I know you ask about SD and ND but think about crossing the boarder and certainly not trying to sell you in my statements. Just my opinion on options you may have if you travel in that direction. Cross at Pembina, ND or Neche, ND and enjoy the Manitoba prairies depending where you are in ND. The Minnedosa Pothole Region of Manitoba is a paradise. I see you have a TDB based on your post...Great boat to have on some of the larger bodies of water. Plenty of large lakes to hunt beside the major Winnipeg and Manitoba. No need to drag tons of decoys. Two to three long lines is more than plenty on divers or even puddlers. Most days just a half dozen or less is all that is needed for ducks. Been traveling for years into the region. Each season always exploring something new. Late September through October birds can be found everywhere. Everyday is new while your there. Could be thousands of birds and only 15 minutes of shooting. Almost every year I have been there I have heard of major birds building up near Mallard or Skowdon (spelling) during the early part of October (Now this is one heck of a drive north of Winnepeg, keep an extra 5 to 10 gallons of gas with you just in case). The southern end of Lake Manitoba also offers some walk in opportunities with a small push boat or canoe is needed because of no-motor rules. You will find most farmers are more than welcoming if you drive past an area where bunches of geese or ducks are congregating. If you want the chance at a almost everyday mix bag its definitely a waterfowler's dream. Have shot seaducks, divers, and puddlers in the same bag on many trips with even bonus Canada, specks, and snows on morning hunts out of potholes. Dish the full body geese and just buy a couple dozen WhiteRock or similar brand Canada decoys (Weight and space is saved). The only caveat on geese is that since you are a alien, non-resident of Canada; goose hunting is limited to only hunting until some date later in October which offers all day hunting. Due to noon rulings it sometimes can stink but is absolutely amazing when a big flock of any goose species decides to get a drink of water near your decoys in the afternoon just after feeding in local fields. I am not talking about a few dozen or even hundreds...I am speaking about a few thousand sometimes at minimum. Plenty of other opportunities of grouse shooting in various Queen Land area if you decide to take a mid-day stroll. An don't worry about getting up everyday at day break to hunt ducks. Take your time and hunt on your own time. No time is a bad time. Just make sure you have your CAFC 909 ETW forms (3 copies) signed prior to crossing and your port of entry from US Customs to get your gun back in the states document with you. I can tell you a typical spend on a week long trip over the last 10 years has been in the ball park of around $1 to $1.5K per person (2 to 3 hunters, $800 if you are really frugal) depending on much we travel in Manitoba (gas prices are the number one variable that increases or decreases) about all other cost such as food, lodging, licenses, and shells has stayed roughly about the same. Actually the highest expense I have paid was when I drove from Houston, TX two years ago. Spent a lot of road miles through central Manitoba with the furthest north being around The Narrows. Put near 3400 miles on my Tacoma on a 10 day drip. Enjoy the Gibson Canada Whiskey while in the Narrow, bring a pole and hit the Walleye at night (don't forget the fishing license, non-resident conversation license cost about $35 US), if you go. You may want to also take the opportunity to hunt at least one day with a guide which will run you roughly $350 a day. Greater, lesser, cacklers, specks, ross and snows are plentiful. Cacklers would be my preferred hunt through a guide if you go. To have 3 to 5K locking into the spread on most every flock is breath taking. Some of those days can be just 15 minutes of shooting in reaching limits just as well. Safe hunting and fishing this year. I will be there the first week in October might see you on the chase. My positive for this year is that my buddy is bringing his 12 year old son for the first time to Canada. It something special to see the energy of a kid or even an experienced hunter experience a hunt in Manitoba for the first time. I have found most experience that first thought of taking a bird at longer ranges because we have become accustomed to slinging steel out there 40 yards with special "Sniper" chokes developed in the waterfowl market. I bring 3 chokes, IM, M and skeet 2 in my 20 gauge and do not have a problem bagging either ducks or geese within 20 yard shots. Only choke up on geese. Just be patient, most birds are young and fall at your feet. When you find the concentrations of birds that most Management areas in the states only have even during the peak period on a day to day basis it gets under your skin and becomes an absolute addiction. Probably won't sleep tonight after writing this because now it in my head.
Regards,
Kristan