South Dakota Hunting Laws Licensing & Regulations

Hunting in South Dakota

South Dakota has an abundance of game species to hunt, and its hunting season includes mountain lions, turkeys, elks, deer, and antelope, as well as other small game animals. The state also assists hunters through initiatives such as the Volunteer Hunter Program, which allows hunters to take games on private estates in order to eradicate a significant number of gams.

Hunting regulations in South Carolina

Hunting in South Dakota, like in the rest of the country, is governed by the South Dakota Game, Fish, and Parks Agency’s laws, regulations, and requirements.

The following are some of the most important hunting restrictions in the state:

Convicted Felon Hunters Face Restrictions

Convicted hunters are not permitted to have guns in their possession when hunting. Possession of muzzleloaders is included. Convicted felons who have previously had their rights to possess firearms restored at the state or federal level are exempt. Furthermore, this prohibition only applies to the possession of guns and not archery, air rifles, or bows.

Use of Loaded Firearms Restriction

In the state of South Dakota, a firearm is loaded in the following situations:
If there are shells in the magazine or chamber,
If the nipple is equipped with a percussion cap,
If the gunpowder is in the frozen pan,
In the case of crossbows, they will be deemed loaded when cocked.

Plugged Shotgun Restrictions

Shotguns used to shoot migratory birds in South Dakota are only allowed to have three shells in the chamber and magazines. If a plug is required to limit the firearm’s capacity, it will only be a single component.

Suppressor Restrictions

You can take game if you have a suppressor that is legally licensed for hunting in South Dakota. To hunt using suppressors on private land in South Dakota, you must first obtain permission from the landowner.

Regulations for Archery Equipment

In South Dakota, it is legal to use compound bows, recurve bows, longbows, and crossbows to hunt game, wildlife, and feral pigs. However, the sort of arrow allowed for hunting species such as bears, deer, and feral hogs should be one with a broadhead. Other standards, such as arrow draw weight, length, and letoff, are not controlled for South Dakota hunting.

South Dakota Prohibited Hunting Activities

Some of the prohibited activities when hunting in South Dakota are as follows:

It is illegal to hunt on private property that you do not own or without the permission of the landowner. This involves looking for game in railroad, electrical, or gas lines. If the land is posted for hunting, you must seek written permission before hunting on it.
It is illegal in South Dakota to hunt while under the influence of alcohol.
It is illegal in South Dakota to possess, import, hold, or release wildlife without valid permission from the South Dakota Department of Natural Resources.
It is prohibited to conceal your ownership of illegally obtained games, wildlife, or parts of their bodies.
It is illegal in South Dakota to kill or disable a game if you do not intend to take or retrieve it.
It is illegal to take, kill, or shoot farm deer such as elk, axis deer, fallow deer, red deer, and so on. It is also illegal in South Dakota to take, kill, or fire at any exotic wild animal, including deer, antelope, and sheep kept with wildlife licenses for pleasure, sports, and amusement.
It is illegal to hunt or shoot at a game animal from the other side of a major road.
It is illegal to hunt from a vehicle, including a motorboat, a powerboat, or an aircraft.
It is illegal to purchase or sell games or parts of their bodies. Only antlers, tails from squirrels and deer hunting in South Dakota, hides from furbearers hunting in South Dakota, and alligator body goods are exempt.
It is illegal to use a computer or any other similar technology to remotely discharge firearms for the purpose of hunting games or wildlife.
To hunt game in South Dakota, it is illegal to utilize things such as chemicals, narcotics, explosives, gas, electronically generated sounds, poisons, and so on.
To take games in South Dakota, it is illegal to employ baits, pitfalls, hooks, nets, snares, decoys, deadfalls, and other similar devices.
It is illegal to use communication devices while hunting or pursuing game or wildlife.
It is illegal to disturb games and wildlife in their burrows, holes, or other places where they make their homes.
It is against the law in South Dakota to shoot a firearm within 50 yards of any public road.
It is illegal to use lights to blind wildlife when hunting.

