Booked. November. Needless to say, I am PUMPED. Much more to come…but for now:
At this point, I’m looking for advice. I need to get some gear, specifically boots and a jacket. I’ve been told that the Danner Pronghorns are the way to go, and this Browning jacket will work just fine, and I’ve heard great things about the Upland Field Coat from LL Bean.
I’d love to hear any recommendations from those that have done it before.
I do a trip to SD every few years. Its always a great time.
Either of those jackets will work fine. Danners are always a good choice. I have the Grouse model and love them. Brush pants are always a good idea too. They may not be absolutely necessary if you are mostly hunting corn fields, but still nice to have.
http://www.russellmoccasin.com/insulated-bird-shooter/
Buy these once – custom fit – last forever!
I hunted 33 days this quail season, all wild birds, all over west Texas. The country is rough and destroys gear that is not well made. I hunt in Asolo TPS 520’s, and substitute the hunting jacket with a wingworks.biz hunting vest. This is my second pair of Asolos. They are gore-tex and the all leather construction will turn mesquite thorns and cactus without puncturing the gore-tex lining. I have a pair of Russells but the Asolo boots are sturdier and offer more support for someone serious about hunting or hiking. If you are a serious bird shooter, or are looking to become one, The wing works vest is second to none. It can carry whatever you need. You’ll eventually want a bird dog if you keep hunting and the wing works vest has places for all of the associated e collar and satellite collar receivers.
One word from an experienced South Dakota hunter… ORVIS. That’s as far as you need to look!
I hunt every January in Oral, SD. My recommendation would be layers. The dry air up there makes it not feel as cold as you would expect unless it is really windy so you likely won’t have to wear as much as you think. You never know what you will get with the weather there and I have often hunted in only a shirt and shooting vest in January when it gets in the 50’s. I often end up removing layers and adding them back through the day as you transition from the colder mornings to the mid-day then back to cooler end of the day as the sun goes down.
I wear my Barbour Beaufort as my shooting jacket and layer an Orvis upland sweater, fleece, or fleece vest under it depending on the temp. I agree with wearing brush pants that have enough room to wear long underwear under if needed. I wear Muck Boot Trail Blazers as my foot wear. They are warm. comfortable and easy to clean. The mud you can encounter there from melting snow is a real chore to get off your boots and Mucks are the easiest to clean. I know they aren’t the traditional upland hunt look but I think you will be glad you wore them if you have to hunt in the slop at all. I don’t know what is in the soil there that causes it but the mud is thick and dries like concrete on your boots.
I would also recommend a quality pair of shooting gloves to keep your hands warm. I actually take a pair of neoprene Simms fingerless flyfishing gloves to wear as well. They work great when it isn’t super cold at keeping your hands warm while also allowing you to be nimble while reloading shells. Sometimes I wear a warm winter glove on my left hand and the Simms fingerless on my trigger hand.
I am sure you will have a blast on your hunt. It is a great experience being in that part of the country.
https://www.midwayusa.com/product/738685/boyt-deluxe-divided-shotgun-shell-pouch-with-belt-canvas-with-leather-trim-green
You’ll want this slung low on your hip. Quick easy access to shells, that won’t make your vest feel like it weighs a ton because of shells.
X2. I have this same shell pouch and it’s worked great for me
Good boots for walking, i wear Irish setters, Best Darn socks(merino wool) is a must, you don’t want blisters. Wear layers. I also wore a Orvis vest.
Bought and wore these boots this past December in Kansas. I find that I am wearing them often just for comfort. Try the wide if the instep is to tight to slide your foot in. Mountain Khaki’s make a comfortable pair of Upland pants or McAlister waxed cotton if you can find them are a classic. Chaps area easier to layer. http://huntingthefirststate.com/2016/want-stylish-upland-hunter-around-check-irish-setter-wingshooter-boots/
I live in Nebraska and pheasant throughout the state and into South Dakota multiple times a year. If you’re going anytime past 11/1 there’s a good choice it will be cold. My favorite items are Danner Sharptail’s for boots (but the Pronghorn are great boots too), I’m a big advocate of the washed Carhartt double front work pant for pants and I wear a browning jacket with a built in vest. Good luck and I am already looking forward to your review.
I picked up a great Beretta Upland Jacket at Chuck’s last year at the end of quail season. Since the season was over, it was heavily discounted. I would highly recommend this jacket. It has an internal suspension system, plenty of pockets for shells if you don’t use a pouch, and enough room for your limit (though, it might get a little heavy with ringnecks!). It even works great for Georgia hunts as the jacket has zippered vents under the arms.
http://www.cabelas.com/product/BERETTA-UPLAND-JACKET/1959952.uts?productVariantId=4045368&WT.tsrc=PPC&WT.mc_id=GoogleProductAds&WT.z_mc_id1=04053501&rid=20&gclid=CMPGvc3Vs9ICFQwUgQodGhMOfw&gclsrc=aw.ds