Turkeys Win!!

As close as he would come.

It's been a while, but we did manage to get one day of turkey hunting in.  Armed with our bows this nice gobbler was not giving us a chance, but some others did although we managed to let those opportunities slip through our fingers.  Since the season closed Sunday we'll have to wait until next spring, or at least until this fall.

You lookin' at me?

Maybe it was the intimidating jake that kept them away, but I think it had more to do with the cool, wet spring, and that the turkeys were mostly bunched up.  Any attempts at calling were met with some pretty aggressive calls from the boss hen in any group that came close enough to check us out.  The one single gobbler that came in to kick this jake's butt hesitated slightly, but eventually faced him and was met with an arrow from my bow, but the hit was not fatal and I failed to recover him.

A dancing duo.

This pair of toms also visited our setup in late afternoon, but after several minutes of cat and mouse they managed to pass on the backside of our blind.  Due to some errors in decoy and blind placement we were never offered a shot.  I did manage to snap a few pictures, but not exactly what I had in mind.  It was a good time, but with no more opportunities both Cordie and I will be eating tag soup.  Dalton, John's son, did manage to kill a bird with his bow, so we were not completely skunked.

I also managed to slip south into Nebraska, but things didn't go much better there.  We encountered many of the same problems with bunched up birds and gobblers not interested in coming to a call.  We did manage to scratch out two birds between six hunters, so a poor percentage for turkey hunting fools.

By the way...

I recently changed the settings on the blog to make it easier for readers to comment.  I was not aware that this was possible, and I had several people tell me that they would comment if it wasn't such a pain in the butt.  I finally figured it out, so I hope everyone can feel free to leave a comment now and then.  We're currently on the road pouring concrete, but with the weather forecast it looks like we might get some farming done when we get back home.  Hope all is well. 

The Roundup

Cowboys roundup the herd at Custer State Park.  photo courtesy of www.travelsd.com

If you're looking for a way to enhance an already great South Dakota pheasant hunt, how about watching the roundup of 1500 wild bison.  Every year the the roundup occurs at Custer State Park as a management practice to control the herd size.  Nearly 1500 bison, or buffalo are gathered to be sorted, vaccinated, and a certain number auctioned off. It's another great opportunity in SD to view nature in an up-close and personal capacity.

This year the roundup will occur on Monday, September 27, 2010.  The roundup caps a three day festival celebrating western and Native American culture.  At the Snake Den we view this as a great way to either end or begin a pheasant hunt at the Lodge.  For those interested, transportation can be provided for the event. 

The hunt would be conducted on the preserve which consists of nearly 800 acres of land intensely managed for the best pheasant hunting found anywhere.  With over 70 acres of food plots, 50 acres of trees, and over 200 acres of grassland and upland habitat, the ringneck pheasant reigns supreme.  The property also boasts two ponds filled with bass, bluegill, and perch.  Additional opportunities are available for sharp-tailed grouse and prairie chickens, as the grouse season opens September 18, 2010. 

Email (schlomer@kennebectelephone.com) or call (605-895-2452) Cordie to book your Snake Den adventure.

Spring Chickens II

Here it is, about a minute of video taken from about 20 minutes of video which could have been over two hours long. It was a great experience that the video doesn't do justice, but at least you get the idea. The blind was located on the Fort Pierre National Grasslands, and this particular blind happened to be donated by the Audubon Society. Reservations can be made through the Forest Service Ranger Station in Ft. Pierre. There are three blinds located on the grasslands, and the birds should continue to display through May. The peak is nearly over though, as most females should be nesting shortly.

Spring Chickens

A male prairie chicken displays to attract a willing female.

I spent Saturday in a grouse viewing blind, watching one of the best spectacles in nature that South Dakota has to offer. Although the temperature was below freezing it didn't seem to have much of an affect on the grouse, or more specifically the prairie chickens, in this case.

Which will she choose?

I entered the blind an hour before sunrise, which happened to be about 5:20 AM. It wasn't long and I was inundated with several "booming" males getting a jump on the sun and setting up their territories. It was something else to here all the chatter, but not be able to see a bird. It wasn't long and their bright orange air-sacs could be seen through the early morning light.

You wanna fight about it?

Males dance and "boom" to attract a mate, or two.

The "booming" ground is called a lek, which about a dozen males showed up to this weekend. Only three females came in to check them out, but I was too busy trying to watch everything that I missed any actual matings. Generations of these chickens have most likely been coming back to this site for years. It was a great opportunity and I encourage everyone to make an attempt to sit in on this spectacle if they ever get the chance.

I also took video of the morning events, but have not figured out how to put it up. As soon as I figure it out you can find it here.

Hit'em high, hit'em low

One of the projects we have completed so far this spring is the concrete work and construction of a high house and low house for the new skeet range, which was overlaid at the existing trap range. It is a nice addition to the area and we look forward to using it once the weather straightens out. It will also give the guys here in the fall something to do for a few hours if they feel so inclined.

We just returned from our first grain bin pour near Wall on the edge of the Badlands. We got to drive through the park in the morning and afternoons going to and from the job site. Where the buffalo roam, and the deer and the antelope play as the song says. We also got to see the grouse do their dance, along with prairie dogs, coyotes and other wildlife. Many of you have taken the Loop so you know what I'm talking about. We even tried to convince Robert that the yearling buffalo would be nice, but he wouldn't quite go for it. A little less work, and another SLAP or two and he might have went for it. We completed the project just in time for it to receive some rain and even possibly some snow.

We also managed to get another 2500 trees replanted, and some of the food plots worked. It looks like it could be a while before we're in the field again. Looking to get a chance at checking on our fish also, but the weather needs to straighten out for that to. It will all get done in time, and soon enough we'll be talking about how hot and dry it is, and that we can't wait for fall/winter.

Cordie and Marlys have also moved into their new house. Nearly everything is complete with a few minor things here and there. Some time this summer we will get the deck attached, but for now I believe they're happy to be situated. The additional rooms will also be finished this summer when we get some time.

Jack's First Hunt

Some people might say we start them a little young, but I'd like to think that's not possible. Jack and Brandon shared their first hunt together as Brandon took out a couple pesky rabbits and a beaver. Oh sure it's not pheasants, but that will be soon enough. Abby is sure there will be plenty more to come. We'll look forward to sharing those memories with you also.

Other than that things have been cool and wet for the most part. It's raining as I put this together and they're predicting nearly six inches of snow for the NW part of the state. We're looking forward to a little warmer drier weather, but we're still getting some things done, so we can't complain too much.