Turkey hunting forum for turkey hunting tips

Hey guys, this is my first post so I may be asking to much, but me and a buddy are planning to head to the Black Hills in South Dakota at the end of may. I've been doing plenty of research on my own and planning on staying or camping just North of Custer at Custer State Park right by Sylvan Lake (Bringing a camper so the State Park is my only option). I'm super excited for the trip and getting that experience of hunting in the Black Hills. With there being so much accessible land to hunt though, I can not make my mind up of areas I want to hunt. Been looking at this map and dropping pins for hours and have realized I have close to or over 100 pins dropped all over the Black Hills and still have no idea where I want to start. Not asking for an exact location, just some general areas that are known for having turkeys over others. I'm from south MS and in college, so this trip is pretty expensive for a broke college student and just trying to get as much knowledge as I can to have a successful hunt. Any other information would also be greatly appreciated! Thanks, and good luck to everyone this turkey season!

I would hunt in the State park if I were you, maybe even kill your self  a Bison while your at it.

http://oldgobbler.com/Forum/index.php/topic,107520.0.html
How ironic lol I guess you didn't even bother to read a topic posted a few hours ago before posting this.
Likewise, I am a fellow college student in MS. I will be graduating this spring, likewise I will be off on my own turkey tours. I work a full time job to support my hunting addiction and lifestyle. Yet, I don't take the easy way out and ask for help to strangers on forums. And if I did, I especially wouldn't be asking as my first post on said forum. Sharing info with friends/family is fine in my book, just about everyone does it. But anyone who comments will be doing OP a disservice by sharing this info not only with OP but with the rest of the World Wide Web. Do yourself a favor dude, scout and get it done without anyones help to make yourself feel as if you earned it, and weren't given it. Keep E-Scouting and staring at maps, as I have been doing since June. Research tactics of Merriams hunting compared to Easterns, they are alot different IMO.
Good Luck,
sorry to be the dick head internet public land police

Thank you for being honest and definitely will not be posting something like this again. I know how bad of an impact the web has had on the turkey population in many places and did not think it would hurt to ask but I understand where you're coming from and what you mean. I should have known better and apologize for web hunting. 

Quote from: ccoxwell on March 08, 2022, 10:04:18 PM
Thank you for being honest and definitely will not be posting something like this again. I know how bad of an impact the web has had on the turkey population in many places and did not think it would hurt to ask but I understand where you're coming from and what you mean. I should have known better and apologize for web hunting.

:icon_thumright:  Apology accepted.  :)  You have not been around here long enough to understand the concerns a lot of us have with spreading information on hunting locations on forums, FaceBook, YouTube, and such.  Now that you understand the "unspoken rules" (that unfortunately are routinely broken), stick around and join in the conversations.  Although you have been somewhat scalded in your first post, we are mostly a pretty friendly bunch around here!   :) ;D

Quote from: GobbleNut on March 08, 2022, 10:21:18 PM

Quote from: ccoxwell on March 08, 2022, 10:04:18 PM
Thank you for being honest and definitely will not be posting something like this again. I know how bad of an impact the web has had on the turkey population in many places and did not think it would hurt to ask but I understand where you're coming from and what you mean. I should have known better and apologize for web hunting.

:icon_thumright:  Apology accepted.  :)  You have not been around here long enough to understand the concerns a lot of us have with spreading information on hunting locations on forums, FaceBook, YouTube, and such.  Now that you understand the "unspoken rules" (that unfortunately are routinely broken), stick around and join in the conversations.  Although you have been somewhat scalded in your first post, we are mostly a pretty friendly bunch around here!   :) ;D

Just as GobbleNut said, apology accpeted. If a member reaches out to you via PM and gives you a tip or two, more power to him. Just remember, the internet is forever. The real issue with spot sharing on a forum, or Facebook group in my opinion is the effect on the local hunters, folks planning on making a trip up there that season, or a routine traveler to the destination is who it really hurts. In this day and age if someone blasts information on a forum they are either incredibly naïve, or never planning on hunting said spot again and are selfish enough to jeopardize the integrity of the spot by sharing it with the world.

