South Dakota Mulies

[NDhunter]

Just wondering if any of you have ever hunted mulies in South Dakota? I would imagine that the mule deer there are comparable to the surrounding states, but have to ask what you guys know. While doing some research into the Black Hills season it seems that draw odds are worse on 402-A01 (about 9:1)which is inside the bigger unit 400-52 (odds 2.5:1). Considering the big 400 unit has a longer season by about two weeks I can't seem to come up with a reason as to why the odds are worse for the 402-A01. Maybe it is because there is an antler restriction on the 400 hunt?? Who wants to shoot forks though? Also looking into the units (specifically 302C) around the Badlands Nat Park for the West River season. Not too many tags for what seems to be a considerable ammount of public grasslands. Would appreciate any info that anyone has concerning these units. Thanks for the info. Thanks for any info, Semper Fi. NDhunter.

 

[huntertj]

NDhunter,

I've hunted the Black Hills a bit and the western plains of South Dakota. Shoot me an email and I'll see what I can do to help you out.

huntertj

ps - I've got some pics of some huge bucks taken around the Badlands!

 

[2_Point]

The sub-unit hunts are for either sex or antlerless. That is why more demand, so a guy can shoot whatever. I hunted the Black Hills with the 400 tag a couple years ago. Lots of small deer. The genetics arn't good. The unit had a bad die off in the late 1990s and hasn't recovered. Look at the statistics and you'll see that there were only a handful of 4 point or better mulies taken, and bear in mind they count eyeguards. Cheap tag, but cheap quality. I wouldn't doubt if someone posts about a large buck they shot in the BH, but that is definatly the exception.

North Dakota is FAR better. How do I get a tag there??

Send me a Private Message if you want more info on the BH.

 

[NDhunter]

Huntertj,

The Badlands in ND or SD?? I am a ND resident and have a rifle tag for 4C in ND, since SD is so close by I figured I would apply. Sure won't get a tag if you don't apply, right? I wish they would publish how many points it takes to get those tags so you have an idea how long the wait is. I would love to see some of the pictures of those badlands bucks. I think the drawing is in a few weeks so I'll know more then. NDhunter.

 

[NDhunter]

2_Point

Apply for anywhere from 1 to 8 years. Good luck, I have friends that have waited 6 years to get a buck tag in the badlands, but then again I know guys who draw their first year and don't even go. Odds are posted in the ND Outdoors magazine in Feb. The chances of getting a tag don't start to get good until around year 4 (that is when points are cubed).

 

[Gator]

LAST EDITED ON Jul-11-04 AT 10:21AM (MST)[p]I know thw area well since I was born and raised there. The hills area gets hammered so you wouldn't find a lot of big buck in that area.. Badlands area is a poacher dream next to the res, Bigger bucks are up north around Buffalo or over in Perkins County( Faith area) and they grown them just as big as ND or Neb or Montana, You just got to be more picky My nephews have shoot 170 class bucks out there the last 3 years.Had a new record for Muley taken just a couple of years ago scored well over 200 but was shot with a 80% let-off bow so it wasn't the new state record. Try scouting out around North Cave hills area they hunt the clifffaces up that way and do really well, but then they should, they been hunting it since they was kids. this hunt happens right around the rut so that is good and 1/2 the time you have snow.TRY the Walk-in program it really works.They have some really large ranches involed in this program just get a hold of the fish and game anr they will send you a map showing all the area's.