All the time.
Seriously though, let’s talk about what our January has been shaping up like here in South Dakota. Normally, this time of year brings brutal cold, deep snow, and conditions that can really test even the most dedicated bird hunters. But the first couple weeks of the new year have been anything but typical, and we’re not complaining.
Rare January in South Dakota
I’ve personally been in the field chasing birds, and it has been an absolute blast. Yesterday, temperatures climbed to an unbelievable 48 degrees. We were sweating in January, which is something you almost never see in South Dakota. Looking at the extended forecast, the highs are only expected to dip below 20 degrees twice, and the lows aren’t even projected to hit zero. That’s crazy for January hunting up here. If you’re hunting South Dakota in the winter and it’s not below zero, you’re doing pretty well.
Honestly, our favorite conditions are temps in the teens to twenties, and we’ve been right in that sweet spot. As of January 7, 2026, we were hunting in short-sleeve shirts. That alone should tell you how wild this winter has been.
The bird numbers have been excellent. With little to no snow on the ground, the roosters are more spread out than usual and are a little jumpy, but we’ve still been finding success consistently. We’ve been putting a rooster or two in the bag on just about every piece we walk.
As I finish typing this on January 8, 2026, at 3:50 p.m., we’ve already wrapped up a four-man limit of birds plus picked up two raccoons by 2:30 p.m. with a full hour lunch break in the middle of the day. Today was a bit chillier than yesterday, mostly due to the wind, pushing us to wear light jackets and gloves. With the cooler temps and cloudy skies, the birds held tighter, making for some great dog work and point and exciting flushes.