South Dakota mule deer

[Griz34]

Good luck!

 

[Fatcamp]

Thanks! 66 yards is as close as I got today. Nice 4X4.

Way beyond my capabilities. Saw a stud today at 80. Very nice deer.

 

[Fatcamp]

I'm horrible at stalking critters. I've always had better luck trying to anticipate where they are moving then get in front of them for an ambush. Good luck to you!

I am figuring out this is more of what I need to be doing. Once I see them bail and try to head them off. Once they bed they just disappear, like ghosts. Had three really nice bucks I could have done that with today, but I waited for them to bed, and they wandered off into rough country.

57 yards from does today was as close as I got. Found a forkhorn with another group of does in a very stalkable spot. Very quick trip. I'm beat.

 

[Fatcamp]

Well, anyone hunting? Just a few days before all the public land is covered in antelope hunters and nonresidents archery tag holders.

 

[Fatcamp]

Sometimes I wonder if I should have stuck with duck hunting.

 

[180splitg3]

Well, anyone hunting? Just a few days before all the public land is covered in antelope hunters and nonresidents archery tag holders.

I'll be one of the nonresidents out there - leaving Saturday morning for a 7 day hunt. Hoping for the best but expecting to see other hunters. Hopefully we can find some deer. I was reading a thread about Wyoming earlier - sounded like there was an unusually high number of hunters - hopefully that is not the case where I am going...

 

[Fatcamp]

I'll be one of the nonresidents out there - leaving Saturday morning for a 7 day hunt. Hoping for the best but expecting to see other hunters. Hopefully we can find some deer. I was reading a thread about Wyoming earlier - sounded like there was an unusually high number of hunters - hopefully that is not the case where I am going...

Welcome to South Dakota! That was sarcasm on my part. I think a couple areas got blown up online and saw a big increase in people. There is a lot of land to hunt. SDGFP has a great online map system, but I use OnX.

Use a little common sense and you will have miles to yourself.

Tonight I was about 30 yards from the bucks I was stalking when a different buck stood up at 10 yards looking right at me. Should have tried shooting him, but I laid down and they all walked off. LOL. 2.5 hours of tension. Sooooo, close.

 

[mikkel318]

Have fun guys! Fatcamp, thank you for your thread. I agree completely that there are plenty of places to hunt and use some common sense.

 

[180splitg3]

I am super excited but trying to keep my expectations low - going into the area for the first time and don't know what to expect...

 

[Fatcamp]

I am super excited but trying to keep my expectations low - going into the area for the first time and don't know what to expect...

Have you hunted mule deer before?

 

[Fatcamp]

Have fun guys! Fatcamp, thank you for your thread. I agree completely that there are plenty of places to hunt and use some common sense.

LOL. Not my thread, I just seem to have taken it over.

 

[180splitg3]

Have you hunted mule deer before?

I have hunted mule deer one other time in Montana with rifle. I got a buck but it was pretty small - around 110." I am hoping for something bigger from SD but I know it will be difficult with archery gear!