I'm going to be making a solo trip to SD this fall to hunt pheasants. Normally I make this trip w/ my brother.

I have a spot that I like to hunt. My brother will drop me off and drive about a mile and park the truck. I'll hunt an area and he'll hunt an area and we meet at the truck.

My question: Will it be legal for me to park my truck a mile away and walk with my dogs and shotgun to my regular starting point prior to the daily opener. The little extra walk is no big deal. I'd leash the dogs and carry the shotgun unloaded. But, it's near a USFWS Station, so I'm sure I'll be seen walking down the road w/ dogs and a shotgun prior to the daily opener.

It seems like this would be perfectly fine, but could use a little help. I also considered stashing my shotgun and just walking back w/ the dogs.

I wouldn't go near that USFWS station the day before with a shotgun - nothing but trouble for you - even if you are innocent. As veteran of some of the openers - you can get there real early and try to hold you spot. But I have done that and seen other guys do it -- and then some jerks fly in at 1 minute to shooting and plod out in front. Just the way it is. Send me a PM with the area you hunt - I don't go anymore since my dogs have passed, but would be happy to tell you where some of our old honey holes were. No matter what - good luck and have a great trip. Nothing better than shooting those roosters on that big wide open prairie.

I'm not talking about the season opener...I'm talking about the daily opener.

I'd just like to part the the truck a half hour before shooting time and walk a mile to where I want to start hunting. Get it?

You are absolutely fine to do what you are talking about.

To eliminate any suspicion that you might be hunting during the walk to your spot ahead of opener you could always slip a gun sock over your shotgun and slip in in your pocket on your walk back. Even though it is not necessary it might avoid a stop.

You can hunt grouse at sunup. We often shoot pheasants while grouse hunting as soon as it hits noon (or ten). You should have zero problem.

shouldn't be a problem. tell em ya are hunting rabbits till its time for pheasants.... just letting the dogs air out a bit ... makes sence to me ... gun can be loaded just dont shoot at a bird...

You must be saying your going to rabbit hunt until pheasant season opens! LOL your golden. Not a issue just stay off Federal ground they don't play but SD rules are real lax a guy would need to make a effort to mess up none of that gun leaning on vehicle stuff here. Heck shooting them off the road takes a little getting used to when coming from a State with a lot of rules. Took me a while myself.