Just a heads up. We hunted the black hills in late May a couple years ago and had a really hard time finding birds. There seem to be pockets with lots of birds and a lot of land without birds. A lot may disagree but riding roads using a coyote call or loud box call can be a very effective way to locate birds. Cover some ground and you should have some luck. And don't be afraid to knock on doors if you see birds on private. Seems people out there are pretty open to letting people hunt as long as you are friendly


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Crazy Horse park has the best hunting in the hills, but the landowners seem to be against it there for some reason, so make sure a buddy lets you out when no one is looking and you have a full ghillie on and a silencer on your gun or use a bow! No tags or bag limits on this particular park hunt.

Obvious jk, PM sent

coyote howler and boots on the ground.  Don't bother with an owl hooter.  Elk bugling also gets them to shock gobble.  As said before, there is a lot of land that doesn't hold turkeys.  They are in isolated pockets throughout the entire forest.  Be prepared to get frustrated unless you find birds relatively quick.  Took us 3 days before we found them.  Its all worth it though.  Just driving around up there is a treat.  You'll see an amazing amount of wildlife.

Chadron

My advice is leave the camper at home. You can't be to broke if your gonna pull a camper 24+ hrs away. Throw a tent in the vehicle and\or stay in cheap motels. I'm from S. MS also and I've been up there a few times it's a long freaking way up there. I couldn't fathom pulling a camper it's bad enough in a SUV without a trailer.

Quote from: Kygobblergetter on March 08, 2022, 11:38:06 PM
Just a heads up. We hunted the black hills in late May a couple years ago and had a really hard time finding birds. There seem to be pockets with lots of birds and a lot of land without birds. A lot may disagree but riding roads using a coyote call or loud box call can be a very effective way to locate birds. Cover some ground and you should have some luck. And don't be afraid to knock on doors if you see birds on private. Seems people out there are pretty open to letting people hunt as long as you are friendly


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We hunted it last year 2nd week of May and it was exactly what kygobblergetter said. We just so happened to luck out and find the pocket the first evening bc a hen crossed the road while we were driving.

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Thanks everyone for the replies and tips. I've been a member for a little over a year and just haven't posted or said much until now. Usually just got on to read post or try to find some tips if I could not answer it myself. Definitely going to start replying and posting more. Once again thanks, and will let y'all know how it turns out. Hopefully have some pictures to post as well.

Stick near fields or farms. Get out and hike, there are miles of trails. I easily put 4-6 miles on the boots each morning. Doesn't seem far till you go up and down those hills. I would camp in tent or park cabins. You'll be spending a lot on fuel too haul a camper. Check out Airbnb.

1st time I went place was dead, most things hadn't opened up yet. It a tourist location and things don't get started till after Memorial Day. Got a turkey.

2nd time was during Covid last spring. Place was a zoo. Everything was open and booked. S. Dakota was one of few states totally open so everyone headed they're to hang out and party. It was fun but no turkey, weather made it difficult.

PM me if you have questions.

We seem to get a lot of first, second, third posts being similar to this every year around this time. Not ripping on you. But I do have one piece of advice. If you stay near Custer, stay at the Rocket M
Motel. Tell Don I said hi

No need to be rude TR69, this forum has been full of help and a great place for turkey talk for quite some time.  I get not giving out your secret honey hole but it's not like the huge Black Hills of S Dakota are a secret.  You can get upset with the person that responds with an exact location but for the original poster asking a simple question is just rude and I don't think this site is here for rudeness.
Good luck on your trip, I'll be out there a week or 2 ahead of you and will help (via PM) if I can.
Till then Gobble Gobble everybody


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Quote from: TurkeyReaper69 on March 08, 2022, 09:10:21 PM
I would hunt in the State park if I were you, maybe even kill your self  a Bison while your at it.

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Quote from: Kygobblergetter on March 08, 2022, 11:38:06 PM
There seem to be pockets with lots of birds and a lot of land without birds. A lot may disagree but riding roads using a coyote call or loud box call can be a very effective way to locate birds. Cover some ground and you should have some luck.

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Never hunted the Black Hills, but I have hunted out west. Based on my experiences, I would say this is spot on accurate advice. Cyberscouting is an effective tool, but nothing beats feet, or in this case, tires on the ground. If you can, get there a day or 2 early and scout hard. Best of luck!!

