4F private land

[Big J]

You will have a great experience down there I'm sure. I've shot antelope, whitetail bucks, does, roosters, etc in that area and I've grown to love it down there. Plenty of opportunity to find land that is hunt able and shoot critters. Have fun!

Did you know, if you are on a meat hunt you could get a mule deer doe tag right across the border in Montana for $80? Might give you and your hunting party another option if you tag out quick or want to take a break and itch an itchy trigger finger!

 

[arrowdem]

i did not know that, but that will definitely be something to think about if we happen to luck into some bucks! Glad to hear the optimism we wont be doing trophy hunting for sure just something respectable with the hopes of running into something bigger obviously but i dont have my heads in the clouds and im gonna be holding out for a 160, i bet there are a few out there somewhere but if i can find one that is a decent branched out 4x4 its gonna be hard not to pull the trigger especially on our first year, and im sure i'll get negative rep for saying i would pull the trigger on a small mule deer buck but at least im honest? pretty excited mostly to just get out there and rough it for a week with a couple good buddies and put some miles on the hunting boots and hours through the glass!

 

[Captain Ahab]

i did not know that, but that will definitely be something to think about if we happen to luck into some bucks! Glad to hear the optimism we wont be doing trophy hunting for sure just something respectable with the hopes of running into something bigger obviously but i dont have my heads in the clouds and im gonna be holding out for a 160, i bet there are a few out there somewhere but if i can find one that is a decent branched out 4x4 its gonna be hard not to pull the trigger especially on our first year, and im sure i'll get negative rep for saying i would pull the trigger on a small mule deer buck but at least im honest? pretty excited mostly to just get out there and rough it for a week with a couple good buddies and put some miles on the hunting boots and hours through the glass!

In my first couple years of mule deer hunting I saw an absolutely massive fork horn buck. Mass, height, and one giant fork. I still think that would have made an awesome euro mount.

 

[Retired Educator]

Lot's of good ideas from others, don't give up on finding a landowner who may allow you to camp on his/her property. I have found that most of the ranchers in mule deer country are good and friendly people. Not all of them allow hunting or even camping but they usually have a reason. Maybe family coming or too many cattle in the area you want to hunt. Just because they won't allow access doesn't make the unfriendly. It's also not uncommon that someone ahead of you had left a bad taste in their mouth, make sure you don't do the same for the future hunters.

When you talk respectable bucks I assure you that the first branch-antlered mule deer you see is going to look pretty big compared to whitetails. Don't let that scare you from shooting a nice buck. The hunt is the trophy. I'd rather shoot a smaller buck that I had sighted and then stalked within good shooting range and made a good shot than jumping out of the pickup and shooting it across the hood. Take your time and enjoy the experience.

 

[Big J]

Lot's of good ideas from others, don't give up on finding a landowner who may allow you to camp on his/her property. I have found that most of the ranchers in mule deer country are good and friendly people. Not all of them allow hunting or even camping but they usually have a reason. Maybe family coming or too many cattle in the area you want to hunt. Just because they won't allow access doesn't make the unfriendly. It's also not uncommon that someone ahead of you had left a bad taste in their mouth, make sure you don't do the same for the future hunters.

When you talk respectable bucks I assure you that the first branch-antlered mule deer you see is going to look pretty big compared to whitetails. Don't let that scare you from shooting a nice buck. The hunt is the trophy. I'd rather shoot a smaller buck that I had sighted and then stalked within good shooting range and made a good shot than jumping out of the pickup and shooting it across the hood. Take your time and enjoy the experience.

This is pretty much spot on as to why I like SW ND. Landowners and people down there seem to stay 'regular' during deer season. Whereas the central and eastern parts of the state people become complete assholes and change their whole way of life just to try and shoot a deer.

 

[arrowdem]

This is pretty much spot on as to why I like SW ND. Landowners and people down there seem to stay 'regular' during deer season. Whereas the central and eastern parts of the state people become complete assholes and change their whole way of life just to try and shoot a deer.

that sounds like just the area i should be in and maybe hit up the bar and start buying a few beers!

 

[Big J]

Marmath bar can be a ton of fun!

 

[arrowdem]

well i have a feeling when its getting dark at 6 and we are a bit thirsty we will be checking out a few of these local watering holes