South Dakota Pheasant Veterans

[Hydrilla Gorilla]

You guys that have gone to South Dakota for Pheasants, what boots do you recommend? I will be there in October. I have everything from Pac Boots to Jungle Boots. I know there will be a lot of walking involved and I was thinking something in the 400-600 Gram Gore-Tex arena. I have a pair of Rocky Prowlers in 800 Gram, but I think they will be too hot if I'm walking a lot. I also have a 400 gram pair, but they aren't as comfortable if I have to walk a lot. I'll buy what ever I need so that I can walk comfortably, just need to know what you think I need weight wise. Your thoughts?

[Skucius]

TAKE BOTH ........ I have never been to South Dakota but when I have gone with my family I wear my lighter less insulated boots but have a couple pairs of extra heavy socks for extreme cold weather. Sometimes my feet are chilly first thing in the morning but its better than getting hot sweaty feet then having them either stink or get cold later in the day. Just my 2 cents

[Jiggernaut]

Waterproof and a moderate amount of thinsulate is all that's necessary in October. That's all I use in November, but I also never go hunting without 2 pair of boots and my backup pair is a much warmer pair.....

As a farmkid back in the late 70's and early 80's, I wore nothing more than my work boots that had no insulation and a pair of rubber overshoes. Thank God our hunting apparel has made leaps and bounds from that era.....

[R.D.]

400 gram is WAY too much boot for walking in......I dont even wear anything with thinsulate unless I am trecking through a foot of snow..............otherwise I jsut use an Upland Game boot.......you can wear a thicker sock & get better results than getting more isulation. Granted.....you cant replace it once your there but I think your smart enough to check weather that day

anything with a Flat outsole & is comfortable to wear........Dont get anything that has a very aggressive tread to it.....it can be hell on your feet if walking too far.

Everyone has personal preference I'm sure but here is mine


I can also say that just Brown Hide leather can be a bit rough.....especially if Walking ALL DAY....the leather wont break in the right places to give relief to your foot........I have found that Kangaroo leather is Very Forgiving and Comfortable to wear.........it does cost more but it is well worth it IMHO

I will also add that I persoally like the Mock-Toe type for walking..........reason is it allowes the top of you toes & fore-foot more room.


you guys can make fun of me all you want but.................if there is one thing I take seriously when I'm outdoors.....its my feet!!

[tswhitney1]

I've never been to S.D. but hunt plenty in Kansas and I would recommend something lightweight, waterproof, and probably a maximum of 400 gram thinsulate. I've got a pair of cabelas brand boots that didn't break the bank and are really comfertable to walk in all day. You don't want too much insulation if your walking much or you'll wind up with sweaty feet and that will lead to blisters. Take extra socks and change them a couple times throughout the day.
I envy you Bob, it is every pheasant hunters dream to go to S.D. Hope you enjoy the trip.

[Jiggernaut]

Another very important consideration is the taxes in SD are much less, so don't buy your liquor 'til you get there!

Also, road hunting is legal as long as it's not on a State Highway, just don't shoot out your window. If you see birds in the ditch, come up on'em fast, slam on the brakes and bail out. Gun down the birds and leave your shotgun in the cab during retrieval. You have a 100 yd retrieval zone from the road as long as you're unarmed.

Also, no road hunting within, I think 1000 yds from any dwellings....

The expectation is harvest over 2 million birds this year.

[War Eagle1]

As Jason said, take two pair, one comfortable light pair and one a little heavier. I grew up in that area but as stated before that's long before all the hunting appearl came in leaps and bounds.

[hooks2bset]

[richard stone]

I would get a pair of the Upland boots from Cabelas, they're like a good pair of sneakers. I wore my old duty boots and "deer" hunting boots for years and they killed my feet.

[Whiteranger]

Whatever you buy, don't forget to cut a knotch on the heel Bob !

[bass57348]

660 ft from dwellings, or livestock, or something like that on the road hunting.
October can be 80 degrees or 20 and snowing. I have seen both.

Ya don't have to worry about early morning chill as the pheasant season starts at noon for the first couple weeks.

Boots it all depends where and what you are hunting. If you are walking corn strips, anything will do but if you are hunting sloughs, we have been getting a lot of rain lately and they will have water in them.

here is a bunch of info
http://www.sdgfp.info/Wildlife...x.htm

Spend lots of that $$$$$ we need it!