affordable hunting lodges in South Dakota

[dawgmama]

My nephew would like to introduce his wife to hunting, and not have it be too brutal so that she doesn't enjoy her first outings. Knowing that my husband and I go to South Dakota he asked for advice. Well.... the hotels we stay at are as far from a lodge as you can get, but they are clean, warm and let the dogs in the room so....... Does anyone know of any family run hunting lodges that a young couple could afford? Thanks~nan

[Birddogz]

Best thing to do is take out an ad in the local SD paper explaining what you are looking for. Manmy times a local farmer will put you up and let you hunt their land for a reasonable fee. The later the better. Try mid-November. Any lodge is going to be pricey!

[phermes1]

Are they concerned about amenities, or do they just want good birds and a decent place to lay their heads each night?

For my trip to South Dakota, we found Tom and Stan Waterbury near Gregory. They have an old house that was used for accommodations for their hunting guests. It was clean, didn't smell, and the beds were comfortable. It's just a place to stay - no meals or anything like that. It's a pretty no-frills operation at a good price, and they got us into a TON of birds.

Their contact information can be found here.
http://www.cityofgregory.com/index.asp? ... 004A8F5%7D

Look for Dakota Birds, LLC.

[Scott Linden]

R&R Pheasant Hunts near Seneca. Tell Sal I recommended his place.

[Crestonegsp]

Birddogz has the right idea. I grew up in the Mitchell, SoDak area so I have an advantage when I want to go hunt back home but I would check when East River Deer ends. By this time most of the pay hunters are gone and the farmers are not worried about getting deer moved off their land any longer since the season is over. You can stop and ask most farmers to hunt their land by this time as long as you are polite and promise to close gates. There are public hunting areas that are on the edges of hunting operations, one public area north of Mt Vernon come to mind. If the weather holds you can have a good time without paying out the nose for a lodge. Most of my friends and family have their land leased out and getting on land early in the year is tough so if you want to go early in the season you will have to pay.

[dawgmama]

Thanks for the replies! A very ill father-in-law and grouse and woodcock hunting has kept me away from the computer. I will forward the info to my nephew!~nan