South Dakota has been an elite destination for hunters from around the country for centuries. With
diverse game species, abundant public land, and a deep hunting culture, the state offers a unique and exciting hunting experience that draws thousands of visitors each year. Compared to most other states, South Dakota welcomes visiting hunters like no other!
Table of Contents
From the rolling prairies of the east to the rugged Badlands and Black Hills in the west, South Dakota is a hunter’s paradise with plenty of opportunities to pursue the sport in any way you wish.
The Mount Rushmoore State is also famously home to more than 1 million pheasants, making it one of the top states for pheasant hunting in the country – and yet that doesn’t even scrape the surface of how deep hunting runs in this hunting hub of a state.
In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about South Dakota hunting, its licensing requirements, regulations, hunting season, prices, and history. Let’s get into it!
South Dakota Wildlife and Game Species
South Dakota Hunting is every prowlers dream, offering a diverse range of game species for hunting enthusiasts. The state’s impressive wildlife population includes both big and small game.
Deer hunting is one of the state’s most popular activities, with whitetail and mule deer found throughout much its landscape.
Elk hunting is also available in certain areas, with tags allocated through a draw system. Just keep in mind that South Dakota has a pretty limited elk population, so to ensure that each kill is for the sake of conservation, there are very limited tags.
A more unique animal to go for compared to most states is the elusive antelope. Antelope hunting is a popular activity in the western part of the state, with hunters targeting pronghorn antelope in open grasslands. These truly beautiful, swift, and agile creatures are a thrilling quarry, and hunting them is a test of skill and patience. Definitely aimed at the more experienced hunter!
Bighorn sheep and mountain goat hunts are also available, but these tags, along with the elk tags, are highly limited and difficult to obtain.
Speaking of the bighorn sheep, one of the most impressive historical facts of South Dakota hunting was actually the extinction and reintroduction of the bighorn sheep! The very first successful hunt for this majestic animal in over a century was just a couple of years ago, a testament to the state’s conservation efforts and dedication to wildlife management.
Turkey is another popular hunting activity in South Dakota, with both Merriam’s and Rio Grande turkeys found in the state. The Black Hills and the Missouri River corridor are two popular areas for turkey hunting. Peterson Hunting actually nominated South Dakota as the #1 Turkey Hunting State!
Pheasant hunting is obviously especially popular, with South Dakota’s vast pheasant population attracting hunters from across the country. It’s not called the Pheasant State for no reason, I’ll tell you that much.
Lastly, waterfowl hunting – which is also up there on being one of the most popular animals to go after in South Dakota. The state’s numerous lakes, rivers and wetlands provide great views and habitats for ducks, geese, teal, pintails, and mallards. The Missouri River corridor is a popular area for waterfowl hunting, and will offer some wonderful beauty alongside your hunt.
Just make sure you don’t go for any of the gorgeous state birds that are strictly prohibited in the state. Check out South Dakota’s very own KXRB on what birds to avoid!
It is clear that South Dakota is a state with much to offer for hunting enthusiasts, from majestic deer and elk to swift antelope and agile mountain goats. The state’s impressive wildlife population is a testament to the state’s conservation efforts and dedication to wildlife management.
When is the South Dakota Hunting Season?
The South Dakota hunting season varies depending on the game species being hunted, as well as your residence status. Generally, the season for most species runs from late summer through late fall, with some exceptions.
South Dakota is also fairly unique in how they treat resident versus non-resident hunters. Because of the large influx of hunters from out-of-state (with good reason, it’s one of the best hunting states in the country), they carefully control the number of hunters by divvying up the season. Please keep this in mind as you look over the following information.
Resident South Dakota Hunting Seasons
Spring turkey hunting: April 9 – May 31, 2024
Paddlefish snagging season: May 1 – June 15, 2024
Fall turkey hunting: September 1 – January 31, 2024-2025
Archery deer hunting: September 24 – January 15, 2024-2025
Youth deer hunting: September 24 – January 15, 2024-2025
Firearm deer hunting: November 19 – 27, 2024
Muzzleloader deer hunting: December 1 – 15, 2024
Mountain lion hunting: December 26, 2024 – March 31, 2025
Small game hunting: September 10 – March 6, 2024-2025
Waterfowl hunting: September 24 – December 11, 2024 (with some variation depending on specific species)
Non-Resident South Dakota Hunting Seasons
Spring turkey hunting: April 9 – May 31, 2024
Paddlefish snagging season: May 1 – June 15, 2024
Fall turkey hunting: October 8 – January 31, 2024-2025
Archery deer hunting: September 24 – December 31, 2024
Youth deer hunting: September 24 – January 15, 2024-2025
Firearm deer hunting: November 19 – 27, 2024
Muzzleloader deer hunting: December 1 – 15, 2024
Mountain lion hunting: December 26, 2024 – March 31, 2025
Small game hunting: September 10 – January 8, 2024-2025
Waterfowl hunting: September 24 – December 11, 2024 (with some variation depending on specific species)
If you’d like to see the specific dates for each individual game, you can check out the official South Dakota government website’s list of dates here.
