Any info on Standing Rock reservation in SD

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Anyone have any experience hunting on standing rock? I live in SD and thought about getting the tag since it’s close. Was wondering if anyone could shed any insight on what the draw odds are like and if there is a lot of pressure from tribal residents? The standing rock game and fish hasn’t been too helpful.
 

Tmac

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Used to hunt it quite a bit. Never had issues with pressure. The checkerboard nature of the Rez, private, leased and open lands, make it a challenge on where to hunt. Last I checked they changed it to require a tribal guide, if that were dropped, I’d still go out there. I managed to find a number of productive spots. Most tribal hunters just drove all over. Was excellent open country WT hunting and there were some decent mulies to chase. But it was not an easy hunt, mostly in terms of figuring out where one could hunt.
 

KurtR

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Anyone have any experience hunting on standing rock? I live in SD and thought about getting the tag since it’s close. Was wondering if anyone could shed any insight on what the draw odds are like and if there is a lot of pressure from tribal residents? The standing rock game and fish hasn’t been too helpful.
I live about 2 miles from it and for the cost of a non resident non member tag I won’t buy it. I know tags sold out fast last time I paid attention. My brother in law ranches in corson county and ehd was really bad this year. Muley numbers were down there are usually some big deer shot but didn’t hear about any this year. I just checked with some one and you don’t need a guide. In my opinion it’s not worth it to me if I’m spending that kind of money I want to see some country I don’t every day. I get state tags and hunt over there on walk in or private land. It gets run pretty hard as poaching is bad by both members and non members. If it was managed right it could be world class as it is some great country with potential.
 

stevevan

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I live about 2 miles from it and for the cost of a non resident non member tag I won’t buy it. I know tags sold out fast last time I paid attention. My brother in law ranches in corson county and ehd was really bad this year. Muley numbers were down there are usually some big deer shot but didn’t hear about any this year. I just checked with some one and you don’t need a guide. In my opinion it’s not worth it to me if I’m spending that kind of money I want to see some country I don’t every day. I get state tags and hunt over there on walk in or private land. It gets run pretty hard as poaching is bad by both members and non members. If it was managed right it could be world class as it is some great country with potential.
I hunted it about four years ago. That was my first time and will be my last time. Indians were not helpful at all. Hunting was not that great. Tribal members had an earlier hunt opener than we pale faces and if there was anything special around it was shot before us blue eyes got a chance. Also a bunch of weird regs. Non tribal members could not hunt below the high water line of drainages as designated by the Army core of engineers. Guess what, that's where the good WT hunting was. We had a couple Indians shadow us most of the hunt to be assured we obeyed their rules. Save your $
 

KurtR

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I hunted it about four years ago. That was my first time and will be my last time. Indians were not helpful at all. Hunting was not that great. Tribal members had an earlier hunt opener than we pale faces and if there was anything special around it was shot before us blue eyes got a chance. Also a bunch of weird regs. Non tribal members could not hunt below the high water line of drainages as designated by the Army core of engineers. Guess what, that's where the good WT hunting was. We had a couple Indians shadow us most of the hunt to be assured we obeyed their rules. Save your $
Yep I can hunt the core land with my state tag.
 
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Greenduck18
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Thanks for the replies! That is exactly the info I was looking for. Was gonna get this tag in addition to my second choice state whitetail tag on the years I don’t draw an any deer tag but I think I’ll save myself the money.
 

Jimss

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Does anyone happen to know how the spring goobler hunting is and if numbers are ok?
 
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Greenduck18
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Does anyone happen to know how the spring goobler hunting is and if numbers are ok?
I’ve heard it’s good. Check out Grand Prairie lodge website or Facebook. They have a bunch of pictures of turkeys from self guided hunters on tribal.
 

Retterath

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The SR rez is wrecked. The game and fish have mis managed it for years. I have hunted it for 8 years and every year gets worse. This year was the worst I have ever seen it. Yeah the drought didn’t help but I have spend a lot of time on it and will probably never hunt it again. Pretty sad how it has become from what it use to be.
 

