The Dakotas: A True American Hunting Experience

[lament notch]

Welcome to the Blackhills and Badlands of The infamous Dakotas! Home to a wide variety of animal but most famous to it’s waterfowl due to extreme flooding to the east and beautiful mountains to the southwest! There is no shortage of game to shoot!

26 total species

• Plains Bison

• Northwestern Moose

• Rocky Mountain Elk
(Massive rework, potential G1?

• Mountain Lion
(light rework, little fluffier reduced population

• Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep (Massive rework, subspecies distinction!!!

• Mule Deer

(Reworked, potential G1?

• Coyote
(Class 3, massive rework

• Pronghorn
(Back up to 4

(1-2, all new)

American Beaver (Class 2

American Badger (Class 2

Striped Skunk (Class 2

American Muskrat (Class 1

Eastern Fox Squirrel (Class 1

Black-tailed Prairie Dogs (Class 1

Fowl (and lots of it

Upland

Greater Prairie Chicken (N

Hungarian Partridge (N

Ring-Necked Pheasant

Waterfowl

Tundra Swan (would be the reserves Icon

Snow Goose

American Coot

Sandhill Crane

American Wigeon

Wood Duck

Northern Pintail

Mallard

Bufflehead

New equipment and changes

HORSES AND MULES!!!
Bred for climbing and trekking, from the wet and muddy Alaskan Interior to the Patagonian steppe you cannot go wrong with a noble stead!

6.5 and .270 buff + reclass
Both 6.5 and .270 are in desperate need of a buff and given 6.5’s use in the region I think it’s about time! 6.5 3-7 and .270 3-8 would be preferred

Canoe
To traverse this new reserves MANY bodies of water it’s about time you get a brand new approach!!!

Fix to decoy hunting

At this moment, no matter where you put the decoys the birds WILL land on top of you, this isn’t a problem when using the E Call but having fun hunting birds shouldn’t be locked behind a paywall!

I forgot to mention, much like Yukon it will snow frequently across the map.

[worldly jungle]

Horses would be sweet

[lament notch]

@vague parrot what do you think? I know that conversation was from awhile ago but I finally got around to it.

[iron zenith]

Whitetail deer too! Would love to see lots of open area chasing mulies. Chasing WT and pheasants in big corn fields. Would be awesome!

[lament notch]

I’ve seen enough of whitetail tbh, but I wouldn’t be opposed to their addition, the main focus was waterfowl and big game reworks.

[iron zenith]

Just my wish. I hunt both IRL so would love to be able to hunt both species on the same map

And WT def are do for a rework tbh

[worldly jungle]

they got a rework like a year ago?

[worldly jungle]

Yeah I've had enough of them.

[vague parrot]

Big game remove moose add Bison imo

[lament notch]

I wouldn’t mind both tbh, just to differentiate it a little from srp

[vague parrot]

I'll get you a list in a minute

[pseudo agate]

Dude I'd love that so much, I'd happily pay extra for something this good

[lament notch]

The Canadian Arctic, Africa 2.0, and Central Asia maps are cool and all but… we still need the waterfowl capital of the world!

[pseudo agate]

The snow mechanic on Yukon is so underutilized it's sad, there's hardly any weather in the game now. So it'd be great to see it more often.we know they can do it but is just been absent from the game. Also, how about larger predators with tiger population? Like 20 grizzlies and 14 cougars? Or the reverse?

[lament notch]

Shockingly enough, neither grizzlies nor black bears live in The Dakotas. It seems they were driven out some time in the 1800’s sadly.

[pseudo agate]

Reintroduction would explain the low numbers pretty well, but that's kinda weird. I drove up there about 2 years ago and several local guys warned me to be careful about or camp because they'd been seeing black bears

Maybe it was because I was close to Montana there? Bears do have a habit of traveling a long way if they want so i suppose it could have been just one or two animals convincing them there were more

[lament notch]

Black bears are fairly well known for traveling through states and being non permanent residents scaring the hell out of the locals who aren’t used to them.

This map is pretty wild to see, not too sure how accurate it is, but it looks good to me.

[pseudo agate]

I'd believe it at least, the way they travel it's pretty easy to imagine people who don't live close to a regular population being convinced there's a bunch they just haven't seen. Same thing happened in TN with my family. One bear turned into 1000 when my uncle saw one driving home.

This could actually make for a decent story mission now I think about it

Panicked locals calling the Warden and reporting bears here and there, most of them are just stumps or rocks and then you find one set of tracks that wander into and out of the reserve.

[lament notch]

I do agree with the mountain lion thing however, they are way too easy to come by in this game, especially for how well known they are for being a hard hunt.

