Are you a hunter looking forward to the 2023-2024 season? Get ready for a great hunting season in the beautiful state of South Dakota! It has some of the best hunting opportunities in the United States. This article will provide an overview of the South Dakota hunting season for 2023-2024, including information about game species, regulations, and licenses.
South Dakota hunting seasons
South Dakota’s 2023-2024 hunting seasons will vary by species and location. You may also check the season durations and bag restrictions from the Game, Fish, and Parks website or hunting manual. Archery deer season in South Dakota lasts from September to February, while muzzleloader and modern rifle seasons are between October and December. Special youth hunting seasons, antlerless-only hunts on private land, and other restrictions may be in force in some hunting zones.
Antelope Seasons
| SD Antelope Seasons | Hunting Season |
|---|---|
| Resident Archery (Season closed during firearms season) | Aug 19, 2023 End: Oct 31, 2023 |
| Firearms Season | Sep 30, 2023 End: Oct 15, 2023 |
| Landowner Season | Sep 30, 2023 End: Oct 15, 2023 |
| Mentored Firearms Season | Sep 30, 2023 End: Oct 15, 2023 |
| Nonresident Archery Public/Private Land (Season closed during firearms season) | Aug 19, 2023 End: Oct 31, 2023 |
| Nonresident Archery Private Land Only (Season closed during firearms season) | Aug 19, 2023 End: Oct 31, 2023 |
Badger Season
| Seasons | Hunting Season-Start Date | Hunting Season-End Date |
|---|---|---|
| Badger Season | 1-Jan | 31-Dec |
Beaver Season
| Beaver Season | Hunting Season-Start Date | Hunting Season-End Date |
|---|---|---|
| Statewide | 1-Jan | 31-Mar |
| Black Hills - USFS land within BH Fire Protection District | 1-Jan | 31-Mar |
| Black Hills - Non-U.S. Forest Service land within the BH Fire Protection District | 1-Nov | 30-Apr |
Bison Seasons
| Bison Seasons | Hunting Season-Start Date | Hunting Season-End Date |
|---|---|---|
| Mountain Goat (Black Hills) | 1-Sep | 31-Dec |
Bobcat Seasons
| SD Bobcat Seasons | Hunting Season-Start Date | Hunting Season-End Date |
|---|---|---|
| West River | 26-Dec | 15-Feb |
| East River | 26-Dec | 15-Feb |
| Nonresidents | 14-Jan | 15-Feb |
Coyote Seasons
| South Dakota Coyote Seasons | Hunting Season-Start Date | Hunting Season-End Date | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coyote | 1-Jan | 31-Dec | Ther is no limit and shooting hours unrestricted. |
Crane Seasons
| South Dakota Crane Season | Hunting Season-Start Date | Hunting Season-End Date | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sandhill Crane | 23-Sep | 19-Nov | Statewide |
Crow Seasons
| Season | Hunting Season-Start Date | Hunting Season-End Date | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crow | 1-Mar | 30-Apr | Statewide |
Deer Seasons
| South Dakota Deer Seasons | Hunting Season |
|---|---|
| Resident Archery | Sep 1, 2023 End: Jan 1, 2024 |
| Archery Antlerless Only Whitetail | Sep 1, 2023 End: Jan 1, 2024 |
| West River Special Buck | Nov 11, 2023 End: Nov 26, 2023 |
| East River Special Buck | Nov 18, 2023 End: Dec 3, 2023 |
| Muzzleloader | Dec 1, 2023 End: Jan 1, 2024 |
| Apprentice and Mentored | Sep 9, 2023 End: Jan 1, 2024 |
| Black Hills | Nov 1, 2023 End: Nov 30, 2023 |
| West River | Nov 11, 2023 End: Nov 26, 2023 |
| East River | Nov 18, 2023 End: Dec 3, 2023 |
| East & West River Antlerless | Dec 9, 2023 End: Dec 17, 2023 |
| West River Landowner | Nov 11, 2023 End: Nov 26, 2023 |
| East River Landowner | Nov 18, 2023 End: Dec 3, 2023 |
| Custer State Park | Nov 1, 2023 End: Dec 15, 2023 |
