Suggestions for First DIY Western Archery Hunt

[RC_]

Hi all,

I discovered this site a few months ago and have been very happy with the wealth of information I have found on here searching. Hoping some of you can give me some additional advice. Sorry for the long post, but I'm hoping by giving a lot of info I can get the most useful info.

I have been bowhunting whitetails in the Northeast for over 10 years now, but have always wanted to experience western hunting and now I'm in a position to make it happen. I will have two weeks of vacation time in the fall of 2021, which given what will probably be a solid 2-day drive each way means I'll have about 12 days to scout and hunt. Although I'm not dead set on using all 12 days, given the distance I'm traveling I would like to plan on using a majority of that time.

I'm looking for a hunt where I could camp from my vehicle at established camp sites or out on BLM/state land. I have almost all equipment and gear necessary for this style of hunt so it would help keep costs down. This will be a solo hunt (unless there's other likeminded people on here looking to team up), I have no physical limitations, I'm comfortable shooting the further distances required for spot and stalk hunting. Budget is somewhat flexible, although I am trying to do this as cost effective as possible. (I've read about trespass fees on here and would be willing to consider depending on cost and if it really provides a significant advantage over public ground, but anything outfitted or guided is probably out of the question). Not expecting to kill trophies, just looking to experience new land, new species, new tactics and hopefully get a chance to harvest one with the bow.

Below are the two hunts that I've started looking into, but before I but the blinders on and focus on these, I wanted to see what others have for possible suggestions.

South Dakota Antelope - I've read that antelope are a good first western species to target. SD archery tags are a draw, but pretty much guaranteed and relatively inexpensive. I've heard the Northwest corner has the highest number of antelope, also the highest number of hunters but that the pressure isn't terrible and if you put some miles in, you should be able to find decent herds away from other people. It sounds like antelope hunting provides decent stalk opportunities, it is just very difficult, especially depending on the terrain. I have no real interest in sitting in a blind over water for antelope. It just seems too similar to stand hunting whitetails and frankly is something I can do when I'm older, I'd rather crawl around on the ground while I can. I know Wyoming is the goto state for antelope, but most stuff I've read says to put in for points for a better unit, which I don't think will work for next year, maybe I'm wrong.

North Dakota Mule Deer - Also an inexpensive tag and I believe pretty much sure thing draw. Seems like there is lots of public land in western ND and if I put in the miles, I could get to relatively low pressure areas. My understanding is I should expect to see fewer animals than antelope hunting and have far fewer stalk opportunities. I've read that the terrain would likely be more varied and a bit more rugged, which honestly might be a plus. Heard pressure is higher in SD, which is why I'm looking at ND.

Considering how much time I potentially have, I have thought about purchasing tags for both of these and focusing on one species. Then if I got lucky early in the hunt I would have the option of pursuing the other. This would mean going in September when seasons overlap, but it might not be optimal time for one species or the other. Plus, I think this would just be too much for my first trip, though the cost of the second tag would be a pretty inexpensive hedge given how far I'm driving.

Any comments, advice or suggestions for other hunt ideas would be greatly appreciated?

Thanks in advance for any help.

 

[Dos Perros]

12 days is a lot of time for an antelope hunt. I'd drive past the Dakota's and get into either Wyoming and/or Montana, and definitely have two tags, a deer tag and an antelope tag. There are places you can hunt both in the same area, but with draw odds it might not work out that way.

If'n it were me, I'd try to get both an antelope tag and mule deer tag in eastern MT, and whatever I didn't draw try to get in WY somewhere.

 

[wytx]

We have some Region deer licenses in Wyoming you can draw with 0 PP. Archery hunting in the region I know is pretty low pressure.
I would second on getting a doe antelope tag or maybe even a cow elk tag, reduced price. Doe deer as well.
Heck apply for a buck pronghorn tag, random draw might pay off for you.

 

[huntngolf]

You could easily get both a South Dakota archery antelope tag and a North Dakota deer tag and hunt both. 12 days would be a long time for antelope, but 5 or 6 days spent on each would be good. Depending where you hunt in each state could have very minimal drive distance between different hunting locations. At most you’d be looking at a half day drive. I don’t know about the North Dakota drawing system for archery deer but South Dakota archery antelope is guaranteed, just have to fill out the application

 

[bsnedeker]

12 days is a lot of time for an antelope hunt. I'd drive past the Dakota's and get into either Wyoming and/or Montana, and definitely have two tags, a deer tag and an antelope tag. There are places you can hunt both in the same area, but with draw odds it might not work out that way.

