Application Strategy 2024: South Dakota rifle deer

South Dakota’s 2024 Rifle Deer Application Overview

South Dakota has a diverse range of big game species, with whitetail deer and mule deer taking center stage. Hunters can pursue these species with various weapon types, each offering unique opportunities. While many hunting chances are allocated through a lottery draw system, there are also plenty of over-the-counter (OTC) options available. While whitetail deer remain the primary target for most hunters, mule deer are also abundant. Although both species inhabit the entire state, mule deer become less common as you move east of the Missouri River. In this article, we will delve into the rifle deer draw process, outlining the different categories open to both residents and nonresidents. The deadline to apply is June 17, 2024, by midnight CT.

Insider features

Hunt Planner

To aid in your research and planning efforts, we have a tool for Insiders called Hunt Planner. This tool will help you be more efficient at planning for hunts and also keeps all your research data organized. No more notepads getting lost or headaches when trying to remember what units caught your eye during your research! Everything you need is always in one place at GOHUNT.

What can you do in Hunt Planner?

Point Tracker

Point Tracker allows you to enter the number of points you have for each state and species, and as you research through Filtering and Draw Odds, your point total will automatically be highlighted.

State Information

To view important information and an overview of South Dakota’s rules/regulations, the draw system, tag and license fees and an interactive boundary line map, check out our State Profile.

Important Dates and Information

Hunter Education

Residents and nonresidents at least 12 years old must possess a hunter safety card. For nonresidents, a copy of a current or previous hunting license issued to them from any state will suffice.

Drought Conditions in South Dakota

The state has shown great improvements compared to last year. Most of the state shows almost no signs of a current drought. The northwest and southwest corner are the only places showing some dry conditions. Overall, most of the state is in great shape. Going into 2024, it will likely be an average to above-average antler growth year.

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The South Dakota Draw System

South Dakota uses a weighted preference point system for all big game species and is used for your first choice only. They run a cubed point system, unlike most states that run a squared system, but with the same concept. For example, if you have four preference points, they cube those points and add one for the current year. (For example, 4 x 4 x 4 + 1 = 65). So you would have 65 applications in the bucket for the specific hunt unit you wish to draw. From there, each application is assigned a random draw number, and they start the drawing process. If you are unsuccessful in drawing your first choice, you will be awarded a preference point. Only one preference point can be earned each year.

For the rifle deer draws, they use a tiered preference pool system when conducting the draw. For each hunt, there is a 2+ point pool, a 1+ point pool, and a 0+ point pool. All licenses allocated for that hunt unit are available to everyone who is in the 2+ preference pool first. This means that everyone who has 2+ preference points has the first shot at all those tags. If there are any licenses leftover after that draw, then anyone who has 1+ preference point now has a shot. Any remaining licenses will then be made available to those in the 0+ preference pool. Here is an example below:

For more information on how the draw is conducted, you can check out the preference point page.

Preference Points

If you do not wish to apply for a license or enter the draw, there is a separate preference point purchase period where you can buy a point for the following year. Preference points will be available for purchase from Sept. 15 through Dec. 15. These can be purchased through your Go Outdoors South Dakota Profile. Preference points cost the same for all point categories and are $5 for residents and $10 for nonresidents.

Party Applications

Group applications are welcome, accommodating up to six individuals per group. All members must indicate the same first choice on their application and be part of the designated group. In South Dakota, preference points are not averaged across the group; instead, the lowest point value within the group is considered. For instance, if one person holds six points while another has only two, the group's application is entered into the draw with only two preference points. Both residents and nonresidents can apply together within the same party, but this is permitted only for units where both residency types are acceptable. However, it's important to note that, in most cases, residents who apply alongside nonresidents may experience reduced odds of securing a first-choice license.

Draw Categories

There are several different application types that residents and nonresidents can apply for, which are listed below. You are only allowed to submit two application types for the first drawing, but you are allowed to purchase and build points for all.

Although nonresidents only have a select few categories to choose from, there are cases where they might have a shot at leftover tags once the draw has concluded. We will point those out in the category breakdowns below.

West River Deer Breakdown

West River Deer includes a total of 37 units, which is pretty much every unit west of the Missouri River. It does not include the Black Hills Units or the Custer State Park Unit. There are several different license types to apply for when it comes to West River Deer and it all depends on which unit you choose to apply for. Most folks tend to go after the Type 01 any deer or the Type 11 any whitetail licenses, which are available in most West River Units. However, there are a lot of antlerless options to apply for if getting a tag in your pocket is the ultimate goal. All of the West River rifle deer options are open to both resident and nonresident hunters. The majority of the mule deer are found in the western half of the state, so if you’re targeting a nice South Dakota mule deer, then a West River Type 01 any deer license could be what you are looking for. Your biggest obstacle with this state, regardless of what license you draw, will be places to hunt and gaining access. License options are listed below: 

East River Deer Breakdown

East River Deer includes a total of 46 units that cover everything east of the Missouri River to the Minnesota and Iowa state lines. This is primarily a whitetail-rich environment; however, there are some mule deer that are harvested every year in the units that border the Missouri River. East River Deer licenses are for residents only until all of the draw periods have concluded. After the last draw period, if there are any remaining licenses left, then nonresidents will have the opportunity to purchase one of these leftover licenses. 

