Secrets out on 3A1

stevepike,     The rumor is correct,  there aren't many deer left here,  Success rates should prove that undoubtedly,  we are supposed to get some snow so we will probably loose a few more deer to the Rifle Season , witch may skew success rates in the "Wrong" direction........... 

Due to the increased acreage of Pulse crops in the area,  the few mature bucks we have gorged themselves on high protein forage all summer ,  and with all the rainfall, yes there has been some dandy bucks shot.   Banner year for antler growth up here.  If a buck made it to 4 1/2 years old this year, he is more than likely a PIG.

However......... seeing a buck 125-150  is not an easy task what-so-ever if you have a tag..........they are HARD to come by...........I have numerous hunting friends who are not seeing sh!t for shooter bucks, period......and we are not surprised.  

Percentage of hunters shooting 150's or better in 3a1 would be so dismal its not worth talking about,  1% or less       ??   ??  ??   

Don't let a few wallhangers fool you,  3a1 is hardly full of trophys by any means.   

Nice try though  !

Would a person really want a unit full of 150 class deer?

Seems at first that it would be great, but when you really think about it, size is relative.  The more important thing is to be the hunter who takes the herd bull, dominant buck in the area, biggest fish in the sea, etc, etc.

A unit full of 150" deer would just make me want to shoot a 170 all that much more if the 150" deer are the new "forkies" for the area.

p.s.  Saw the pics as well on Scenic's page.  Lots of good ones including HH's.  Speaking of which HH, you should smile more when getting your pic taken with such a nice deer.  It's good for the soul. 

I like to hunt different areas of the state each year.  Is 3A1 that area in the northwest part of the state?  I drove through there once on the way to Rafferty dam and thought it looked like pretty good deer country!  Lots of rolling hills and brushy areas.

With all those bucks on that web page I think that will be where I might apply next year.  Might be tough finding a place to stay with all the oil activity  but can pull up the self contained camper for a week or two.   Nice being retired - can get a few retired hunting buddies and  stay up there as long as it takes..

Yep people shot some nice bucks but finding the deer is really hard.  My dad hunted hard for 11 days before he found a buck to shoot.  And we have some really great private land to hunt!  I am not planning on hunting 3A1 for a few years at least until deer numbers climb.

I understand Maddog.  But that's the nice thing about being retired.  You can spend half the summer up there finding places to hunt, and spend as long as it takes to find a big one come fall.  
 Big deer may be few and far between, but from the looks of that website, we should be able to find some in the three weeks of the season!   Should be fun seeing new country.   Never hunted up there before. 

The NDGF isn't incorrect in their analysis of deer populations.  I can speak for the area of 3A3 I grew up in.  Deer numbers are low.  And headhunter isn't full of crap when he says 3A1 is not dynamite either.  Numerous documentation of that unit or NW ND getting hit hard in 2005 when most people forgot they had a winter.  Tags weren't cut a lot and the result was a pretty good drop.

I can tell you this, if you judge a unit by a couple big deer photos we have bigger problems than we think at advisory meetings.

I don't know if my dad or his girlfriend Brenda will get a buck in 4B or not.  They've had chances and they are hunting three of which I consider damn nice shooter bucks.  If they get one does that mean that 4B is full of deer and all is good?  Or should we take a gander at what the NDGF has to say about mule deer populations in the Badlands.  I tinks I'll take da NDGF's take on it.  I will also toss in mine.  Not anything like it use to be.  Not only winter but I honestly believe cats are raising cane in the Little Missouri country.  Deer are the most skiddish I've ever seen them and we all know how people like to say mule deer are dumb.  They aren't curious any longer.  They are gone in a hurry.  Never seen anything like it before.

The good news is a cat was shot just a few miles from where I hunt.  So maybe one of them eating machines will help save a few deer.

bobkat Said:
I understand Maddog.  But that's the nice thing about being retired.  You can spend half the summer up there finding places to hunt, and spend as long as it takes to find a big one come fall.  
 Big deer may be few and far between, but from the looks of that website, we should be able to find some in the three weeks of the season!   Should be fun seeing new country.   Never hunted up there before. 

Well, I am not surprised one bit.  It is a big buck contest hence I would imagine folks would participate if they were fortunate enough to get a dandy.  Any of those units 3B1, 3B2, 3A3, etc have excellent country to hunt deer.  Land access can be difficult though because it is basically all private.  Plus, lots of oil traffic.  Don't pull over on the roads without making sure you get plenty far or you'll have an oil truck up one's rear.

Headhunter Said:
Don't let a few wallhangers fool you,  3a1 is hardly full of trophys by any means.   

Nice try though  !

Couldn't agree with you more, hunted it all my life, and this year is definitely a low point.  Maybe in 3 or 4 years.

I questioned that around our farm.  Beside the Belden area we were the first to see the oil rigs.  Traffic everywhere, shift changes, pickups, oil trucks, etc, etc, etc.  It was a zoo.

Well, the development has slowed in our general area now.  I figured the deer would start moving around a bit more and what not.  That hasn't happened.  Deer numbers are just as bad.  I'm not sure if they moved into rough country and haven't come out yet and have taken up residency and will just stay there or what.  Of course, we do have to deal with two deer seasons in our neck of the wood with the reservation so that doesn't help one bit either.  But point is, we haven't seen a change in deer movement or numbers since the oil activity has slowed.  I figured we were done with it but with the three forks they'll be back in shortly.  Uffda.

checked out the scenic sports page.  can't find any pics from this year.  where should i be looking?  thx.

espringers Said:
checked out the scenic sports page.  can't find any pics from this year.  where should i be looking?  thx.

yeah can someone post a link so we all might be able to take a look at the great "HH" buck for this year?

bow-kill Said:
yeah can someone post a link so we all might be able to take a look at the great "HH" buck for this year?

It is a dandy.

There are big buck everywhere and pictures and contests will prove it.  I think the lack of crops still standing has helped that this year.  Last year the sunflowers and corn around my area was still standing.  I know of about a dozen mule deer bucks in my area that go between 180 and 215.  And whitetails in the 140 to 180 class.  I am hearing the same thing in other units across the state also.  THis is the year to shoot a hogger.  Good luck everyone and congrats to those who have already harvested their deer.

Blacktail Said:
http://www.scenicsports.com/Photos/AlbumID/389-5

says file not found

Really? you don't see the picture at the top with 2010 big buck contest (35 photos) right under??

muddytrail Said:
  I know of about a dozen mule deer bucks in my area that go between 180 and 215. 

A DOZEN? as in 12 between 180 and 215?  I find that hard to believe...180 is a BIG mule deer in ND.

espringers Said:

in fact, i can't find a single pic from 2010...

go to scenicsports.com and click on the big buck contest at the top of the page.