South Dakota?

[zia3]

Hey guys, I am going to be spending some time in South Dakota near the Black Hills National Forest. I am definitely going to be wanting to spend some time in the woods, shed hunting, looking for sheep, etc..
Does anyone have some experience hunting there, and what was your opinion?

 

[afteamroper]

I have a little experience hunting here when are you going to be in the area? PM me if you want and maybe we can hook up and do some hiking in the hills.

 

[jmez]

Where you going to be?

 

[zia3]

Not exactly sure yet, near Mt. Rushmore. I am not familiar with where the national forest is versus the national memorial.

 

[rickjames80]

I haven't hunted in the black hills for about 10 years now, but it is a great area. Plenty of land, good access, and best of all lots of animals! Back then you would always see sheep close to Mt Rushmore right off the road.

 

[jmez]

National Forest surrounds the monument. That is right in the heart of the Hills. Tons of turkeys, whitetail, and mountain lions. Elk if you can draw a tag, will take several years points o draw. As rickjames said, there is good access and 1.5million acres of public land.

 

[zia3]

I appreciate the information on access because I was a little worried, and great news on the animals! I wish I could be actually hunting (hopefully draw some good tags down here in southern NM) but ill just have to settle for looking for their head gear and trying to get some good pictures. Also, Rick, how would you say the sheep population is now? I wish they were as abundant as they were in the past! Getting pretty excited to see some new country! Thanks for the info

 

[timberland]

Came around the corner about a mile from the monument and there was a nanny mountain goat walking up the road. almost had a head-on

 

[sodaksooner]

I have seen goats right up next to the faces in the past too. Pretty cool spotting them up there. One thing, Elk, goats, sheep when they have seasons are open to residents only.... Seems like it takes about 14 or 15 years for people to draw an elk tag. Good news is the preference is by season, not animal. My brother should be able to pull an archery tag pretty soon. Dad just had an archery tag last year (14 years pref). He didn't fill.

 

[rickjames80]

Zia, we lived in Hill City for a few years (which is really close to Mt Rushmore) and moved to Montana in 2004. I haven't been back since. We are planning a possible camping trim this summer because our kids have never been there. I'm sure the population is still doing well, I have never heard of any disease or anything go through. All I ever hunted was whitetail which I regret not trying for an elk tag. Growing up in the 90's you could just buy a buck tag over the counter so that's what everyone did. And generally shot the first one they could find because the buck population wasn't very good. They went to a draw system in 99 (I think) and the hunting got much better! There are some really nice whitetails around.

 

[rickjames80]

Oh yeah, and there is a ton of public roads around. Some are from logging and there are also a number of old mining roads.

 

[huntaholic123]

Love hiking in the hills. Plenty of wildlife to see and if in the right area can come across some nice sheds. You will enjoy it!

 

[Lukem]

When are you going to be there? You can find sheep by the fish hatchery on the west side of Rapid along Hwy 44 here for the next month or so, at least until the ewes head up to their lambing areas up west of town. Might see a few rams, but that'll be really hit or miss. There's another herd just east of Hill City that are usually down along the highway this time of year as well. The easiest place to find goats is Rushmore like people mentioned. If you want to see elk, head to Custer or Wind Cave. If you want to see them out of the park this time of year, head to the Jasper Burn area NW of Jewel Cave. Get in the Mud Springs/Antelope Ridge/Hay Flats area and you'll find elk. Or just get up on Signal Hill early in the morning and glass. Major wintering area for elk. Have fun. Miss that country.

 

[sodaksooner]

I saw sheep in the preserve off Sheridan Lake Road last may when I was up there. Just doing a training hike. Right outside of town.

 

[drrice]

If you want to look for elk sheds go around the burn areas in the hills. They like to winter in those areas.

 

[zia3]

Thanks everyone for the advice on sheds! Im getting pretty itched to go now!

 

[bpotter]

In early April sheep can usually be seen in the immediate vicinity of the Spring Creek Inn, Hill City. Best chance of seeing signs of big cats is down around Custer State Park.

 

[afteamroper]

These were taken from my truck right off the main road to hill city just out of town on my way to go cat hunting Sunday.

 

[bpotter]

The cat hunting thing can go both ways.

 

[zia3]

I take it there are a good bit of lions running around up there? How did your cat hunt end up afteamroper?