| Muzzleloader Antlerless Only Whitetail | Dec 1, 2023 End: Jan 1, 2024 |
| Nonresident Archery Private Land Only | Aug 19, 2023 End: Oct 31, 2023 |
| Nonresident Archery Public Land | Oct 1, 2023 End: Jan 1, 2024 |
Elk Seasons
| South Dakota Elk Seasons | Hunting Season |
|---|---|
| Black Hills Firearm | Oct 1, 2023 End: Dec 31, 2023 |
| Archery | Sep 1, 2023 End: Sep 30, 2023 |
| Prairie | TBC |
| Custer State Park Firearms | Oct 1, 2023 End: Oct 31, 2023 |
| Custer State Park Archery | Sep 1, 2023 End: Sep 30, 2023 |
Dove Seasons
| Dove Seasons | Hunting Season-Start Date | Hunting Season-End Date |
|---|---|---|
| Mourning Dove | 1-Sep | 9-Nov |
Duck Seasons
| SD Duck Seasons | Hunting Season-Start Date | Hunting Season-End Date |
|---|---|---|
| Duck (Youth Only) | 9-Sep | 10-Sep |
| Duck (Low Plains North) | 23-Sep | 5-Dec |
| Duck (Low Plains Middle) | 23-Sep | 5-Dec |
| Duck (High Plains) | 14-Oct | 18-Jan |
| Duck (Low Plains South) | 28-Oct | 9-Jan |
Fox Season
| Seasons | Hunting Season-Start Date | Hunting Season-End Date |
|---|---|---|
| Fox Season | 1-Jan | 31-Dec |
Goat Season
| Season | Hunting Season-Start Date | Hunting Season-End Date |
|---|---|---|
| Mountain Goat (Black Hills) | 1-Sep | 31-Dec |
Goose Seasons
| South Dakota Goose Seasons | Hunting Season |
|---|---|
| Canada Goose - Unit 2 | Oct 31, 2022 End: Feb 12, 2023 |
| Light Goose Conservation Order | Feb 13, 2023 End: May 15, 2023 |
| Canada Goose - Bennett County | Oct 21, 2023 End: Dec 21, 2023 |
| Canada Goose - Unit 1 | Sep 1, 2023 End: Dec 16, 2023 |
| Canada Goose - Unit 2 | Start: Nov 6, 2023 End: Feb 18, 2024 |
| Canada Goose - Unit 3 | Jan 13, 2024 End: Jan 21, 2024 |
| White-fronted Goose Season | Sep 30, 2023 End: Dec 12, 2023 |
Gopher Season
| Seasons | Hunting Season-Start Date | Hunting Season-End Date |
|---|---|---|
| Gopher Season | 1-Jan | 31-Dec |
Grouse Seasons
| SD Grouse Seasons | Hunting Season-Start Date | Hunting Season-End Date |
|---|---|---|
| Grouse (Sharp-tailed, prairie chicken, and ruffed grouse) | Saturday, September 16, 2023 | Sunday, January 07, 2024 |
Jackrabbit Season
| Seasons | Hunting Season-Start Date | Hunting Season-End Date |
|---|---|---|
| Jackrabbit | 1-Jan | 31-Dec |
Marmot Season
| Seasons | Hunting Season-Start Date | Hunting Season-End Date |
|---|---|---|
| Marmot Season | 1-Jan | 31-Dec |
Mink and Weasel Season
| SD Mink and Weasel Season | Hunting Season |
|---|---|
| Resident | Nov 1, 2023 End: Jan 31, 2024 |
| Nonresident | Dec 1, 2023 End: Jan 31, 2024 |
Mountain Lion Seasons
| SD Mountain Lion Seasons | Hunting Season-Start Date | Hunting Season-End Date | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mountain Lion (Custer State Park) | 26-Dec | 30-Apr | access permit needed. |
| Mountain Lion (Black Hills) | 26-Dec | 30-Apr | |
| Mountain Lion (Statewide) | 26-Dec | 25-Dec | For further information on bag restrictions and regions, see the rules on https://gfp.sd.gov/ |
Muskrat Season
| SD Muskrat Seasons | Hunting Season |
|---|---|
| Trapping Season - West River | Jan 1, 2023 End: Dec 31, 2023 |
| Trapping Season - Black Hills Fire Protection District | Nov 1, 2023 End: Apr 30, 2024 |
| Trapping Season - East River | Nov 1, 2022 End: Apr 30, 2023 |
| Shooting Season - Statewide | Apr 1, 2023 End: Aug 31, 2023 |
| Nonresidents | Dec 1, 2022 End: Mar 15, 2023 |
Opossum Season
| Seasons | Hunting Season-Start Date | Hunting Season-End Date |
|---|---|---|
| Opossum Season | 1-Jan | 31-Dec |
Pheasant Seasons
| South Dakota Pheasant Seasons | Hunting Season-Start Date | Hunting Season-End Date | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pheasant (Youth Only) | 30-Sep | 8-Oct | (Possession limit: 3 Roosters.) |
