater confidence.  If an E-collar is used correctly, hunters can shoot more birds and keep their hunting relationships intact.

Some of the things E-collars can help facilitate are the most basic dog handling commands: heel, sit, whoa and come.  E-collars can also help steer dogs away from potentially dangerous encounters: porcupines, skunks, bears and livestock.  We also use  E-collars to modify aggressive dog behavior, keep dogs from working out of hunting range and chasing running roosters.  One of the most important features of an E-collar is that it lets hunters communicate with their dogs SILENTLY.  Remenber, a dog’s name is not a command; there is simply no need to shout a dog’s name in the field – ever.  This is the single best way to damage hunting relationships,  shoot fewer birds and get your dog sent to the dog trailer.

Before You Enter the Field
Electronic collars are useless for dog handlers lacking an understanding of how to implement them. Even worse,  improper use of an E-collar can devastate a dog’s confidence and undermine both progress and field potential.

Handlers must first demonstrate for their dog what is expected, starting from simple, routine commands to more complex tasks.  It is vital to move at the dog’s speed.  The dog’s ability to comprehend, recall, and properly respond to your commands will determine how you will be able to proceed.  You must keep it simple, be prepared to progress consistent with the dog’s ability and always try to keep training fun. Your consistency in training will help move the process along nicely.  E-collars allow for consistent, effective and precisely metered discipline.

On the lowest settings, quality collars can be calibrated to deliver the exact amount  of stimulation required to get your dog’s attention and are great for doing so at long ranges, thus allowing you to communicate silently with your dog and not unwittingly alerting wary pheasants.  When duly trained, your dog knows  that if it disobeys you, you will respond immediately and without fail.

Applying E-collars in the Field
While pheasant hunting, an E-collar is used to ensure compliance with your commands.  Your command is given and a minimum amount of continuous stimulation is administered until your dog complies. Your dog learns it can “turn off” the discomfort by getting with the program. In time, your dog learns it can avoid stimulation altogether by complying.  You must be focused, paying careful attention to how your dog reacts, avoiding over correction, and cutting stimulation immediately when you achieve the desired behavior.

Fundamental Considerations for E-collar Use
- Thoroughly examine multiple resources before introducing an E-collar.

- Make sure your unit will work well under inclement weather conditions.

- Some transmitters are more prone to accidental activation.  Avoid them.

- Buy a unit with quality batteries, acceptable charging times and smart design.

- Develop a meticulous understanding of your E-collar before you use it.

- Always use the lowest stimulation setting that will get a response from your dog.

- Precise timing is essential.  This is more difficult than it appears.  Practice.

- Before hunting, train under as many diverse scenarios as you can imagine.

- Never use an E-collar to inflict harm.  You must exercise self-control at all times.

By Kevin Michalowski at PheasantCountry.com

Know what you need to succeed for pheasant hunting in South Dakota.

Shotgun shells. Just grab some and throw them in the duffle bag right? Wrong. When it comes to pheasant hunting, all shotgun shells are not created equal. The subtle differences that show up only as numbers printed on the box can mean the difference between bulging game bag and long walks in the grass in pursuit of wounded roosters. To make things even more complicated, ammunition requirements change depending on when and how you hunt and even on what type of shotgun you’re using. How do you sort your way through the maze? Read on, you’ll learn why and how the right shotgun shell could make or break your hunt.

Pheasant hunting is not cheap. The last thing you need is substandard gear on the hunt of a lifetime. So it’s odd that each year thousands of hunters spend millions of dollars on pheasant hunting trips and simply reach for the first (and cheapest) shells they see in the store. Bargain shells are no bargain if you have to use twice as many to bring down a limit of birds. Look past the promotional specials on the end caps of the Big Box stores. Those shells for $3 or $4 per box are not what you need. The shot charges are too light. The power is substandard and the lead they sling is soft and imperfect, meaning your shot pattern will likely have holes in it big enough for a rooster to fly right through. Use those cheap shells for target practice if you must, but when it comes time to hunt reach for the premium loads.

Every major ammo manufacturer makes a premium line of shot shells and the most important benefit these shells provide is better shot. The lead pellets in premium ammo (we’ll talk about non-toxic shot later) are harder and more uniformly round than the pellets in the cheaper stuff. This means the pellets suffer less deformity as they are shoved out through the full choke ahead of several thousand pounds of force. Deformed pellets don’t fly as straight; they don’t provide the uniformly dense pattern required knock a flying pheasant from the sky quickly and cleanly. And make no mistake about it – you’ve usually got to put several pellets into a bird to insure that when it hits ground it does not immediately take off running.