There is a lot less public land in the eastern half of the state, which most residents are already aware of, so lining up a place to hunt prior to applying would be a smart move. The Type 01 any deer and the Type 11 any whitetail licenses are going to be the primary targets for most, but there are plenty of antlerless options available as well depending on the unit you wish to pursue. License types for East River rifle deer are listed below: 

Almost all of the units for East River Deer are well under 10% public land, so it would be wise to solidify a place to hunt before applying.

Black Hills Deer Breakdown

Black Hills rifle deer for 2024 offers one unit that sits on the very western edge of the state. Probably the most attractive part about this unit is that it's primarily public land. BH1 offers both Type 01 any deer and Type 11 any whitetail deer licenses. If you are after a whitetail deer or mule deer buck in the Black Hills, then these are the licenses you would apply for. There are no antlerless licenses available in the Black Hills for the 2024 season.

Residents

For resident hunters, the hardest license to draw is going to be your Type 01 any deer license for Unit BH1. You will start to see favorable odds around the six or seven point level and up. The Type 11 any whitetail deer license is much easier to draw and has almost 100% odds at the two-point level. If you’re not specifically targeting mule deer and you don’t wish to build points forever, then this option is one to look at.

Nonresidents

Nonresident hunters are pretty much in the same boat as far as points and expectations in Unit BH1. The Type 01 any deer is much more difficult to draw, but if you are specifically targeting mule deer, this is your only Black Hills option. The Type 11 any whitetail license is much more attainable from the three- to five-point level.

Custer State Park Deer Breakdown

The Custer State Park license is for residents only and there is only one license type for the 2024 season. There are no nonresident opportunities for Custer State Park. One of the biggest perks about this license is its 100% public land. Even for residents, the Type 11 any whitetail license is tough to draw and you will have to be around the 19-point level to see some decent odds. Once you draw this license, you are then strapped with a 10-year waiting period until you can apply again. Dive into our standalone draw odds to see what your odds are at your specific point level.

Refuge Deer Breakdown

South Dakota has three wildlife refuges that are open to deer hunting and these licenses are available through the state draw. The Sand Lake Refuge, Lacreek Refuge and the Waubay Refuge are all eligible for both residents and nonresidents to apply. All three have multiple seasons to apply for and all of the license types available for the 2024 season are Type 01 any deer licenses. Some are rifle hunts and some are muzzleloader only hunts. The refuge options are broken down in the tables below:

As you can tell from the tables above, the earlier seasons have better success rates but also have much harder odds for both residencies. There are a couple of options at the lower point levels, which is something to consider if you’re just looking to grab a tag for this year.

Muzzleloader Deer Breakdown

The South Dakota muzzleloader deer license is a Type 01 any deer license is exclusive to residents only through the draw. This is a relatively easier tag to draw compared to some others. Last year, the odds were decent for applicants with three points or more. Despite its statewide coverage, it's essential to review the regulations as there are specific areas where this license isn't applicable.

South Dakota does have an alternative option for a muzzleloader license that is available to both residents and nonresidents. There is a Type 13 antlerless whitetail license, which is an unlimited license. You still need to apply for it in the draw, but there's no risk of not drawing one. This is not a statewide license, but it’s pretty close. Hunters will need to check the regulations to see where this license is valid.

OTC/Unlimited Opportunities

Residents

For resident adults, the biggest opportunity for OTC/unlimited licenses is the archery deer license. There are four different licenses available:

As a resident, you are allowed to purchase up to three of the four types listed above. There are restrictions to this where you can’t have more than one statewide license. You can only have one East River or West River (not both) and only one antlerless license. So if you wanted to, you could purchase a statewide archery, an East River archery and an LM1 license all in the same year.

Resident and nonresident youth and apprentice deer are also OTC/unlimited, so if you have kids and want to get them involved, be sure to check out the state regulations for more information on those.

Nonresidents

We already discussed the unlimited antlerless whitetail muzzleloader licenses that are available. It is also worth keeping an eye out for any and all leftover East River deer tags once all of the draws are finished. If you have a piece of property available to hunt, this could be a great way to get your hands on an East River deer tag.

If you didn’t catch it in our previous nonresident archery deer application strategy article, there is both an OTC private land only archery license and an OTC archery antlerless whitetail license available. Click the link below to get the details on those.