If'n it were me, I'd try to get both an antelope tag and mule deer tag in eastern MT, and whatever I didn't draw try to get in WY somewhere.

Great advice. Just know you're gonna have a hard time drawing a goat tag in Montana without any points. Out of my 5 main hunting buddies I was the only guy who drew an antelope tag this year and it was a B tag and we are all residents, none of us trying for any premier units.

Edit: Whoops, didn't see this was for archery! Your odds are much, MUCH better to draw an archery tag!

 

[Bru2]

You could consider going on a coues/mule deer hunt out in AZ. The season isnt necessarily in the fall its actually more of a december january hunt. But if your vacation could be used during that time its a super fun hunt to try out. Its an over the counter archery tag and there is tons of public land to go camp on and hunt.

 

[WCB]

North Dakota is not a guarantee...I know guys that haven't got one in 3 or 4 years.
If you are spot and stalk hunting 12 days may be 11 days too many for Antelope and it may be not enough time. Sitting in a blind 12 days is way too many imo but not spot and stalk. I've hunted that area of SD a bunch and certain weeks the amount of people chasing goats is stupid and other times seems like no body for 100miles.

Personally Rifle antelope is a good first western hunt I would say a deer tag would be better archery wise. If you do go try to extend your shooting range to at least 50 yards. SD Mule Deer/ Any deer tags are guaranteed you just have to purchase them before a certain date to use on public.

First time out I would get 1 tag and focus on that. Research the states close by or whatever state you are hunting and have a back up plan incase you do tag out early. Like ND you can pick up a box whitetail tag over the counter. So if you were in easter MT or norther SD you could drive over grab a tag and hunt.

 

[RC_]

Thanks for suggestions. Looks like I have some more options to consider

 

[Scoot]

Odds of a NR drawing the ND archery tag were somewhere around 20-25% last time I checked (I think I'm remembering that correctly). I think both of your ideas are good ones. Lots of good options out there besides those two, though! Antelope makes for a great first trip IMO.

 

[KCMuley]

I live in NW South Dakota. Archery antelope is fun if you have the time and patience. Just remember that Archery Antelope is closed during Rifle Antelope. Usually beginning of Ocotober for 2 weeks then Archery resumes for a little bit, but then they are usually riled up.

 

[Samdemarais]

Hi all,

I discovered this site a few months ago and have been very happy with the wealth of information I have found on here searching. Hoping some of you can give me some additional advice. Sorry for the long post, but I'm hoping by giving a lot of info I can get the most useful info.

I have been bowhunting whitetails in the Northeast for over 10 years now, but have always wanted to experience western hunting and now I'm in a position to make it happen. I will have two weeks of vacation time in the fall of 2021, which given what will probably be a solid 2-day drive each way means I'll have about 12 days to scout and hunt. Although I'm not dead set on using all 12 days, given the distance I'm traveling I would like to plan on using a majority of that time.

I'm looking for a hunt where I could camp from my vehicle at established camp sites or out on BLM/state land. I have almost all equipment and gear necessary for this style of hunt so it would help keep costs down. This will be a solo hunt (unless there's other likeminded people on here looking to team up), I have no physical limitations, I'm comfortable shooting the further distances required for spot and stalk hunting. Budget is somewhat flexible, although I am trying to do this as cost effective as possible. (I've read about trespass fees on here and would be willing to consider depending on cost and if it really provides a significant advantage over public ground, but anything outfitted or guided is probably out of the question). Not expecting to kill trophies, just looking to experience new land, new species, new tactics and hopefully get a chance to harvest one with the bow.

Below are the two hunts that I've started looking into, but before I but the blinders on and focus on these, I wanted to see what others have for possible suggestions.