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I heard that if you see one within the first 200 yards inside the state park it's fair game


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Quote from: SD_smith on March 10, 2022, 07:57:22 PM
I heard that if you see one within the first 200 yards inside the state park it's fair game


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A blind and decoys work great at the pond by the visitor's center when they come to get water!  Just be sure to drive a Subaru, wear birkenstocks, and have a camera with a giant telephoto lense sticking out, and the people will just assume you are a standard bird watcher!

I requested a "Post up your honey hole" section when OG was asking for ideas. Hang in there,we are trying to make it as easy as possible to turkey hunt.

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All this talk about the Black Hills (and some other places) always makes me end up wondering how many folks on this site actually go there to hunt?  ...Just a rhetorical question that enters my wandering mind...   :)

I've hunted the BH in WY and SD the last two years. I have a ton of pins on where birds are, and were they arent. And this year it could be completely different- turkeys, especially Merriums roam a ton. I put almost no stake in where I found birds the year prior, so in that regard I would say cyber scouting is mainly a waste of time. I'm no expert but coming from WI, I was on birds within hours of arriving both years. its not rocket science, and in my experience they are WAY easier to at least locate then a Eastern.

Quote from: GobbleNut on March 11, 2022, 08:09:39 AM
All this talk about the Black Hills (and some other places) always makes me end up wondering how many folks on this site actually go there to hunt?  ...Just a rhetorical question that enters my wandering mind...   :)

It seems as if it's almost a right of passage for any traveling turkey hunter to hit the black hills of SD at least once. Or for that matter anyone just wanting to hunt merriams, BH of SD is usually quick to pop into their minds. That or the famed NW corner of Nebraska that I see 74 Facebook posts a day about. There are 2 fellas (they'll know who they are if they see this post) who I'm now convinced work for the Chadron dept of tourism. I have yet to hunt BH of SD, I've hunted the prairie as well as the BH of WY, but I'll need to at some point stop through the SD Black Hills to be see what it's all about.

I could use GPS coordinates to some gobbling SD Black Hills birds about May 15th, 2022. I hope that isn't a stupid question and someone can help me.  :OGturkeyhead: Trench helmet on (check), kevlar vest (check), Steel toed boots (check), ear plugs (check), scheduled counseling session for emotional trauma (check)   :funnyturkey:

Quote from: eggshell on March 13, 2022, 08:04:54 AM
I could use GPS coordinates to some gobbling SD Black Hills birds about May 15th, 2022. I hope that isn't a stupid question and someone can help me.  :OGturkeyhead: Trench helmet on (check), kevlar vest (check), Steel toed boots (check), ear plugs (check), scheduled counseling session for emotional trauma (check)   :funnyturkey:

Eggshell aren't you a fellow Ohio guy?   I'll be returning  from the black hills may 14th.

Eggshell aren't you a fellow Ohio guy?   I'll be returning  from the black hills may 14th.
[/quote]

Yup I'm southern Ohio, Ross County bred and born. I will be in SD by the 13th or 14th and getting in the Black Hills on the 15th. I have a daughter that lives in Pierre and we'll stop there first. Been out there a bunch but never hunted. This will be my first time hunting the BH. The post was meant to be in fun and sarcasm, but I am hunting.

Quote from: TurkeyReaper69 on March 13, 2022, 03:51:31 AM

Quote from: GobbleNut on March 11, 2022, 08:09:39 AM
All this talk about the Black Hills (and some other places) always makes me end up wondering how many folks on this site actually go there to hunt?  ...Just a rhetorical question that enters my wandering mind...   :)

It seems as if it's almost a right of passage for any traveling turkey hunter to hit the black hills of SD at least once. Or for that matter anyone just wanting to hunt merriams, BH of SD is usually quick to pop into their minds. That or the famed NW corner of Nebraska that I see 74 Facebook posts a day about. There are 2 fellas (they'll know who they are if they see this post) who I'm now convinced work for the Chadron dept of tourism. I have yet to hunt BH of SD, I've hunted the prairie as well as the BH of WY, but I'll need to at some point stop through the SD Black Hills to be see what it's all about.

Chadron

I'm going to be there on vaca with the family from May 20/27.  Convinced the wife to take family vacation in SD during turkey season lol! I will get one of the ones the wannabe youtubers missed trying to catch their hunt on video!