| Pheasant (Resident Only) | 14-Oct | 16-Oct | (Daily limit: 3 Roosters.) |
| Pheasant (Traditional) | 21-Oct | 31-Jan | (Daily limit: 3 roosters) |
Porcupine Season
| Seasons | Hunting Season-Start Date | Hunting Season-End Date |
|---|---|---|
| Porcupine Season | 1-Jan | 31-Dec |
Quail Seasons
| SD Quail Seasons | Hunting Season-Start Date | Hunting Season-End Date | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quail | 21-Oct | 7-Jan | Statewide |
Rabbit Seasons
| SD Rabbit Seasons | Hunting Season-Start Date | Hunting Season-End Date | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cottontail Rabbit | 1-Sep | 29-Feb | Statewide |
Raccoon Season
| Raccoon Season | Hunting Season-Start Date | Hunting Season-End Date |
|---|---|---|
| Residents | 1-Jan | 31-Dec |
| Nonresidents | 1-Dec | 15-Mar |
Sheep Season
| Seasons | Hunting Season-Start Date | Hunting Season-End Date |
|---|---|---|
| Bighorn Sheep (Black Hills) | 1-Sep | 31-Dec |
Skunk Season
| Seasons | Hunting Season-Start Date | Hunting Season-End Date |
|---|---|---|
| Skunk Season | 1-Jan | 31-Dec |
Snipe Season
| Seasons | Hunting Season-Start Date | Hunting Season-End Date |
|---|---|---|
| Common Snipe Season | 1-Sep | 31-Oct |
Squirrel Season
| Seasons | Hunting Season-Start Date | Hunting Season-End Date |
|---|---|---|
| Tree Squirrel Season | 1-Sep | 29-Feb |
| Ground Squirrel | 1-Jan | 31-Dec |
Swan Seasons
| Swan Seasons | Hunting Season-Start Date | Hunting Season-End Date |
|---|---|---|
| Tundra Swan Season | 30-Sep | 12-Jan |
Turkey Seasons
| South Dakota Turkey Seasons | Hunting Season |
|---|---|
| Prairie | Apr 8, 2023 End: May 31, 2023 |
| Spring Mentored Archery | Apr 8, 2023 End: May 31, 2023 |
| Spring Mentored Firearms | Apr 8, 2023 End: May 31, 2023 |
| Fall Mentored | Nov 1, 2023 End: Jan 31, 2024 |
| Adams Nature Area and Good Earth State Park Access Archery Permit | Apr 8, 2023 End: May 31, 2023 |
| Spring Custer State Park | Apr 22, 2023 End: May 21, 2023 |
| Spring Archery | Apr 8, 2023 End: May 31, 2023 |
| Spring Black Hills | Apr 22, 2023 End: May 31, 2023 |
| Turkey Season - Fall | Nov 1, 2023 End: Jan 31, 2024 |
Upland Birds Seasons
| South Dakota Upland Birds Seasons | Hunting Season-Start Date | Hunting Season-End Date | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gray Partridge & Chukar | 16-Sep | 7-Jan | Statewide |
SC Youth Waterfowl Seasons
| SD Youth Waterfowl Seasons | Hunting Season-Start Date | Hunting Season-End Date | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duck Season - Youth Only | 9-Sep | 10-Sep | Similar to the normal duck season limitations, which also apply to mergansers and coots. (Possession- Twice daily limit) |
Nonresident Waterfowl Seasons
| South Dakota Non-resident Waterfowl Seasons | Hunting Season-Start Date | Hunting Season-End Date |
|---|---|---|
| Canada Goose (September Nonresident) | 1-Sep | 30-Sep |
| Youth Waterfowl (Nonresident) | 11-Sep | 12-Sep |
| Tundra Swan Season (Nonresident) | 1-Oct | 6-Jan |
| Canada Goose (Bennett County, Nonresident) | 15-Oct | 18-Dec |
Hunting License Fees
SD Resident hunting and trapping license fees
| Type of License | Fees |
|---|---|
| Resident (Small Game) | $33* |
| Resident (1-Day Small Game) | $12* |
| Resident (Youth Small Game-ages 12-17) | $5* |
| Resident (Migratory Bird Certification) | $5 |
| Resident (Furbearer) | $30 |
| Resident (Predator/Varmint) | $5* |
*The fee includes a $6 state-mandated extra. The funds raised by this fee will be used to fund hunting access & wildlife damage control activities.
