I'm starting this now to see if we can build momentum for a group hunt to SD. SD NR waterfowl is a draw state. The draw application period opens June 6 and ends July 8. Based on the 2023 draw, if you had zero points you would have about a 75% chance of drawing a statewide, nonresident 10 day (broken up into two 5 day periods) license. I've never hunted SD but I have two waterfowl points. You must be twelve (chronological age, not maturity) to hunt in SD. Total license cost, assuming you already have your federal duck stamp, would be about $150. I'll get more exact numbers once we get down to the draw period.

I'm starting this thread to explore interest, get feedback from experienced SD hunters and hopefully start a group plan before the draw begins. I have no preconceived expectations about how or where we hunt as well as lodging and food. We can go cheaper or less cheaper but I will say I have to pay for an elk guide and a fly in caribou hunt in the next three years so guided hunts in SD are probably a no go for me. That doesn't mean others can't go guided for a day or two while the group is up there, though.

Here are my initial ideas. None are set in stone:

We will need to have multiple vehicles as we will all need to scout daily. Whether that means we rent them up there or drive up is up to each hunter. I think, if we have six hunters we will need at least three vehicles to scout.
Based on the scouting/hunting I expect we will be happier staying in motels but I'm open to camping.
I'm not sure we will need a boat. As I've read, we will need to decide how we want to hunt (field, pond, river or lake). I'm not inclined to drag my boat up there just to have it. But if the majority wants to hunt big water I will.
I would prefer to hunt earlier rather than later. I don't want to risk late season weather for travel or bird numbers. Low plains season starts Sept 21st. HIgh plains season starts Oct 12th. Unless someone chimes in with more information, it looks like we would do best to maximize the available hunting area to go mid October. I've hunted Wyoming in mid October. Blizzards are possible but most water is still open or can be opened easily.
It'd be great if someone in our group has a dog. I don't at the moment and I won't have one trained for this year.
I'm willing to handle a lot of the planning (i'm retired) as well as sending out emails, etc.
My one hard/fast rule. Money is due when it is due. It's not due after it's due. But I would prefer to minimize the amount of money we have to pool. Two people staying in a motel can work that out between themselves. The only things we would need to pool money on, as far as I know now, are applications and any possible field decoy/trailer rental.
If some of us have one or two points and some have zero, I would consider grouping by point level (1+ in one group and 0 in the other) or each apply individually and see where we end up.

I would prefer to hunt with four of us but I will say, I've been on 8 man group hunts and it's just not as enjoyable. If we end up with that many people I would prefer we split into two four-person groups when possible and rotate those groups daily. Again, these are just my thoughts. Nothing is set in stone.

Lets start with anyone that even has a hint of interest. We can get down to the nut cuttin' later.

If this works out I may change my mind about guided elk and change that to a diy hunt. That's a lot more complicated though.

I might be interested. I have 0 points but will be putting in this summer. If I get drawn I plan to hunt the north east portion of the state. Hopefully shoot some ducks in the morning and pheasant in the afternoon. I'm targeting mid to late October.

Great. If you get drawn let me know. Even if you don't draw this year we can exchange information and I can send back scouting reports. I wouldn't mind hunting pheasant some while I'm up there. It's been a few years since I've done that. Have you put any thought into whether you are going to concentrate on one type (field, pond, or lake/river) or try to cover multiple bases? I don't have any field decoys but I have heard you can rent field trailers.

Mid to late October is perfect for me.

Planning to hunt ducks over water. Just plan to walk in, not boat. Don't really have any field decoys or goose decoys.

I went in the beginning of December this year and there was plenty of ducks and geese around. I’m going to try and make another trip around the same time (maybe a little earlier), unless I draw a deer tag up there. Shoot me a pm if you want some more details.

I am sure I will do anywhere from one to three long multi day bird hunting road trips this coming season, but I have not even begun to decide what state or states. I always combine upland and waterfowl, but related to my dog, likely more upland than waterfowl this year. Slim chance I do SD, but I should have at least 3 or 4 SD points by now. If by chance I did make it that way and it works out I could certainly meet up there. And I would have several field decoys with me if I did. But again, slim chance, though anything is possible at this point.

