DIY Blackhills Archery Mule deer?

bmc2680 · 04-02-2008, 11:44 PM

I've got a burning desire to head out west with my brother and do a DIY bowhunt for mule deer. From the little bit of research I've done so far it looks like the Blackhills would be our destination. Have any of you tried this type of hunt in the Blackhills? Any info. would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks,

Brian

car · 04-03-2008, 10:08 AM

Archery tags are easy to come by. Hunted nest to the Black Hills.

bmc2680 · 04-03-2008, 11:26 PM

Car,
Care to give me a basic overview of your trip?

Thanks,

Brian

Rangerlab · 04-04-2008, 06:57 PM

I have hunted in the SD Black Hills for the last 7 years. Most of the deer there are whitetails. I think the SD game fish website says it's 75% whitetail, but I would put that number a little higher. There are alot of deer there, and much of it is very condusive to a bow hunt. If you buy all of the tags available to youI believeyou can shoot up to 5 deer ( 4 does and 1 buck ). We hunted the Black Hills in WY north of Sundance a few years ago and there were quite a few more mule deer there. It seemed more like 50-50.

WYObowfisher · 04-04-2008, 07:43 PM

Quote:

ORIGINAL: Rangerlab

I have hunted in the SD Black Hills for the last 7 years. Most of the deer there are whitetails. I think the SD game fish website says it's 75% whitetail, but I would put that number a little higher. There are alot of deer there, and much of it is very condusive to a bow hunt. If you buy all of the tags available to youI believeyou can shoot up to 5 deer ( 4 does and 1 buck ). We hunted the Black Hills in WY north of Sundance a few years ago and there were quite a few more mule deer there. It seemed more like 50-50.

X2

I grew up around Newcastle Wyoming which is right on the edge of the Black Hills and i would say the majority of the deer in the hills were white tails.

car · 04-04-2008, 08:14 PM

Well the last 2 post pretty much tell it all. Not as many mule deer but a good amount of WT. Have fun.
car

bmc2680 · 04-05-2008, 01:36 AM

Thanks for the info guys. Rangerlab, how hard was it to draw a WY muley buck tag? Was that area in WY conducive to a DIY hike in backcountry type hunt?

Brian

Idaho Bison · 04-07-2008, 05:34 AM

Brian, We have ranches in South Dakota that we allow hunting on for $500 per hunter. You get exclusive access to one of two ranches and we provide lodging. Tags/lisences are $195 for a single deer and $245 for two deer. Antelope can also be hunted during parts of the archery season. Tags are unlimited. We took two 170 class bucks with the bow in 06' and did not hunt mule deer in 07'. I personallt seen 10 5x5 or better bucks while antelope hunting in 07'. Call 208-816-4245 for more information.

Rangerlab · 04-07-2008, 07:13 AM

I hunted the WY Hills a couple of years ago, before they started the deer prefference point system. At that time drawing a tag was 100% (WT or Mule Deer). Now, with the PP system, I don't know what the odds would be. If you are looking at this year your too late for WY- deadline was 3/15 for apps. Archery for SD has no deadline. You still have to apply, but the tags are unlimited. It's too late to apply for this year, but if you are willing to drive a little farther, SE Montana has some great spots for mule deer hunting.

Idaho Bison · 04-07-2008, 10:13 PM

You put in forthe special buck tag by think April 25th. It has a 75% draw. It cost more than the regular tag but you have a good chance of drawing for a rifle hunt off the bat. We have a slot or two available for groups of two for rifle if there is some interest.