South Dakota Archery Hunt

[grimmim1]

I'm heading out to South Dakota from Minnesota for an archery hunt the first week of November. I'm planning on heading to fort pierre national grassland. Been doing a lot of google earth scouting and found some good looking areas. Just seeing if anyone had any advice for hunting this area and type of terrain? I have a week to hunt and don't mind putting some miles on the boots

 

[beagle001]

I have hunted there a couple times. Make sure you get a map of the lands so you know what you're looking for, as well as the SDGFP Map Atlas app for your phone. Also, some of the roads are closed seasonally, which it will state on the map. I'll look to see if I have an extra one and I could mail it to you so you have it ahead of time. Some of the parking/fishing areas have maps at them, otherwise call the warden and they'll hook you up. Good people.

It's way more land than I could comprehend, but we did find some good deer, and deer sign. I think the deer move around quite a bit depending on where the cattle are. If you break the land up into quadrants using 83 as a center (though not truly center), I probably recommend looks for muleys in the southern half, and whitetails in the NE quadrant.

I'll be out that way starting the 5th. Hoping the whitetails are running rampant, and the mule deer are getting frisky too! Good luck!

 

[pointingdogsrule]

Wow, you guys are brave. I thought that hunting Sharpies and chickens in the Grasslands was tough. I can not imagine hunting deer with the bow in that wide open area. Very beautiful area. Good luck and have fun.

good luck to all
the dog

 

[Muskeez]

Best steak in the state in my opinion at "The Cattlemans Club" - Go East out of Pierre, outside of town just a few miles, north side of the road. Looks like a house kind of that was made into a steak house many years ago. It has a nice view of Hipple Lake and MO river.

 

[grimmim1]

Thanks for all the info guys! I think I'm going to focus on mulies but won't hesitate on a good whitetail. I'm thinking about pulling my fish house out to stay in. From what I've read I can pull off and camp out to 30ft off the road. This sound right to you guys?

 

[beagle001]

Every time I have been up that way, Richland Dam has had a porta potty accessible, so if that interests you, check that out. Sheriff Dam had one the first time we were out there, but did not this summer when we drove through.

Send me a PM and I'll send you the map so you have it ahead of time. I'll jot down a few notes on the back of it for you as well.

Also, when it comes to camping and driving out there... if it looks like rain, be careful! Those back roads out there are wicked when they are wet. First time we were out there, someone put er in the pickers, and the tow truck got stuck trying to pull them out. The roads are solid underneath, in most places, but have a half inch of grease on top, then three inches of clay below that. Wicked stuff.

 

[Keeptrying]

Hunted antelope there probably seven years ago now. Saw some very nice deer.

Hoping to go back with a bow in 2017. Coming home from Pierre late last summer saw two nice whitetails dead on the highway at the far south end.