I will send you a PM as we get closer to the draw. I was afraid the weather would turn bad if I waited until November or later but I've never been up there that late, well, that's not true. My dad was stationed at the SAC base in SD when I was born so I moved there about my second day alive. Funny, I don't remember it much.

I have deer points for black hills but not enough to draw. It looks like the archery draw is pretty easy but I think I will wait a couple years for that.

Sounds good. Keep watching this topic. I'm sure as we get closer plans will firm up for everyone. Even if you make it up for Pheasant we can work something out. I have to stop in Iowa on the way so if you end up hunting Iowa or Nebraska and want company let me know. It's been 47 years since I hunted Iowa.

Bringing this back as a reminder in case any one decides they want to hunt SD waterfowl this October/November. The application is June 6 to July 8. Also I'm looking at pheasant but I haven't tied anything down yet.

Also, If you think you want to bow hunt deer/javelina in AZ (January 2025) or elk in Colorado (September 2025) pm me. Arizona is a cheap (otc deer tag + license is less than $500, add a javelina (draw) for 115). If you're camping then it's just the gas to get there.

Colorado will be diy. I haven't decided on a unit yet. I have 6 points but most of the units I'm looking at would require 2 - 3.

The boss lady says I'm no longer allowed to die alone on these trips. Dunno why it matters, I'm still dead. Women can be such killjoys sometimes.

I'm still planning on it. Looking at the draw odds for non residents with 0 points you have about a 75% chance of drawing a waterfowl license.

If I draw a license I plan on going and will start nailing down some dates in the August time frame. But it will likely be late October time frame.

License applications open up tomorrow on 6-6 and run to 7-8.

Yep. Just got mine. Here are the instructions if anyone is interested. You will need to create a go outdoors South Dakota account. Just type go outdoors South Dakota in the search and it will come up.
Once you have logged into your account, choose limited draws, non-resident waterfowl.

It will ask you to apply as an individual, create a group and join a group. Choose whichever and then choose next.

I think the next screen asks you to choose a hunt code. It is 00B86 (statewide) You will know this by looking at the available licenses. There should be about 3,500 to 3,900 available. No other code has close to that many.

It will then ask you for your two 5 day hunt periods. Choose something late in the season like December. You can change them when you know which dates you want as long as those dates haven't passed.

The license will be $116 but you won't pay for it until you draw. As is usual with all other states, you'll have to give them the card to charge it to. When ready choose checkout. I think there you can also go back and buy a small game license if you want to hunt Pheasant. That license is $121. Hunting preserve license are much cheaper so make sure you get the one you will use.

Upon checking out, the system will charge you for the habitat stamp. You'll have to have this if you draw but the state, as with most other states ,gets their blood up front. That stamp is $25. You don't have to order your Federal duck stamp from them. Order it when you get your regular Texas license or at the post office. But if you want go ahead.

As usual, keep your email and/or text confirmation and your receipt.

When you have the dates locked down that you want to hunt you can go back to Go Outdoors SD and change them to the correct 5 day periods. I'll change one and keep one at the end of the season in case I get to go back or something comes up with the first 5 days. 5 hunt days with driving and pre scouting is about 10 days gone based on my estimation.


I think you can purchase a small game license while you are up there. That is what I plan to do if I get a chance to hunt Pheasant. I no longer have a dog but I did a lot of pheasant hunting without one when I was a kid. Actually, thinking back on it, I hunted with my dad so I was probably the dog.

If you just want to buy preference points that happens in the fall (Sept 15 to Dec 31 I think.) for all draws. I'm buying another Black Hills point and a statewide non-resident any deer point.

Just bringing this back up in case anyone wants to apply.

Monday is the draw deadline if anyone has a hankerin' to hunt SD waterfowl.

You might want to look at hunting Indian Reservations. I know Tribe has Non-Member and Non-Indian licenses. You buy the license over the counter either at the Tribal Fish and game office or at several different tribal Casino's for Pheasent and waterfowl. Big game, i.e.... deer and turkey are draw.

Thanks, I'll look into it. I'll be shocked if I don't draw. i"ve got max points, or near max points.

They drawer today right?

Yes. I saw my results in an email this morning. I had to go back in and add the security code to my card. Now I just need to remember to change the hunt dates once I know them.