SD Non-Resident hunting and trapping license fees
| Type of License | Fee | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Nonresident (Small Game) | $121* | (10-days, 2 5-day periods) |
| Nonresident (Youth Small Game) | $10* | (10-days, 2 5-day periods)(ages 12-17) |
| Nonresident (Shooting Preserve) | $46* | One Day |
| Nonresident (Shooting Preserve) | $76* | Five-Day |
| Nonresident (Shooting Preserve) | $121* | Season-Long |
| Nonresident (Spring Light Goose - Adult) | $50* | |
| Nonresident (Spring Light Goose - Youth) | $26* | (ages 12-17) |
| Nonresident (Predator/Varmint) | $40 | |
| Nonresident (Furbearer) | $275 |
SD General Hunting Regulations
- South Dakota’s hunting laws must be followed.
- A valid big-game hunting license must always be carried.
- The hunter must always carry their license and tag with them.
- You may use the top portion of your big game license until January 31, 2023.
- Lawful game animals include turkeys, deer, and deer without antlers.
- When transferring a big game animal, the tag must be signed, dated, and affixed to the animal.
- The tag may be used to transport and maintain the animal securely.
- Unless the animal has been processed or cooked for human food, the tag or certain body pieces must go with it.
- Before shipping a wild turkey, certain parts or a processing receipt must be provided.
- South Dakota Game, Fish, and Parks may answer questions.
- Joining or assisting a large game hunter without a valid license is illegal (exceptions for legally carrying a pistol or hunting a small game apply).
- No minor under 16 should hunt without a chaperone (except for legally carrying a pistol or possessing a big game license application).
- When hunting big game, fully automatic firearms or self-loading or auto-loading rifles containing more than six bullets are banned.
- Deer and antelope may only be hunted with rifles and shotguns rated at least 1,000 foot-pounds and pistols rated at least 500 foot-pounds (only soft-point or expanding bullets allowed).
- Elk hunting requires a.243 rifles with at least 1,700 foot-pounds of muzzle force (only soft point or expanding bullets allowed).
- Handguns or shoulder-mounted weapons with at least 500 foot-pounds of muzzle energy may be used to hunt turkeys (muzzleloading firearms of at least .44 caliber and muzzleloading shotguns also allowed).
- Muzzleloading-only seasons ban telescopic sights and require long firearms.
- 44-caliber rifles and 50-caliber handguns are authorized.
- Outside of archery and muzzleloading seasons, any authorized weapon, muzzleloading firearm, or archery equipment may be used, and crossbows may replace firearms (must have a pull of at least 120 pounds and mechanical safety, and telescopic sights are permitted).
- The large game license is a two-part document with a tag and the licensee’s personal information. Hunting licenses and tags are always required.
- All deer, elk, female and adolescent antelope, and male and female turkeys are permissible games.
- Before taking a big game animal to a road, hunting camp, farmyard, home, or vehicle, the license tag must be signed, dated, and secured to the animal.
- Non-licensed big game hunters accompanying licensed hunters must also follow certain restrictions, such as carrying the maximum number of rifles.
- South Dakota law requires a deer or antelope rifle to have at least 1,000 foot-pounds of muzzle energy, while an elk rifle must have at least 1,700 foot-pounds and be at least.243 caliber. You need a rifle with 700 foot-pounds of muzzle power or a.44-caliber muzzleloader to bag a gobbler.
- For a bow-hunting big game, you can’t utilize explosive points, crossbows, electronic arrow releases, or telescopic sights.
