2012 Pronghorn hunt in SD

[Birdhunter1]

My brother in law and I are planning a hunt out in South Dakota this year. He just can't swing the money for an elk hunt and since neither of us have been we are a bit intimidated by a week in the mountains on our own. Plus we are a bit pressed for time to figure out where to go to apply for elk tags. So we decided that a SD pronghorn hunt will be a bit more feasible for us as an opener to get out west.

We aren't dead set on SD, but I have spent some time in the Black Hills area and the northwest area and have a general idea of terrain to expect. We aren't dead set on South Dakota we just picked that state.

So I see on the websites for both Wyoming and South Dakota the application dates aren't until July. I looked at a WIA map on the SD website and saw there is quite a bit in that northwest corner of SD. Is this a good area?
I was thinking we'd probably find a cabin or motel, we won't require much just a shower now and then a place to sleep and eat.

So on a pronghorn hunt in this area would you be waling and glassing or able to drive down section roads and glass or both. From what I remember of the area it is rather rolling, not heavily wooded and very open. But it has been a few years. I am also assuming this would be sometimes in September I guess wouldn't it?

As for the elk hunt, it just isn't going to happen this year. I've exhausted my list of folks that could afford it, take the time off of work and physically be in shape by then. I made my list of all those I think I could spend a week in the mountains with without throwing somebody off of a cliff. The ones who could afford it and train for it can't take of due to other family vacations this year, the ones who have the time can't afford it, the ones who can afford it and have the time don't want to do it (my dad).

So my choice has whittled down to a pronghorn hunt.

PS.. We each have a .243 and I have a 7 mag and a 30-06 so we should be gunned well enough.

 

[wyohome]

The Lander/South Pass area of Wyoming has a lot of them. I know a lot of people that go there each year and always limit out. I do not hunt them.

 

[Birdhunter1]

Thanks, we were trying to stay east of I-25 simply due to the driving distance. We each live about 100 miles south of St. Louis, MO within 10 miles of the Mississippi River.

 

[wyohome]

I would rather spend a few fall days in SD than southern Wyoming.

 

[countertop]

If it were me and the dates lined up, I'd try to add a mule deer tag on there as well.
I go pheasant hunting in the Gann Valley (central SD, north of Chamberlain) every fall and we always see a ton of mule deer. My understanding is that you need to go about another hour or so west to start running into antelope. I haven't done that yet (though it looks like I may be going to Sturgis this summer - in which case I will do a lot of exploring).

 

[Pacsd]

The goat numbers in the northwest corner of SD (Harding, Perkins & Butte) were hit extemely hard during the past few winters. The availiable number of tags were really down last year. In '10 I had tags but when we got to the area we hunt and saw the lack of goats we decided not to even kill anything. For 2011 I didn't even bother applying. In all actuality we should not even had a season for '10 or '11 like No Dak did. It's going to take a few years for those herds to rebuild. This winter has been an relatively warm(er) and open. There are lot of walk-in areas and BLM land to hunt but you are going to find any kind of accommadations hard to find due to the oil boom that's going on in No Dak. Towns are far apart and limited in most facilities. Personally, I'd look elsewhere for goats. Besides, non res tags are few and hard to come by. If by chance, you would draw a tag (they are all lottery) and the season is warm, have a plan on how to preserve the meat. I've hunted goats in knee deep snow one year and 75 degrees the next.

 

[Birdhunter1]

I figured we'd quarter it down and put it in coolers with ice. That's what I typically do with deer around here if it is warm.

I guess looking at a map Spearfish may be the closest big town in the area. Not that I like a big town and of course we aren't stuck on that part of South Dakota either.

Note.. not staying in Deadwood, made a pact with God in 2007 that if he got me out of there I'd never go back.

