Black Hills Archery Whitetail. Stand or stalk?

[dannyb278]

Heading out to the Black Hills of South Dakota in late October for a whitetail archery hunt. Planning on hunting between Hill City and Pactola. would like to hear anyone's thoughts who have hunted the Hills on what would be the best method; spot and stalk or stand hunting near water sources. I will be taking my brother on his first bowhunting and first public land hunt and I want to make it the best possible experiance. Thanks

 

[Deleted member 38069]

https://onyourownadventures.com/hunttalk/showthread.php?284532-Tell-me-about-the-black-hills

Stand hunting is tough in the hills unless you find a honey hole! With a bow I'd recommend still hunting. Are you looking for a certain size of buck or meat? There are lots of deer in the hills. Read through the above thread link. It's rifle as opposed to bow but still good info. Best of luck! I miss it out there!

 

[dannyb278]

Thanks for pointing me towards that thread. Still hunting is foreign to most Minnesota whitetail Hunters but we may just give it a try. Though I still might hang a stand over a nice green pasture with a stream running through it.

 

[beagle001]

I think you’ll be better off sort of mixing the two tactics- just minus the treestand. Spot them the first couple sits and adjust accordingly the next few from the ground. I think being in a tree limits you out there.

 

[Deleted member 38069]

Thanks for pointing me towards that thread. Still hunting is foreign to most Minnesota whitetail Hunters but we may just give it a try. Though I still might hang a stand over a nice green pasture with a stream running through it.

I grew up in Minnesota too! Treestand hunting is what I cut my teeth on. In four years out there, I only shot two out of a stand. The rut activity is hard to judge. One fall, I had more elk walk by than deer.

 

[pointingdogsrule]

I turkey hunt the hills in the spring. Advice: find a logging road of some type. Deer often travel the path of least resistance. I often sit and have many deer walk past me on the roads. I hunt from a ground blind.

good luck to all
the dog

 

[MNHunter]

I was skeptical but a new guy to our group last year brought a stand. He and his girlfriend took deer from it quicker than any of us ground hunting.

 

[dannyb278]

thanks all for the advice. I have a feeling we'll be packing stands, a blind and good boots!

 

[Kolbeck]

I’ve hunted the hills quite a few times, but almost always rifle season. I would suggest starting off still hunting until you find what looks like a great spot to hang a stand. Tons a roads in the hills, find two roads paralleling each other and hike to the top of the ridge between them. That’s where you’ll find the most deer sign. I know, sounds easy and obvious advice. Have had good luck in the horse creek burn area.

 

[dirtclod Az.]

Stand and stalk.Stand next to a tree near water if none show than stalk around.