Well it's been almost a year since I first made it west of the Mississippi, but it is going to be my fourth trip back since then. Something about Montana, Colorado, Wyoming and the Dakotas that has me drawn back (but I'm sure that's just me). Me and my lifelong best friend are going to be heading to northwestern South Dakota at the end of September. With a basically over the counter tag and only a 22 hour drive from New York, it was a no-brainer for us. I'll be taking a week off of my senior year of college to go after mule deer or maybe, just maybe a big whitetail on all public land spot and stalk. Never having hunted mule deer, I already know it's going to be a huge learning experience but we are optimistic. Im looking to get some advice from anyone who has spot and stalked deer, or any animal for that matter, because we just don't have the space to do it where I'm from. Any thing you didn't do or should of done. Any piece of gear you wish you had or something you brought but didn't need. Really any advice to help raise our odds would be great and appreciated. Here's some pictures from our last few adventures that I never got to share on here. Colorado Montana South Dakota
Spot and stalk is a patience trial. Glass a lot from high up muleys bed down in high brush usually need creek beds that they use from traveling. Look from antler above the high grass. Glass slowly or you will miss them. Scent control is a must. Play the wind. If you find where they are bedding and close to a food source, a blind is a good idea. There are a lot of deer around Phillip and Wall. Get a BLM map or stop in Mitchell and talk to the Game and Fish. Cabelas in Mitchell might be a good source. Best of luck. Sent from my iPad using Bowhunting.com Forums
Beautiful pictures cml. I haven't spot n stalked very much but the only thing I was going to suggest it looks like you have it taken care of. Good glass. The Vortex spotting scope I'm sure works great. Looking forward to your posts. Keep us all updated on here! Sent from my iPhone using Bowhunting.com Forums
We were thinking of hunting up that way this year, but have decided to try our hand in The Hills. A few things I've learned... Keep your pack with you on stalks as long as possible. I went in on a stalk, dropped pack and snuck in to 43 yards and waited over an hour. Meanwhile a few rainshowers rolled in and I got wet and cold waiting. Wasn't a huge deal, but I think in hindsight, it made me rush just a little trying to sneak closer instead of just waiting for the buck to get up for the afternoon feed. When the buck stepped out, he only gave me a head-on shot. Obviously, watch the wind, and don't skyline yourself when starting to get close.
Northwest SD has some good broken country that is ideal for spot and stalk hunting. You will need a map chip that shows property ownership in that area as BLM and school trust lands tend to be very irregularly shaped, it will help you greatly with access. Also look for walk in area leased by the state, they provide some excellent hunting. You will find that in that area deer are very pocketed up. Keep moving till you get into decent groups of bucks. Be realistic for the location in so far a trophy potential.
To add to what trial said... SD isn't Nevada... there is a fair amount of pressure so 140-50 inch muleys are nothing to sneeze at. Also, make sure to put your binoculars on a tripod. Even a cheapy tripod will double the value of your glass.
We are looking at Buffalo Gap Nat'l Grasslands as well as Fort Pierre Nat'l Grasslands. Being from the east, we aren't picking about size, just a good hunt. Has anyone had experience in either of these areas? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
It's the final countdown for my trip and I feel like I'm ready to get out there now. Dialed in with my bow, got the gear laid out and I'm optimistic. Sending this thread to the top because I know there's bound to be a lot of you out there who have spot and stalked before. If there's anything you would suggest, or not, I would love to hear it! Collin Sent from my iPhone using Bowhunting.com Forums
The problem with both is the country isn't broken up much. makes for a hard stalk. I know seeing those big hunks of public lands on a map looks great...that said you better off going into more broken country.
