South Dakota
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WestNDMuleys
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Wiscokid,
What an awesome picture of the buck between the cliffs! Did you shoot him right in its bed there? Also do you have video of it?
What an awesome picture of the buck between the cliffs! Did you shoot him right in its bed there? Also do you have video of it?
WiscoKid
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I actually didn't shoot him at the time... It was the first day of the trip, and he wasn't exactly what I was looking for. But on the third day, happened to find him two canyons over. My gf was going to shoot him but made some noise drawing her bow. I have an excellent video of her miss and of this buck taking off. I'll try to figure out how to upload them
WiscoKid
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WiscoKid
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COLOhunter
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What a cool picture! Thanks for sharing!
SDBugler
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LAST EDITED ON Oct-30-16 AT 06:05PM (MST)[p]I have lived in SD all my life and hunted out west for over 35 years. As noted earlier, EHD has hit the state pretty hard again this year (happened in the southern third of the state a couple years back). GFP is offering to buy back unused licenses from hunters who wish to return them.
Here is the email that went out on 10/21:
GFP Offers Refunds on Archery, Youth and Muzzleloader Deer Licenses
PIERRE, S.D. - Last week, the South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks (GFP) issued information about epizootic hemorrhagic disease (EHD) and removing left-over deer licenses and offering refunds to East River firearm hunters for the 2016 season.
Reports of deer loss continued as hunters took to the fields for the traditional pheasant hunting opener.
In response, GFP is now offering a refund to any hunter with an archery, youth or muzzleloader deer hunting license.
In addition, voluntary refunds will be offered to individuals who have already received a deer license for any East River firearm hunting unit and the West River hunting units 45A and 45B in Lyman County.
Deer hunters questioning the return of their license for a refund are encouraged to visit with those landowners in areas where they have permission to hunt to best determine the local status and impact from EHD.
Those who want to take advantage of the option to return a license for a refund need to mail the license/tags to: GFP Licensing Office, 20641 SD Hwy 1806, Fort Pierre, SD 57532. Archery and youth licenses returned for a refund must be post-marked by Nov. 1, 2016. All other licenses must be returned prior to those seasons starting.
This disease is common in white-tailed deer and is typically detected in late summer or early fall. The virus is spread by a biting midge and causes extensive internal hemorrhaging. Many deer exhibit no clinical signs and appear perfectly healthy, while others may have symptoms such as respiratory distress, fever, and swelling of the tongue. With highly virulent strains of the virus, deer can be dead within one to three days. Affected deer are often found near low lying areas or near water like a river or a pond. This is due to the deer attempting to go to the water to combat the high fever. EHD is not infectious to humans. For more information on the EHD virus and to view a map updated weekly of reported dead deer, visit http://gfp.sd.gov/wildlife/diseases/epizootic-hemorrhagic-disease.aspx.
Here is the email that went out on 10/21:
GFP Offers Refunds on Archery, Youth and Muzzleloader Deer Licenses
PIERRE, S.D. - Last week, the South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks (GFP) issued information about epizootic hemorrhagic disease (EHD) and removing left-over deer licenses and offering refunds to East River firearm hunters for the 2016 season.
Reports of deer loss continued as hunters took to the fields for the traditional pheasant hunting opener.
In response, GFP is now offering a refund to any hunter with an archery, youth or muzzleloader deer hunting license.
In addition, voluntary refunds will be offered to individuals who have already received a deer license for any East River firearm hunting unit and the West River hunting units 45A and 45B in Lyman County.
Deer hunters questioning the return of their license for a refund are encouraged to visit with those landowners in areas where they have permission to hunt to best determine the local status and impact from EHD.
Those who want to take advantage of the option to return a license for a refund need to mail the license/tags to: GFP Licensing Office, 20641 SD Hwy 1806, Fort Pierre, SD 57532. Archery and youth licenses returned for a refund must be post-marked by Nov. 1, 2016. All other licenses must be returned prior to those seasons starting.
