South Dakota mule deer

[Muddawg]

Does anyone have any statistical data showing antler growth in South Dakota or a similar state during drought vs wet years? The biggest thing to look at is forage production estimated for the summer. As of right now most of Western SD is going to be well below normal for forage production. I will be interested to listen to the next gfp commission meeting on the deer tag allocations in a couple weeks. I was hoping to see more any deer tag reductions in some counties I frequently hunt.

 

[JackButler]

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Im all for killing less does and killing a deer isnt that hard i guess but im past the stage of wanting to shoot rats. I have a 188 mulie and went into the year knowing i probably wasnt going to kill one if its not bigger than that im not that interested…

Holding out for bigger than 188 in any state, let alone SD, makes for some tough hunting.

 

[KurtR]

Holding out for bigger than 188 in any state, let alone SD, makes for some tough hunting.

Yep ate my tag that took six years to draw this year.

 

[Plainsman79]

Does anyone have any statistical data showing antler growth in South Dakota or a similar state during drought vs wet years? The biggest thing to look at is forage production estimated for the summer. As of right now most of Western SD is going to be well below normal for forage production. I will be interested to listen to the next gfp commission meeting on the deer tag allocations in a couple weeks. I was hoping to see more any deer tag reductions in some counties I frequently hunt.

Quite a few years ago Luke Medina and Kevin Monteith did a study on prenatal whitetail deer in the Black Hills vs better habitat on the eastern side of the state (more rain and better vegetation) the eastern deer grew far bigger antlers. Drought years are tough and SD has been in a bad one for to long. What your probably seeing is bucks that were born to does that weren’t super healthy to begin with and it’s effecting their antler growth for the entire lifespan of the buck. Top that with limited quality forage and increased cattle grazing all due to drought and it’s a pretty tough go right now for bucks in SD. You could probably reach out to Luke who is currently the big game director for Nebraska or Kevin in Laramie with his “shop”. They are both great dudes and might be able to give you what you’re after.

South Dakota is tough right now, has been for about 10 years. The drought has significantly reduced the herds.

 

[Muddawg]

Quite a few years ago Luke Medina and Kevin Monteith did a study on prenatal whitetail deer in the Black Hills vs better habitat on the eastern side of the state (more rain and better vegetation) the eastern deer grew far bigger antlers. Drought years are tough and SD has been in a bad one for to long. What your probably seeing is bucks that were born to does that weren’t super healthy to begin with and it’s effecting their antler growth for the entire lifespan of the buck. Top that with limited quality forage and increased cattle grazing all due to drought and it’s a pretty tough go right now for bucks in SD. You could probably reach out to Luke who is currently the big game director for Nebraska or Kevin in Laramie with his “shop”. They are both great dudes and might be able to give you what you’re after.

South Dakota is tough right now, has been for about 10 years. The drought has significantly reduced the herds.

I know Kyle(Kevin's Brother). Yes I am pretty familiar with grazing in South Dakota as I work with ranchers in Western SD for my job. I think mandatory tooth aging would help understand our population. It is only currently offered for Elk hunters in SD as far as I know. I think once E-tagging is implemented we might see some better harvest info. I'd wager most mule deer shot in SD aren't over 3.5 years old. They really blow up if you can get them past 4.5-5.5 years of age.

 

[Mondakfisher]

I am from MT and live in SD and people don't realize how good they have it here. Deer number seem decent from where I go and see. I think this spring should help as is the added doe number we have added. I think the biggest threat non weather related we see in sd is 1000 yd guns and rut hunting in open country.