South Dakota??
- Thread starter Paradox
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SDBugler
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I live in SD and have been hunting mulies with rifle and bow for over 30 years. I think the reason it is not covered by the major publications is becasue of the low trophy potential. Just look in the B&C and P&Y record books and you will see that there are very few listings. The herds are not managed for trophy quality but rather for herd size and depredation reasons. Most parts of SD also lack enough security cover for bucks to reach full maturity. The only real cover is for them to find private property that restricts or significantly limits hunting.
Is there some specific info you are looking for?
Is there some specific info you are looking for?
delmag1942
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SDBugler hit the nail on the head for the most part. I am not from SD but do hunt antelope/deer virtually every year. No lack of public in places, just lack of big deer. There are actually some gigantic herds and some B&C/P&Y deer albeit on private +/-. SD has more big deer than the record books indicate, as far as my friends/relatives record goes, no one ever enters any.
Gator
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I would say about 90% don't see the record books.I know that big bucks are taken every year just not in great numbers.
Lot of open spaces makes it hard for a buck to get big. Now if you hunt the river breaks areas they do get bigger in those type of places. Huge ranches with creekbottoms and such will grow the biggest bucks IMO.
"I have found if you go the extra mile it's Never crowded".
Lot of open spaces makes it hard for a buck to get big. Now if you hunt the river breaks areas they do get bigger in those type of places. Huge ranches with creekbottoms and such will grow the biggest bucks IMO.
"I have found if you go the extra mile it's Never crowded".
sdmuleybuck
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A 160 gross buck is doable on public land. Don't expect much more than that unless you are hunting an individual buck that has been scouted prior to season. There are some real nice bucks on private but not many that will book. A 190 net muley is huge and there is just not that many that will do that.
With good private land to hunt on expect the top end to go upper 170's, the top end on public in the 160's. There will be bigger shot but this is being realistic about what to expect. There is a number of 120-140 class bucks to be had on the public land. The public land will be hit very hard. I believe it would be worth coming a few days early to scout and find a good buck and be there opening morning.
With good private land to hunt on expect the top end to go upper 170's, the top end on public in the 160's. There will be bigger shot but this is being realistic about what to expect. There is a number of 120-140 class bucks to be had on the public land. The public land will be hit very hard. I believe it would be worth coming a few days early to scout and find a good buck and be there opening morning.
Gator
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Some of those BIG ranches are in the walk in program NO Trucks,No Quads,No Horses Just your boots. look for ones that have creekbottom a long ways from any road and building,Find does and you will find some nice bucks.
The ranches/Farms that have fields and creekbottoms are usually leased up out in West River, Now EastRiver it's a different thing but it most Whitetail in East River. Get ahold of the D&F game and ask about the walk-in program is pretty good.
"I have found if you go the extra mile it's Never crowded".
The ranches/Farms that have fields and creekbottoms are usually leased up out in West River, Now EastRiver it's a different thing but it most Whitetail in East River. Get ahold of the D&F game and ask about the walk-in program is pretty good.
"I have found if you go the extra mile it's Never crowded".
