Family Whitetail Success on Public Land in Rugged Terrain
I went to college in Eastern South Dakota and traveled through the Black Hills for Christmas and summer breaks. Every time I passed through, I couldn’t help but imagine what it would be like to do a hunt there. The rolling hills, thick timber, and abundance of wildlife had always drawn me in. But while I was in school, the eastern side of the state kept me busy chasing ringnecks and waterfowl.Fast forward a decade, and my old man and I finally decided to start applying for the tag with a good buddy of mine. It took five years to draw, but when we finally did, it was worth every minute of the wait. From the moment we stepped into the hills, it was clear we were in for something special. Each day, we spotted an average of 40 to 50 deer between the three of us, with 10 to 15 of them being bucks. For a public land hunt, I had never seen anything like it. Towering pines and rugged draws stretched for miles, creating an endless maze of perfect deer habitat. The number of animals was staggering with elk, turkey, deer, and even mountain lion. I was able to see three different mountain lions in a single day, which I don’t think I’ll ever be able to replicate.
With the rut just beginning to pick up in mid-November, we focused our efforts on the does. Almost every group we spotted had at least one buck harassing them, testing their readiness. If there wasn’t a buck with them, just wait, soon, there would be. The action was nonstop, making it one of the most exciting hunts I’d ever been on.
On the fourth day, I found myself watching the edge of a thick timber patch when I got my opportunity. A mature buck stepped out while checking does. He was only 90 yards away when I put the crosshairs on him. He was the biggest whitetail I’ve taken to date, a 6x7 with tall split eyeguards.
This hunt is one that I truly believe anyone can do and with an extremely high chance of success. It’s perfect for young hunters who want to see plenty of game and have a real opportunity to fill their tag.
One of the best things about the Black Hills is that it offers something for every type of hunter. You can make the hunt as easy or as challenging as you want. Whether you prefer spot and stalk, still hunting, or setting up in a tree stand, you’re going to see deer. And with an abundance of affordable cabins just minutes from prime hunting ground, it’s hard to imagine a better place to chase whitetails.
The combination of public land and friendly locals truly makes this hunt a great experience. As I write this article, I ask myself, why am I exposing this hunt? Every time I reflect on my experience in the Black Hills, I continue to smile. Knowing that others have the opportunity to experience this same adventure makes sharing it worth it.