Dressing Rules for Hunters

for hunting in specific seasons. While hunting in South Dakota, all hunters and escorts must wear fluorescent yellow outer clothes. The cloth must be at least 550 square inches in size and cover the hunter’s waist. A headcover is also possible.

The following are some of the seasons when this dressing is required:

season for deer hunting using firearms and archaic weapons.
Bear hunting with firearms and traditional weapons is legal.
Hunting feral hogs during bear or deer season using a firearm
Coyote hunting is permitted in South Dakota Wildlife Management Areas and on federal properties.
This dress code is not required when hunting in Wildlife Management Areas with only archery weapons. Small game hunting in South Dakota, which coincides with bear and deer hunting, must adhere to clothing regulations.

Hunting Licenses, Permits, and Tags in South Dakota

Hunting licenses, permits, and tags in South Dakota are issued depending on age and residency. They also have different validity periods.

In order to be considered a resident of South Dakota for hunting and fishing license availability, you must have lived in the state for a minimum of three months prior to applying for the license.

A driver’s license and a valid South Dakota identification card with your residence address are acceptable as proof of residency. A resident must also be domiciled in South Dakota, which implies that even if you own property in other states, you can only claim South Dakota as your state of residence.

Nonresidents can also apply for South Dakota resident permits if they are:

Military personnel on active service in South Dakota and their dependents Their military identification card will serve as proof of application.

Students attending a South Dakota college and residing in the state full-time A student identification card and other required documentation serve as proof of application.

The following licenses, permits, and tags are issued in South Dakota:

License for Hunting and Fishing

In South Dakota, this license combines both hunting and fishing. Holders of this license will be permitted to participate in hunting seasons and fish in numerous bodies of water within the state. The license is valid for three years and is available to both South Dakota residents and nonresidents. Residents pay $30 for a yearly license, while non-residents pay $150. The one that is only valid for one day costs $5 for residents and $30 for non-residents. Then there’s the one-day hunting and fishing license, which costs $1 for residents and $10 for non-residents.

License for Apprentice Hunting and Fishing

This license is valid in Georgia for both fishing and hunting and can be obtained by beginners who require supervision when hunting or fishing. It has a one-day validity and costs $5 for residents and $30 for non-residents.

Hunting Permit

This is a South Dakota hunting license that is accessible to residents between the ages of 16 and 64. Nonresident hunters can also obtain it as an out-of-state hunting license. South Dakota hunting licenses are valid for three years. Residents pay $15 for a yearly license, while non-residents pay $100. The one that is only valid for one day costs $5 for residents and $20 for non-residents. Then there’s the extra-day hunting and fishing license, which costs $1 for residents and $6 for non-residents.

Senior Sportsman’s Permit

This license is available to all South Dakota residents 65 years of age and older. A sportsman’s license will allow you to go hunting and fishing. However, it is exempt from alligator hunting. It has a one-year validity period and costs $7.

Licenses for large games

This license is accessible to both citizens and nonresidents who wish to hunt big game in South Dakota. It has been good for three years. Residents pay $25 for a yearly license, while non-residents pay $225. A one-day pass costs $10 for residents and $130 for non-residents. Then there’s the extra-day hunting and fishing license, which costs $2 for residents and $8 for non-residents.

Deer, alligator, and turkey hunting license

This is a free annual license for both residents and nonresidents.

Permit for Alligator Harvest Quota

This license is valid for both citizens and non-residents and is only valid during alligator season. Residents pay $75, while non-residents pay $250.

Trapping Permit

This is a South Dakota game-trapping license that is available to both residents and non-residents of the state. It is only valid for the season of the game in question. Residents pay $40, while non-residents pay $325.

Shooting Preserve Permit

This permit is good for two years. It is available to both residents and nonresidents and costs $12 per person.

Stamps of Migratory Birds and Waterfowl

This is a yearly stamp for migratory bird and waterfowl hunting in South Dakota. It is valid for two years and is available to both residents and non-residents for $5.