South Dakota Hunting License & Regulations
Before you can hunt game in South Dakota, you need to obtain a valid hunting license. This applies to residents and non-residents of all ages. We’ve collected all available information on licenses and put them in each subcategory below!
Who needs a South Dakota hunting license?
If you plan to hunt, you need a hunting license. This includes residents and non-residents, as well as individuals of all ages. Additionally, specific and additional licenses and permits may be required for specific types of hunting, such as big game or waterfowl hunting.
There are some exceptions to the hunting license requirement, such as for landowners who hunt on their own land or individuals who are hunting certain non-game species. However, even if that is the case for you, we truly recommend you simply get a license to be on the safer side.
If you really feel like you are the exception, it is still important to check with the South Dakota Game, Fish, and Parks department to determine if you need a hunting license for the species you plan to hunt, as well as any other permits or requirements that may apply.
How much does a South Dakota Hunting License Cost?
Prices vary greatly depending on which game you’re going after – and if you’re a local or out-of-state hunter. Check out our price-list below.
Resident South Dakota Hunting Licenses:
Small Game License: $32
Combination License (small game, fishing and big game): $66
Youth Small Game License (ages 12-15): $10
Youth Combination License (ages 12-15, small game, fishing and big game): $25
Senior Small Game License (ages 65 and over): $32
Senior Combination License (ages 65 and over, small game, fishing and big game): $66
Migratory Bird Certification: $5
Waterfowl Stamps: $10
Habitat Stamp: $10
Non-Resident South Dakota Hunting Licenses:
Small Game License: $121
Combination License (small game, fishing and big game): $286
Youth Small Game License (ages 12-15): $121
Youth Combination License (ages 12-15, small game, fishing and big game): $286
Migratory Bird Certification: $5
Waterfowl Stamps: $10
How do I purchase a South Dakota Hunting License?
South Dakota offers a variety of ways to purchase your hunting license, here are the best 5 ways to do so!
- Online: You can purchase a hunting license online through the South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks Department’s website.
- Telephone: You can call the South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks Department at 1-605-223-7660 to purchase a hunting license over the phone.
- License Agents: You can also purchase a hunting license in-person from one of many license agents located throughout the state, such as sporting goods stores and bait shops. Check out where your nearest agent is here.
- Mobile App: You can download the South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks Department’s mobile app to purchase and manage your hunting license, as well as receive alerts and updates on hunting and fishing regulations.
- Mail: You can mail in a paper application along with payment to the South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks Department’s headquarters in Pierre, SD.
South Dakota’s Unique Landscape
South Dakota offers some of the most beautiful landscapes for hunting enthusiasts, seriously. With vast grasslands, rolling hills, dense forests, and expansive water bodies, the state offers a variety of terrains that are just absolutely perfect for hunting. Chefs kiss.
One of the most popular places to hunt in South Dakota is the Black Hills. The region is home to elk, deer, mountain lions, and even bighorn sheep. The Black Hills National Forest covers over 1.2 million acres and offers plenty of opportunities for both archery and rifle hunting.
As mentioned previously, South Dakota is also a bird hunter’s paradise considering all the pheasant, grouse and waterfowl you can find all throughout the terrain. If you’re looking to bag some birdies, the James River Valley is a great place to start, as it is home to one of the largest pheasant populations in the country.
The valley is characterized by gently rolling hills and vast grasslands, providing an ideal habitat for pheasants and similar wildlife to thrive. For fowl, the Missouri River, which flows through the state, is another great place for waterfowl hunting, with ducks and geese in abundance.
Apart from hunting, South Dakota’s landscape is also honestly just a treat for the eyes. The state is home to several state parks, wildlife refuges, and national monuments, all of which offer stunning natural scenery.
The Custer State Park, for instance, is home to a herd of over 1,300 bison, as well as elk, deer, mountain goats, and bighorn sheep. The Badlands National Park, on the other hand, boasts unique rock formations, canyons, and buttes that make for a surreal and unforgettable experience.
Why South Dakota Hunting?
South Dakota offers hunting opportunities like no other. With it’s wealth of diverse wildlife, stunning landscapes and public land opportunities – it’s truly no wonder that South Dakota has become one of the top destinations for hunters from all over the world.
From small game and waterfowl to big game and predator hunting, South Dakota is a hub for hunters of a skill and experience levels. We cannot recommend entering the South Dakotan wild at least once in your lifetime, and experience the beauty yourself, made even better by the way the state welcomes out-of-state hunters (trust me, compared to other states the non-resident prices are amazing)
South Dakota hunting has a long, rich and beautiful history. Tales of legendary hunts and stories (Google Old Three Toes, it’s a good one) bless every nook and cranny of the state. And as my grandfather would say “God hunts in South Dakota, just look at the damn pictures”
Looking for information on hunting in other states? Check out our other state guides here.
Happy Hunting!