Jimss

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I did ok on my hunt a couple years ago but boy was it tough. Some areas looked like perfect turkey habitat but had 0 birds. I'm not sure if they weren't ever there or if they had been hit hard by hunting? I spoke to a couple guys that hunted it years ago and said it was amazing. I was amazed at the litter around some of the towns....it doesn't seem like the locals even care. I was also quite spooked when my truck was surrounded by a group of guys when I tried to get permission to hunt. They even put a couple Iphones in my face while I spoke to them....pretty dicey if you ask me! I didn't feel very comfortable and slept with a shotgun next to me!
 

Trap

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Following this and wanted to bump it. I thought about this for something different than my usual Idaho and Montana hunting.
 

KurtR

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Any one wondering about turkeys the state has 40 tags in corson county and sr is unlimited. The turkeys are damn near wiped out.
 
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Blackcats06

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Who knows what draw odds are because the res does not help in that. Good luck getting a phone call back. Like everyone has said, it has gone down hill dramatically. Cousin hunted it last year and the best they could find was a 4x4 that was barely that and maybe 110. With a 4 point restriction ( i believe) it makes it hard. If you want to hunt, go hunt, but dont think its going to be a great or even good hunt.
 
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Used to hunt it quite a bit. Never had issues with pressure. The checkerboard nature of the Rez, private, leased and open lands, make it a challenge on where to hunt. Last I checked they changed it to require a tribal guide, if that were dropped, I’d still go out there. I managed to find a number of productive spots. Most tribal hunters just drove all over. Was excellent open country WT hunting and there were some decent mulies to chase. But it was not an easy hunt, mostly in terms of figuring out where one could hunt.
Used to hunt it quite a bit. Never had issues with pressure. The checkerboard nature of the Rez, private, leased and open lands, make it a challenge on where to hunt. Last I checked they changed it to require a tribal guide, if that were dropped, I’d still go out there. I managed to find a number of productive spots. Most tribal hunters just drove all over. Was excellent open country WT hunting and there were some decent mulies to chase. But it was not an easy hunt, mostly in terms of figuring out where one could hunt.
@Tmac have you ever used OnX maps to help out this issue? Hoping me and some family will get drawn out there next year. Any advice or types of areas to look for would be appreciated! None of us have ever done a hunt like this so it’s pretty much me trying to read online as much as I can. The others in my family don’t know how to use computers (dad and uncle in late 60’s) but I would really like to make it a rewarding trip for my dad.
 

Tmac

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Did not use any mapping software. Many of those hunts were with friends that are members. Would try mapping stuff now, not sure if all the Rez stuff is on there.

I’d not be afraid to knock on doors and ask for permission, we got about 90% yes. The deer can be anywhere. WT in particular are thick along brushy river/creek bottoms and on the scrub oak looking covered draws. But plenty are out in the plains where there is some cover.

MD loved the semi open cottonwood river bottoms, not the thick stuff and pretty much everywhere else. Areas with lots of draws running different directions held game, guessing they could always get out of the wind. My hunts were 7+ years ago, hunted both Rez’s about 15x. If you draw, pm me, and I‘ll give you a couple areas to look at.
 
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Did not use any mapping software. Many of those hunts were with friends that are members. Would try mapping stuff now, not sure if all the Rez stuff is on there.

I’d not be afraid to knock on doors and ask for permission, we got about 90% yes. The deer can be anywhere. WT in particular are thick along brushy river/creek bottoms and on the scrub oak looking covered draws. But plenty are out in the plains where there is some cover.

MD loved the semi open cottonwood river bottoms, not the thick stuff and pretty much everywhere else. Areas with lots of draws running different directions held game, guessing they could always get out of the wind. My hunts were 7+ years ago, hunted both Rez’s about 15x. If you draw, pm me, and I‘ll give you a couple areas to look at.
Hey I really appreciate that. I will definitely keep your info!
 

Tmac

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Hey I really appreciate that. I will definitely keep your info!
My time there was before the recent spat of bad winters and blue tongue. So heed some of the posters above about lower recent population levels, that would change things noticeably.
 

KurtR

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Hey I really appreciate that. I will definitely keep your info!
I have lived here since 2002 and this is the worst deer numbers I have seen. Onx does show all the land. Knowing where you are is important they are cracking down on rez tag holders on state land and vise versa.
 
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