Deer Hunting

White River Deer Hunts – 2011

Please Note: all dates listed below for 2011 are considered “Tentative” until the SDGF&P formally announces the seasons. However, based on the historical timing of the season’s opening dates, these should be correct.

Archery Season
The 2011 archery season will most likely run September 24, 2010 – January 31, 2011. Archery tags are unlimited and available online at www.sdgfp.info, at the licensing office in Pierre, SD, or by application through the mail. When applying for your archery license indicate Unit ARD-WR1 01 (West River archery deer) or Statewide Archery (check the regulations since you can buy both an east river and west river tag if you plan to hunt both regions; or a statewide tag).



Firearm Season
The 2011 rifle season will run November 12 - 27, 2011. There are a number of license options to consider. There is an early drawing for the West River Special Buck (WRD-WR1-01) that had an early April deadline and a fee of $500 that greatly increases your chances of drawing an “Any Deer” tag. The regular drawing lets you apply for "Any Deer" (WRD-45A-08) or "Any Whitetail" (WRD-45A-18) for $245 which lets you shoot a buck and a doe. The deadline for the first draw is July 22th. There is also a 2nd draw with an August 20th deadline and a 3rd draw with a deadline of September 3rd. We have yet to have a hunter be unsuccessful in receiving their deer tag if they apply by the deadline. Most years there have been leftover tags for Lyman County, but in 2010 they all sold out so it’s important that you get into the 1st and 3rd draws. Please note: It’s not worth the effort putting in for the 2nd draw as there are never any non-resident tags left. In the 3rd draw they combine all tags which then become available to anyone that applies.


 
License Information and applications will be available online towards the end of June at www.sdgfp.info.  Click on Licenses & Reservations, Limited Issue Licenses, and then Big Game Application.  The code for the regular draw is WRD-45A and then the tag you want (the ranch is in LYMAN County which is unit 45A).  Non-Resident single tag licenses were $195 and double-tag (one buck/one antlerless) were $245 for '10, and might be slightly more this year. The number of non-resident licenses is limited, but there are actually three draws as noted above. In the third draw they combine all remaining resident and non-resident tags. The "Any Deer" licenses go first, so you want to keep applying if you want this license and a shot at one of our trophy mule deer if one presents himself.

How Many Hunters Does the Ranch Accommodate?
For the 2011 season the maximum party size will be six rifle or archery hunters at any given time. Dates are available on a first come basis for the five day periods noted below and are based on when your hunt contract and deposit is made. We are flexible on the archery dates, so if the dates listed below do not work, please let us know and we'll work something out that does.

Is this a “Guided” Hunt?
All of our hunts are what we consider “self-guided” or “semi-guided”. Someone will always be at the ranch to meet you and to provide you with the lay of the land, stand locations, property lines, etc. You will also receive a detailed map that outlines all food plots, stand locations (with GPS coordinate), etc. If you need to have a “guide” to assist you with your hunt, we can coordinate a guide at a cost of $275 per day per group. A guide will assist in getting hunters on-stand, game retrieval, dressing and hanging.

Hunt Costs – 2011
        Archery
        September 24 – October 23                $1,500
        October 24 – November 11                 $1,850 (rut hunt)
        November 28 – Dec. 31                       $1,000
        Rifle
        November 12 – 22                                $3,000
        November 23 – 27                                $2,750
        Muzzleloader
        Dates TBD for ‘11 (residents only) $1,250

Combo Archery & Rifle Hunts - $3,750
If you would like to consider a combination hunt we can handle it one of two ways. You can book an early bow hunt and then come back for rifle season. Or, you can hunt with bow for five days up to the opening of the firearms season and then hunt for five additional days. With a legal archery tag and a firearms tag a hunter can tag (2) bucks. The fee noted above is based on shooting one buck for the season whether rifle or bow. If you shoot a 2nd buck there will be an additional $750 charged.

Archery Late Season
     Nov. 28 - Dec. 31, 2011     Any 5 day period - $1,000
     Jan. 1 - Jan. 31, 2012        Any 5 day period (whitetail antlerless only)   $500

Available Hunt Dates:
There are still archery and rifle hunts available for 2011. Please contact us to confirm specifics on the dates you are considering.

Note: All dates are available on first come basis. From early-December until the end of the season hunting can be hit or miss depending on the food sources still available on the ranch.

Please note: 5.5% SD state tax will be added to the cost of each hunt.

Ranch Location (Click here to view map)

Lodging (Click here for more info)

Note:
All dates are available on first come basis. After mid-December hunting can be hit or miss depending on the food sources still available on the ranch.

Please note:
5% SD state tax will be added to the cost of each hunt.

Booking Your Hunt:
A contract will be mailed to you when you book your hunt. This will outline all details for your hunt (dates, cost, etc).

Payment:
A 50% deposit is due when your hunt contract arrives.
The remaining balance is due 30-days prior to your hunt date.

Cash or Check only made payable to White River Hunts L.L.C.
 You may also make a payment via Pay Pal (see link on our website).

Booking Your Hunt:
  A contract will be mailed to you when you book your hunt (verbally or via email). Contracts will outline all details for your hunt (dates, booking details, cost, etc).
 Payment:
 A 75% deposit is due when your hunt contract arrives. Please sign, date and return your contract along with deposit and waiver of liability form and then we will return a signed copy as the confirmation of your hunt.
The balance is due 60 days prior to the start of the respective season.

Please send your Check made payable to White River Hunts L.L.C.
You may also make a payment via Pay Pal (see link on our website).
 Hunt Cancellation Policy (please read)…
Any hunt cancelled at least 120 days prior to the start of the season (archery or rifle) will receive 50% of their original deposit. If you cancel after that date and up to 31 days prior to the start of the respective season, no refund will be provided.

Note: In both case outlined above, if we are able to fill the dates for the hunt you cancelled, we will apply your original deposit (less a 20% fee) towards a hunt in the following year. If you think you’ll need to cancel please do so as soon as possible so that you don’t leave us hanging at the eleventh hour and so it provides us the opportunity to book your dates with other hunters (dependant upon license availability, etc) and provide you with a refund. Doing this works in your favor and those of WRH’s.

Waiver of Liability
Hunters must sign a waiver of liability before their hunt begins. Please return with your hunt contract.