SNOWSTORM PHEASANTS IN SOUTH DAKOTA

I parked atop the bluffs overlooking the Missouri River as the first beams of sunlight raced across the horizon. The rolling prairie hills along the shoreline had changed significantly since my last visit to the area. A few months prior I was mounted on a horse watching pointers and setters tear through the landscape during the long, hot, dog days of summer. The lush, green grasslands had browned, but the scene before me still evoked a nostalgic feeling. My mind wandered toward thoughts of mounted Sioux warriors and fur traders that once adorned the distant ridgelines. To me, there is a quaint yet mysterious beauty to this part of the country, vestiges of past centuries are abounded while a thriving, contemporary culture embraces a love for pheasant hunting.

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HIGH TIMES AT HIGHPOINT LODGE 

Brad and Jeri Donald own and operate HighPoint Lodge with their decades of experience located just outside Pierre, South Dakota. This rustic-luxury lodge stands boldly with its sloping roof, large glass windows, and wrap around balcony. The interior is designed highlight the essence of South Dakota pheasant hunting culture. High vaulted ceilings enhanced the grandeur of the wood paneled walls mounted with taxidermy from across the globe while plush furniture and large bedrooms provide a homelike feel. My visit to the pheasant capitol had welcomed me with 5-star accommodations, this was a sportsman’s paradise. 

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A SOUTH DAKOTA SCENE 

Each morning as the guests began to wake, fresh aromas from the kitchen wafted through the air as soft tones of country music filled the large dining area. A lavish, leisurely breakfast is customary at HightPoint during pheasant season before a day spent afield. Although there were spectacular views of the river valley, the giant windows also offered a preview of the impending winter storm. High winds, blowing snow, and freezing temperatures were schedule to last my entire visit.  

The bus ride to field featured those same harsh winds blowing snow and dust across the tapestry of ag fields and rangelands. While I was primarily focused on the weather conditions, I was also excited to watch the team of well-trained HighPoint Labs. Although I had brought my own dogs along, I always enjoy seeing different styles and techniques when bird hunting. The morning hunts were in standing cornfields while the afternoons were spent in the grass along the field edges. Most of the hunters and dogs were dropped off at one end of the field while the bus and blockers were parked at the other awaiting our approach. This was the iconic South Dakota pheasant march. 

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FIRST PHEASANTS IN SOUTH DAKOTA 

The harsh northern winds met us as the bus doors opened piercing any skin left uncovered. Fortunately, Bo, a guide, the son of Brad and Jeri, and a recent college football player harnessed his years receiving motivational speeches and inspired the group with words about fancy shotguns, unlimited ammo, and healthy bird numbers. He then blew his whistle which signaled the dogs to begin hunting. As the Labs bounced between the cornrows seemingly unphased by the conditions, I opted to close my 828U action and keep my barrel pointed toward the sky anticipating the flight of the first rooster. 

A young yellow lab darted in front of me, her tail wagging side to side and her nose pointed straight toward the ground – she was birdy. I gripped my gun tighter and increased my pace. The dog began to sniff and grunt; I knew the bird was close. In an instant the cornstalks began to shake, and I heard the cackle before I could see the bird. The high winds lifted the bird quickly right in front of me, I fired a shot, and the bird sailed toward the ground. The young Lab took off to retrieve the bird as I heard shouts of excitement behind me – that little lab was turning into a fine hunting dog, and I had my first bird of the day. 

Our group kept a steady pace as birds flushed in all directions with the dogs retrieving all the shot roosters. As we neared the end of the field the guides slowed us down and prepared us for the excitement ahead. The Labs took wide loops back and forth down our line of hunters pushing the birds slowly forward. I could see the hints of blaze orange from the blockers and knew the moment of organized chaos was fast approaching. Once the first bird lifted cackling and flapping its wings the rest flushed in every direction, a few of us shot while others paused to watch the big wave of birds fly into the next field. The shot birds fell along the edge of the field as we heard Brad’s loud laugh signifying a great first push. 

            In a few short moments, the cold took our excitement away, but Bo’s encouragement kept our spirits high. As we continued moving onto the next strip of corn I turned my pair of dogs loose. My Lab operated with efficiency bounding through the cornstalks and flushing birds, but my Setter unaccustomed to a line march quickly went ahead a few hundred yards and pointed a rooster. There were quite a few shots before we reached my Setter, still holding steady as my Lab flushed a bird in front of her nose. The group continued down the field, but I knew I had to put my Setter back on the bus – this was not her scene. With plenty of birds and memories we finished the day a few birds shy of a group limit, but the weather made it an easy end. 

 On the evening drive back from the field, the group reminisced about shots taken, both hits and misses, impressive dog work, and marveled at how we survived the frigid conditions. When we arrived at the lodge, we cleaned the guns and gear, ate a hardy dinner and turned in for the night. The next morning our hunt was cut short as the winter conditions grew with intensity and more snow was on the way. Throughout each hunt, my gun performed well even though the weather failed to cooperate. My time spent at HighPoint Lodge was curated to immerse me into the essence of South Dakota pheasant hunting culture. Later that morning, I loaded my dogs and headed east away from the storm toward my next adventure. 

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THE PRAIRIE PHEASANTS OF SOUTH DAKOTA 

            While my Lab had her fun with the high-volume work in the cornfields, I wanted to give my Setter some time on the ground before we left South Dakota.  She is a dog that loves to run and operates better independently with space. As such, we returned to the prairie hills that we rode last summer to try and find those birds once more. While there was still snow on the ground, the high winds had subsided making the hunt much more enjoyable. I broke open my gun and rested on my shoulder for the long walk ahead and gave trill of my whistle commanding my Setter to take off into the grasslands for a first prairie pheasant of the season. 

            She ran far and wide, often only a glimmer of white on the horizon searching the rolling hills. Her tail was lively and cracking side to side, a clear sign of her excitement to be running in open country. My Lab and I kept walking along the high points for the best visibility of this bird dog performance. After a few miles I called out to my Setter which meant we were making a turn, she stayed hunting while simultaneously making a 90 degree turn and moved forward over the next hill. 

Although I lost sight of her shortly after, my GPS signaled she was on point 500 yards away. I quickly heeled my Lab and started off toward my bird dog. As we neared my GPS went off again, this time 400 yards in another direction – she had relocated a running rooster. We kept moving in her direction and one last notification said she was pointed 250 yards away, another relocation. I picked up my pace when I saw her pointed, her body was staunch all but her tail blowing in the wind like a flag. I lifted my gun off my shoulder, snapped it closed, and approached her from her broadside so she could see me. I sent my Lab for the flush, and she dove into a clump of grass as a long-tailed rooster sailed into the air. I mounted my gun, shot both barrels, and folded the bird. I sent my Lab for the retrieve and then went to praise my Setter, our first prairie pheasant of the season. 

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AN UPLAND GUN FOR AN UPLAND HUNTER 

Few things that epitomize South Dakota more than pheasant hunting. Whether your journey is guided hunt with a curated experience or a freelance opportunity on public ground, the pheasant capital always provides. Throughout harsh conditions and longs walks, my 828U never failed me and my time spent chasing pheasants lived up to my expectations. Looking back at my adventure, the allure of South Dakota involves a long legacy of a hunting culture that continues to thrive with each generation. What an incredible journey chasing pheasants across South Dakota with the Benelli 828U.