This disease is common in white-tailed deer and is typically detected in late summer or early fall. The virus is spread by a biting midge and causes extensive internal hemorrhaging. Many deer exhibit no clinical signs and appear perfectly healthy, while others may have symptoms such as respiratory distress, fever, and swelling of the tongue. With highly virulent strains of the virus, deer can be dead within one to three days. Affected deer are often found near low lying areas or near water like a river or a pond. This is due to the deer attempting to go to the water to combat the high fever. EHD is not infectious to humans. For more information on the EHD virus and to view a map updated weekly of reported dead deer, visit http://gfp.sd.gov/wildlife/diseases/epizootic-hemorrhagic-disease.aspx.
SDBugler
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Although the EHD mostly affects whitetail deer, the mule deer herd is still suffering from overharvesting over the past 10-15 years. The GFP was issuing too many tags and the numbers dropped significantly until about 3 years ago when they finally reduced tag numbers. In the unit that we rifle hunt the tags were dropped from 950 tags to 100 tags in a 3 year span. The numbers are slowly starting to come back. It isn't all doom and gloom though. there are still some mule deer around.
Here is one that my sons and I have been after this archery season. We have one weekend left to hopefully harvest him before rifle season opens on 11/10 (we don't have rifle tags this year). We are guessing 31 - 32" wide and about 200". This is a bad pic but he is a dandy.
Here is one that my sons and I have been after this archery season. We have one weekend left to hopefully harvest him before rifle season opens on 11/10 (we don't have rifle tags this year). We are guessing 31 - 32" wide and about 200". This is a bad pic but he is a dandy.
SDBugler
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LAST EDITED ON Oct-30-16 AT 06:27PM (MST)[p]"Sounds like somebody doesn't want us hunting SD ?"
Nope - just stating the facts so that anyone planning a trip to SD isn't surprised after spending a lot of time and money and disappointed when they arrive. The original poster was asking what the deer numbers are like and I think that my response is accurate and correct. Like I said, I have been hunting in western SD my entire life and in my opinion the numbers are as low as I have ever seen them. But yes there are still deer out there.
Nope - just stating the facts so that anyone planning a trip to SD isn't surprised after spending a lot of time and money and disappointed when they arrive. The original poster was asking what the deer numbers are like and I think that my response is accurate and correct. Like I said, I have been hunting in western SD my entire life and in my opinion the numbers are as low as I have ever seen them. But yes there are still deer out there.
scottsmit1lt
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WiscoKid- (or anyone else too), I'm putting in for 35L this year with my 2 preference points. Have you ever hunted that unit? I usually hunt down near Belle Fourch but this year I thought I'd give it a try farther north.
zekers
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It's funny this thread just popped up. I spent a few days in the Black hills a few weeks ago and fell in love with the country! Last night I spent a few hours studying the game and fish website. I never thought, heading back to Colorado, that I'd be arching my neck looking back at South Dakota!
I saw a ton of deer, nothing great, but it sure looked like it'd be a fun hunt!
I saw a ton of deer, nothing great, but it sure looked like it'd be a fun hunt!
scottsmit1lt
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WiscoKid- (or anyone else too), I'm putting in for 35L this year with my 2 preference points. Have you ever hunted that unit? I usually hunt down near Belle Foursh but this year I thought I'd give it a try farther north. I'm just doing some google earth scouting right now and trying to figure out where to start.
I'll do both Bow and Rifle in SD, but probably only make it that far west with the rifle this year. I know it's a very sought after unit so maybe two points wont get it done, if not I'll just head back to my old standby area down in 35 for whitetail.
I'll do both Bow and Rifle in SD, but probably only make it that far west with the rifle this year. I know it's a very sought after unit so maybe two points wont get it done, if not I'll just head back to my old standby area down in 35 for whitetail.
Wiscokid i drew the SD 35L Deer tag for this fall, any help u could give me on the hunting area would be much appreciated !!
Ive been hunting out there for the last 2 years and our group of 5 has been lucky enough to kill 4 bucks 2 of them being in the 170" class. THis year I drew the 35L and open to any insight anyone can give. I am somewhat familiar with the park but never actually hunted it.
goldhunter
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35L is not a park, it's just national forest, decent hunting, 170about the top end I've seen but I suppose there could be better with a little luck, not hard to find deer, just cover some ground, and they tend to get pushed out on to the surrounding private when the hunting starts
