In this GOHUNT Bonus Episode of The Western Rookie podcast, Brian Krebs dives into the 2025 South Dakota non-resident archery deer applications. With the deadline fast approaching, this episode covers everything you need to know to make an informed decision—whether you're chasing whitetails or mule deer. Brian breaks down public land availability, drought conditions, draw odds, and why South Dakota should be on your radar if you're a bowhunter looking for a quality, budget-friendly hunt closer to home.

Key Takeaways:

• Application Deadline: April 17, 2025
• Reminder Date: April 10 via the Western Rookie Application Calendar
• Tag Type: Public Land Only archery tags for non-residents
• Draw Odds (2024): ~57% with 0 points
• Tag Cost: $286 for non-residents — one of the cheapest archery mule deer tags available
• Drought Status: Majority of South Dakota is currently in severe to extreme drought, potentially impacting antler growth
• Whitetail Overview:
  • East River units have very limited public land
  • Some units offer great trophy potential (160" B&C+)
  • Filtering units with 20%+ public land reduces options from 85 to about 10
• Mule Deer Overview:
  • West River units offer more public land and better access
  • Several units exceed 170" trophy potential
  • Some units have up to 100% public land, especially near national forests

Tips & Tools:

• Use GOHUNT Insider to check predictive draw odds (Code: Western for $50 in gear credit)
• Leverage GOHUNT Maps to scout units and verify public land access
• Always double-check road access with local counties—some roads may appear public but are actually private or closed

South Dakota offers a fantastic opportunity for consistent DIY mule deer or whitetail bowhunts—especially for hunters looking to stay closer to home, spend less, and build experience year after year.

Connect with Brian Krebs
https://linktr.ee/thewesternrookie

Have Questions or Comments? Send an email to [email protected]!

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