Hunting License for People with Disabilities

This license is eligible for disabled South Dakota residents who desire to participate in state hunting activities. This license has two terms of validity. The annual license is $3, while the three-year license is $9.

Fishing Permits and Tags in South Dakota

South Dakota fishing licenses, permits, and tags include the following:

Fishing License

This license permits holders to fish in numerous South Dakota water bodies. It is open to inhabitants between the ages of 26 and 64, as well as nonresidents of all ages. This license has three different validity periods. Residents pay $15 for a yearly license, while non-residents pay $100. The one that is only valid for one day costs $5 for residents and $20 for non-residents. Then there’s the extra-day hunting and fishing license, which costs $1 for residents and $6 for non-residents.

Youth Fishing License (optional)

This is a fishing license offered to South Dakota teenagers between the ages of 12 and 15. Nonresidents, regardless of age, are not permitted to obtain this license. It is good until the young person reaches the age of 17, and it costs $10.

Trout Permit

This license is required for citizens and nonresidents aged 16 and above who want to fish for mountain trout in South Dakota. This license can only be used in conjunction with a basic fishing license. The trout license is valid for three years. Residents pay $10 for a yearly license, while non-residents pay $25. The one that is only valid for one day costs $5 for residents and $10 for non-residents. Then there’s the one-day hunting and fishing license, which costs $1 for residents and $2 for non-residents.

Commercial Fishing Permit

This license is available for commercial use to both citizens and non-residents; however, it is only valid during the hunting season. Residents pay $20, while non-residents pay $200.

License for Disabled Anglers

This license is accessible to South Dakota citizens who are disabled and have valid documentation of disability. Non-residents are not eligible to apply. A handicap fishing license in South Dakota has two validity periods. The one for a year costs $3, while the one for three years costs $9.

2020/2021 South Dakota Hunting Season

In South Dakota, there are several seasons for hunting games, and these are further separated into seasons for the weapons that can be used to hunt these games.

South Dakota’s shooting season for various wildlife in 2020–21 includes the following:

Seasons for hunting deer in South Dakota

Archery Season (September 12th to January 10th)
Extended Archery Season (September 12th to January 31st)
Season of Primitive Weapons (10th of October to 10th of January)
Firearms Season (October 17th to January 10th)

A valid state hunting permit is required to hunt deer in South Dakota. You must also qualify before taking deer during the disability hunting season. Depending on the county, there may be further restrictions on the use of guns and animals considered to be legal deer.

Bighorn Sheep Hunting Season in South Dakota’s Black Hills

General Hunting Season (September 1st to December 31st)

Seasons for hunting elk in South Dakota

Archery Season (September 12th to January 10th)
Season of Primitive Weapons (10th of October to 10th of January)
Firearms Season (October 17th to January 10th)
Season for Turkey Hunting in South Dakota
General Hunting Season (March 20th to May 15th)
Special Opportunity Youth and Mobility Impaired Season (March 13th to 14th)

Alligator Season in South Dakota

General Hunting Season (from the sunset of August 14th to the sunrise of October 5th)

Permission is required for alligator hunting in South Dakota. Each hunter is only authorized to take one alligator every year.

Small Game Hunting Season in South Dakota

Season of the Fox and Bobcat (December 1st to February 28th)
Grouse Season (October 15th to February 28th)
Opossum Season (October 15th to February 28th)
Quail Season (November 14th to February 28th)
Rabbit Season (November 14th to February 28th)
Raccoon Season (October 15th to February 28th)
Squirrel Season (August 15th to February 28th)
Woodcock Season (December 5th to January 18th)

It is crucial to note that the dates for each game season in South Dakota may vary depending on the hunting zone. In addition, hunting restrictions, bag limits, and special hunting seasons in South Dakota vary depending on the game and season.

