Spring Black Hills Hunt- Newbie

[theghost_03]

Hey guys!

New to the forum and have been hoping to find out any type of information I can regarding a spring black hills hunt. I was out in the hills last fall near Hill City and by doing the research I have so far, I have read alot of people suggesting to start near there on the public ground. The posts are somewhat dated I have read and was curious if this is still the case as a good start point. Also where can I find maps of the public hunting area and is it posted somehow like ours are here in MN? I requested some info from the SD Game and Fish and did not receive any maps.

I have been hunting birds between MN and NE for 15 yrs and decided to give the Hills a try. Anyone willing to help a new guy get started out there would be deeply appreciated!

 

[mtmiller]

Public land is FS. You can get maps through them.

http://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/blackhills/maps-pubs/?cid=fsm9_012663

 

[Kaitum]

I chased turkey in the Black Hills for quite a few years before moving away. The Black Hills National Forest map is the map you want, it has more detail and land ownership boundaries than any map SDGF&P is going to provide. Not sure if you can buy the map on the BHNF website or if you can call them and order over the phone.

 

[pointingdogsrule]

Yep the Blackhills Nat. forest map is the one that you want. You can buy the map in Rapid City @ the National Forest service station. Kinda hard to find unless you have a garmin GPS. The rangers may even give you a lead on some birds. Great place to stay in Hill City is the Super 8. The owner is very friendly and gave me leads on turkeys.

Usualy within 7 miles of Hill City is where you will find the birds. Some birds also down near Hot Springs (never hunted that area).

If the weather if warm then hunt back in the woods and up high. If there is snow then hunt low inthe valleys (mostly private ground).

If you need any further help PM me. Hopefully I'll be out there the first week in May after a few days in northwest Nebraska.

NOTE: these tags can only be bought in the state capitol office (pierre). They take 5-7 days to be mailed so order early. Pierre is 40 minutes north of the interstate and office hours are limited if you stop on the way out.

good luck to all
the dog

 

[mtmiller]

Usualy within 7 miles of Hill City is where you will find the birds. Some birds also down near Hot Springs (never hunted that area).

good luck to all
the dog

They may range a bit further.

 

[JCS]

Make sure to eat at the Alpine Inn while in Hill City.

 

[theghost_03]

Thanks for all the info guys. Are the boundaries of the Federal land marked off well? I am used to seeing signs for WMA's here in MN and when I was out there last fall I never really looked for signs indicating where the public land is. I will try and find the Nat. Forest map or a way to buy one somehow. I am sure I will come up with more questions for you guys the closer we get. Spring can't come soon enough to hear some thunder chickens!

 

[mtmiller]

Boundaries are not marked well. Luckily, much is in large blocks. If you have a GPS, the state has downloads.

http://gfp.sd.gov/wildlife/gps/data/policy.asp

 

[Topgun 30-06]

A lot of people don't realize it, but that section of the state requires that landowners post their property if they don't want you on it, whereas the rest of the state they don't have to. It is spelled right out in the Regs you receive when you buy the tag. It's best to ask if you have any idea that you are on private property, but if you are and it's not posted they can't issue a trespass ticket unless they ask you to leave and you don't. I would have a GPS with land ownership to lessen the chances of problems, but there is over a million acres of NF in the SD Black Hills. I have found plenty of birds down toward Custer Park and Mount Rushmore on trips out there.

 

[DHaffner]

A lot of people don't realize it, but that section of the state requires that landowners post their property if they don't want you on it, whereas the rest of the state they don't have to. It is spelled right out in the Regs you receive when you buy the tag. It's best to ask if you have any idea that you are on private property, but if you are and it's not posted they can't issue a trespass ticket unless they ask you to leave and you don't. I would have a GPS with land ownership to lessen the chances of problems, but there is over a million acres of NF in the SD Black Hills. I have found plenty of birds down toward Custer Park and Mount Rushmore on trips out there.

I would double check that, it is state law that it is the hunter responsibility to know where they are not the landowners. Forest service areas may have different regs, but I would be very careful. Usually tresspass is a big deal. I have shot turkeys all over the black hills. It's easy walking, branch out and enjoy your trip!

 

[mtmiller]

I would double check that, it is state law that it is the hunter responsibility to know where they are not the landowners. Forest service areas may have different regs, but I would be very careful. Usually tresspass is a big deal. I have shot turkeys all over the black hills. It's easy walking, branch out and enjoy your trip!

He is correct about the Black Hills Fire District.

Trespass
No person may hunt or trap any species of game, including unprotected species, on private land without permission from the owner or lessee except in that part of the Black Hills Fire Protection District south of Interstate 90. In that area, no person may enter private land to hunt if the land is posted or if told by the owner or lessee not to do so.

http://gfp.sd.gov/ePubs/wildlife/2011-hunting-handbook/2011HuntingHandbook_online.pdf
Page 51

 

[warmer]

If is posted you cannnot enter. It is open if not posted, but alot of landowners don't post and are more than happy to chew your a$$, then ask you to leave. Been there, done that elk hunting!

 

[TOM IN TENNESSEE]

Had to stop and let a collered Mtn Goat cross the road in front of me in Rushmore and had a cow bison decide to rub some winter fur off on my vehicle in Custer SP but never did manage to kill a SD bird til I went to Meade Co.....

 

[DHaffner]

He is correct about the Black Hills Fire District.

Trespass
No person may hunt or trap any species of game, including unprotected species, on private land without permission from the owner or lessee except in that part of the Black Hills Fire Protection District south of Interstate 90. In that area, no person may enter private land to hunt if the land is posted or if told by the owner or lessee not to do so.

http://gfp.sd.gov/ePubs/wildlife/2011-hunting-handbook/2011HuntingHandbook_online.pdf
Page 51

If there is a no hunting sign on the north fenceline but you enter the property from the south are you free and clear or dealing with a tresspassing issue? My point is with the number of turkeys running around in the hills, I wouldn't risk my hunting elligability in all the compact states to hunt unposted land without permission.

 

[Topgun 30-06]

DH---Your question is exactly why I stated I would know where I was at all times to avoid something like that from happening. There are so many acres out there in big blocks with no private land for miles that there really is no chance of trespassing if you have a decent map. Add a GPS, and even moreso if you have the landownership chip in it, you can hardly go wrong.

 

[DHaffner]

DH---Your question is exactly why I stated I would know where I was at all times to avoid something like that from happening. There are so many acres out there in big blocks with no private land for miles that there really is no chance of trespassing if you have a decent map. Add a GPS, and even moreso if you have the landownership chip in it, you can hardly go wrong.

Hit the nail on the head.

 

[mtmiller]

If there is a no hunting sign on the north fenceline but you enter the property from the south are you free and clear or dealing with a tresspassing issue? My point is with the number of turkeys running around in the hills, I wouldn't risk my hunting elligability in all the compact states to hunt unposted land without permission.

Absolutely. Just pointing out how it reads in the regs.

 

[Sandhiller]

When you are up in the hills stop in I have cabins 8 miles east of Hill City and 4 miles north of Keystone, Rustic Ridge Guest Cabins, (this goes for all hunttalkers that hunt the hills) I will help you the best I can. When are you planning on hunting. The first two weeks are hunted pretty hard but seems things slow down after that. I have seen heard and hunted birds right off of the roads in late April and May and I think I was the only one out hunting.

 

[pointingdogsrule]

@sandhiller... The Lord willing I'll try and stop by this spring when I'm out that way. Thanks for he invite.

good luck to all
the dog

 

[theghost_03]

Sandhiller, PM has been sent. Anyone else have suggestions regarding places to stay?