- South Dakota law forbids putting up, utilizing, or maintaining bait stations to attract large game, employing dogs on hunts, hunting on interstates or controlled-access facilities, firing weapons inside the right-of-way of an upgraded public roadway, etc.
- It’s illegal to chase, harass, intercept, or disturb big animals while driving.
- It’s illegal to use a mobile phone or another electronic device when hunting big animals in a vehicle.
- Moving vehicles can’t fire guns or bows (except for hunters with Disabled Hunter permits, who can hunt coyotes, jackrabbits, rodents, skunks, badgers, raccoons, and foxes).
- Sticking a gun out the window to shoot coyotes, jackrabbits, rats, skunks, badgers, raccoons, or foxes is lawful.
- Except for specific roads and parking spots, operating a motorized vehicle on Game, Fish, and Parks property or leased land is illegal without the manager’s or lessee’s written permission.
- Without authorization, it’s illegal to fire down wild birds or animals from an airplane.
- Aerial hunting, taking, concentrating, driving, rallying, stirring up, locating, or spotting any wild bird or animal is prohibited, except for using a drone to locate or scout a predator or varmint on privately owned land with permission from the landowner or lessee outside of September, October, and November.
- Use, hunting, or shooting from a motorized boat is illegal unless the vessel is beached, at anchor, tethered to a permanent hunting blind or natural cover, or used to collect fallen animals.
- On Commissioner of School and Public Lands land, motorized hunting, fishing, and trapping are forbidden unless done on roads, trails, or parking spots properly designated by Game, Fish, and Parks.
Fines & Penalties
Please find below a table outlining the possible penalties for Class 1 violations committed when hunting big game in South Dakota:
| Offense | Penalty |
|---|---|
| Unlawful taking or killing of large game | Fines and/or jail time, loss of hunting rights for one year |
| Possession of twice the authorized daily or possession limit of a controlled wild animal | Potential civil liability doubles |
| Stealing large game trophies | Loss of points of preference |
| Unlawful taking or killing a Mountain goat or bighorn sheep | Up to $10,000 per animal |
| Unlawful taking or killing a Turkey | Up to $200 each |
Contacts
| Contact | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | SOUTH DAKOTA GAME, FISH AND PARKS 523 East Capitol Ave, Pierre, SD 57501 |
| Phone | 605-223-7660 |
| [email protected] |
FAQ related to SD Hunting Seasons
Can I save my license on my phone or app for hunting or trapping in SD?
Small game licenses for South Dakota may be kept on a mobile device or app. You may download the GFP mobile app and connect to the licensing system, or you can take a picture of the paper license and save it in your phone’s gallery. If the license contains a bar code, GFP conservation officers may scan it remotely, removing the need to carry a backup. The license may also be carried in written form. Fishing licenses, federal stamps, and tags won’t be impacted, but hunting licenses, federal stamps, and tags are still required.
What's the cost of a South Dakota Combination license for adults?
Adults in South Dakota over 18 can hunt small game like pheasants, grouse, partridge, quail, cottontail rabbits, and tree squirrels for a fee of $55. The list of creatures that may be lawfully hunted by hunters with this license includes coyotes, foxes, skunks, raccoons, badgers, prairie dogs, ground squirrels, ravens, jackrabbits, porcupines, and marmots. However, this license does not apply to hunting furbearers. Anyone 65 or older can obtain a Senior Combination License, which grants the same rights as a regular driver’s license.
How much is a South Dakota Senior Resident Combination license?
A Senior Combination License, available to South Dakotans 65 and over for $40, allows for hunting frogs, turtles, cottontail rabbits, tree squirrels, pheasants, and grouse, partridges, quail, and cottontail rabbits. Additionally, coyotes, foxes, skunks, raccoons, badgers, prairie dogs, ground squirrels, ravens, jackrabbits, porcupines, and marmots can all be legally hunted by license holders. However, this license does not cover hunting for furbearers.
Who qualifies for the Resident Reduced Fee?
For anyone with complete disabilities or veterans who satisfy certain requirements, South Dakota grants a Disabled/Veteran Hunting and Fishing Card. Discounts are offered for hunting and fishing in South Dakota with the $10, 4-year card. Families of disabled and seasoned hunters and fishermen may also use this card.