South Dakota Fishing and Wildlife Games

South Dakota’s hunting opportunities include the following species:

Hunting for deer in South Dakota

South Dakota deer hunting is quite popular, and it is one of the states in the US with a lot of deer hunting sites. South Dakota has around 100 Wildlife Management Areas, each of which ensures excellent deer hunting. The white-tailed deer is found across the state, but it is most common in coastal marsh and forest areas.

Mountain Lion Season in South Dakota

General Hunting Season (all year until the stipulated bag limit is met)

Hog hunting in South Dakota

Hog hunting is popular in the hilly parts of northern South Dakota. The state is home to some of the biggest hogs in North America. Hunters want wild hogs for the simple reason that they are a nuisance to farmers.

Bighorn Sheep Hunting in South Dakota

The strength of bighorn sheep hunting in South Dakota is evenly dispersed. These games, however, are only available to citizens of the state.

Hunting for alligators in South Dakota

South Dakota alligator hunting takes place in wetlands. They live in swamps, marshes, ponds, lakes, rivers, and other natural bodies of water. In South Dakota, alligators have also been discovered in drainages and ditches near human settlements.

Hunting for bobcats in South Dakota

Bobcats are one of the most prevalent predators in North America, and they are found across South Dakota. They live in different sections of the state, depending on where they can find the greatest prey. South Dakota bobcat hunting takes place in agricultural and woodland areas, where they are most common.

Fox hunting in South Dakota

The red fox is a species of fox found in South Dakota. The appearance of Red Fox in the United States is due to Europeans who moved there. The red fox may be found practically anywhere in the United States, including South Dakota. Red fox hunting in South Dakota takes place in the areas of the state where they are most common: timber woods, grasslands, and croplands.

Hunting for turkeys in South Dakota

Turkey hunting is quite popular in South Dakota, and the state has roughly five species of the animal. Turkeys are widely distributed in South Dakota, and wild turkeys can be found practically anywhere.

Grouse hunting in South Dakota

Grouse live in the mountains of northern South Dakota. They prefer very high elevations, which is why the Chattahoochee Forest is great for them. They are also available on several of the state’s public hunting properties.

Hunting for rabbits in South Dakota

The Eastern cottontail rabbit is the most popular species for rabbit hunting in South Dakota. Appalachian cottontail rabbits, marsh rabbits, and swamp rabbits are also present. Cottontail rabbits are the common name for all of them.

Hunting for Raccoons in South Dakota

Raccoons can be seen in a variety of South Dakota environments. They are usually found in the state’s water bodies, such as marches, lakes, streams, wetlands, and rivers. They can also be found in areas with hardwood trees.

Shooting ranges in South Dakota

The following shooting ranges are open to the general public in South Dakota:

The Aberdeen Gun Club
Outfitters for archery
The Beacon Hill Rifle and Pistol Club was founded in 1890.
Rifle and Pistol Club of the Big Sioux
Tri-State Shooters Association.
Rosebud Arrowhead, Rod, and Gun Club
Trap Range in Three Counties
Outdoor Activity Center
Hunters Point Shooting Association
Sporting Clays in the Ghost Town
National Guard Range at Camp Rapid
The Crooks Gun Club

Hunting Land in South Dakota for Sale and Lease

South Dakota hunting lands for sale include the following:

Custer County’s Deer Valley Ranch offers 133 deeded acres for deer hunting.
154 acres in Woonsocket, South Dakota (Sanborn County).
Cronkhite Farm in Jones County, South Dakota, offers 2356 deeded acres of great hunting territory.
160 acres of income-producing tillable property and hayfield in Webster, South Dakota (Day County), with duck sloughs and pheasant habitat
The Rafter R Ranch, located in Custer County, South Dakota, comprises 485 deeded acres and offers great big game hunting.

South Dakota hunting lands for lease include the following:

320 acres of deer hunting land for lease in Jerauld County for the bow hunting season
River Hills Prime Whitetail and Mule Deer Hunting with Turkey, Pheasant, and Prairie Dog in Gregory County on 1024 acres