Mule Deer, Archery, Dakota's

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Thu, 2011-01-13 20:48

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Mule Deer, Archery, Dakota's

I've been to SD Antelope hunting twice, and that is the extent of my "Out West" hunting. I've been hunting in WI since 1976.

Anyway, we are going to do an Archery Mule Deer hunt this fall. We are split between North & South Dakota, leaning towards South.

My question is what corner of the State... SW or NW? I've been told MD numbers are higher in the SW, but hunter pressure is a lot higher than the NW corner.

Or, would ND be a better bet?

Thanks in advance,

WindLaker

Sat, 2011-01-22 21:34

flyguyskt

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i wouldnt say south west

i wouldnt say south west numbers were any higher than northwest...going to depend on private or public land... oh and our HIGHER numbers of hunters means you might se 2 or 3 guys while youre out in the field...MIGHT.... not like hunting back east at all

Mon, 2011-01-24 18:34

windlaker

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I talked to a Game Warden

I talked to a Game Warden from SD this weekend.

He told me Deer numbers are down the last couple years, but there are still good numbers. He also said he'd probably lean towards teh SW corner, but it's almost a coin toss.

Flyguyskt, are you a bowhunter? Got any tips for an out-of-stater?

WindLaker

Tue, 2011-01-25 16:03

flyguyskt

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i bow hunt my arse off!

i bow hunt my arse off! mulies are a different breed of cat than whiteys...they are hard to pattern...

but you can practically walk up to them and stab em with a knife

Fri, 2011-04-08 12:08

arrowflipper

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just wondering

I'm just wondering where in the world you're finding mule deer that you can walk up on and stab??? Wow! They ain't like that out here in the real West.

Tue, 2011-01-25 23:34

windlaker

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Based on the SD hunting

Based on the SD hunting Atlas, we're looking at the Buffalo Gap Grasslands.

Decent area, or should we pick a different area, possibly come out early & try to find private land?

WindLaker

Wed, 2011-01-26 12:39

flyguyskt

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buffalo gap is huuuuuuge

buffalo gap is huuuuuuge area....be more specific?you thnking of basing out of rapid city? custer or hotsprings? if you get a statewide permit you can hunt in the black hills as well...

Wed, 2011-01-26 19:30

windlaker

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Yeah, I know it's a big

Yeah, I know it's a big area. We're just getting our trip planned. We've only picked SD over ND a few days ago.

When we Antelope hunt, we camp on the outskirts of Belle Fourche in a pop-up camper. We haven't nailed down a home base yet, but we're HOPING to find a campground with showers, plug-ins, etc. Any tips would be appreciated.

I also want to get a map of the areas/roads accessable to ATVs, so WE CAN GO IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION.

As far as timing goes, we are planning on hunting the 7 to 10 days before Rifle Antelope opener. If we get our Rifle tag, we'll stay for that as well. We know the rut is mid-November, but that is our rifle deer season here, and we won't miss that.

Any info at all you want to toss my way, I'll listem.

Thanks,

Mike

Sat, 2011-02-26 22:05

sdwolfden

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Location: Custer, SD

Joined: 09/07/2010

Posts: 83

Info for you

windlaker wrote:

Yeah, I know it's a big area. We're just getting our trip planned. We've only picked SD over ND a few days ago.

I also want to get a map of the areas/roads accessable to ATVs, so WE CAN GO IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION.

Any info at all you want to toss my way, I'll listem.

Thanks,

Mike

Windlaker

There are 2 nice campgrounds just a few miles west of Custer that would probably work for you. One is Beaver Lake Campground, 12005 US Hwy 16, Custer, SD 57730, 605-673-2464. And then there is Big Pine Campground, 12084 Big Pine Road, Custer , SD 57730, 605-673-4054. There are others as well, but these are the ones we like. Also the burn to the west that flyguy was talking about is iffy unless you know the area. Some of it is restricted to hunting due to being part of Jewel Cave National Monument. If you are looking for maps of the Black Hills National Forest, Check with the Forestry service, they have maps for the southern unit and the northern unit that show ATV trails, and forestry roads and have a lot of info. Contact them at , US Forest Service, 25041 N Hwy 16, Custer, SD 57730, 605-673-9200. Hope this helps.

Thu, 2011-01-27 10:50

flyguyskt

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honestly i would stay in the

honestly i would stay in the souther hills and hunt on the edges of national forest...lots of muelys in the hills. say around custer...huge burn down there to the west....probably will see elk as well

Thu, 2011-01-27 21:24

#10

windlaker

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Thanks a lot for the tip.

Thanks a lot for the tip. I'll start getting my topo maps in order.

Have a great weekend.

Mike

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