I have been planning a hunt northern / northwest SD area for several years now, public land. The timing has not been right, so we just keep accumulating PP's. I have like 5 for west river deer! Crazy, huh? but for 3.00 bucks, I just keep getting them. we are hunting in Wyo this fall. There are very few non-resident tags to be had for the unit we want to hunt in SD, and we have 4 guys in our group. So the likelihood we draw is low. Especially since 2 of the guys will buy their 1st PP this year. So we will be applying as a group with 1 PP total next year. Kinda sucks for us who have more PP's, but oh well. Our 2 new members are good guys and good hunting partners.
So our plan next year is to try to apply for SD gun, then if we don't draw, buy an archery tag. Then we can do some more in depth scouting for a future gun hunt in SD.
I too think SD is a sleeper state. I saw a mulie on my way home from WYO last October along the road. It was in the hill country above the Cheyenne river in the wasta area. I think that area is almost 100% private, I looked on the SDGF after seeing this buck. Biggest mulie I have seen alive. It was dark and at night, and he was along the road. He didn't stick around long, but I quickly guessed him in the 180" range. By far the biggest mulie I have ever seen alive. My buddy shot a mulie 140" last fall, and this one destroyed that buck in every facet...height, mass, width, body size.
I would like to try ND someday, bow or gun. Some of the areas around Medora, south of TRNF along the lil Missouri look good. Bought some maps of the area. The east side of the Lil Missouri look pretty good with decent amount of public land. i would like to try that sometime.
good luck to all headed out this fall. I would love some insight on those of you hunting SD this year. Private Message me if you'd like.
Thanks!
Luke
