SD Opener Recap - Deer Hunting - Deer Hunting

I was able to spend the opening weekend in SD at my parent’s farm. I had high hopes, the deer were fairly “predictable” according to our most recent chip pull.

I setup Saturday AM over a water tank in 23 degree temps. Dad informed me the deer had been hitting it really hard over the past two weeks. Nothing spotted for the first few hours. I was starting to get down when I spotted 5 bucks, 3 on my shooter list, just west of me about 600 yards. They were heading north, away from me to their bedding area. No problem. At least I saw the deer. After about 10 minutes, the deer started working east in my direction. Cool, I got a really good look at them all at about 400 yards. One deer is a giant bodied ol’ boy. He’s probably 75-100lbs heavier than the rest. As the deer slowly closed the distance to about 300 yards, the one buck who had been leading the pack all AM, headed right for me. Now, the others just need to follow along. The little buck came in, drank at 20 yards and didn’t have a care in the world. I lost site of the other deer when they entered the trees about 100 yards north of me. I had my bow at the ready, release clipped one. It was go time. After a couple drinks, the tiny buck headed north. Sure enough, he had to catch up to his buddies about 80 yards north of me. They never came in, but I watched them bed down about 600 yards north of me. I snuck out, they surely would be back that night for a drink.

I spent the middle portion of the day at a buddies farm. We shot all kinds of guns, BSed and just had a great day enjoying the beautiful weather. Imagine two rednecks sitting in the yard shooting all kinds of guns. You look up and see a coon walking across the cattle lot about 250 yards away. It’s mid-day, 1:30PM ish. We grabbed the .22 rifle and bust tail up to the water tank. Just as we got there, we both spotted the coon getting a drink. Jeff missed with the first shot, but the next two were on the money as the coon ran for the trees. After some inspection, this coon was very sick, mangy and eyes glossed over. Not sure what it had, but I’m quite sure we did it a favor. I know the pheasants are grateful.

I got back in the box blind Saturday afternoon at 4. I had high hopes the bucks would come get a drink. I could still see deer bedded where I left them. I was super jacked. By 4:30, 5 bucks had come out of the trees to munch on some alfalfa, then they headed back to bed for a bit more. None of these bucks were shooters. At approximately 5:30, those 5 decided to eat again. About that time, I notice more deer to the west of them. Sure enough, it’s the shooters. They were slowly feeding my way, but still a good 500+ yards away. As I sat and glassed, I was amazed. All 8 bucks on our land were standing that close to me. Suddenly the tails raised and they all headed for the trees to the west, opposite direction I need them to go. I could see lots of milling around up there etc… I knew a coyote must have spooked them. I was hopeful they would calm down and work my way. No dice, suddently all 8 bucks busted north off our property to the neighbors with 4 coyotes, yes freaking 4, lightly chasing. The dogs lost interest and headed back to our land, but the deer were gone for the night. Needless to say, I was so angry I got out of the stand an hour early and headed to the house for a cold beer. As I was walking out, one of Dad’s buddies had his grandson in our other boxblind. They had shot a doe for the youth season. I helped field dress the deer. Day 1, awesome and crappy all together.

I skipped hunting Sunday AM in the hopes the deer would filter back to our place. Sunday night I was positioned on the north end of our property just trying to see the bucks. No go, not a single deer spotted. This told me what I was going to do in the AM. Just stay out and let the deer settle back in. Ironically, Friday night before opener, the camera revealed all 3 shooters at 20 yards in front of my stand. Of course… Well I pulled the chip on Monday AM just out of curiosity, two of the “next year” deer made it back during the night. I’ll be back hunting in the middle of October, hopefully by then the bucks will be back calling our place home. Should be some good pre-rut action. The cool weather this weekend sure had the little guys frisky.