Spotted Bear Creek Ranch

Spotted Bear Creek Ranch operates 1,200 acres of prime hunting country in the Cheyenne River Drainage near Milesville, South Dakota. This is whitetail and mule deer country, and the ranch specializes in guided archery and rifle hunts for hunters serious about fair-chase, free-range deer.

Each hunt party gets exclusive access to the entire property. Victor and Joy Limacher, the founders, keep it small—maximum two hunters per party, only one hunt party on property at a time. This means no competition for deer sign or guide attention.

Most hunters work from 10-foot elevated, heated blinds positioned where the ranch knows deer move. Shots often come within 10 yards. If you prefer spot-and-stalk hunting, they'll do that too, though the terrain is rugged—steep draws and thick cedar groves require solid physical conditioning and lots of walking.

The newly constructed 10,000 square foot lodge centers around a 1,750 square foot Great Room with a fireplace, overstuffed furniture, and an 80" flat screen. Each guest gets a private room with queen bed and private bath.

• •Home-cooked meals
• •Complimentary laundry service
• •Sentlok storage lockers
• •Ozonics scent control
• •Airport pickup/dropoff at Rapid City Regional Airport

All packages include your South Dakota hunting license and tag, transport to/from the field, and a 1×1 guide for animal recovery, caping, antler prep, and deboning.

Important: If you wound a deer and it is not recovered, your tag is filled and the hunt is over.

• •Mule Deer buck: 90-110 lbs
• •Whitetail buck: 50-60 lbs
• •Whitetail doe: 40-50 lbs

The ranch provides coolers for purchase if you need them for transport home via airline.

• •Physical demands: Archery from elevated blinds is low-impact. Spot-and-stalk hunting requires good health and ability to handle steep terrain, especially with snow on the ground.

• •Archery skill required: Beginners are welcome, but you must be able to shoot accurately at 20 yards before arrival. The ranch has targets available on-site to check your gear.

• •Clothing: Bring three sets of hunting clothes (laundry is free), plus layered clothing. South Dakota weather ranges widely. For blind hunting, camo or black shirt and hat. For stalking, full camo.

Each spring (mid-April through August), the ranch opens two private sites for prairie dog hunts with shots ranging 50 to 800+ yards. This is ideal for shooters tuning up for big game season or practicing long-range precision. The ranch provides portable shooting benches.

Typical day: morning hunt, lunch and rest at the lodge, afternoon hunt. Hard-core hunters can request a field picnic lunch instead.

The ranch arranges off-site guided pheasant hunts. Cost is $250/day plus tax (includes guide over dogs, 3 roosters, complimentary lunch). Extra birds are $35 each. You'll need to purchase a South Dakota non-resident shooting preserve license ($10-15, handled online during your stay). Transport to the pheasant property is $75/day plus tax.

Victor and Joy semi-retired from their Hawaii-based contracting company in 2012 to develop Spotted Bear Creek Ranch. Victor's passion for archery and mule deer shaped the hunt focus. Joy's love of South Dakota's open spaces, combined with her skills in accounting, cooking, and hospitality, makes the lodge experience what it is.

• •Office: (605) 544-3016
• •Cell: (808) 895-9041
• •Email: [email protected]

• •50% non-refundable deposit to book
• •Balance due in cash upon arrival
• •Nearest hospital: Philip Clinic, 37 miles south

• •Non-hunters: Can accompany a hunt party for $100/day plus 6% tax. Children welcome with adult supervision. Bed & Breakfast services available April-June and August when hunts aren't scheduled.