SD w/the new Sterlingworth S&U 12 Gauge

[Foxnut]

Woke up this morning to a blustery SD morning w/winds increasing as the day progressed. While we can start pheasant hunting at 9 a.m. MT where we are at we waited until about 9:45 to hit a shelter belt that we save for windy days such as this. It’s an L shaped belt that surrounds the rancher’s feed lot and cattle operations.

I used the new to me Sterlingworth S&U w/30” barrels choked M/F. A perfect gun for this scenario. I had Rosey w/me as we worked the shelter belt w/another hunter and Rosey’s 3 y/o niece out of Rosey’s full sister. We post blockers at the corner and end of the shelter belt. We were done within 40 minutes and every hunter had their 3 rooster limit for the day.

Four of us decided to focus on Sharptails for the early afternoon and worked an East West fence row w/corn stubble on the South side and Sunflower stubble on the North side w/several small slues and short weedy areas. By the time we started the afternoon hunt the temps were 20 degrees w/a steady 20 mph wind. We worked the fence row from opposite directions pushing birds towards each other. Pointing conditions weren’t ideal but we managed to pick up enough tight sitting stragglers to each get our three bird limit of Sharpies.

All in all a great windy, cold day in SD!!

[Jeff S]

WOW!!! That’s incredible that you found that many pheasants this late in the season. You’ll remember that day for a long time.

[Stan Hoover]

That’s some great shooting!

Howfar west in SD are you, those sharp tail look like big fun?

[Maggiemollie]

Nice report and pics.

[44whiskey]

wow Brett, 20 degrees where are your gloves great pics thanks for posting

[Foxnut]

That’s some great shooting!

Howfar west in SD are you, those sharp tail look like big fun?

Stan, we are hunting Perkins County. It is in the NW corner of the state. 17 hour drive from MI but the extra hours are worth it for the added spice of plentiful Sharptail and Huns along w/great Rooster hunting.

[Foxnut]

wow Brett, 20 degrees where are your gloves great pics thanks for posting

This morning it was 3 degrees when we left for breakfast. The high was fourteen degrees this afternoon but the wind was much milder today. Everyone limited out on pheasant but it was a little tougher. I was the last one to limit and it took me until our 3rd hunt to do so. I wore my gloves and neck gator all day with the cold temps!!

[Rbishop]

Thank you for posting about your hunt!

[Jeff S]

Sounds terribly cold, but on the other hand you guys are really finding the birds. When I’m in SD, we typically get our 3 bird limit, but that’s during opening weekend. It’s amazing that there are still that many birds this late in the season. I think it says a lot for your hunting abilities, but also for South Dakota’s commitment to managing their flock. Are you hunting primarily in the shelter belts?

[Foxnut]

Four of us finished up yesterday morning hunting public land with a focus on Sharptails. My son-in-law got a limit of roosters and Sharptails. I limited out on Sharptails and missed two roosters I should have had. When we went to breakfast yesterday morning it was 21 already and by 12:30 when we wrapped up it was up to 54 degrees. A big swing from the day before. Scenting conditions with the melting snow and warmer temps were good even though it was a tad breezy. Headed back to MI last night and today. A fun trip! Back to reality now.

Jeff, I’m with you as it relates to SD. The bird populations are great. One advantage of late season is most if not all crops are harvested so hunting gulleys, slues, draws, and CRP that is surrounded by sunflower, corn and wheat stubble where the birds are concentrated is very productive. We’re learning which cover is more ideal for Sharptail and Huns and are more productive each year. The downside is the birds have been hunted for six weeks which makes them spooky!

Very happy with the new to me Sterlingworth and for the most part how I shot it. The safety is a little stiff so I think this winter it will get sent for a thorough stripping, cleaning and general check up.

[badassgriffs]

what a hunt ! congrats