What you need and when you need it Now that you’ve opted for the top-shelf rounds, there are still plenty of options left to confuse you. The first is shot size. On this topic everyone has an opinion. Lots of people love No. 4 shot because it is big, heavy and hits hard. No. 5 shot is a good compromise. The truth is you should choose your shot size based on when and where you will be hunting. Here are some suggestions.

Early Season

If you are pheasant hunting early season birds on a shooting preserve you can use No. 6 shot and still be confident that if you shoot reasonably straight the birds will fall nicely. Pen-raised birds, especially those hunting in September and early October are not particularly tough to kill. They have thin skin and usually flush pretty close to the gun.

Opening Day

Come opening day of the regular season move up to No. 5 shot, especially if you expect to be chasing wild birds. Birds that have dodged predators and battled the elements all year throw a new wrinkle into fabric of the hunt. They are tougher. The will run, flush wild, scramble through the toughest cover they can find and generally do anything they can to put something between themselves and their pursuer. Raise your power level a notch for these birds.

Late Season

As the season wears on start thinking about No. 4 shot, especially when the snow flies. Birds coming into a South Dakota winter are more densely feathered and have a tougher hide. They also have gotten really wily when it comes to strange stomping noises in the grass. With each passing day they seem to flush farther and farther from the gun. No. 4 shot hits a bit harder at longer range. It is no magic pill that will allow you drop every pheasant at 50 yards, but it will give you some added power when you need it.

All that other stuff.  The shot charge, measured in ounces, and the velocity, measured in feet per second (fps) round out your shot shell power triangle. Typically more of each is better, but the laws of physics being what they are we all have to make some compromises. Ideally, a heavy payload of shot, going really fast, gives you enough pellets and enough power to bring down the birds. Read the boxes before you buy. Here’s what you’ll typically see on a box of shells. I chose Federal Premium Wing-Shok because I had the information handy and they make a donation to Pheasants Forever with every box of shells sold.  Their 12-gauge, 2-3/4-inch is throwing 1-1/4 ounces of #4 lead at 1500 fps. That is a hard-hitting round and all the major ammo companies are making something similar. Anything in that vicinity will do just fine.

It may seem complicated, but choosing the right shot shell for you pheasant hunt is one of the little details that can make a big difference. Remember, the success of your trip depends on an ounce of lead pellets. That’s no place to skimp.

Author: Kevin Michalowski

Writing for:  PheasantCountry.com

 This article is for those of you that may be considering a trip to bird hunt in South Dakota.  My intention is to tell you what you need to know and just how much it may cost. 

 Full disclosure, my business works directly with the Grand Lodge and our responsibilities include business development.  Bear with me, you will find what you are about to read helpful.

 The Hunters

     The Time of Season

 The Costs

      What You Are Getting

 What You Want

            The Hunters - the hunters that come to South Dakota to wing shoot usually have a remarkable experience and come back from year -to- year.  The next group of hunters are those that are yet to travel to South Dakota.  They dream about the huge numbers of birds and have wanted to come for some time; they have just  not pulled the trigger yet.  They will come.  It just has not happened yet…

             Time of the Season - the season in South Dakota for wing shooting starts on the 01^st of September and stretches through the New Year.  On large, expansive preserves such as the Grand Lodge of Highmore, South Dakota, you may hunt from September through March of any given year.  Most wing shooting enthusiasts vary on what time constitutes the best option for them.  If it is bird volume and high concentrations you are looking for, it is very hard to beat the Christmas Season.  All would agree that when the agricultural harvest is winding down that bird hunting really takes off.  The Thanksgiving Holiday often commemorates a significant dent in the standing crops; bird numbers concentrate at this time and you are assured heavy concentrations of upland birds at this time.  Mid -to-late October is very often busy with hunters that seek a more tolerable set of weather dynamics; these days afield are often enjoyable and hunting in short sleeves is common.  In sum, October hunters usually enjoy the best weather.  November is usually the busiest month.  November hunters seek a balance of good weather and modest bird concentrations.  December hunters see the most birds and the fewest hunters – it can also be cold and uncomfortable from time to time.

