SD Antelope

[Doe Nob]

Here in Fall river county, got in yesterday with an archery antelope tag in my pocket. Saw some good bucks in good spots in Nebraska on the way in. I am trying to get it done spot and stalk here and this country is challenging to be sure, not that its easy anywhere. Few goats around, but not sure what will be left after rifle season. After driving 22 hours from Houston, I ran into 2 other hunters here from the northwest side of Houston doing the same thing I am, kind of funny. This is my last night in the hotel, be camping out on the grasslands the next several days, just gotta find one in a good spot that wants to die.

A few pics from the 2 half days I've put in before I go off the grid:

Coming thru the pine ridge in Nebraska:



Nebraska goats:



This guy came out near some goats I was stalking at sunset yesterday. After that didn't work out I got close to take some pictures and he scrambled up a lone cottonwood on the dried up tank dam on the prarie.



Blown morning stalk:



Big thanks to my buddy who let me borrow his Mel Dutton decoy:

 

[ffd061]

Good luck on your hunt. Keep the pics coming!!

 

[Doe Nob]

Well, hunt is done. I tagged one in South Dakota, probably a 2 year old buck that only had one doe. That was my goal (any legal buck) and I was happy to get a goat on foot with a bow. I went and bought a Nebraska tag and hunted 3 more days with no success to reinforce how hard it is. Here are some more pics. Its a blast for sure, OTC tags, stalks from sun up to sun down, work on some, get blown up, drive down the road, get on the next group, all day long. The reports of the lack of antelope are BS, I had plenty to work on in both Nebraska and South Dakota. A couple P&Y bucks, but mostly an opportunity fun bowhunt that is affordable for the non-resident.

 

[Doe Nob]

Deer tags are also OTC for the bowhunter in both states, but I didn't see anything worth spending the $275 on. Sure there are good deer somewhere, just not in antelope country.

One last thing, everyone was freindly in both places at the local restaurants/watering holes when I went. I think they all thought I was not right in the head for driving that far to bowhunt antelope, but I might feel the same way if I had 200 out my back door every night!

 

[Drhorsepower]

Congrats! Mission accomplished and some good photos of the journey.

 

[ando_31]

Nice work. Next time you're in SD stalking on antelope, make sure you are stalking from the south so if you spook them they run my way. If you have enough failed stalks maybe the season will open back up again in ND. I'm having withdrawals.

Good story and pics.

 

[Muleys 24/7]

Nice pictures and it looks like you had a great trip, I love doing road trips

 

[Ikeepitcold]

Great job man. I like the pics

 

[Bitterroot Bulls]

Awesome job.

 

[ffd061]

Awesome pics and congrats on the antelope!!

 

[Doe Nob]

Nice work. Next time you're in SD stalking on antelope, make sure you are stalking from the south so if you spook them they run my way. If you have enough failed stalks maybe the season will open back up again in ND. I'm having withdrawals.

Good story and pics.

Why not just drive south? Tag is like $268 and bowhunting is from mid Aug to late Sep, although SD closed already NE is open till mid Dec.

I'm hoping with all the closures in SD and ND if we get another mild winter the herd can rebound heartily. How sick would it be to be able to bow hunt all 3 states for antelope at the same time. That would be a slam not to be topped, 3 bow antelope in 3 states in one season - It can't be done!

 

[sjsmallfield]

Congrats Doe Nob. Looks like you had a blast. Any goat with a bow spot and stalk is a trophy in my book.

 

[ando_31]

Why not just drive south? Tag is like $268 and bowhunting is from mid Aug to late Sep, although SD closed already NE is open till mid Dec.

I'm hoping with all the closures in SD and ND if we get another mild winter the herd can rebound heartily. How sick would it be to be able to bow hunt all 3 states for antelope at the same time. That would be a slam not to be topped, 3 bow antelope in 3 states in one season - It can't be done!

You're right. I need to try some prairie goat hunting out of state. Unfortunately I don't think the antelope herd will ever rebound in ND. My father grew up in good ND antelope country and said they have been slowly declining since he was young. The season has been closed here for quite some time. I think when it closed I had 7 preference points for a rifle tag (grrrrrrr). Thats okay though, I haven't seen a 14+ inch antelope out there for over 20 years.

 

[okielite]

Looks like a fun trip. Did you camp at toadstool? Looks like it from your pics.

 

[Doe Nob]

Yes, camped at Toadstool. I am thinking the forest has probably recovered enough to try an antelope/deer archery OTC combo in that country.