South Dakota Mule Deer

[IAMike304]

I archery hunted there last year in November. Left Iowa Nov 5 to drive up after tagging out here. I will echo much of what has been said. Google bow hunting SD and avoid all the areas that you see discussed over and over and over. If your buddy already knows of a spot, then stick to that.

I found deer, but it took work. Spend time on the pieces that look too small, are outlyers off to the side of bigger areas etc. Just for the heck of it I hit a bigger spot one day just to check it out. People everywhere before I even got very far in.

 

[Andrew12gauge]

South Dakota doesn't draw rifle tags until next week. July 2 I think.

Last year they drew by June 28th, and if you go log in and check your applications on your profile this morning it says they are currently running the draw and to check back later


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[WRM]

You will see more good whitetail in that area. Better mules in the NW, but as said above - I think it is 35 - watch out for the special unit. We hunted there for years and not going this year. Pressure has really increased.

Pressure has really increased...that's a mild understatement.

 

[Fatcamp]

Last year they drew by June 28th, and if you go log in and check your applications on your profile this morning it says they are currently running the draw and to check back later


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Woohoo! I have already had a great application season, fingers crossed.

 

[Seth Hatecke]

Im headed out there with a buddy this fall as well. First time. Super nervous about hunting pressure. Its going to be a tough hunt. But I think that is going to be the story with just about every general hunt this year. From the people I know who have done it successfully its the same story. Glass, bed them down, and move in. We might move into the black hills and try for whitetails if the prairies suck to much.

 

[Fatcamp]

Im headed out there with a buddy this fall as well. First time. Super nervous about hunting pressure. Its going to be a tough hunt. But I think that is going to be the story with just about every general hunt this year. From the people I know who have done it successfully its the same story. Glass, bed them down, and move in. We might move into the black hills and try for whitetails if the prairies suck to much.

Just hunt. Be prepared to stay out and enjoy a new place.

 

[ManUpNorth]

Anyone know if possible to access prior years' deer harvest reports through the SD DNR website. I am only able to find 2020's report. Starting to compile stats based on R/NR harvests and hunt unit areas to better decide where we should try out.

Thanks!

 

[spur60]

Anyone know if possible to access prior years' deer harvest reports through the SD DNR website. I am only able to find 2020's report. Starting to compile stats based on R/NR harvests and hunt unit areas to better decide where we should try out.

Thanks!

You might be able to see 2019 and possibly 2018 harvest statistics on the hunt planner map on the GFP website. Unfortunately I can't get the pop up for each season/zone to open to confirm.

 

[Fatcamp]

Got my resident tag in the mail yesterday.

 

[KurtR]

Wife and son got their rifle tags. I didn’t draw any this year but didn’t apply west river as deer numbers are so low where I go not burning points and applied for hard to draw east river. Not really disappointed though going back to my roots and hitting waterfowl super hard this year.