South Dakota Public Mule Deer Hunt

MGustin23

FNG
Joined
Jul 9, 2024
Messages
4
Hey all. Me and a buddy are planning a South Dakota Mule Deer hunt for next October (Assuming we get drawn. Haha).

I'm just hitting up some of these forums for some tips and tricks to make our hunt more successful. Perhaps anywhere in the state you guys have had success or know of any hot spots to check for muleys? We will be there for seven days and will have the ability to drive around to different public ground. Planning to camp/stay at the truck overnight so no need for hotels or anything of that sort. Camp grounds or camping accessible parking areas would be helpful. Thanks!
 

Gun&BowSD

Lil-Rokslider
Joined
Oct 26, 2018
Messages
158
Just joined, got 2 posts on one of multiple forums and asking for hot spots. Ballsy move, sir. I'm gunna be real honest you may get somebody to give you something but I wouldn't count on it. Lot of people join this forum to do that and people just don't really play that game. I will say SD has alot of ground, and they are out there somewhere. Good luck. And welcome to the forum
 

KurtR

WKR
Joined
Sep 11, 2015
Messages
3,906
Location
South Dakota
I would get a hotel room leave the camping gear at home. Be mobile and scout from the North Dakota line to Nebraska and western 2/3rds of the state. If your hunting October it’s archery you will be dealing with bird hunters and depending the week rifle goat hunters. Could be snow asshole deep to a giraffe or like this year 90’s
 
Joined
Mar 31, 2020
Messages
84
Expect strong, warm south winds. Expect the next day to be cold and breezy. You could get every weather pattern in that same week.

Mule Deer are from the black hills to the river and from North Dakota border to Nebraska border. Small pockets on east side of river.

Camping won’t be required but is cheaper than hotels. If you can keep camp as mobile as possible that’ll be best. Can’t camp on Walk in or state land.


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OP
M

MGustin23

FNG
Joined
Jul 9, 2024
Messages
4
Expect strong, warm south winds. Expect the next day to be cold and breezy. You could get every weather pattern in that same week.

Mule Deer are from the black hills to the river and from North Dakota border to Nebraska border. Small pockets on east side of river.

Camping won’t be required but is cheaper than hotels. If you can keep camp as mobile as possible that’ll be best. Can’t camp on Walk in or state land.


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Really appreciate it. These are some of the exact details I've been looking for!
 
OP
M

MGustin23

FNG
Joined
Jul 9, 2024
Messages
4
Just joined, got 2 posts on one of multiple forums and asking for hot spots. Ballsy move, sir. I'm gunna be real honest you may get somebody to give you something but I wouldn't count on it. Lot of people join this forum to do that and people just don't really play that game. I will say SD has alot of ground, and they are out there somewhere. Good luck. And welcome to the forum
Not that deep my man. Just looking to start getting into Western Hunting and we found that a lot of guys like hunting Mule Deer in South Dakota. We're from Indiana so it's not all that easy to just drive out west and start flinging arrows. We don't want to go in blind and have no idea what to expect or where to go. Just starting a gear list and making sure we have a good experience. Perhaps I should have worded it differently when asking for tips/tricks.

I'm not asking for everyone to tell me their top secret honey hole. Just looking for some ideas on where might be some good places to start up and the best ways to go about hunting these things along with associated gear needed. We're just trying to get the best experience for the time and money we're putting into this trip. I thought I could come on here to get help from others more experienced than myself but I guess that's a big no no. Thanks for the heads up though!
 
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