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- South Dakota
Everything you need to plan your hunting trips in South Dakota, from maps and regulations to season dates, game animals, quotas, and hunting units. Plus much more! Start your research right here.
Overview
Known For
With an average annual harvest of 1.2 million roosters over the last 10 years, South Dakota is world renowned for pheasant hunting. But the state also offers incredible hunting opportunities for elk, deer, antelope, turkey, waterfowl, mountain goats, and more.
Terrain
South Dakota’s terrain has a little bit of everything, from ponderosa pine forests, river bottoms, grassland prairies, and Black Hills mountains, to the vast Missouri River reservoir system.
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South Dakota Hunting Seasons
Filter By:
Season
Start Date
End Date
Aug 19, 2023 – Sep 29, 2023
Antelope – Archery
Closed during firearm season
Aug 19, 2023
Sep 29, 2023
Sep 30, 2023 – Oct 15, 2023
Antelope – Firearms
Sep 30, 2023
Oct 15, 2023
Sep 30, 2023 – Oct 15, 2023
Antelope – Landowner
Sep 30, 2023
Oct 15, 2023
Oct 16, 2023 – Oct 31, 2023
Antelope – 2nd Archery
Closed during firearm season
Oct 16, 2023
Oct 31, 2023
Oct 17, 2023 – Nov 9, 2023
Bison – Non-trophy Custer State Park
2022 season dates are not out yet, please check regulations for more details: https://gfp.sd.gov/nontrophy-buffalo/
Oct 17, 2023
Nov 9, 2023
Nov 20, 2023 – Jan 5, 2024
Bison – Trophy Custer State Park
Hunters have a maximum of three consecutive days to hunt. Hunts are scheduled Monday through Friday excluding holidays. 3 days as scheduled Nov. 20, 2023 to Jan. 5, 2024 excluding holidays and weekends.
Nov 20, 2023
Jan 5, 2024
Dec 26, 2022 – Feb 15, 2023
Bobcat
Dec 26, 2022
Feb 15, 2023
Jan 14, 2023 – Feb 15, 2023
Bobcat (Non residents only)
See regulations for further details.
Jan 14, 2023
Feb 15, 2023
Jan 1, 2023 – Dec 31, 2023
Coyote
No limit. Shooting hours unrestricted.
Jan 1, 2023
Dec 31, 2023
Sep 23, 2023 – Nov 19, 2023
Sandhill Crane
Sep 23, 2023
Nov 19, 2023
Sep 1, 2023 – Jan 1, 2024
Deer – Archery Antlerless
Whitetail deer only.
Sep 1, 2023
Jan 1, 2024
Sep 1, 2023 – Jan 1, 2024
Deer – Archery
Sep 1, 2023
Jan 1, 2024
Sep 9, 2023 – Jan 1, 2024
Deer – Apprentice & Youth
Sep 9, 2023
Jan 1, 2024
Nov 1, 2023 – Nov 30, 2023
Deer – Custer State Park
Nov 1, 2023
Nov 30, 2023
Nov 1, 2023 – Nov 30, 2023
Deer – Black Hills
Nov 1, 2023
Nov 30, 2023
Nov 11, 2023 – Nov 26, 2023
Deer – West River Landowner
Nov 11, 2023
Nov 26, 2023
Nov 11, 2023 – Nov 26, 2023
Deer – West River
Nov 11, 2023
Nov 26, 2023
Nov 11, 2023 – Nov 26, 2023
Deer – West River Special Buck
Nov 11, 2023
Nov 26, 2023
Nov 18, 2023 – Dec 3, 2023
Deer – East River
Nov 18, 2023
Dec 3, 2023
Nov 18, 2023 – Dec 3, 2024
Deer – East River Landowner
Nov 18, 2023
Dec 3, 2024
Nov 18, 2023 – Dec 3, 2023
Deer – East River Special Buck
Nov 18, 2023
Dec 3, 2023
Dec 1, 2023 – Jan 1, 2024
Deer – Muzzleloader Antlerless
Whitetail deer only.
