South Dakota Mule Deer - Unit 35L

[Ilovethewest]

Planning a rifle hunt for the fall of 2013. Looking at 35-L for a unit. We live in Wisconsin. Planning on driving through the area on our way back from our Wyoming mulie hunt in October for the second time.

We are pretty in shape guys, and are definately not your typical "road hunters." We like to strap on the boots and put some miles on. Getting away from the roads is not an issue for us.

Not necessarily trophy hunting......but probably wont shoot small bucks either, looking for something better. Which area of 35-L ( slim buttes, cave hills, short pines) has a better mulie population? Hunting pressure? Trophy potential?

Am i on the right track here for a unit to hunt? Most other areas seem pretty scare of public land. The Badlands look good, so does the areas around Wall & Wasta, the Oglala NGL down toward the Nebaska panhandle, and the Missouri Breaks.....but public land access seems to be an issue for those areas. That one gas station in Wasta has some HUGE mulies on he wall in their back room. wow. anyways, the 35-L area seems more remote. But I am open to suggestions.

Thanks in advance if anyone has some info.

 

[muliefever]

I am hunting the same area in September with my bow. I will let you know

 

[reinharm1959]

Hi I've been rifle hunting for some time in SW SD around the Badlands National Park what county(s) does 35 L represent and I might be able to give you some recommendations or atleast some ranchers to call about private lands access. The public lands in that part of SD in my experience is really not very good for Mule deer or any deer for that matter. The really produce land is locked out so knowing someone is really the best way to go. Good Luck.

 

[Ilovethewest]

35-L is a newer unit. It used to be 3 different units 35A,35B,35C. They made 35L out of 100% public land. It encompasses the Custer NW in NW SD by Buffalo/Camp Crook, the Cave Hills area by Buffalo, and the Slim Buttes area by Reva. Tag levels are very low, success rates seem to be pretty good, and its 100% public land. Most is in Harding county.

I heard they had some winter kills a few years back, combined with over-harvest of does on he public sections, which lead to the making of the 100% public and the small tag levels. But is this the best area???

The badlands area by Wall, Wasta look good, but I worry about access and hunting pressure. Mostly mule deer hunting, not whitetail.

Would love to hunt private land if the tresspass fees are reasonable.

Cant wait for october for my WY mule deer hunt! cant come soon enough.

 

[Ilovethewest]

hoping to drive through the slim buttes area on my way back from Wyoming in October. Just wish my wife would be ok with moving to Sd!!!!!!! She gets mad everytime I bring it up! But she is good we me going hunting out west as much as I can, so I cant complain!