20-25 spread out individuals would be great

[pseudo agate]

That mechanic applies to most cats in this game but they only implemented it with tigers and leopards, it's kinda ridiculous when you look at real populations

20 cats for a map is more than enough, they'd be perfect

[iron zenith]

No. The antlers haven't been touched or reworked overall since the the introduction of trueracks. They got tweaked when RD was released a few years ago.

[vague parrot]

In the small game category I honestly think possum skunk marmots and squirrel could be really really good possibilities and new animals

Rare skunks would go wild

Adding a mechanic for squirrels would be like a seller for the map

Did I ever send you the species list I had built for this map?

Well possible species list

ducks
Wood duck
Ruddy duck
Hooded merganser
Bufflehead
Northern pintail
American black duck
American wigeon
Gadwall
Northern shoveler
Blue-winged teal
Redhead (duck)
Canvasback
.
geese/swan
Snow goose
Tundra swan
Canada goose
Ross's goose
Greater white-fronted goose
.
upland birds
Ruffed grouse
Greater sage-grouse
Greater prairie chicken
Grey partridge
Ring-necked pheasant
Mourning dove
rock pigeon
Northern bobwhite quail
.
randoms?
Sandhill crane
American crow
eastern wild turkeys
Merriam turkey
Common Snipe
American coot
.
big game claas 4+
Pronghorn
White-tailed deer
mule deer
Rocky Mountain elk
mountain lions
bison
.
small game sub class 4
Cottontail Rabbit
Eastern Gray Squirrel
Red Squirrel
Beaver
Bobcat
Coyote
Prairie Dog
Raccoon
Badger
marmots
Opossum
Red fox
Skunks

All the different animals I had made for a possible list

This is mostly based completely in south Dakota

[sick crater]

I am guessing the marmots of the Dakotas being referred to are the Yellow-bellied Marmot

The only other member of the Marmota genus in either state is the Woodchuck (yes they are

[vague parrot]

Ye

[lament notch]

As for weapons, I have a few ideas being two rifles and one shotgun.

#1 50-90 Sharps rifle

A famous rifle from a famous time long since past, but you can still act on your Frontiersmen desires with this stunning rifle!

#2. Sig Cross in 6.5
Quickly becoming the golden standard of modern day pronghorn hunting, it doesn’t take much to knock one over but you have to do it fast and efficiently before the adrenaline hurts the taste of the meat, could come with a bipod/shooting stick.

Benelli Super Black Eagle 3
From 28-12 gauge this beautiful piece of innovation can do just about everything!!! There’s no bird this gun hasn’t taken you are sure to see plenty of feathers falling. Really can’t go wrong with this shotgun.

[vague parrot]

yesssssssss

i was thinking a pump 22lr (class 1) 44-40 lever gun (class 2-4) 50-90 Sharps rifle (class 6/7-9) .444 Marlin lever gun (class 3/4-8/9) 12ga double barrel as possible guns

sharps is hands down my most wanted gun in the game by miles i wish it came along with srp

i hope this post gets traction thank you tons for making this

[lament notch]

I’d also like to see a pump .22 (mag or LR, either would be nice) and a 12g SxS, probably would’ve been next up.

[lament notch]

No problem!

[vague parrot]

Yeah them as a guns of the wild west pack would be so cool

As well

[icy crescent]

I can say, there are definitely no breeding populations in those states that say “0”, but every single one of them have had fairly frequent sightings of mostly lone males (particularly in the Dakotas and Nebraska).

[vague parrot]

This map could also bring possibly a shotgun shooting range with sk3et and different targets

[lament notch]

That would be great. It’s been way too long since we’ve gotten a new range of any kind.

[vague parrot]

It's been 10? 11 maps?

[iron zenith]

That would be awesome! Great idea!

[vague parrot]

all da na birds

[pseudo agate]

You're insane, birds drive people insane

[vague parrot]

Lies and slander they was already insane just trying blame it on the duckys

[pseudo agate]

Exactly! Ducks are driving people insane, you're living proof

[quiet arrow]

Moose rarely come through. No breeding population, though I've heard rumors a calf was either born in the Hills or was wandering through with its mom.

There are also very few places to waterfowl hunt West River, but I suppose they could really condense the map and make the Missouri the eastern border.

[quiet arrow]

Black Bears are coming back. There are breeding populations on the WY side of the Hills, and there might be a few sows with cubs on the SD side too. I venture to say there's probably around 20 or so wandering the SD side. GFP won't confirm it, but we've got a pack or two of wolves in the area too. By and large though, it's mountain lions, coyotes, and bobcats that are the main predators.

