Reservation Hunting

[Hotspotter]

Anyone had any experience hunting the Indian Reservations of SD, MT, or WY? I'm thinking about heading out there to try and take a Merriams, but have been less than successful in making good phone contact, at least for SD.

Rosebud requires you hire a guide, which I wouldn't want to pay extra for, and many of the others have either sold all their permits, or don't have Merriams on the property.

When asked about requiring a guide on Pine Ridge, the ranger told me, "Hate to have you drive all this way out here and get shot at," and then something to the effect of "I'd hate to be the one to shoot you." I don't know if it's that rough out there, or if it was some joke, or what the deal was, but it didn't make me want to head out there. I think he was getting at not wandering onto private land, and that hiring a guide would keep you on the reservation lands.

Anyone have success or problems with certain reservatons? Thanks for any information.

Joel

[Borch]

I haven't personally. But know several guys who have. Several used to hunt Rosebud. But have quit now with the native guide requirement. Basicly the guide points to where you can hunt and where you can't and then leaves you for the rest of your hunt. At least that was the experience of two different groups who hunted there.

Pine Ridge has a reputation for being a bit of a rough place. Although theres a group of NWTF guys from MN who hunt it every spring the end of April through the first week in May. Last I heard they didn't use guides and hadn't been shot at. But if I was going to drive that far I'd just hunt the Hills and not worry about it at all.

What are they quoting you as the price of a tag this year. Is it good for 1 or 2 birds?

There's another reservation in NW SD too that I've heard good things about. I'm blanking on the name but Rolling Rock or Standing Rock seems to ring a bell for me.

Borch

[This message has been edited by Borch (edited 04-20-2004).]

[This message has been edited by Borch (edited 04-20-2004).]

[Hotspotter]

I'm thinking if I head out that far I might as well hunt the hills like you said. The thought of Merriams a bit closer to home is appealing, but it's nearly the same distance.

Tag prices are as follows:
LOWER BRULE - $105/1 bird
ROSEBUD - $135/2 birds, with the option to come back and buy another tag for 2 more birds
PINE RIDGE - conversation never got that far

Rolling rock sounds better than Standing Rock, but you're right, Standing Rock is the one.....just south of Bismarck, ND....dang near to Mobridge, SD. I've heard good things as well....will have to check into that. However, because there's not a real easy way to get there, it's almost just worth it to go to the hills. I hunt with a guy that guided out there for turkeys for a few years, which would make it much easier...if I can get him to go!

Thanks for the info.

Joel

[Borch]

Good Luck!

The Black Hills liscenses are no longer sold over the counter. It's usually 8-14 day turn around if you do your application online. Otherwise you could probably swing into Peirre and get one at their main office if you're short on time. I'd call out there first of course.

Sounds like the season been good out there and according to a friend of mine who works for the wildlife dept. the birds had a good winter.

We head over there in two weeks. Let me know if you need any info. I've been going out there for a few years now.

Borch