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Deer/Antelope Management & Hunting
Karinen Ranch is a large SD/ND working Ranch (cattle-pairs and farming/haying) around the clock and calendar, it also happens to be and ideal ranch for hunting (for over 135 years and 5 generations within the Stearns Family). The Ranch has possessed all types of Game that co-exist and share many of the same pastures with the cattle-pairs. The six separate hunting zones, that contain a minimum of 1,500 acres each, may have cattle-pairs in one end on one day and on the other end the next day. However, this unique situation has not altered the Big Game that considers these same zones their home as well. Our regular Archery hunters have adapted well to hunting one end or the other in a specific zone, and for Antelope hunting--right in the middle of the cattle (with a Cow decoy) has always worked very well.
Since we are a Working Ranch 24/7, the Owner or Guide(s) are ever present; working on the ranch or with hunting clients: reviewing the next day hunt the night before, altering the current day hunt at lunchtime (if necessary), and assisting with game retrieval and processing setup. Daily ranching and farming activities continue in and around the hunting activity. This situation has worked well for the hunters, as the deer and antelope have grown accustomed to the cattle and the ranch vehicles/buggies coming and going. Due the size of Karinen Ranch and the Table Mountain Range, with its outstanding natural cover/habitat (including rimrock water springs); when the deer are disturbed, they rarely vacate the ranch, instead; they just move around Table Mountain, and return to their normal drainage-basin later in the day or evening.
Karinen Ranch is primarily an Archery Hunting Ranch; which works better from a safety aspect when there is more than one hunting party and/or for hunting within zones, wherein some of the time cattle-pairs are grazing. Rifle hunting is allowed occasionally and is primarily for Memorable Mule Bucks (185 and up) over a certain age (7.5yrs.). The limited Rifle hunting for Deer (and Antelope); is for what we term as Management Mule Bucks (see pics), for any and all Whitetail Bucks (see pics) and most Antelope Bucks. The Management Mule Bucks must be at least 4.5 years old; so that we know (for certain), that their horn structure (DNA) will never allow them to qualify for the Memorable Mule Buck category. The Management Mule Buck category consists of: 2by2, 2by3, 3by3, 3by4 (sometimes) or 4by4 with permanent claw-forks.
Rifle hunting for Memorable Mule Bucks (see pics) is becoming more of an infrequent occurrence; as Special Buck and Regular tags for Unit 35-A Harding Co. are a hard draw-due to the vast Deer hunting demand in our Unit. It also has become more of a challenge to grow a large Mule buck (185-210); due to ample Gov. Public Land, State Walk-In and Outfitter leasing/hunting. The Memorable Bucks pictured were taken by SD resident hunters on and around Karinen Ranch/Table Mountain over the last 10 years. The Memorable Mule Buck hunts are closely managed; with age-confirmation and horn structure confirmed by an expert Guide, and usually only one older Buck harvested per year.
Our Long-Term Deer Program, has been to focus on the Management Mule Deer category; by culling poor DNA bucks, and thus over time allowing for more bucks to evolve with improved horn structure and to be available for hunting within the Management Buck category. We entertain a low-volume of hunters on an annual basis, so as to balance our game inventory with our ranching (lease-grazing) operation.
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Seasons
Hunting Zone: Unit 35A
Antelope Archery: Opens 8-17 to 10-31, App: 6-10 to 10-31
Antelope Rifle: Opens 9-28 to 10-13, App: 7-24 to 08-13
Note: Archery closed during Rifle Hunting Period
Deer Archery: Opens 09-01 to 01-01, App: 03-25 to 04-18
Deer Rifle: Opens 11-16 to 12-01, App: 05-30 to 06-17
Elk Archery?: Opens 09-15 to 10-31, App: Due 03-04
Special Buck: Opens 11-16 to 12-01, App: 03-19 to 04-15
Muzzleloader: Opens 12-01 to 01-01, App: 05-30 to 06-17
Upland Game: Application Anytime in 2024
Grouse/Partr.: Opens 09-21 to 01-25
Pheasant: Opens 10-19 to 01-31 (resident/non resident)
Ducks: Opens 10-12 to 01-16, App: Anytime
Geese: Opens 10-01 to 12-16, App: Anytime
Coyotes: No license required. Day hunt. No limit.