South Dakota Antelope - I've read that antelope are a good first western species to target. SD archery tags are a draw, but pretty much guaranteed and relatively inexpensive. I've heard the Northwest corner has the highest number of antelope, also the highest number of hunters but that the pressure isn't terrible and if you put some miles in, you should be able to find decent herds away from other people. It sounds like antelope hunting provides decent stalk opportunities, it is just very difficult, especially depending on the terrain. I have no real interest in sitting in a blind over water for antelope. It just seems too similar to stand hunting whitetails and frankly is something I can do when I'm older, I'd rather crawl around on the ground while I can. I know Wyoming is the goto state for antelope, but most stuff I've read says to put in for points for a better unit, which I don't think will work for next year, maybe I'm wrong.

North Dakota Mule Deer - Also an inexpensive tag and I believe pretty much sure thing draw. Seems like there is lots of public land in western ND and if I put in the miles, I could get to relatively low pressure areas. My understanding is I should expect to see fewer animals than antelope hunting and have far fewer stalk opportunities. I've read that the terrain would likely be more varied and a bit more rugged, which honestly might be a plus. Heard pressure is higher in SD, which is why I'm looking at ND.

Considering how much time I potentially have, I have thought about purchasing tags for both of these and focusing on one species. Then if I got lucky early in the hunt I would have the option of pursuing the other. This would mean going in September when seasons overlap, but it might not be optimal time for one species or the other. Plus, I think this would just be too much for my first trip, though the cost of the second tag would be a pretty inexpensive hedge given how far I'm driving.

Any comments, advice or suggestions for other hunt ideas would be greatly appreciated?

Thanks in advance for any help.

Western ND badlands is a very fun hunt and there are definitely good bucks out there, however you won’t see a ton. I have bow hunted out there for the last 6 seasons and have killed 1 doe.You will probably get one stalk a day, maybe. The whitetail is otc. Can find them in plenty of places too.

 

[Fitzwho]

HUNTING THE WEST-OVER THE COUNTER - Korbin's Archery

www.korbinsarchery.com

This is a list I compiled of opportunities for OTC and leftover tags.

 

[Wapiti1]

A 900 Montana antelope tag isn't hard to draw. The deer tag isn't either, but has some risk.

Another option if you are more adventurous is a 0 point mule deer tag in CO. There are many good units with easy 0 point mule deer archery tags. OTC antelope might be a possible combo.

Could do the AZ mule deer too, which is fun and could be combo'ed with javelina.

Jeremy

 

[SteveW1473]

Utah draw is still open. lots of great NR opportunities to draw tags for deer also can purchase OTC elk (either sex). Two different elk choices spike only unit and anybull units both have deer tags available. Archery season is Aug 21- Sept 17

 

[Titan_Bow]

My advice with 12 days is to go on a real adventure man! I know the general advice is antelope is like the gateway drug, but I just dont get that excited for antelope. Maybe, just maybe spot and stalk archery, but sitting in a blind over water, or popping one at 300-500 yards with a rifle just isnt that exciting to me. Of all the antelope tags Ive filled, they've all been filled over a weekend, and my trips to Wyoming were more about fly-fishing once I got the 35 pounds of meat in the cooler for the drive home.
If it were me and I had 12 days, I'd be chasing elk or high country mule deer. So what if you havent ever done it before, no one was born doing it. You gotta get into the mountains and learn by doing it. If you are serious about hunting out west, you are gonna end up on an elk or mule deer hunt anyways, so jump head long into it and enjoy!

 

[RC_]

Thanks for the suggestions guys. Things have gotten complicated in a good way haha.

We've got word that the group I work in might be WFH through the end of year and are supposed to find out in the next couple weeks. That would certainly change things as I might be able to swing a move out west for a couple months, as all I would need is wifi for my job.

Tackling an elk hunt with plenty of scouting time or other hunts across multiple states might be in the cards if I can find some cheap short-term rentals or air-bnb's. Might stretch my budget a bit, but probably a once in-a-lifetime opportunity, fingers crossed...

 

[revcwood]

Antelope in NE Wyoming is where I started my western hunting (along with bringing several guys on their first ever hunt). Caveat - we were there during rifle hunts, normally on 1-2 points. I am the sole bowhunter in our group (though we are working to change that). My understanding is that archery antelope tags are easier to draw than the rifle tags, but I don't know that for sure.