Western Nebraska Muleys

[MtnHunter]

Will be hunting the Pine Ridge area of Western Nebraska this year. The ranch is between the Ponderosa and Big Horn WMA's. The ranch is not managed for trophy deer but hunting is very restricted. Only 3-4 bucks taken off of nearly 2000 thousand acres each year. What should I expect? The Nebraska rifle season should hit the rut almost perfect. Would love to hear from anyone who has experience or knowledge of this area. Would like to hold out for a 160 or better , but I dont want to pass up a 130 or 140 if thats about the best I will do. Thanks !

 

[ICMDEER]

I'd expect a 20-22" four point to be about the top end. You might see a P&Y buck, but 160 would not be too likely. Those poor deer get hunted too hard to get old.

 

[Model_70_Guy]

Well given the fact that the hunting is very restricted and you are hunting private I would be selective.. If they only take a few deer off the ranch than the deer don't feel the pressure they would on the public areas.. Also the public pressure could push deer to where your hunting.. If it were me I would take my time and really look the deer over.. Good luck to you..

 

[Blanding_Boy]

2000 acres is not a very big area and likely bucks come and leave the ranch fairly regularly typically during the rut. If bucks in the general area don't get very big or old--I would think that would be status quo unless he has some real good green groceries and some real cute does to keep his resident bucks on the 2000 acres.

Todd Black
BTO

 

[264Magnum]

I'd at least hold tight the first couple days to see what the place has to offer, and then decide what size buck is big for the area.
_____________________________
Farmers harvest. Hunters kill

 

[MtnHunter]

Thanks for the advice everyone! Fortunatley I have one full day to scout before the hunt starts , so hopefully I can get an idea of what to expect. Then I have four days to fill my tag. But , dont worry If I do luck upon a 150+ during day one I may spend the rest of the week chasin' coyotes or trout fishing. I wish all of you the best of luck this season and be safe. "Let's Hit'em and Hang'em" Thanks!

 

[367bull]

I grew up in that area of the country and it would be very rare to kill a buck over 160. It's extremely easy country to get around in and most of the bucks are killed young.

There have been quite a few ranches purchased by people like Turner who try to profit from hunting, so I've seen a few older bucks in the last couple years, but if you see something even close to 160 I'd take it.

I agree 2000 acres is pretty small, so the deer will move on and off even if there is good feed.

Good luck. One benefit is if there are deer around, they're easy to find.

Dave
www.huntingvideosonline.com

 

[Buxndiverdux]

I'd say you have gotten some good advise from all the above. I hunted the area almost 10 years ago and saw lots of deer. I was able to get a good 4 point(163" gross) and the guys at the check station said it was a really good one. I wouldn't over look the whitetails in that area. I know a few guys that have taken a 150, 160 and a 170 whiteys. Good Luck! I had a blast when I was there and knocking on doors for permission was realatively easy back then. The comments about 2000 acres not being a lot is very true out there. You could be able to glass most of it from a hill top if it's like the country I hunted. But if that 2000 acres has the right feed, it could be all you need.

 

[wile]

I took a B&C 165 last year on a ranch in Sioux county right on the WY border. The ranch is only about 1000 acres but the owner knew what the hell he was doing when it came to attracting and holding deer. He of course would not let us wander but we had to sit tight on stands to keep the deer from being scared off. But he said in that area the pressure is higher than seems if using deer tag sales from the NE G&F website, and the natives wack anything with horns never letting them grow. Not the only place where "wack em and stack em" rules but it seems par for the course. (FTR I'm from Illinois where taking does has been allowed for some time letting the little bucks grow some) Whe you get your trophy try Blair Artworks in Lusk for taxidermy, I have my buck up on the wall and I'm totally happy with the work Mr. Blair did on it.

 

[life2extreme]

First off, best of luck. Western Nebraska is my home. A little south of there but all the same. The biggest trend that I have seen is the problem with CWD. It hit pretty hard a few years back and everything is just starting to recover. I hunted a property that was private and only one other hunter was allowed to hunt and he never got out of the pick-up. Of 4500 acres about 3750 was all to myself. The biggest deer I pulled off of there was about 27in 4x4 in 2001. The biggest deer I saw on there in 2003 was a pretty small 3x3. So look into how CWD has affected that area. I am looking forward to seeing what is out there this year. I get out of the Marines in November just in time for the rifle season. So not much time to scout and sight in. Best of luck.

Semper Fi