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2011 South Dakota hunt advice/help needed please....

Don't overlook the first two weeks of pheasant hunting which opens the third sat in october every year. There are deer moving all day in areas with pheasants. The black hills have tons of public land and alot of deer, but this is usually a fun hunt for us, because the average bucks run alot smaller than the plains. As stated above be careful about the rifle opener because it can really impact deer movement. Although if you have good ground to hunt it can have a similiar effect of pheasant opening the deer get pushed to you by other hunters throughout the day.
 
DH,

Where have you done the majority of your hunting? Anywhere near wood/winner? I am hoping get down there for the last week or two of October.
Thanks for help/advice.
 
I've pheasant hunted by winner, and you will see some big boys running around while scouting but they are almost never on public once the resident pheasant season opens because of the pheasant hunting pressure. Many landowners from winner to presho to bonesteele equate hunting with $$$ because of the pheasant operations. If you have a line on some good ground you can find some 160 whiteys or muleys no problem, but it usually isn't found with a knock on the door and a handshake in that area.
 
as a side note if I was deer hunting that area, I would go the third saturday in october. There will be literally a hundred thousand orange vests beating the country side for pheasants. I would sit in the stand untill 11:00. Walk back to your truck grab a bite to eat and your shotgun. At noon walk 100 yds in any direction. Drop your pheasants off at your truck and return to your stand and hope the pheasant hunters that slept in, or had hangovers push a deer to the escape cover you are sitting in.
 
Thanks I appreciate all the advice. I do actually have some ground lined up to hunt on so that will be helpful. If you do have any other advice or notice any rule changes or something just let me know. I'm doing my best to keep up but I was told by game and fish that they won't have finalized regulations until September. I thought that was late..but thats what they said.
 
Most of the archery stuff is set in June/July. Really is not much to change. The rifle stuff is set about the same time, but the deadline for applying is usually August. Special buck deadline is April 23, 2011. West river deer deadline is July 22, 2011. Check your dates for sure, but this will put you close. There is no deadline for archery, just send them your money!
 
That is my main reason for choosing archery. We are travelling down there to see family anyway and choosing archery is my most secure way to guarantee myself a tag.
Thanks for the extra info warmer I am excited to get down there. Just going to have to practice like crazy until its time.

Do any of you archery hunt at all, or in that area?
 
I have hunted turkey in that area [Wood}, and plan to do so again this spring. I archery hunt here at home, close to 100 hours in the stand/blind this season. Only to find the buck I was hunting poached. My kids found him on Christmas E ve. I almost cried when I seen him.
 
I have hunted turkey in that area [Wood}, and plan to do so again this spring. I archery hunt here at home, close to 100 hours in the stand/blind this season. Only to find the buck I was hunting poached. My kids found him on Christmas E ve. I almost cried when I seen him.

This is a huge limiting factor on the size of deer in SD. It would scare a guy to know how many deer a poached out the window of a truck every year in SD. I try to stick closer to home on archery hunts, usually if I drive that far to hunt big game it is with my .270...
 
Yeah I am definitely nervous about attempting an archery hunt that far away from home but like I said earlier it gives me the guarantee of a tag for my trip. Plus if I am successful it’s an accomplishment I can hang my hat on for awhile. We'll see when it comes. Keep the information coming guys this is really helpful from you all that have experience and live in the area. I appreciate all the help.
 
I wouldn't be nervous the worst case scenario you shoot some roosters... I wasn't discouraging you, I was just explaining why I haven't deer hunted in that area...
 
Thanks again for the help guys. I think I am getting closer to setting a timeline. It looks like I'll head that way around maybe October 20th...and hunt through the 29th if needed.

What do you all think about that time for archery?

That’s just looking to be my best options for family and work. Only problem now is waiting, least I can practice until then.

Any recommended camo patterns for that time of year down there? I have like MAX-1 type now for here but we deal with a little more sage and hills than heavy trees.
 
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