What's it like in December, besides cold!
Have an opportunity to go, and wondering has anyone been late season in SD?

Remember Empire Strikes Back when they are on Hoth in the beginning of the movie? That, plus colder and more snow.

Regards,
Helpy Helperton

But seriously. I did some work in '07 on some ICBM missle sites near Ellsworth and Grand Forks AFBs. It was COLD!

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When does the snow usually hit?

I went to SD the first week of Nov. a few years back, it got cold but no snow. Snow or not, go. It's well worth it.

I went pheasant hunting in S.D. I think it was Jan.1, 2010 to Jan.3, 2010. The high was minus 9 the low was minus 23. Snow was on the ground but it didn't snow while we were there. It does get cold!

How was the hunting?

The hunting was great. Two of the guys got frost bite.

You'll have to factor in the wind also, remember, we're talking plains country.

Dec/Jan are great months to hunt Kansas. 7 hours from DFW

For the last twelve years or so, we've had the first week of December reserved with our guide, and we take up 10-14 guys for three days of hunting.

Late season hunting (About 20 miles east of Redfield, SD) is a good time, but definately requires a group. The roosters are wise, and they run.

The wind is usually blowing, and temps have varied in the last 10 years from 45 degrees to 10 or 15 below (during hunting time).

That late in the season, the roosters are crazy wild, and you'll take a lot of long shots, in high winds...but we rarely fail to limit for the group each day. Its a great challenge. My girls (german shortails) get a little frustrated that they point hen after hen after hen, but if you're in the right place, you'll see thousands of pheasants...

This year, it sounds like SW Kansas has gotten more moisture than SE Colorado...counts are up on quail for Kansas, where we are suffering big time here in Colorado. North east colorado might be ok this year, but not going to be great. SD is still up in the air, waiting to hear about counts.

Punkin,There is some good hunting around Redfield!

Yes there is, it keeps us coming back!

I can let you know in Novemer. I have a mid November hunt booked in south-central SD!

Me too

I'll thin out some of the young and dumb ones. I'm going to be there Oct.19th and 20th.

Im going Oct 26th. Planning on 30s-40s in evening and 60-70 highs.

Saw the 2013 pheasant forecast today
http://gfp.sd.gov/hunting/small-game/pheasant-outlook.aspx
I'm scheduled to hunt 10-14 November. Hope there's still some birds left.

I have several dogs in northern Nebraska now and bird finding is tough. Reports from the Dakotas aren't much better. I'm sure there will be birds to hunt but not like years past. The drought up there has not done anyone any favors.

Media Contact: Travis Runia (605-353-7145) South Dakota Pheasant Survey Lower; Hunting Opportunities Improve
PIERRE, S.D. – Months of persistent drought in 2012, a cold, wet spring in 2013 and a reduction in habitat have impacted pheasant brood counts, according to a report released today by the South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks Department. But officials note that South Dakota will still offer the best pheasant hunting experience in the country, with more than 1.1 million acres of public land available for pursuing birds within the state’s main pheasant range.
The department’s annual brood count surveys the number of pheasants per mile as a means to track pheasant numbers over time. The actual population size is estimated after the pheasant hunting season ends, with additional information gathered from hunter surveys and a winter rooster-to-hen ratio survey.
The 2013 report indicates an index of 1.52 pheasants per mile, down from 4.19 pheasants per mile last year.
“The annual brood count provides us with a year-over-year analysis tool,” said Travis Runia, GFP’s lead pheasant biologist. “Our numbers may be down from last year, but hunters will still be able to find birds."
GFP conducts the brood route survey each year on select stretches of roads around the state. All pheasants are counted along each route, with particular attention to the number of broods.
“Much of the northern Great Plains experienced the same weather and habitat factors that impacted our brood counts,” Runia said.
Runia noted that lower brood counts in 1992 and 1997 still resulted in almost one million pheasants harvested in South Dakota each year. Since 1992, the state has added 350,000 acres of public access within the main pheasant range, expanding hunting opportunities.
The 2013 pheasant season opens Oct. 19 and runs through Jan. 5, 2014. The Youth Pheasant season will run from Oct. 5 – 9 and the Resident Only season Oct. 12 - 14.
The 2013 Pheasant Brood Survey Report, complete with comparisons for different local areas, can be accessed at http://gfp.sd.gov/hunting/small-game/pheasant-outlook.aspx.

You might get snowy weather or just pretty cold, up to -15. After a snowy day it's best to go hunting, no matter where. Birds have tendency to search food or cosolidate their nests. Get your gloves and proper gear!

Fresh snow is good. Crunchy crusty snow is not good.

Got some buddys that live in Crofton Nebraska right across the river from SD. They send me pics of heavy snow like that piled on the houses...but they always like hunting during then also

I have been hunting Chamberlain, S.D. for the past 8 years or so. We always have excellent hunting.