Six Friends, Three Days, and 59 Ducks in South Dakota

When late October rolled around, six of us loaded up and flew north to hunt with a guide service in South Dakota, and it was everything we hoped for. Over three days we harvested 59 ducks, mostly mallards and wigeon, working cut corn fields in the morning and pothole ponds when the birds were moving. Our guide knew exactly where to put us, and his dog Skip stole the show, hitting the water every time without hesitation and bringing back bird after bird. If you’re wondering what to wear duck hunting in the Dakotas this time of year, layers are the answer. Mornings start cold and windy, and the right duck season gear makes the difference between a miserable sit and a great hunt.

Back at camp, the good times kept rolling with great food, cold beer, and plenty of stories about the day’s best shots. As the owner of Dixie Fowl Company (Dixiefowlcompany.com), I was proud that all six of us wore our Dixie Fowl Company hats in the field, a little taste of Southern hunting traditions carried all the way to the prairie. Quality duck hunting hats matter when you’re staring into the wind and sun for hours, and an adjustable hunting cap gives you a comfortable fit whether you’re wearing a beanie underneath or just a hood. Between the birds, the dog, the food, and the friends, this trip was one for the books, and we’re already talking about going back next season.