West river South Dakota

[muley7]

Any thoughts on the best unit to hunt whitetails. Looking for areas with generous amounts of public land and good deer numbers in west river region. First year applying in south dakota so any information would be greatful. Thx Muley7

 

[SDBugler]

Are you looking for quality or quantity?

Most of the whitetails in Western SD are along the major rivers - Missouri, Cheyenne, White, etc. They can also be found near most agricultural areas, but then you are dealing with private land.

Go to the SD GFP website and look at the sportsmans atlas for public lands. You can also get draw odds for each unit. I am assuming that you are looking for a rifle hunt since you are looking for a specific unit. An archery tag would allow you to hunt the entire state.

Send me a PM if you want more specific info. I would be glad to provide additional help. I don't want to share too much specific info on an open forum.

Brian

 

[Gator]

I know a few hot spots,

 

[Dean Parisian]

If I were headed West River this fall for whitetails I would start talking to all the C.O.'s in the southwest part of the state. I like the White River country in the soutwest corner. On the western edge of the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation where I grew up. Now is the time to start your leg work. That said, I took a dandy muley in high school, late 60's, west of Angastura Dam on the Cheyenne River and the high country west north west of where the river runs into the dam always held my interest over the years. If it isn't run over with 4-wheelers this day and age. Maybe somebody from SD could weigh in on that.


Dean Parisian
Chippewa Partners
Team Muleys Pro Staff
http://chippewapartners.blogspot.com

 

[goldhunter]

The hunting in recent years has really declined in terms of finding a trophy buck on public land in the prairie units. This is because the shear number of tags the Game and Fish is now authorizing. This is more true with the whitetails than Muleys, but still holds true with the muleys.

Having said that, probably the best potential on public land would be in the Black Hills units. They started limiting buck liscenses a few years ago and I understand it is starting to make a difference.

Otherwise Look to the private land with limited hunting (fee). The best in my opinion is going to be found along the rivers in the west river units. The Cheyenne is the best.

On the other hand archery hunting can be a blast. Go right before the rifle season opens. You will probably see a ton of deer. There will be very little hunting pressure.

 

[Dakota79]

Send me a e-mail and I'll see if I can help you out. Thanks, Randy [email protected]

 

[muley30]

I agree with goldhunter that the Black Hills is the best area for whiteys on public land. Takes at least 1 preference point to get the tag for a non-resident. There is some great hunting on private land in the West River units but you need to knock on some doors. You'd be suprised what a friendly conversation with a hard working rancher will get you in terms of access. While on your Black Hills hunt, take a couple extra days and venture out onto the plains and meet a few landowners.

 

[Model_70_Guy]

I drew a West River tag this year. Going to hunt Muleys in the 2nd week of November on a ranch hunt. This was my first year applying and I have never hunted South Dakota before so I am looking forward to it. Should be fun.