Black Hills South Dakota is a bust.

[aaron.haverfield@gmail.co]

There's no such thing as turkeys in the black hill. Been here all weekend and seen nothing, but hens. Haven't heard a single gobble. Only toms of the whole week. We're the two in the church parking lot in rapid city.

[Doug Lewis]

That ain't good... My buddy was there two days last week by himself on public land and tagged out.

[Snoodsniper]

Keep looking..........

[TauntoHawk]

Late April I bet they're at pretty low elevations mostly still on private cattle farms where they wintered.

[zelmo1]

Public land or an Outfitter? If an outfitter, Who?

[matchbook454]

Don't give up just yet.  I was scouting some land up in WI last weekend. I've hunted this property for years and usually tag out day one.  Actually - morning one.  I know my relatives have seen a lot of toms this past winter and early spring but when I was up there only one as I was leaving to go home on the neighbors farm.  Never heard a gobble all weekend either.  It is a small piece of property but just because I didn't hear or see much doesn't mean I won't hunt there.  Birds move around, go quiet, etc.  Hang in there and keep trying - Good luck!

[mgm1955]

Hang in there, good luck!

[longbeards]

I leave Monday a week for the Hills. I have hunted them 5 times. There are birds there, but they get a good bit of pressure and sometimes don't gobble to much. Hang in if you have the time and you may well find them. Longbeards

[aaron.haverfield@gmail.co]

 

[aaron.haverfield@gmail.co]

Sorry Guys, had to take a few days to cool off. Ended up not seeing a tom the rest of the weekend. Guess we just camped in the wrong area. Though we were kind of flying in blind since I could seem to find anyone that would give up a good starting point. Debating on making the 15 hour drive again in two weeks now that I know the layout of the hills up there. Hate having a tag not filled.

For all you other guys that might be interested in hunting the blacks hills, I hope my failure will help you out.
- - - - What I learned: Get black hills north and south map from http://www.nationalforestmapstore.com/product-p/sd-3.htm This map shows the public and private land of the whole park the best. Then get a map from http://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/blackhills/maps-pubs/?cid=stelprdb5292920 for the area you are looking to hunt. Then download this app, https://fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprd3824214.pdf with it you will be able to download the black and white trail maps of the area you wish to hunt and be able to use your phones GPS without cell service to locate where you are. Good back up if you dont have a regular GPS. Also, be prepared, though those maps say all vehicle use on some of the trails, you may need a set up four wheel drive. We got half way down one trail and then it turned into a rock crawl buggy trail, bad deal let me tell ya. Finally as for the the locations to hunt and camp. Though the area may look promising from google earth and in person, do not set up camp any where near Ditch Creek. There may be a couple birds in the entire 20 square miles but save yourself the trouble. Unless you just want to spend your time looking at elk and deer all day long. After being there and talking to the locals on the last day, sounds like the area around KEYSTONE is the place to be. Though you have to watch out because I believe there is a game preserve to the south and also mount Rushmore is close by.

One last note, though the weather man may say its going to be a certain temp it doesn't mean it will be. He said it would be lows in the mid 40's but the first night got down to 25. There was ice on the inside of the tent.

Worst trip ever.

[TauntoHawk]

I have never been but from what i've been told and read is that later is better. the birds winter on low land ranches and simply haven't made it back to the "hills" by late April most springs.

But at least you got to see some awesome country!

[cornfedkiller]

I have never been but from what i've been told and read is that later is better. the birds winter on low land ranches and simply haven't made it back to the "hills" by late April most springs.

This was my experience as well when we hunted there a couple years ago.. rarely saw a tom in the hills, but we would drive by a large feed lot or cattle pasture and there would be 100+ birds out there.

[tomklatt7658]

Text me again ill give you the location of where i got my bird there were other toms in there as far as tent ours blew over and had a foot of water in it from the rain needless to say spent extra money on hotels but let me know know ill get you those locations and others i seen toms

[crappieangler]

Just ordered my tag today, hopefully they're a bit more spread out. Sorry about your hunt.

[aaron.haverfield@gmail.co]

Thinking about heading back after finals, if the budget will allow a solo trip.