The country
Cottonwood bottoms for roosting, cedar draws for strutting, and open grass benches in between. Private ground, no competing hunters.
South Dakota Spring Turkey Hunts
Three days on roosted birds in the river timber and the cedar draws, when the mornings are loud and the country is green again.
$1,500 + tax · 3 days
Apr 13, 2026 – Mar 31, 2027
Lodging & meals included
The hunt
Roosted birds, cottonwood timber, big mornings
Spring turkey is the other side of our year. The same 150,000 acres that hold trophy deer in November hold turkeys along the Cheyenne River in April and May — cottonwood roost trees, cedar side-draws for strutting, and grass benches where a gobbler will come to a call across open ground.
Hunts are three days, with lodging and meals at camp just as on a deer hunt. Your guide knows where birds roost and which draws they use once they hit the ground, so mornings start close and quiet rather than with a long guess.
It is a good hunt for a first-timer, for a father-and-son trip, or for anyone who wants to see this country in the spring instead of the snow. Bring a shotgun or a bow — both work here.
What a turkey hunt looks like
How we hunt
Locate roosted birds the evening before, set up close in the dark, and call. Midday we move and strike birds on foot along the timber edges.
Three days
Three-day hunts, with lodging, all meals and 4WD transportation included exactly as on our deer hunts.
Gun or bow
A turkey gun with a tight choke, or a bow if you would rather. Bring camo, a face mask, comfortable boots and a seat cushion.
Spring turkey — 3-day hunt
Per hunter, plus tax
$1,500
- Merriam's turkeys in the river timber
- Guided mornings on roosted birds
- Lodging, all meals and guiding included
- Four-wheel-drive hunting transportation
- One party at a time on 150,000 private acres
- Season window: April 13, 2026 through March 31, 2027
Dates & licensing
| Booking window | Apr 13, 2026 – Mar 31, 2027 |
|---|---|
| Hunt length | 3 days |
| Price | $1,500 + tax per hunter |
| License | Spring turkey tags issued by SD GFP |
| Camp | Modern ranch home, all meals |
Spring turkey licenses are issued by South Dakota Game, Fish & Parks; we will point you to the right application when you book. Current dates and unit rules are at gfp.sd.gov.
Answers
Spring turkey FAQ
How much is a guided spring turkey hunt?
Spring turkey hunts are $1,500 plus tax for three days, with lodging and meals included.
When is the turkey hunt?
Our turkey booking window runs April 13, 2026 through March 31, 2027. Spring is the main event, with mornings on roosted birds.
What turkeys are in this country?
Merriam's turkeys, which use the cottonwood bottoms along the Cheyenne River to roost and the cedar draws and grass benches to strut.
Shotgun or bow?
Either. A turkey gun with a tight choke and heavy loads is the common choice; bow hunters do well from a blind near a strut zone.
Is a turkey hunt good for a first-time hunter?
Yes — it is one of the best. Mornings are short, the action is loud and close, and your guide handles the calling and the setup.
What is included?
Guiding, lodging at the ranch home with beds, linens and towels, all meals, and four-wheel-drive transportation. Licenses, tax and gratuities are not included.
Spring mornings on the Cheyenne River.
Three days, roosted birds, and camp cooking at the end of it. Call to pick your dates.