If you guys haven't looked into deer hunting South Dakota, I would recommend it. It is a very underrated state. Archery are OTC for Non-Res (technically a draw, but guaranteed). Rifle will take a few points depending on the area.
Just got back from hunting up there with my wife. I first hunted SD in 2019. It was an unsuccessful hunt, but I loved the terrain and am eat up with mule deer so opted to start buying preference points for myself and my wife that year. I get to hunt quite a bit and she loves it, as well, but doesn't get to go on these types of hunts near as frequently. Went archery again in 2022 and shot a buck at 75yds but unfortunately never found him. Still buying points every year for West River and West River Special deer. The other cool thing is it's an "Any Deer" tag and can shoot a whitetail or mule deer with that tag.
Finally put in for the rifle draw back in the spring and both drew. Goal going up was to just get her a respectable buck and wasn't concerned about myself. Fortunately, be both filled tags on nice deer. Not the biggest in the world but mature bucks that we were happy with under the short time constraint of the hunt. Started out slow but were able to turn up a couple of respectable deer. She made a 365yd shot off of a tripod (which if you aren't accustomed to doing that, it is not the easiest thing in the world) and was super proud of her. She did it with the SouthPaw Precision 6.5 PRC (pictured below) Cow Doc built for her. If you're in that custom rifle market, I would strongly encourage you to visit with John. Builds an awesome rifle and the complete package is 2nd to none.
Just got back from hunting up there with my wife. I first hunted SD in 2019. It was an unsuccessful hunt, but I loved the terrain and am eat up with mule deer so opted to start buying preference points for myself and my wife that year. I get to hunt quite a bit and she loves it, as well, but doesn't get to go on these types of hunts near as frequently. Went archery again in 2022 and shot a buck at 75yds but unfortunately never found him. Still buying points every year for West River and West River Special deer. The other cool thing is it's an "Any Deer" tag and can shoot a whitetail or mule deer with that tag.
Finally put in for the rifle draw back in the spring and both drew. Goal going up was to just get her a respectable buck and wasn't concerned about myself. Fortunately, be both filled tags on nice deer. Not the biggest in the world but mature bucks that we were happy with under the short time constraint of the hunt. Started out slow but were able to turn up a couple of respectable deer. She made a 365yd shot off of a tripod (which if you aren't accustomed to doing that, it is not the easiest thing in the world) and was super proud of her. She did it with the SouthPaw Precision 6.5 PRC (pictured below) Cow Doc built for her. If you're in that custom rifle market, I would strongly encourage you to visit with John. Builds an awesome rifle and the complete package is 2nd to none.