Hunting The Ranch
Hunting fees are used to improve the facilities and habitat to ensure an ever improving hunting experience.
Whether you are looking for that hard earned get away, the solitude that only open prairie space can provide, or a place to commune with family and friends, this is your place. Karinen Ranch boasts Upland birds, Fowl, Deer, Antelope and occasional Elk hunting. We are open year-round to the serious hunter or outdoorsmen, who shares the same values of preserving a place for exceptional hunting and exploring for years to come.
We prefer hunters that desire a good morning and/or afternoon hike on a daily basis. A Guide can be made available (if necessary), but we prefer to line you out (drop-off, vehicle-shuttle) within your daily hunt zone.
Hunters have full access to the shop-area for game processing and indoor equipment storage. The shop-house has a large bar, full kitchen, bathrooms/showers, bedrooms, laundry, and other amenities for an enjoyable stay.
Karinen Ranch has a unique topography, with rimrock bluff cliffs, massive rocks (peeled off the cliffs over the centuries), spring-fed drainages, open range, agricultural fields, treed creeks and stock dams. There are 5 contiguous curated zones in both South and North Dakota, wherein hunters can test their skills uninterrupted and non-guided. Hunters enjoy being able to hunt a new zone every day of your amazing trip; on the rim rock, down a long drainage basin, along a corn/wheat field, or out in the desolate badlands, we have unmatched variety. Deer hunts are usually in the mornings/evenings, and bird hunts are available during the day.
Hunting packages are limited and access is evaluated on an annual basis. We encourage all who would like to hunt to join our wait list, and we will work to get new hunters an opportunity to experience Karinen Ranch and our hospitality. We send out details to all on our wait list when openings come available.
Process to Hunt
Wait List:
We want to work with hunters who serious about coming to "hunt". To book a hunt each year, you must first join the wait list. We work with people who are on the waiting list first when scheduling the upcoming seasons, and when openings come available. Each year when the wait list opens, hunters who have hunted with us in a prior season normally have first access to the available hunts. We simply use this as a tool for hunters to signal they are interested in coming which saves us time in the scheduling process. We will discuss the hunting and the process and learn about you during a phone discussion. You will learn about how we manage our game program to ensure a continued growth of larger game opportunities, the facilities, and the experience.
Booking:
Please do not buy a package until we have talked (sort of a phone interview) and discussed your hunting desires and dates. Please fill out the form below with the hunts you are interested in, along with the dates that work for you. We will get back to you (by phone) within 5 days with availability, and if there is mutual compatibility, work to get you scheduled as soon as an opening is available. Hunt dates are also dependent on persistent weather conditions: severe drought/fire danger conditions are frequent and can alter or cancel hunt dates. Deposits must be placed within 24 hours of date confirmations.
Hunters List:
Individuals on the "Hunters List" are given priority for the Annual Hunts. If you have hunted with us in the past, and we had a mutually enjoyable experience, you will have priority for at least 2 of the next 3 hunting seasons. If a hunter on this list is unable to get the hunt they wanted, they will be given some priority the following season.
What to expect:
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We are not fancy, but we strive to provide an enjoyable hunting experience.
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Bring your own food (to prepare yourself) and booze/mix, we have the condiments.
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Bring a sleeping bag and pillow. There are 3 sleeping areas upstairs with bed frames/mattresses.
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Full laundry onsite with 2 bathrooms and showers.
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You will be in charge of your own game processing. We have refrigeration and freezer space onsite.
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Butchering area, with hoist and sink, table and tools. ATV's available for large game retrieval.
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Shrink wrap, large cooler and freezer for storing processed game available.
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There is a full kitchen room with TV and large table/couch, with a refrigerator ice maker.
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We have a fun bar with TV and large standing cooler! Self-serve (liquor/beer) with spotify music.