 

[osprey176]

Just a few things to think about...Wyoming has more pronghorns than the rest of the country combined.They have plenty of public land,BLM,ect. Wyoming and South Dakota share a border,so the drive is not that much further from Spearfish,less than 30 miles I think.I haven't looked into nonresident tags in S.D.,but Wyoming has over the counter tags available.I am also planning an antelope trip next year to Wyoming, most likely near the eastern border around Torrington.The local ranchers I have spoken to do not like the antelope,and gaining access looks like it won't be too difficult.The Black Hills are thick with turkeys though,so if you want a Merriams,thats a great place. Good luck and keep us posted either way.

 

[T.R.]

I've hunted in western South Dakota for many years. Previous post about pronghorn numbers down is correct. I'd estimate that the population is 50% of what it was in 2004.

Season opens first Saturday of OCT and runs for 10 dyas. Vast majority of 'lopes are shot within first 3 days.

My best luck: western portions of Harding and Butte County. Contact Game, Fish, and Parks for Walk In Atlas to find good free land for hunting.

Deer season (depending upon unit) is the entire month of NOV.

TR

 

[ultradoc]

I have been out there twice for the Sturgis motorcycle rally. Very pretty land and we saw a ton of wildlife including pronghorn. Good luck.

 

[Davek1977]

As much as I typically like to brag about SD's hunting, having lived in the state my entire life, the reports about the drastic decline in antelope are on the money. Compared to 5 years ago, there just aren't any. With that understanding, don't let the talk of accommodations or lack thereof scare in the least. While its a major issue currently in ND, SD is largely unaffected by it....and I work in the hotel industry, so I'm not just making assumptions. While I recommend making a reservation (as I do to anyone traveling anywhere) I wouldn't stress the accommodations any further than that.

I've hunted goats in knee deep snow one year and 75 degrees the next.

This is very true, and mirrors my early Mellette Co deer season the first weekend in November. I've hunted in everything from t-shirts to coveralls, in rain, wind, snow and even almost oppressive heat! One thing I often tell people inquiring about our weather is that you get to own a lot of cloths living here, as the temps legitimately fall between 105 and several degrees below zero....even the day to day changes can be shocking. We had 50's here last week and were (open water) shore fishing walleyes with great success, and today, its 8 degrees. Throughout history, on Jan 13th, we've had temps range from 60 (1983) to -21 (1998)

 

[Birdhunter1]

So if I was going to go in Wyoming what area would I want to apply for? We'd prefer the eastern side of the state as its a long drive.

 

[Woodyard]

The Thunder Basin National Grassland around Douglas has a lot of public land but I'd hate to try it cold without knowing the area. Chamber of Commerce may be able to hook you up with some ranchers who allow hunting or charge a nominal trespass fee. You can apply for licenses online with Wyoming Fish and Game. Deadline for non-residents is March 15. Their website has a map of the hunt areas. I hunt in area 19 near Gillette but that is 90 percent private land. The last several winters have been hard on antelope in Wyoming, too.

 

[avs11054]

I have no idea about any hunting in SD, as I have never been there, but your choice of rifles are excellent. I have shot all my antelope with a .243 and never had an issue.

 

[Trad Archer]

WYOMING!, Go to Wyoming.

 

[redneck2]

This past fall we went on a pronghorn hunt. Drove from Indiana to Montana. There were a ton in the very NE corner of Wyoming where we cut thru. More than Montana, though we got our two in the first two days.

Take your varmint rigs in case you find a prairie dog town. At least take a .22.

Take some GOOD larger binos. We had four wheelers, which worked out exceptionally well.

 

[Birdhunter1]

So in the Douglas, WY area is where we are focusing. Is there alot of public ground in this region? Lodging suggestions? I see that the Tunder Basin National Grassland is nearby, can you hunt this area?
Around where I live if the USFS owns it you can pretty much hunt it, but I know some ground out that way isn't open which is why I ask.

 

[Birdhunter1]

So I've been all over the Wyoming game and fish website and have narrowed my areas down to 7, 27, 32 and 53. Mainly I went off of these because they say there is alot of public land in these units.
Does anyone have any better advice? I had originally thought 26, 23 and 24 but it shows a low amount of public land to hunt on.