Joel: I'll get a copy of the Grasslands map. Have no idea where I would go. Just wanted to make sure there were public areas to hunt before I applied. I'll start doing my homework. I do know that every time my wife and I drive to Montana (my daughter moved there a few years ago) I always comment to her as we pass through a part of the National Grasslands that it looks like a place that would hold mule deer. Hadn't checked it out on a map to see how big it was though.
Brad, thanks for the words of encouragement. I think North Dakota piqued my intestes as a destination because I read a positive article about mule deer hunting there a few years ago. As I remember, it said there weren't the numbers of deer that one might find in say Colorado, Wyoming or Montana, for example, but not as many hunters either. And, I'm looking to get away from the crowds as much as anything else. The last three states I elk hunted, Idaho, Colorado and Wyoming, were pretty much overrun with hunters on the public lands I picked. Partially my fault. I didn't go to areas that limited ATV access, but there's just a lot more folks out there than there used to be. There may be fewer hunters overall, but more of them are going west.
Thanks for the info. I'll definitely look into this further. I notice that North Dakota also has a few antelope. I remember seeing a few in passing through the state, but can't remember where, probably east of the badlands. Would either of you mind if I asked a few more questions via a PM? Thanks again.