From the staff at the South Dakota Office of Tourism, we would like to wish everyone a safe and happy holiday season.

If you happen to be traveling through or to South Dakota this week or next week, please keep an eye on the weather. There is a system rolling through with snow, high winds and cold temps. Which really isn’t anything new for December in South Dakota, but please travel with caution.

For more updates on statewide weather, visit the Weather Channel for the most up-to-date forecast in the Midwest. http://www.weather.com/outlook/weather-news/news/articles/region-midwest-weather-forecast_2009-10-09?from=hp_news&anchor.

You can also dial ”511″ from any phone and receive up-to-date, location-specific road restriction, construction, condition, and weather information on any Interstate, US, or state highway in South Dakota and several adjoining states. You can also call 866-MYSD511 (866-697-3511).

All the best to everyone in 2010 and if you need any affordable travel ideas for the upcoming year, feel free to drop us an email at TravelSD@state.sd.us or visit www.TravelSD.com.

Happy Holidays,

SD Tourism Staff

Check out this article in the Argus Leader, published today.

http://www.argusleader.com/article/20091216/OUTDOORS01/912160324/1047/outdoors

Snowmobile trail updates from the state Game, Fish & Parks Department are available on the social media Web site Twitter at @SDSnowBHills and @SDSnowEast.

Black Hills snowmobile trails open on Tuesday and with this week’s snowstorm, several trails in East River have sufficient snow for riding.

The Outdoor Women of South Dakota (OWSD) is an organization that promotes hands-on education and participation in outdoor activities with a primary focus on women and children. 

One of their monthly events in December will be held on  Saturday, December 19, from 1 – 3 p.m. MT at the 4-H Building, 601 E. Centre Street, in Rapid City (at the fairgrounds).  

The theme is pretty timely right now, “Outdoor Survival.”  There will be a short video on proper outdoor clothing, water tips, and selection of backpack/equipment.  There will be discussion on how NOT to get lost in the outdoors, and if you do get lost, what to do.  

Guest speaker, Steve Baldwin, is  with the Custer County Fire & Rescue, and will be covering some basic first aid tips and other emergency scenarios which occur in the outdoors.  

If you are interested in attending, please RSVP ASAP by e-mailing Cheri Hilton at dandchilton@rap.midco.net.  The cost for this workshop is $3 per person for non-OWSD members and FREE for OWSD members.  Please pay at the door. 

For more information on OWSD, please visit: http://www.owsd.org/.

Tom Carpenter, a freelance outdoor writer from Plymouth, MN, has published many of his articles in national outdoor magazines as well as those that are local.

His most recent one, Recess is for Ringnecks, can be viewed online at http://www.realtree.com/community/altitude.php?ID=121&c=1.

Read through the article about his successful hunt at the Grand Ciel Lodge near Plankinton with Brad Boisen, who is also hosting the upcoming pheasant hunt with Minnesota Viking and South Dakota native, Chad Greenway, in March. To register for this premier hunt, visit http://www.travelsd.com/thingstodo/hunting/roosterrush/index.asp.

Many thanks to Brad and to Tom!

You guys are always great to work with and we appreciate it!

It all started in 1881 with a small cottonwood seedling planted in a hole left by a survey crew. The tiny seedling grew into a stately tree known as The Lone Tree.

Thinking about deer hunting on one of South Dakota’s reservations in the future? If you need help in making your decision, just check out this blog article from the Whitetail Journal. The trophies in the photos may help steer you in the right direction…

Link: http://www.whitetailjournal.com/ArticleContent/11/2009/2147/Go-Native-for-Whitetails.  Written by: Joe Byers, avid writer and hunter from Hagerstown, Maryland.

Mark Kayser, South Dakota native who now resides in Sheridan, Wyoming was also on a couple hunts. He documented his stories online at: www.huntingclub.com – check them out!