             The Costs - Airfare:  the options associated with flying into South Dakota are limited.  At the present time, Sioux Falls (SE) and Pierre (C) are the only two viable options.  At the time of this article, Delta and other secondary carriers are no longer serving Aberdeen.  However, it is possible to charter smaller private aircraft into many rural locations – some are surprisingly well appointed.  Please phone (952) 564-5152 for assistance in this area.  Advantage: the limitations encountered with private and charter aviation when flying with guns, dogs and ammunition are much more tolerable than with the major carriers.  Many report that they use charters for this very reason.  Less aggravation, less worry, much more predictable.  Constraint: charter services can sometimes cost more.

            All-inclusive costs: most all-inclusive package pricing in South Dakota will include transportation to and from regional airports, to your access to exclusive hunting grounds, lodging, guides, beverages, dogs, shells, guns, bird processing and packaging. Rates in South Dakota for an amenity package such as the one noted above range from $700/hunter/day to more than $2,000/hunter/day.  Always break your quoted price down based on the following formula.  The real value is calculated (in significant part) by =  $ / hunter / day / # of birds you see.

            Licenses: are reasonable.  From as little as $40/single day -to- $115 for 10 days.

            Gun Rental: some will charge and most will roll into your package if requested on the front-end.  Secure this agreement in writing.  Many of the all-inclusive providers have relationships with the firearms manufacturers.  The equipment is usually in good repair and will often suit most needs.

            Shells: you should not be charged for shells.  Ask what they use?  If you are pursuing pheasant for example, you cannot go wrong with 12 GA, #4 shot, 1 ¼ oz loads @ 1350 fps or greater.  If you have questions, we are happy to assist you.  Please phone (952) 564-5152. 

            Tipping: you should consider a range from 15% -to- 20% of your total package cost.  Consider partitioning your allocated amount between the field staff, the wait staff, and domestic staff and distribute accordingly.  Most lodges have policies regarding the dispersal of gratuities for staff.  If this is not covered at an orientation feel free to inquire.  It would be unfortunate to have a supportive gesture get someone in hot water.  It happens.  Respect this.

             What You Are Getting - it is important to be able to identify what is most important  for you and your respective group members.

 1) Price?

2) Intentional Business:  What are you trying to accomplish?  How will this be measured?  When do you know you have succeeded?  Open to assistance?

3) Time of year?  Weather limitations?  Desired bird numbers?  Hunter density?

4) Flexibility to hunt for multiple species or even fish?

5) How many birds do you want to shoot?   How many can you shoot (this varies)?

6) The ease of travel in terms of time and distance?

7)  Food, service, and accommodation standards?

 Suggestions:

       Develop an intimate understanding of your budget

       Focus on the lodges that can most likely deliver your core areas of interest 

       Be clear with them

       Be honest with yourself and work within your budget

             What You Want - ask direct questions of your potential provider.

 1) How are you different than other lodges in South Dakota?

 2) What is the most significant thing that sets your lodge apart?

 3) May I contact previous guests or businesses as reference resources?

 4) What options do I have for flying to your location?

 5) How do you transport us while hunting?  Do you provide assistance in the field?

 6) What type of cover do you hunt?

 7) How many birds can we harvest in a day?  How many species are available?

 8) May we also hunt for other species?

 9) Do you offer scalable pricing and support for non-hunters?

 10) What services do you provide for beginners and those with limitations?

 11) How many other guests will we potentially be hunting with?

 12) Can we secure an exclusive experience?  What are your minimum criterion?

 13) What kinds of unique clothing and or gear do you recommend?

 14) Can you outfit or clothing and/or gear needs as they arise?

 15) Will you provide individual instruction?

 16) Tell me about your thoughts on safety?

17) What can I do to lower the cost of my stay?  Will you work with me?

 18) Do you have the facilities to support a professional meeting?

 19) Do you have experience facilitating intentional business?  Ancillary support?

 20) Many lodges are geographically isolated.  Do you have internet services?

Lane Hokanson is the Founder and Director of Business Operations for Active Outdoors ~ Concierge and Adventure Travel.  Lane is an experienced wingshooting and flyfishing guide and he helps businesses connect in the outdoors.  For more information about Active Outdoors, please visit their website at: www.ActiveOutdoorsConcierge.com .  You may also phone (952) 564-5152.