South Dakota Black Hills Public Land

[HuntFish247]

Buddy and I are heading out to hunt 5 days before thanksgiving. Rifle - whitetail black hills.

Not asking for spots but does anything have advice for hunting in this terrain for whitetail? Never really hunted whitetail in timber “mountains.”

Thanks!

 

[7RemMag]

Buddy and I are heading out to hunt 5 days before thanksgiving. Rifle - whitetail black hills.

Not asking for spots but does anything have advice for hunting in this terrain for whitetail? Never really hunted whitetail in timber “mountains.”

Thanks!

I don’t know how it is in SD, but across the border in WY, when the deer get pressured in the hills, they start to run in the draws further away from the road and the majority of the hunters and pressure. That said, plenty of deer are killed by road hunters also.

 

[HuntFish247]

I don’t know how it is in SD, but across the border in WY, when the deer get pressured in the hills, they start to run in the draws further away from the road and the majority of the hunters and pressure. That said, plenty of deer are killed by road hunters also.

Thanks I kinda figured just pick spots as far away from access as possible but wasn’t sure

 

[BlackHillsShooter]

Hike back in. Most seem to be driving around. I like to bow hunt during gun season. It's productive if you get back in off the roads. So is rifle hunting.

 

[Chris in TN]

When we were there (not hunting) a few years ago it seemed like there were bur oak trees all over the place, but never in high densities. Just a handful here and there.

I'd have to say the Black Hills didn't seem to have tons of deer browse in general. We saw deer, but I'd think it would be tough to key in on a food source.

(Tagged, because I have enough points to likely draw this tag)

 

[7RemMag]

Thanks I kinda figured just pick spots as far away from access as possible but wasn’t sure

The deer were rutting pretty hard a few days ago. It’s not likely that they still are when you get out there, but tactics that work in the rut could be viable still to an extent. There are also places where “spot and stalk” methods can be viable, if you are able to find vantage points overlooking meadows and clearings.

The weather has been unseasonably warm here up until a day or two ago. Looks like more weather typical of November is moving in now, though. Just a heads up.