How many mule deer tags did the tribe sell? 550? Are you serious? The state has given out 50 or 100 any deer tags per year for the last several for all of Corson County. Unless I misunderstood the number of 550 correct me, but that is simply gross negligence on their part. There are nowhere near enough mule deer to justify those number. I was born and raised there, our family has deeded land there, and I have hunted there all my life. 30 years ago mulies were the main game with few whitetails. But, since the winter of 97/98, whitetails have become the prevalent species. There are certainly still good mule deer areas but they are out of the norm in my experience. In the past probably I have seen two good mulies total with a handful of nice whitetail bucks. Keep in mind this is on the SD side in probably less than ideal mule deer country (except 30 yrs. ago there were lots of good mulies) but includes some really nice Grand River areas that I hunt. That said, I just think those pictures paint an unrealistic picture of the hunting. Even with whitetails the area I hunt carries a 115" average for whitetails. Yep, a few good ones are shot, but any deer that ends up in a magazine is a complete anomaly in my opinion.
The whitetail population got hit really hard by blue tongue a couple years ago as well. The state cut back tag numbers and has been conservative which was needed. In my area we have not seen number bounce back real well at all. Hopefully this winter will help survival a bit. Coyote population is crazy though which also has been hard on the numbers. I support what the GFP has done. Standing Rock does not manage with the state at all and it is disappointing to say the least. As I said, if those numbers are correct, it's a money grab plain and simple. Irresponsible.
I give my standard word of caution to anyone coming to hunt with a Standing Rock tag. Be 10000000000000000% certain that you are on tribal land while hunting. Landowners with deeded land have dealt with rampant trespassing by tribal hunters for years and their tolerance level is ZERO. If you get caught on the wrong land you will be punished to the full extent of the law. I know several landowners in our area who are completely fed up with the out of state parades of vehicles who come to hunt for two months straight and show little regard for the land they should/shouldn't be on. No question that there are legal hunters out there but as with anything the bad apples spoil the basket. I'm one of those that if I find you on my land with a tribal tag the consequences will be a harsh as the law allows.