Byers Media Group successfully completed three different hunts on a few of South Dakota’s reservations this fall hunting season. Those reservations include: Pine Ridge, Rosebud and the Cheyenne River. This group has been coming to SoDak for about the last 12 years and they love it here! They bring in great writers to tell others about their stories here in the land of Great Faces and Great Places AND Great Hunting! They all have a good time when they are here and they come back because of the wonderful people who host them, the awesome guides who put them on the deer, the land and the scenery that is so beautiful.

A quote from Ken Byers, Byers Media, states it pretty clearly:

“South Dakota holds a special place in my heart like no other place in the United States.  For the past 12 years I’ve had the pleasure to experience so many wonderful memories in the field with family, friends and business associates.  From the thick creek bottoms chasing whitetails and turkeys to the open prairies and badlands in pursuit of mule deer.  Even after a dozen years and up to three trips each year with so many opportunities in South Dakota for the sportsman I have not had time to embrace them all.  If your travels have not yet brought you to South Dakota…I’d suggest opening that door soon.” 

For many, South Dakota is a prime hunting destination. That is one of the main reasons I live here and have no plans to leave any time soon.

During the fall season, many hunters travel from across the country to hunt upland birds or to hunt trophy whitetail and mule deer. There are also several other options for hunters who travel here….they have options of any of the following: prairie dogs, grouse, prairie chickens, antelope, big horn sheep, elk, waterfowl, turkeys, doves, coyotes, mountain lions.

Right now, there are several seasons under-way, my favorite of all being deer.

There is still time for you to get a tag and fill it!

For non-resident hunters, please be aware that the third drawing for the 2009 West River Deer and 2009 East River Deer seasons have been completed and the leftover licenses are pooled together and available to both residents and non-residents. These are sold on a first-come first-serve basis.  County choice and number of available tags can be found below.

2009 West River Deer:

http://www.sdgfp.info/Wildlife/hunting/Leftovers/WRDeer.htm

2009 East River Deer: 

http://www.sdgfp.info/Wildlife/hunting/Leftovers/ERDeer.htm 

For more information on hunting and fishing in South Dakota, please visit: http://www.sdgfp.info/index.htm. Or to plan your next hunting expedition, check out: http://www.travelsd.com/thingstodo/hunting/.

Man, I just love this time of year! And what a great November we have been having as far as the weather goes. Crops have really been starting to come out; which is great for the late season pheasant hunting, but also great for deer hunting.

The rut is certainly on, more now, than even in the last couple of weeks. Myself and others thought it even started earlier this year, especially since we had some very cool weather during October. But it is clear after watching two different bucks chase does out of the corn this morning on my way to work.

Last weekend was the opener of the West River Deer season for rifle. I was pretty successful in slaying a 5×7 muley with quite the mass. My buck was bedded down with two does when I spotted him. I got within 50-70 yards and shot once. I didn’t even realize the does were there until after I shot. Typically, from the times I have been out hunting or scouting, the does will give the buck away. They sat pretty tight this time though. And even came back a little while later looking for their guy

Tomorrow begins the East River Deer season opener for rifle.  I know plenty of friends and family who are more than ready to get out and try their luck at a bigger buck than mine! Just teasing, but one thing is for sure that the bucks are out running around and many hunters are looking at a great season to harvest their first buck, a trophy for the wall, or even a couple does to fill their freezers.

Good luck fellow hunters! Be safe, wear orange, know your area and who you are hunting with or by, and know how to use your gun accurately.

Need an affordable travel adventure before the snow starts to fly?

Check out some of the BEST affordable fall adventures recently named by Travel and Leisure Magazine; biking through South Dakota’s Black Hills being one of them.

Big skies and bison. Experience both as you cycle the Mickelson Trail through the Black Hills National Forest. Expect active wildlife, beautiful fall foliage and a serene environment.

Read more…http://www.travelandleisure.com/articles/best-affordable-fall-adventures/1/