[pseudo agate]

Nice, glad to hear from someone with boots on the ground

[lament notch]

There’s a season, that’s all I need.

[quiet arrow]

I suppose jumping stock dams would be fun in-game. Good water holes for Pronghorn and other big critters, too.

[sick crater]

From what I could quickly read regarding moose hunting in North Dakota, Moose on a reserve set in both states would have to be restricted in range and numbers aka a rare species like the tigers and snow leopards on Sundarpatan

I do recall Nevada should be having their first moose season this year

[lament notch]

I don’t mind, they’d probably be in a very small area in the north taking in real life hunting zones into account, I’m working on geography and locations at the moment.

[lament notch]

Geography, feedback needed:

• Forested mountains
These mountains are at the Northernmost part of the reserve, no name yet (based on the Turtle Mountains classic north woods feel. Moose)

• Lakota Prairie
Lakota Prairie lies in the central part of the map, taking up most of the of the map, home to pronghorn, mule deer, pheasant, prairie dogs, Coyote, bighorn sheep, and The last bison of the prairie, there’s so much more to explore!

• Heartland Farms
Southern part of the map, due to recent flooding these once expansive corn fields have been turned into waterfowl heaven that are completely irresistible to the bird species flying above… being completely unusable to the owners, they have let us hunters use their land for bird hunting.

• The Blackhills
The Blackhills lie in the western/south western part of the map, a beautiful sight to behold with many species to hunt, with the likes of Mtn lion, elk, beaver and so much more.

• Louis river
The Louis River is quite expansive, it’s home to many species waterfowl, beaver, muskrat and mule deer

[iron zenith]

Would be a dream map for me

[paper laurel]

My Feedback is give me some Blackhills!!! Would definitely love to hunt this.

[heavy lantern]

Between the horses, mules, canoes, and Sharp’s Rifle, would a themed clothing outfit be in order/appropriate?

Perhaps a fur hunter theme?

[lament notch]

I think we are in desperate need of proper cowboy attire (perhaps a cold weather and warm weather version?) and then my second option would be a fur hunter outfit like you mentioned.

Continuing the cowboy conversation, I’d love for a few Lean-to tents scattered around the map (probably mostly in the prairie area) acting as outposts.

[lament notch]

Since EW themselves said the reason the Coachmate has such poor performance is because it’s barrel is short, I think they should increase it, this would increase its true stats across the board, more akin to the jernburg. I’d also love to see a new ammo type for the .45-70: Brass Solids, 6-9.

[heavy lantern]

That would be awesome!

[compact garden]

Looks like red dead redemption 2 then haha

[lament notch]

What’s more to love 😂

[lament notch]

Feel like I’d showcase the Dynamic Weather on this map a little.

[late ermine]

The Dakotas was my other alternative to my Upland Bird Gated Reserve - Wyoming idea thread that had our Grouse/Quail & Prairie small game in it with a dog pack: Pointer with additional calibers & gauges. But this is well done, & I'd enjoy this as I'm sure others would as well esp. with weather changes since we dont have the 4 seasons. Its a yes for me 👍

[iron zenith]

Yep. There's a ton of potential for this map

[frigid raft]

I set my walking dead ocs story in South Dakota

[lament notch]

“Welcome to the land of Speed goats”

Also, 30 likes!!!

Great to see such an unpopular idea being supported so greatly, I know another US map isn’t necessarily the most popular idea as of now but the Dakotas are so under utilized in the hunting game genre.

[sick crater]

I wouldn’t mind a US Reserve in the future

But not until we get Africa 2.0 first

[iron zenith]

Let's go dakotas!

[lament notch]

41!

[iron zenith]

42! Keep it going lady's and gents!

[vague parrot]

46 now almost 50

[lament notch]

50!!!

[vague parrot]

[pseudo agate]

I'd actually much prefer this

Coyote rework needs to be a thing, they look starved right now and way too small

[vague parrot]

Floof yoters would be so awesome

[bitter pagoda]

We have whitetail too out here in south dakota here

[lament notch]

I know, but I think we can both agree there’s wayyy too many whitetail maps.

[bitter pagoda]

It would deffinetly be cool to get a map like this

[mild whale]

I like this idea.
I personally wouldn't mind another NA as long as it includes several of the upland and waterfowl species that have been ignored in the past.
Something like a NA Revontuli.

