shooting distance black hills south dakota

[Paul Anthony Gomez]

Hello everyone! I've been buying points for the black hills area of South Dakota now and I'll be applying for a hunt next year. I've been doing a lot of shooting lately at 500+ yards. Just curious how far you all have had shots offered? I'm planning on taking my .308 but I could take my .30-06 instead. I prefer the .308 as I've shot it the most. How long of a shot should I expect to make? I've never been to the area so I don't know the terrain. Also I've been buying west river hunting preference points as well. So any shooting distances in this area would be greatly appreciated as well. Thanks everyone!

Paul

 

[tdcour]

Can't speak for the black hills, but dad and I have shot all our west river deer under 300. We hunt along the Missouri with lots of open country too. You can definitely close to under 500 as long as you see them first.

 

[Paul Anthony Gomez]

Thanks for the info. Tdcour, you guys killed anything of size out there?

 

[Againstthewind]

I guess this side of the Black Hills has a lot of thicker timbered areas. Historically they were called Black Hills because of the thick timber made them look black I think. So there are areas, with longer range shots possible, but in general in the Hills they might be shorter shots. I know I need to practice on getting the quick 50 to 100 yard shots down before the dang things sneak away. Good luck, its a cool area.

 

[tdcour]

Check out the pics on my profile. They are all from west river.

 

[Paul Anthony Gomez]

Nice pic


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[the wanderer]

Tdcour,
I'm looking into mule deer hunting in South Dakota. I've got two preference points already, but I'm thinking about doing an archery hunt in the meantime. I would most likely do a completely diy public land hunt. I've been looking more at the public land in Harding county, the area north of Belle Fourche, and around Lemmon. There's a lot to learn before picking a spot. How's the pressure around the river? I'm looking solely for a mule deer. Are the majority of the deer also by the west side if the river mule deer? What do you do for lodging? Camping? Hotel?

Great deer and pics in your album by the way.

 

[Colorado Cowboy]

Depending on the load, there is not a lot of difference between the 30-06 & .308. I'd take whatever shoots best and you are the most comfortable with. Get it sighted in at 200 yds (I use 1" high) and it will shoot from 100 to 300 without a lot of guessing.

Good Luck.................

 

[Tim McCoy]

I have hunted west SD quite a bit, taken shots from 75 to just past 400 yards. All but 2 were under 300 yards. CC gave you good advice on the gun. As far as how far to prepare to shoot, I suggest prepare as far as you can hold about a 6" group from field positions, not off a bench. If that is 250 fine, 300 fine, 350 fine, or longer, fine. Then plan to stalk as close as you can without undue risk of spooking the game. Odds are you will shoot most under 300 yards.

 

[mm97]

I live and hunt in the Black Hills. Every whitetail i've thumped has been within 100 yards. The topography and tree density in most areas doesn't lend itself to long range shooting. But, like anywhere, if you're looking for that type of terrain, you could find it.

I'm just not much of a marksman, so I get in tight.