Pheasant, Duck, Dove and Prairie Dog Hunting

Prairie potholes are depressional wetlands (primarily freshwater marshes) found most often in the Upper Midwest. They are the core of what was once the largest expanse of grassland in the world, the Great Plains of North America. Its name comes from a geological phenomenon that left its mark beginning 10,000 years ago. When the glaciers from the last ice age receded, they left behind millions of shallow depressions that are now wetlands, known as prairie potholes. The potholes are rich in plant and aquatic life, and support significant populations of breeding waterfowl.

Sometimes called the “duck factory” of the Midwest, the prairie pothole region supports more than 50 percent of our nation’s migratory waterfowl. Most prairie potholes themselves are less than an acre in size, little more than depressions in the landscape that fill up with snowmelt and rainfall. Some of these depressional wetlands are present all year long, while others form only after rainfall.

South Dakota is one of the most important duck production areas in North America. Although it is considered a Central Flyway state, South Dakota produces ducks that migrate continent-wide. The portion of South Dakota west of the Missouri River is considered "unglaciated," so the relatively few wetlands in this area consist mostly of impoundments used to water livestock. The glaciated, eastern part of the state contains some of the highest wetland densities and breeding duck populations in North America.  Kimball, where the Lodge is located, is in the Low Plains Middle region and the 00Z Waterfowl Unit.

Per the South Dakota Game, Fish & Parks regulations, the possession limit is three times the daily limit for each species.

6 and comprised of no more than:

          5  Mallards (with no  more than 2 hens)
         3  Scaup
         3  Wood Ducks
         2  Redheads
         1  Pintail
         2  Canvasbacks

2  Blue-winged teal    (first 16 days of season only)

5 Mergansers  (including no more than 2 hooded) 

15 Coots