Help with scheduling Black Hills hunt

[mnbirdbuster]

I have a couple of windows I can hunt. First is May 3-7. Snow certainly more eminent, certainly plenty of hens up and moving still, but could catch 2nd breeding peak? Second window is May 17-21(last day of season), less chance of snow, minimal if any competition from hens present, and depending on how spring goes could still catch 2nd peak i suppose? Either period should produce some birds to hunt on the 1.3mil acres of public? Any insight or past experiences would be greatly appreciated as i used to hunt the heck out of the BH, but it's been a few years and I've never hunted last week window and don't wanna go and woods are silent and breeding is totally over(i doubt it's possible as Merriam's are maniacs usually).

[MK M GOBL]

I have hunted that last week and you can run into some hot weather. We found out when that happens birds will get in some shade, we glassed a number of birds hanging out under pines (shade). We still had luck during that last week and really ran into hardly any "pressure" from other hunters. Been a few years since I have been out but it wouldn't hold me back from going!

Good Luck!

MK M GOBL

[mnbirdbuster]

Appreciate it MK. I will be going out and hunting that last 5 days of season(May 17-21). Did you notice much in the way of hens on their feet then? I'd assume most would be sitting the nests then, but there's always a chance of a few rogue hens out there screwing up the hunting that time of year?

[turkeyfoot]

There are still toms henned up into June there

[midmslongbeard]

It's been a few years but went three straight years the last week hunted Wyoming and South Dakota always tagged out birds were still responsive never saw many other hunters.