ND badlands

[Vtbowhunter3]

Anyone have any experience hunting whitetails early season in the badlands? Looking to give it a shot after a velvet buck this September. Thanks


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[Milhouse58421]

I don't have experience in the badlands, but I will say, get there the day the season opens, which isn't until September 4th.... you might have a chance at one in velvet. I have shot a couple of velvet bucks in ND, but, it was in years the season opened at the end of August, which does happen sometimes. The bucks, especially the bigger ones, are usually rubbed by the first full week of September.

 

[Hill Difficulty]

Was in the ND Badlands last year on both sides of the Aug 30 opener date. Watched the whitetail bucks go from all velvet to all hard-horned in a handful of days. If opener is 9/4 I'd estimate that any velvet whitetail would be a rare exception. Keep in mind that my estimate is anecdotal, limited to what was observed in 2019.

 

[Milhouse58421]

Yes. I would say you'd have to be awfully lucky to catch a decent sized buck in velvet with the september 4 opener this year. I've seen 1 1/2 year olds that still had velvet well into Sept.... but not older bucks.

 

[WCB]

I agree with above...I've hunted ND's archery opener (except for last year) since like 2004. I would predict at that time majority will be out of velvet or to the point where the velvet is drying and not any good.

I have experience across ND including the "bad lands" a more specific area may help. But generally along the river or creek bottoms like anywhere else is best. If you can find alfalfa fields at the top of draws set up in between them. Bring a Gillie suit as it will open a whole new world of opportunity out there.

 

[Vtbowhunter3]

Thanks for the info guys. My trip is planned and the velvet isn’t a deal breaker for me by any means but was hoping I’d have a little bit of a bigger window!


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[Vtbowhunter3]

I agree with above...I've hunted ND's archery opener (except for last year) since like 2004. I would predict at that time majority will be out of velvet or to the point where the velvet is drying and not any good.

I have experience across ND including the "bad lands" a more specific area may help. But generally along the river or creek bottoms like anywhere else is best. If you can find alfalfa fields at the top of draws set up in between them. Bring a Gillie suit as it will open a whole new world of opportunity out there.

Sounds good on the ghillie suit. That will be something I grab before the trip.


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[tbowers]

Im heading out there in a couple weeks to hunt whitetails- be around the Dickinson area more or less. Plan on wearing in my tree saddle and carrying sticks but try and be prepared for spot/stalk. Really dont know how the whitetail population is in the Badlands but should be fun wandering around for a week none the less.

Looking at maps there are plenty of small chunks and fingers of timber where I can get my saddle into so hunting above should be a viable option