Dec 1, 2023
Jan 1, 2024
Dec 1, 2023 – Jan 1, 2024
Deer – Muzzleloader
Dec 1, 2023
Jan 1, 2024
Dec 9, 2023 – Dec 17, 2023
Deer – East & West River Antlerless
Dec 9, 2023
Dec 17, 2023
Sep 1, 2023 – Nov 9, 2023
Mourning Dove
Statewide
Sep 1, 2023
Nov 9, 2023
Sep 23, 2023 – Dec 5, 2023
Duck – Low Plains North
Check regulations for further details on bag limits and areas: https://gfp.sd.gov/ducks/
Sep 23, 2023
Dec 5, 2023
Sep 23, 2023 – Dec 5, 2023
Duck – Low Plains Middle
Check regulations for further details on bag limits and areas: https://gfp.sd.gov/ducks/
Sep 23, 2023
Dec 5, 2023
Oct 14, 2023 – Jan 18, 2024
Duck – High Plains
Check regulations for further details on bag limits and areas: https://gfp.sd.gov/ducks/
Oct 14, 2023
Jan 18, 2024
Oct 28, 2023 – Jan 9, 2024
Duck – Low Plains South
Check regulations for further details on bag limits and areas: https://gfp.sd.gov/ducks/
Oct 28, 2023
Jan 9, 2024
Sep 1, 2023 – Sep 30, 2023
Elk – Archery Custer State Park
Sep 1, 2023
Sep 30, 2023
Sep 1, 2023 – Sep 30, 2023
Elk – Archery
Sep 1, 2023
Sep 30, 2023
Oct 1, 2023 – Dec 31, 2023
Elk – Firearms Black Hills
Oct 1, 2023
Dec 31, 2023
Oct 1, 2023 – Oct 31, 2023
Elk – Firearms Custer State Park
Oct 1, 2023
Oct 31, 2023
Sep 1, 2022 – Dec 31, 2022
Mountain Goat – Black Hills
The mountain goat hunting season isclosed.
Sep 1, 2022
Dec 31, 2022
Feb 13, 2023 – May 15, 2023
Goose – Light Goose Conservation Order
Snow, Blue, and Ross’ Geese.
Feb 13, 2023
May 15, 2023
Sep 1, 2023 – Dec 16, 2023
Goose – Unit 1
Canada Goose. Check regulations for more details.
Sep 1, 2023
Dec 16, 2023
Sep 30, 2023 – Jan 12, 2024
Goose – Light
Light Goose. Check regulations for more details.
Sep 30, 2023
Jan 12, 2024
Sep 30, 2023 – Dec 12, 2023
Goose – White-fronted
White-fronted Goose. Check regulations for more details.
Sep 30, 2023
Dec 12, 2023
Oct 21, 2023 – Dec 21, 2023
Goose – Bennett County
Canada Goose. Check regulations for more details.
Oct 21, 2023
Dec 21, 2023
Nov 6, 2023 – Feb 18, 2024
Goose – Unit 2
Canada Goose. Check regulations for more details.
Nov 6, 2023
Feb 18, 2024
Jan 13, 2024 – Jan 21, 2024
Goose – Unit 3
Canada Goose. Check regulations for more details
Jan 13, 2024
Jan 21, 2024
Sep 16, 2023 – Jan 7, 2024
Grouse – Sharp-tailed, prairie chicken, and ruffed grouse
Sep 16, 2023
Jan 7, 2024
Dec 26, 2022 – Dec 25, 2023
Mountain Lion – Statewide
See regulations for specific quotas and season dates: https://gfp.sd.gov/mountain-lion/
Dec 26, 2022
Dec 25, 2023
Dec 26, 2022 – Apr 30, 2023
Mountain Lion – Black Hills
Dec 26, 2022
Apr 30, 2023
Dec 26, 2022 – Apr 30, 2023
Mountain Lion – Custer State Park
Access permit required.
Dec 26, 2022
Apr 30, 2023
Sep 30, 2023 – Oct 8, 2023
Pheasant – Youth Only
Check regulations for details on areas closed to hunting. Possession limit: 3 Roosters.
Sep 30, 2023
Oct 8, 2023
Oct 14, 2023 – Oct 16, 2023
Pheasant – Resident Only
Check regulations for details on areas closed to hunting. Daily limit: 3 Roosters.
Oct 14, 2023
Oct 16, 2023
Oct 21, 2023 – Jan 31, 2024
Pheasant – Traditional
Check regulations for details on areas closed to hunting. Daily limit: 3 roosters.
Oct 21, 2023
Jan 31, 2024
Oct 21, 2023 – Jan 7, 2024
Quail
Statewide
Oct 21, 2023
Jan 7, 2024
Sep 1, 2023 – Feb 29, 2024
Cottontail Rabbit
Statewide
Sep 1, 2023
Feb 29, 2024
Sep 1, 2023 – Dec 31, 2023
Bighorn Sheep – Black Hills
Sep 1, 2023
Dec 31, 2023
Apr 8, 2023 – May 31, 2023
Turkey – Access Archery Permit
Adams Nature Area and Good Earth State Park.
