Black hills time of year?

[wdog]

Hey guys I know this topic has been beaten to death, I'm headed to black hills of South dakota with the fiancé. Due to her school schedule were going may 17 to hunt the last days of the season. Is this good timing? Just looking for everyone's input who has been out there on what time of year they have gone and what they experienced. All the research I have done this is the one thing I couldn't find alot of info on. Thanks for any help guys.

[dirtnap]

Went last year and hunted the last 3 days of the season.  Me and my buddy ended up killing a nice gobbler on the last morning.  Honestly, if I was going back there, I would like to be there the first good stretch of gobbling weather earlier in the season.  Which is impossible to predict.  The place gets hammered just like Nebraska and Kansas.

Good luck.  It is pretty country.  Even ran into Mike Pentecost at an Arby's in Nebraska.

[Meadow Valley Man]

I have had to cut a Black Hills hunt short because of an incoming blizzard, so I don't see anything wrong with hunting later.  Certainly, the turkeys will be better dispersed. I might suggest hunting the Black Hills of Wyoming.  They are not that far away, and hunting pressure may be less.

[DTGobble]

I hope it is, I'll be there myself!  Looking forward to a different experience than eastern birds in the woods of Virginia.  I've read so much about the weather being a big factor, we decided to go late as well.  Hoping to get on the birds, just having a hard time deciding where to go.  So much to choose from.  Good luck.

[hobbes]

I've not hunted the Black Hills, but have hunted south of there in the Pine Ridge of Nebraska and northwest of there all over Montana......so here is my 2 cents.

Early can be good (there is always a bird somewhere anytime of the season that wants to die) but in my opinion mid season is better than early, partly because of the weather and partly because I think there are more birds willing to respond.  However, I like late season just as well.  From my experience in NE and MT (and CO for that matter), I typically hear more gobbling mid season than late season, but I think you can have just as many birds willing to come to the call during late season.  There are plenty of those early to mid season birds that aren't willing to come to a call because they are in larger flocks with more than their share of hens.  I think I have a higher percentage of birds willing to work in the late season, but hear fewer birds.

Again, these statements above are of the "in general" type.  You can kill birds from day one to the last evening of the season (that's the case anywhere), you just have to be willing to keep after it  If I am lucky enough to make it to the BH this season, it will be toward the end of the season and I won't have any reservations about it.   

[Cove]

I've been early and late. If I were choosing, I'd choose late. The birds will be spread out across the landscape and you'll be more apt to find gobblers alone. This doesn't mean that they will all be running to their death at the sound of a call but if he doesn't, I haven't had much trouble finding another on down the road. I have found that later in the season it's easier to make that initial "strike," the trick is to keep "striking" until you find the cooperative one. Early season it may take a couple days to just locate the birds due to them all being in one location. Once you find them you dance around the outskirts of the flock until you can pull a gobbler over for a look or get in the way of the whole bunch.

[Tomfoolery]

Ill be making a trip up there this year for the first time. Havent nailed down a date yet but will likely be early-mid may. Really looking forward to hunting new landscape and trying for a merriams. We are going to pick a centrally located spot on the map and tent camp. Anyone who has camped, do you suggest camping at a  campground or just picking a spot in the forest? I know you cant build a fire unless its at a campground but doesnt say anything about burning in an old smokey. Any tips on camping?

[WisTurk]

Hey Tomfoolery, I tent camped there last year and had a great time.  The only public campground (not private) that I found to be open at the time that I went was at Sheridan Lake.  Of course you can do the dispersed camping anywhere out there, but can't have a campfire and you won't have any facilities out there (don't know how important that is to you).  Be prepared for cool nights even if it gets warm during the day (I had one morning at 26 degrees).  I really had a terrific time out there and will be going back next year for sure!  PM me if you need any more info.

[wdog]

Looking forward to it its always fun hunting a new area hopefully we avoid the snow going so late.