The state is home to varied wildlife, attracting hunters nationwide. South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks (SDGFP) carefully plans hunting times each year. It covers large game, small game, and waterfowl. This planning keeps wildlife populations healthy and allows responsible pursuing.

Big game hunters can look for impressive whitetail deer, grand elk, and secretive bighorn sheep. Hunters of upland game target pheasants, quail, and sharp-tailed grouse. Waterfowl hunters have fun tracking ducks, geese, and swans.

Here’s an all-inclusive guide to the 2025 South Dakota hunting seasons. It covers vital dates and license info. With the right plan and by following rules, you can enjoy a safe and fruitful adventure in the stunning South Dakota outdoors.

Prepare for South Dakota Hunting

South Dakota Hunting Seasons Overview

Deer Hunting

Archery
Statewide: Sep 1, 2025 – Jan 1, 2026
Municipal: Sep 1, 2025 – Jan 1, 2026
Apprentice/Mentored: Sep 13, 2025 – Jan 1, 2026
Firearm
East River Regular: Nov 22 – Dec 7, 2025
East River Special Buck: Nov 22 – Dec 7, 2025
West River Regular: Nov 15 – 30, 2025
West River Special Buck: Nov 15 – 30, 2025
Black Hills: Nov 1 – 30, 2025
Custer State Park: Nov 1 – Dec 15, 2025
Muzzleloader: Dec 1, 2025 – Jan 1, 2026

Elk Hunting

Black Hills Archery: Sep 1 – 30, 2025
Custer State Park: Oct 1 – 31, 2025
Prairie Units: Check specific dates

Pronghorn Antelope

Archery: Aug 16 – Oct 31, 2025 (closed during firearms)
Firearms: Oct 4 – 19, 2025
Special Draws: Oct 4 – 19, 2025

Bighorn Sheep & Mountain Goats

Black Hills Bighorn: Sep 1 – Dec 31, 2025
Custer State Park Bighorn: Sep 1 – Dec 31, 2025

Mountain Lion

Statewide: Dec 26, 2024 – Dec 25, 2025
Black Hills Fire Protection: Dec 26, 2024 – Apr 30, 2025

Buffalo (Custer State Park)

Trophy & Non-Trophy: Check specific dates

Turkey Hunting

Spring Season

Prairie Areas: Apr 12 – May 31, 2025
Black Hills: Apr 26 – May 31, 2025
Custer State Park: Apr 26 – May 18, 2025
Archery: Apr 12 – May 31, 2025
Mentored: Apr 12 – May 31, 2025

Fall Season

Prairie: Nov 1, 2025 – Jan 31, 2026
Mentored: Nov 1, 2025 – Jan 31, 2026

Furbearer & Trapping

Year-Round Species
Coyote, Red Fox, Gray Fox
Raccoon, Badger, Skunk
Opossum, Beaver (some restrictions)

Upland Birds & Small Game

Pheasant

Youth Only: Sep 27 – Oct 5, 2025
Resident Only: Oct 11 – 13, 2025
Traditional Season: Oct 18, 2025 – Jan 31, 2026

Grouse & Partridge

Sharp-tailed Grouse: Sep 20, 2025 – Jan 31, 2026
Gray Partridge: Sep 20, 2025 – Jan 31, 2026

Other Small Game

Cottontail Rabbit: Similar to upland birds
Mourning Dove: Sep 1 – Oct 30, 2025
Quail: Oct 18, 2025 – Jan 31, 2026

Waterfowl Hunting

Duck Zones

Low Plains North: Sep 27 – Dec 9, 2025
Low Plains Middle: Sep 27 – Dec 9, 2025
Low Plains South: Oct 25, 2025 – Jan 6, 2026
High Plains: Oct 11, 2025 – Jan 15, 2026

Geese

Canada Goose (Unit 1): Oct 1 – Dec 16, 2025
Canada Goose (Unit 2): Nov 3, 2025 – Feb 15, 2026
Light Goose: Sep 27, 2025 – Jan 9, 2026

Sandhill Crane & Tundra Swan

Sandhill Crane: Sep 27 – Nov 23, 2025
Tundra Swan: Oct 4, 2025 – Jan 9, 2026

Other Opportunities

Paddlefish

Lake Francis Case: May 1 – 31, 2025
Gavins Point Dam Snagging: Oct 1 – 31, 2025
Gavins Point Archery: Jun 1 – 30, 2025

SD Hunting Regulations Summary

License Requirements

You need a big game license to hunt.
Always have your license and tag with you when you hunt.
Your license tells you which animals you can hunt until January 31st next year.

Tagging and Transportation

When you get a big game animal to the road, camp, or home, tag it.
Write the date, sign the tag, and attach it to the animal.
Also, put an adhesive seal on the animal’s leg or horn.
You need to have the tag and a back leg with visible gender parts when you move the meat.