Apr 8, 2023
May 31, 2023
Apr 8, 2023 – May 22, 2023
Turkey – Spring Custer State Park
Apr 8, 2023
May 22, 2023
Apr 8, 2023 – May 31, 2023
Turkey – Spring Archery
Apr 8, 2023
May 31, 2023
Apr 22, 2023 – May 31, 2023
Turkey – Spring Black Hills
Apr 22, 2023
May 31, 2023
Nov 1, 2023 – Jan 31, 2024
Turkey – Fall
N/A
Nov 1, 2023
Jan 31, 2024
Nov 1, 2023 – Jan 31, 2024
Turkey – Fall
Nov 1, 2023
Jan 31, 2024
Apr 13, 2024 – May 31, 2024
Turkey – Spring Prairie
Apr 13, 2024
May 31, 2024
Sep 16, 2023 – Jan 7, 2024
Gray Partridge & Chukar
Statewide
Sep 16, 2023
Jan 7, 2024
South Dakota Licenses, Permits, and Regulations
South Dakota hunting licenses, permits, and regulations for resident and non-resident hunters can be purchased on the South Dakota Game, Fish, & Parks’ official website. Click below to view the website.
Hunting GPS Maps
Every South Dakota hunter should have hunting GPS maps on hand. South Dakota hunting maps are available from onX Hunt. With a paid membership you can access Satellite, Topo, or Hybrid Basemaps, over which you can view maps of hunting units, along with State, Forest Service, and other public and private property boundaries. You can view trails and roads, and even download maps to the Hunt App for use offline. Click below to get onX Hunt for South Dakota.
Learn More
Hunting Units
South Dakota has over five million acres of hunting opportunities on public lands as well as on private land leased for public hunting. From Walk-In Areas and Game Production Areas (GPAs) to Waterfowl Production Areas (WPAs), hunting units are established for each huntable species, including deer, elk, antelope, turkey, and other animals. Click below to view South Dakota’s hunting units in more detail through an interactive map.
Learn More
Hunting Layers
SD Private Lands
Over 370,000 parcels mapped by the onX team, this layer helps you know who the property owners are in South Dakota. Tap any parcel to learn more info about the owner and acreage.
SD Gov Lands
onX has the most accurate maps of Gov Lands, covering over 14,000,000 acres in South Dakota. Not all Gov Lands offer access opportunities, check regulations before recreating.
SUBLAYERS (25)
SD Hunting Units
South Dakota Hunting Units. Please hunt responsibly, obey all signage and have a safe legal hunt.
Includes 25 Sublayers
- Antelope (Archery) Hunt Units
- Antelope (Firearm) Hunt Units
- Bighorn Sheep (Black Hills) Hunt Units
- Canada Goose Hunt Units
- Canada Goose (Non-resident) Hunt Units
- Deer (Antlerless Archery LM1) Hunt Units
- Deer (Muzzleloader LM1) Hunt Units
- Deer (Black Hills) Hunt Units
- Deer (East River) Hunt Units
- Deer (West River) Hunt Units
- Deer (Refuge) Hunt Units
- Deer (Custer State Park) Hunt Units
- Duck Hunt Zones
- Elk (Archery) Hunt Units
- Elk (Black Hills Firearm) Hunt Units
- Elk (Custer State Park) Hunt Units
- Elk (Prairie) Hunt Units
- Goose (Special Mgmt Area Early Fall) Hunt Units
- Turkey (Fall) Hunt Units
- Turkey (Spring Firearm) Hunt Units
- Tundra Swan Hunt Units
- Waterfowl (3 Day Fall) Hunt Units
- Waterfowl (10 Day Fall) Hunt Units
- Special Mgmt Area August Take Hunt Units
- Sandhill Crane Hunt Units
SD Walk Ins
South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks Walk In hunt areas. All hunters are expected to know the rules of the program. Please hunt responsibly and have a safe legal hunt.
Controlled Hunting Access Program
Lands enrolled in CHAP require hunters to register and gain permission to access & hunt. Tap a property for a link to the CHAP rules.
SD Possible Access
onX has mapped many acres of possible access lands in South Dakota including timber companies and land conservation groups. Research rules on these private lands before recreating.
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