With the season now open until May 31st what is everybodys take on what the birds will be doing those extra 10-12 days the SDGFP added to the season? Have hunted the hills many times, but usually early on messing with flocked up birds and usually snow. Then moved my hunts back to early-mid May and it was much better with both weather and hunting. Now seeing it's open till the end of May has me contemplating a Memorial Day-end of season hunt as it works out with my schedule. Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.
Been hunting the Hills birds for 3 full seasons now and I think it won't be that great. Usually by Mid-May it has slowed wayyy down from late-April. You might find a gobbling bird around, but I don't think he will be much inclined to care a whole lot. Usually by the last weekend I'd estimate an %75 reduction in roost gobbling from late-April or early May. I'm pretty sure it's the SDGFP just jumping on the long season bandwagon to sell more licenses.
BUT! I'm probably way wrong and it'll be phenomenal! Who knows...just my guess.
Have hunted Nebraska within eyesight of South Dakota the last two years on the final week of May. Both years have been exceptional, but the toms were not easy to get to play, as Smith said they're not near as interested, but you can still get that switch to flip.
Last year it took a midday shower and thunderstorm that was just one big black cloud for 15 minutes on what was the rest a sunny day. That had them all sorts of fired up for some reason.