Turkey hunting forum for turkey hunting tips

I was buying my turkey licenses for the different states I plan on hunting this year. And found out that SD Black Hills finally are going to come on line and start pushing there starting date back also. I was supprised a few years ago when WY moved there starting date and SD didn"t. Well this year the change finally came( not that i like it because I loved hunting in the snow) but the later season start maybe will better for the birds. But it sure did change some of my hunting dates. And the season will move again for 2024 to the fourth weekend of april. The fun and cool thing about the Black Hills you never know, I still might be able to hunt turkey in the snow out there, the weather is unpredictable.

I was out there a few years back and had about an inch of snow around may the 10th. This GA boy doesn't really want to hunt in the snow.

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But it is so cool seeing them strut marks in the snow.

Quote from: ddturkeyhunter on February 20, 2023, 08:33:40 PM
I was buying my turkey licenses for the different states I plan on hunting this year. And found out that SD Black Hills finally are going to come on line and start pushing there starting date back also. I was supprised a few years ago when WY moved there starting date and SD didn"t. Well this year the change finally came( not that i like it because I loved hunting in the snow) but the later season start maybe will better for the birds. But it sure did change some of my hunting dates. And the season will move again for 2024 to the fourth weekend of april. The fun and cool thing about the Black Hills you never know, I still might be able to hunt turkey in the snow out there, the weather is unpredictable.

Love the black hills in mid April. Went in the middle of covid (my 3rd trip) and the area I hunted was covered in 8 inches of snow. Got stuck and had to hike a mile to get service and luckily the guy where I was staying came and pulled me out. I made the trip alone as I do most trips. 30 minutes later I had a bird on the ground. Then it was off to Wyoming.

I preferred that time of year. Less crowds. Oh well...things change.

We (6) hunted the first week of May, in SD, several years ago and the first day we were supposed to hunt we woke up to 5 inches of fresh snow and it was still snowing.  Well, we took the day off and visited Rushmore.  The second morning we split up, 2 teams of 3.  Our group had a blast as I called in 3 gobblers, in the snow, killing a double out of the group.  Had the hens talking, which brought in the gobblers.  Great experience, since this Eastern NC boy hardly ever sees snow at all, much less the first week of May.  Great time in the Black Hills!

South Dakota Game Fish and Parks drank the Chamberlain Kool Aid

Flew into Denver in early May 2022.  Rented a car and headed north up into WY at the SD border.  Was still a long way south and ran into this.  Turned out to be no problem.  A good trip.  My avatar photo shows the results. :turkey2:

I love it because, flat out, there's a lot of years that the accessible area is pretty small in early to mid April. One year I went up in early May and was still getting turned around in areas I wanted to go to, due to snow.

Not a Public land hunt but the Oglala Sioux have their own dates setup by their Tribal leaders.  Their land is around Kyle, SD and borders the Black Hills.  No state licenses required but you have to utilize one of their guides.  The guides locate the birds and put you on them. You do your own hunting and calling (semi-guided).  Beautiful country!