The last couple of years I have been taking by 12 yo son on a hunting trip for his Christmas present. We leave for South Dakota Sunday morning for pheasant. My question is what to do next year. I am not big on whitetails since we hunt those for several months already.

My thoughts include:
GA bear hunting (this would likely be the least expensive)
CO OTC elk hunt, I could also get a Mule deer tag. The biggest holdup on this one is the travel time. I might have a friend that will join and bring his son, if so, this becomes more feasible since we would trade off on driving.
SD mule deer hunt. I will do some prospecting next week to see if I can find a farmer that I can lease his place from for a week. Not sure if this will shake out or not.
I might take him tuna fishing in Venice instead of a hunting trip.

Looking for feedback or ideas I have overlooked. Not really looking for trophy size game just something different and to make memories.

I have had great success with Venice Outdoors. Fishing for Red fish using the owner Brandon Ballay. They do all kinds of outdoor fishing/hunting. Have web site

VENICE OUTDOORS. Brandon Ballay is in my opinion the best .They do a HUNTNBLAST that is duck hunting am /fishing after hunt. Brandon will get you a limit of RED FISH if you choose. Don't know if they offer Tuna Fishing but at one time they did

Whichever it ends up being will be great memories for him

While in SD make a connection for prairie dog hunt next year

I had not thought about prairie dogs

Did Prairie Dogs in North Texas years ago while on a deer hunt. A lot of fun.

Mouflon Sheep has always interested me.

Unless things have changed in South Dakota from when i was there...you have to submit for tags I think by April and they are tough to come by. I have friends who are residents who don't get drawn even with preference points...just letting you know to do some research. It was tough back in the 90s to find a rancher willing to let u hunt his property, I can't imagine it now.

A better option may be BLM land...walk in only but it is open to anyone with tags. And as long as u are willing to walk and get away from the road you can find success. You would be amazed how big and deep those ravines get on the prarie

South Dakota pheasants.

Louisiana duck hunting or gator hunting

Since you mentioned a fishing trip I thought about White River Trout in Arkansas.

What ever has a lot of action since its a kid - SD had ton of prairie dogs when i turkey hunted there

That and the red fish should b lot of action

Duck hunting n right spot would b lot of action/fun

Take him squirrel hunting in the Mobile Tensaw Delta. Y’all can stay on one of the floating campsites the state has in there. It’s a different world and beautiful in there. All you need is a john boat and a gps. Probably buy both of those brand new cheaper than a trip out west and then sell the boat afterwards.

Look at a bowfishing trip with Marsh Masters down in Grand Isle. Shooting redfish, sheepshead and alligator gar from an airboat. Me and 3 buddies went a couple of years ago and it was a blast. We all limited out on redfish. They have some cabins at the marina you can rent so you can crash for a while when you're done. It was all first class.

Ducks in AR?

Join a deer dog hunting club in Mississippi or Alabama and spend a week there during the best time for running bucks.
Kids his age love a good deer hunt……they don’t necessarily love waiting on a specific deer to walk out to a feeder or grass patch.

Gets little heritage, tradition, and socializing all in one spot. Do it while you still can. All that other stuff will be available a little longer I suspect.

If you want to come do a back country bear hunt in GA I will show you some spots and give some tips.

That’s a good one. I know an outfitter if you need one

If you really wanna draw the comments and stink face, go Squirrel hunting in NM during the archery Elk season.

You’ll see Supremacist at their best.

I do the same for my boys. We’ve found an outfitter in Louisiana that’s reasonable and top notch. It’s a lot of fun.

A Colorado elk/muley hunt hands down.