Prepare for your Trip

Prepare for your trip to the Lazy J Grand Lodge

To make sure your arrival experience is as smooth as possible, please complete the following items. We recommend knocking these out at least 8-10 weeks before your trip, as the deadline is 6 weeks prior to your trip start date.


We’ve put together this comprehensive guide to ensure a seamless and unforgettable experience in Ideal, SD. We understand that preparing for a trip can sometimes be overwhelming, but worry not! Our goal is to provide you with all the essential information and helpful tips you need to make your journey to Lazy J Grand Lodge a breeze. From packing essentials to local weather insights, transportation options, and recommended activities, we’ve got you covered. We want to ensure that you have everything you need to relax, unwind, and fully immerse yourself in the natural wonders that await you. So, sit back, relax, and let us guide you through the process of preparing for your ultimate pheasant hunting trip at Lazy J Grand Lodge.

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Transportation Recommendations

Commercial Airports

Sioux Falls Regional Airport (181 miles)

Sioux Falls is the largest city in SD, with plenty of shopping opportunities available for you to stock up before your hunt, great restaurants, and plenty of hotels if you wish to extend your stay in South Dakota . Cabela’s in Mitchell, SD, is on the route from Sioux Falls to the Lazy J Grand Lodge. Car rental required

Rapid City Regional Airport (206 miles)

Rapid City is the second largest city is SD and is situated in the beautiful Black Hills. With adequate shopping, restaurants, and hotels, the Rapid City is a wonderful place to visit if you wish to see one of the most beautiful regions in the US, including Mount Rushmore and Black Hills National Forest. Nearby Lead, SD offers great opportunities for Skiing and Hiking as well. Car rental required.

Pierre Regional Airport (United only, 87 miles)

Pick-up service available

Airports for Flying Charter or Private

Winner Regional Airport (13 miles)

Pick-up service available

Frequently Asked Questions

12, 16, 20, and 28 gauge shotguns are acceptable to bring to the Lazy J Grand Lodge, and lodge supplied ammunition will be available in those gauges. The guides at Lazy J Grand Lodge recommend a 12 gauge semi-automatic shotgun as a gun of choice. Pump, Side-by-Side, or Over-Under shotguns are acceptable, but can limit hunting effectiveness during large flushes. There are no limits to magazine capacity when hunting pheasants in South Dakota, so magazine extensions are acceptable, and plugs are not required. The guest mud-room has 2 gun cleaning stations with all necessary supplies to keep your gun in great operating conditions during your stay.
No, the Lazy J Grand Lodge provides high quality ammunition for all our hunters. If a hunter desires to bring their own ammunition, we recommend 2 ¾ inch, 1.25 oz 5 shot. Steel shot is not required and is not recommended.
The Lazy J Grand Lodge has a battery of very well trained and effective dogs that go with each group of hunters. Our black labs are very fast on a retrieve and will often beat other dogs in the field to a downed bird. Hunters are allowed to bring their own dogs to the Lazy J Grand Lodge, and kennel space will be made available for them. We caution our hunters to not bring their dog if it is not extremely well trained and highly experienced hunting pheasants in both wild and preserve hunting scenarios. Our guides are allowed the right to kennel any dog in the field that is negatively affecting the outcome of the hunt.
South Dakota law requires hunters to wear at least 1 piece of visible blaze orange. This can be a hat, shirt, or vest. We always recommend long sleeved shirts, sturdy and waterproof boots, chaps or abrasion resistant pants, and shooting gloves. The Lazy J Grand Lodge supplies shooting glasses (required during the hunt) and ear protection (recommended during the hunt). We stock high quality hunting attire in our Pro Shop, so don’t worry if you have forgotten any of these essential items. In cold weather, we recommend stocking hats, insulated gloves and footwear, and insulated pants/coats or a thermal underlayer. Several layers are recommended versus very thick or heavy insulated clothing items, as conditions in the field can change quickly.

South Dakota is known for its highly variable weather conditions. We recommend that all hunting guests plan for both warm and cold weather hunting conditions during their stay, and that they follow the weather conditions in Ideal, SD (57541) prior to arriving at the Lazy J Grand Lodge to plan the items they pack appropriately.

In general, the following conditions can be expected during the hunting season

September: Temperatures can vary from the low 50s to the low 80s during hunting hours. Some overnight freezing temperatures can be expected. Very low chance of snow and snow cover. Hunting conditions during this period are very favorable

Early to Mid-October: Temperatures can vary from the low 30’s to the high 50’s during hunting hours. Consistent overnight freezing temperatures. Low chance of snow and snow cover. Hunting conditions during this period are very favorable

Mid October to Mid-November: Temperatures can vary from the high teens to the low 40’s during hunting hours. Consistent overnight freezing temperatures, with some below zero low occurring. Medium to high chance of snow and moderate snow cover can be expected. Hunting conditions during this period are optimal.

Mid-November to Mid-December: Temperatures can vary from 0 degrees to the mid-30s during hunting hours. Consistent overnight freezing and below 0 temperatures. High chance of snow and moderate to severe snow cover can be expected. Hunting conditions during this period can be challenging to impossible.

 

Please follow the link below to learn about whether you can ship your firearm to the Lazy J Grand Lodge.
If you choose to ship through an FFL, Jeffs Gun Vault in Winner, SD is the preferred local entity. Contact Jeffs Gun Vault at 605-842-4867 for more information.

We often have guests who wish to ship personal items to the Lazy J Grand Lodge. We will take pre arrival shipments of items, but we ask that our guests contact us at 605-842-3217 before shipping to ensure shipping details are correct.

Yes, all game taken at the Lazy J Grand Lodge is cleaned and packed (breast only) in a vacuum sealed package. Guests can bring their own coolers to transport their frozen game home.

Yes, we have guns that you can rent. Please let Karissa know at least 2 – 3 weeks before arrival. Call or email for pricing.

Testimonials

Looking for more information about our amenities and services? Check out some additional links below:

Below is a list of Liquor available for purchase by the bottle upon arrival at the Lazy J Grand Lodge. Pre-orders are not required but are suggested to ensure we have the quantity you desire when you arrive. If your liquor of choice is not listed, please reach out before your stay with us and we will do our best to have it on hand when you arrive.
  • Crown Royal Canadian Whisky
  • Bulleit Rye Whisky
  • Pendleton Whisky
  • Jack Daniels Tennessee Whisky
  • Makers Mark Bourbon Whisky
  • Glenlivet 12yr Scotch Whiskey
  • The Macallan 12yr Sherry Oak Cask Scotch Whiskey
  • The Macallan 12yr Double Cask Scotch Whiskey
  • Tito’s Vodka
  • Grey Goose Vodka
  • Hendrick’s Gin
  • Patron Silver Tequila
  • Bacardi Rum
  • Captain Morgan’s Spiced Rum
  • Malibu Coconut Rum
Case beer is included with the price of your stay. Specialty beer is available with pre-order.

South Dakota Residents

If you haven’t already purchase a valid hunting license, go to https://apps.sd.gov/gf79license/login.aspx and log in to your account. 

If you are a first time South Dakota hunter, create a New User account.

If you are a South Dakota Resident purchase the Resident Small Game License ($33).