Drew a North Dakota any deer bow tag.

[Jakepettit]

I drew a any deer bow tag for North Dakota , this will be my first Mule deer hunt. I am planning to hunt the national grasslands. I have hunted coyotes in this area several times and know there are deer there, I am looking forward to hunting Mule deer. Any advise?

 

[hoythunter]

1st Eastmans post for me, get as far off the road as possible, get as far away from major oil traffic as possible, and bring good optics do you have a time of year picked out yet? maybe get here before the youth deer season, and upland bird openers

 

[Ikeepitcold]

Do a search. I think I remember a thread from a few months ago on the same subject. Good luck with your hunt.

 

[Ikeepitcold]

Try this thread

http://www.eastmans.com/forum/showthread.php/1638-Looking-for-info-on-South-Dakota-whitetails

 

[Jakepettit]

Thanks hoythunter, I am thinking a long weekend early season and a week around thanksgiving as I know that is typically the rut, then maybe a late season trip if I haven't had any success.

 

[hoythunter]

I would think thatd be good, Ive shot my 3 biggest bucks the 1st week of season,granted Ive never shot a muley with my bow, watched them in the spotting scope for a few weeks then set up and shot them the first day or 2 of season, I would maybe try to scratch one of the the later trips or just add a early scouting trip week before season and peg one down.

 

[wisconsinvette]

Good luck. I sure do miss hunting ND. My advice is to go slow and don't start your stalk to early in the morning. Wait until the wind gets steady.

 

[Boehunter]

North dakota is a good oppurtunity state recently deer numbers have been decreasing (disease and mountain lions) but NDGF is working hard to turn things around. The badlands are an awesome area i will give you a heads up with all the oil field traffic now in the area it isnt near what it used to be. Like Hoythunter said get off the road especially during september, I would really focus on the rut hunt for this tag as the last couple yrs game and fish has cut all mule deer doe tags in the badlands this has caused the does to basically have no worries and brings alot of the bigger bucks up closer to the roads and in the open. Buy the gps map for ND also can be a big help.

 

[sdebrot]

This use to be a really fun hunt before the hard winters killed off a lot of the deer. There is alot of oil truck traffic through out the badlands. The deer seem to have gotten use to it, but most of the bigger bucks we saw were away from all the traffic. Keep in mind that the tag is also good for whitetails and there are some nice ones along the river.

 

[Dakota Kid]

Make sure you get away from the roads! Use your optics! When making the final stalk come from above watch the wind and your shadow. I usually take my boots off when I am about 120yds away so you can be silent. Be careful of prairie rattle snakes and cactus. The snakes have never gotten me even though I see one every time I am out there, but the cactus have gotten me every time. LOL!

Good Luck and be safe, there are lots of oil rigs speeding down the crappy roads.

 

[Dakota Kid]

If you decide to go in November or December be prepared for 10 degrees or 70 degrees, most of the time it will probably be around 30- 40's in September and Oct. it could be 30 - 100 degrees. average probably 50-70 degrees.

 

[Dakota Kid]

I forgot be careful if it rains some roads can be treacherous. If the chalkie buttes get wet they are almost impossible to climb and you will be covered from head to toe in clay if you try. There are also some big wash out holes to watch out for as you don't want to fall in one if you are walking in the dark (no telling how deep they are).