[lament notch]

Thanks Pro!
I agree, within the US this is probably the last map I’d want to see. Tons of returning species that need a new map that is up to EW’s current map making quality, I also don’t believe this area has been displayed in a the genre before so completely brand new!
Love your videos

[iron zenith]

100% There's so much potential for this kind of map. Lots of new and old birds to be added. Lots of new amd old species that could be added for big game as well only IF the team gets it right. Meaning just for example,pheasants live in corn fields here amd so do WT deer. In all the other maps that have those 2 species those animals are hardly ever found in those kinds of locations. At least on my maps. Ugh,there's so much potential. WT amd Mule deer live in perfect harmony in this kind of environment and there's no map with both species in the game. SRP should have both. But a great opportunity to introduce Mule deer Great One with the objective of hunting WT and Mulie's in feed zones (corn fields both cit and uncut) and the challenge that comes with that. Ugh just so much potential! Grouse could be added. Roughed grouse that is,which is a new species. I love thos map idea personally since I live 1 state away with very similar environment. Another NA map,if done tastefully, could be a huge success.

[quiet arrow]

Ruffed Grouse would be a Black Hills only species, so it would have to be limited to the mountainous regions of the map. But there's nothing saying you couldn't have Sharptails, Prairie Chickens, and even a limited population of Sage Grouse.

The limited numbers of tigers and snow leopards on Sundarpatan have really opened up the possibility of adding threatened species in limited numbers, which makes hunting and harvesting one that much more exciting!

Small numbers of Sage Grouse would be a big draw for the bird and small game hunters to this map.

[pseudo agate]

Bump

[vague parrot]

69nice

[lament notch]

72! Glad to see us make it this far

[quiet arrow]

Couple Dakotas Mule Deer harvested by my buddy and I this past weekend.

[lament notch]

Very nice!

What caliber you take him with?

How was the wind😂

[quiet arrow]

Both were with .308 bolt actions. My buddy got the buck, and we were admiring him when two antlerless deer pranced by us. I wasn't about to look a gift deer in the mouth and my fiance wants meat. lol

It was a very windy one. I had it blowing in my face as I watched my buddy wait out the bedded buck for about three hours. Lol It was all at our backs on the hike out, so that was nice.

[plush night]

I made a similar proposal in the past, but it didn't get as much traction as this. https://discord.com/channels/393040947006406657/1215312323028328558

[fresh crypt]

Would Gray Wolf Work?

[lament notch]

There’s no wolves in the Dakota’s sadly

[quiet arrow]

They're historically native to the western parts, but there are no confirmed packs living in the area. At least none that Game, Fish, and Parks will openly acknowledge. They did the same thing with Mountain Lions in the Hills back in the '90s. They're only lately acknowledging black bears, but only as individuals wandering through and not a breeding population.

[pastel lily]

bump

[vague parrot]

Damn almost 100

[cyan tartan]

This is very nice

[lament notch]

Nearly there, 100 here we come!

[cyan tartan]

102

[lament notch]

102! What a milestone, see y’all on horseback!

[quiet arrow]

Bump!

[quiet arrow]

107!

[frail dirge]

Snipe hunting would be super fun. With the new GSP you could walk around in a short grassed marsh and spook them up

[late ermine]

^

[pseudo agate]

Bump!

[hearty crane]

I propose a mission for this map: to search for the last specimen of the now-extinct subspecies (Ovis canadensis auduboni), known as the Black Hills Bighorn. The objective is to spot it only, in order to report it to the conservation agency, which has a plan to capture and relocate it to the conservation center.

Here are photos of a taxidermy bust of the mentioned subspecies. Here is the text as reproduced from the source of the photos:

This Bighorn Sheep was taken by Howard Eaton in 1880. It scores a whopping 196 6/8”. Eaton was a friend of Teddy Roosevelt, and they hunted the Badlands together in the years before North Dakota’s statehood. Although this sheep was taken before North Dakota officially became a state, I believe it deserves an honorable mention. It took a lot of research to track it down, and the actual mount is hanging in a hunting club in the eastern part of the USA.
Photos Credit: ND Big Game Hunting Showcase

The map from the book (in Spanish): Cimarrón: del culto a la cultura del borrego. The autor: Alberto Tapia Landeros
The blue area represents the range of the subspecies O. c. auduboni.

Translation of the Spanish text above the map: Distribution of the bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis) in North America at the arrival of the white man (= at the time of European arrival).

[lament notch]

Theodore Roosevelt National Park proves the Dakotas are more than just a bunch of flat, dry land with a lot of cornfields.

[paper laurel]

If Bighorn, and Mule Deer aren't on the new map this is definitely a top contender to remodel them.

[pastel lily]

I've been there before, it's a really cool place.