S Dakota

[TurkeyReaper69]

Change from last year? They are unlimited for NR, but you have to apply and have it mailed to you in advance. At least that is what they told me last year and what I did.

Correct. Either have to receive in mail or pick up in Pierre at the SDGFD Headquarters.

 

[simpzenith]

Change from last year? They are unlimited for NR, but you have to apply and have it mailed to you in advance. At least that is what they told me last year and what I did.

Been OTC for as long as I can remember. When you apply online, you're actually just purchasing it, not really an application. You can also purchase it in person at a SDGFP office or go to a Cabela's in SD and get a BH OTC tag. The Cabela's option is a different, but relatively easy, process and the employees will guide you through it. I'd only suggest the Cabela's option as a last resort though.

 

[Boll Weevil]

Watch the Deadwood series before you go…there's actually some historical relevance/significance that might add a bit of color to your trip. Best of luck to you and safe travels.

 

[elknturkey]

Booked a cabin to stay outside Custer for a few days so starting down there.
Then headed up towards Deadwood.

Any advice?
Not just turkey wise but sight seeing wise as well?

I killed the first day so didn't get to really sight see. I did swing by to see mount Rushmore and rode around afterwards on my way back to rapid city Airport. Wished I'd have stayed another day or 2 as I ended up doing 3 states in 5 days and gave myself 10. The amount of whitetail deer is just ridiculous. I literally seen a couple hundred. Seen elk, mulies and pronghorn and 2 mountain lion (Nebraska) . Nemo Rd was just gorgeous and where I seen elk. I rode through deadwood, spearhead and Sturgis but didn't stop. I would move out there tomorrow if my job allowed it

 

[Bgoodman30]

Resurrecting this thread as we are looking at Rosebud or BH for a western trip.

 

[the deerslayer]

Our group is heading to the Black Hills this year! Looking forward to it!

 

[Bgoodman30]

Our group is heading to the Black Hills this year! Looking forward to it!

Did you go last year? Population still down?

 

[PossumSlayer]

Permit purchased for Rosebud Indian Reservation this May.
Never been.
For what I understand they only sell 300 permits per year. After dialing in multiple times I got one.
Will be my first attempt and excited. Has anyone hunted Rosebud? Tips?

We expect to see a bunch of pics of the hunt!

 

[762hunter]

We had a wonderful trip! Would do it again and plan to at some point.

My girlfriend and I doubled up on the Reservation after working those 2 longbeards for 5-6 miles through that canyon.
We had first tried to hide behind a small tree at the mouth of the canyon and got them to gobble(quite well).
Figuring we we not hid for squat I decided for us to back up and loop around to the left where there was a few "better" trees to hide under.
By the time we got to the rise towards the "better" trees they was under the small tree was had just left.
Still think they would have seen us as soon as they crested out of the canyon.
I called and they both gobbled and you could see them turn and head our way. We still had not made it to the "better" trees so we just backed up and got low in the sage grass.
Seconds later 1 then the other topped the hill and we had about 25-28 yard shots for our first double together.
The next day she slept in as it was raining. I went and had the most vocal morning. I had what sounded like 10-11 gobblers allllll around me.
Thinking even I can't screw this up!
Once the rain let up I had one that sounded to be headed up hill from the river. He gobbled and gobbled all the way in to my lap and a 30 yards shot. Was done and back at camp early and we headed on to the Black Hills.

Had a play day in Sturgis and Deadwood, donated some dollars in the casino, then checked in to our cabin booked in Custer.
I had about a dozen places marked to check out and found turkey at what seemed like every spot. Deadwood all the way down towards Custer.
I stumbled upon a gobble late afternoon one day just driving and searching, and I mean stumbled upon. I had stopped just to take a picture of a sign and heard him gobble.
I eased on and tried to slip back and make a move but nothing.
Decided to back out and make a plan for the next morning.
We got close and saw them but I was fooled by the terrain and elevation and what sounded close was actually the next ridge bank.
That day we played in town and all I could think about was how to set up the next AM on that next ridge.
I picked a set of trees I could get close and still be quiet. At fly down I had 3 hens pass within 15 yards. Then the strutter came on the same path and would have been just as close. That 20Ga. Apex had something to say about that though.

We ended up back towards spearfish and tried a few more places but ended up heading towards home with 4 beautiful SD Merriams, and great trip, great memories, and I would tell anyone to just go try it. Turkey or No turkey you'll be glad you did.

On the way back home we spent a few hours in the badlands. I could see wanting to spend a couple days there alone.

 

[david k.]

If you fly-fish, carry a 3-4wt and some elk hair caddis or other similar dry flies...they weren't big fish but my son and I caught a lot of trout in the streams in and around the park several years ago. One spot I remember in particular was just a narrow creek in a grassy valley...it was so small we almost skipped it. Thankfully we gave it a shot and hammered 6-9" brook trout all afternoon. So much fun!

 

[Turkeychaser]

Awesome trip! Thanks for sharing.

 

[knightrider]

That is the coolest pic ive ever seen of rushmore

 

[the deerslayer]

Did you go last year? Population still down?

This will be our first time going. Hitting Nebraska and then travelling up to the Black Hills. Tried to draw a SD tag for private land but didn't get drawn.

 

[Joe2Kool]

Sounds like you had a good hunt 762. And sounds similar to an eastern hunt, meaning you call, and birds respond. I've hunted Nebraska's Pine Ridge for about 10 years now and have had to adjust my techniques quite a bit for when they're not responding well. Terrain and vegetation are very similar.
Are you headed back this year?

And good luck Deerslayer. When you gonna be there?

 

[AT Hiker]

That part of the country is getting hammered with winter weather. Not sure if the Hills are insulated, as my contact is NW in the prairie, but I'd call the biologist before I head out this Spring.

Deadwood a couple months ago. 33" of snow with 3 days of -20 for a real temp low.

 

[Falconi]

That part of the country is getting hammered with winter weather. Not sure if the Hills are insulated, as my contact is NW in the prairie, but I'd call the biologist before I head out this Spring.

Deadwood a couple months ago. 33" of snow with 3 days of -20 for a real temp low.

We'd get a lot of those weeks when I lived in SD (northeast corner, opposite of the Black Hills). The Hills run quite a bit warmer than the rest of the state, on average. Not so much that week.

 

[Falconi]

Just got a text from my son in Rapid City. -4 there right now.

 

[Bgoodman30]

Awesome! 762! This is just the trip we are looking for!

 

[the deerslayer]

Sounds like you had a good hunt 762. And sounds similar to an eastern hunt, meaning you call, and birds respond. I've hunted Nebraska's Pine Ridge for about 10 years now and have had to adjust my techniques quite a bit for when they're not responding well. Terrain and vegetation are very similar.
Are you headed back this year?

And good luck Deerslayer. When you gonna be there?

Joe, we will be out there the first week in May! Hoping we catch some warm weather!

 

[762hunter]

Sounds like you had a good hunt 762. And sounds similar to an eastern hunt, meaning you call, and birds respond. I've hunted Nebraska's Pine Ridge for about 10 years now and have had to adjust my techniques quite a bit for when they're not responding well. Terrain and vegetation are very similar.
Are you headed back this year?

And good luck Deerslayer. When you gonna be there?

Not going to make it that way this year.
I'm headed to FL next week for my 1st attempt at the Osceola.
MS opens as I get back.
My girlfriend and I are head to TX the 1 week of April.
So hopefully a good eventful TKY season before TN even opens.