Non-Licensees/Accompaniment

Only people with a big game license for that place and time can carry guns with hunters.
If you only have an archery license, you can’t carry a gun unless you also have a gun license or have a pistol.
If the hunter is under 16, they must have an unarmed adult with them, except for some situations.

Legal Firearms

Firearms that auto-load and hold over six bullets, or can fire in full-auto mode, are not permitted.
Certain game species require different bullet sizes and types.

Archery Equipment

Explosive points, crossbows (unless permitted), long arrow rests, electronic gear, and arrows that lack broadheads (except when practicing or hunting turkeys) aren’t allowed.
Specific draw weights are necessary for pursuing elk and other larger game.

General Restrictions

Hunting is banned on interstates or paths with certain restrictions.
Also off-limits is pursuing from public highway sidelines. Restrictions apply to bait stations at certain times.
Using dogs or electronic calls in big games is generally forbidden, with some exceptions.
Using artificial light and night vision gear is also restricted.
Firearms must not be loaded when one is under the influence or being careless.
No unnecessary game waste or selling/trading of big game allowed, except for some parts.
There are rules about hunting in federal refuges, parks, and state game reserves, unless stated otherwise.

Motor Vehicle Restrictions

Avoid bothering large game with cars. Gunshots from vehicles are limited.

Land Restrictions

Without approval, pursuing on private land is forbidden.
Guidelines exist for trail camera marking on public terrains. Instructions for portable tree stands, blinds, elevated platforms on common lands.
State licenses apply to private areas within Indian territories; talk to tribal centers for specifics.
Carry and usage policies for uncased weaponry in state parks and playgrounds.

Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD)

A deadly brain disorder impacting deer, elk, moose.
Located in certain South Dakota regions and parks.
Look for approved big game disposal areas.

Deer Hunting Regulations

Non-resident archery season starts October 1st on public and leased lands;
September 1st on private areas. Non-resident archery deer applications due by April 1st.
Deer drawing regulations revised in March 2019.
Future review of these changes planned after three years.

Licenses & Permits

License	Resident Fee	Nonresident Fee
Small Game (10-days)	$33*	$121*
Senior Small Game (Ages 65+)	$40*	N/A
Reduced Fee Hunting and Fishing	$10*	N/A
Youth Small Game (Ages 12-17)	$5*	$10*
Migratory Bird Certification	$5	N/A
Furbearer	$30*	$275*
Predator/Varmint	$5*	$40*
Shooting Preserve	Varies*	Varies*
Spring Light Goose (Adult)	N/A	$50*
Spring Light Goose (Youth)	N/A	$26*
3-Day Fishing	N/A	$37*

Note: The cost covers a $6 extra charge for hunting entrance and wildlife protection plans. For a full list of permissions, check the GFPSD website.

Top South Dakota Hunting Locations

Best Hunting Spots in South Dakota South Dakota’s mix of environments is home to many unique animals, creating an amazing spot for hunters. Here are some top spots to find particular big game and ground dwelling species:

Black Hills:

Species: Bighorn sheep, Rocky Mountain elk, mule deer, whitetail deer, wild turkeys
Why it’s a Top Spot: The Black Hills are great! They’ve got ponderosa pine forests, big mountains, and nice scenic valleys. All these things are perfect homes for lots of big animals. Bighorn sheep do well in high places, while elk and deer are all over the forest areas. You’ll also see plenty of wild turkeys in the Black Hills, especially at places where water is.

Missouri River Valley:

Species: Whitetail deer, pheasants, turkeys, mourning doves
Why it’s a Top Spot: The Missouri River Valley offers a lush blend of grasslands, woodlands, and farmlands, a true haven for whitetail deer and pheasant hunting. The wild turkeys also benefit from endless river pockets and forests they can hide in. Plus, those grain fields? Mourning doves love them – they’re all over the valley.

Eastern South Dakota Grasslands:

Species: Pheasants, sharp-tailed grouse, prairie grouse, cottontail rabbits
Why it’s a Top Spot: Eastern South Dakota’s diverse landscape of massive grasslands mixed with marshes and shelterbelts stands out for pheasant hunting. The sharp-tailed and prairie grouse presence is significant, adding more thrill to upland game hunting adventures. Cottontail rabbits reside in the bushy habitats bordering fields and fencerows.

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Eric Hale

Author & Chief Editor at AskHunting.com

Eric Hale, a veteran hunter with more than a decade of experience, imparts his knowledge via AskHunting.com. He offers guidance for hunting, adding strategies, and delivers in-depth guides for the novice and the old hand. He loves family camping sessions, watching Marvel films with his spouse, and going on thrilling road journeys.

Important Dates and Limits for South Dakota’s 2025-2026 Hunting Season