Information about South Dakota's draw system for big game hunts to help you prepare to apply. Looking to apply in South Dakota? Be sure to check out this article
South Dakota is home to six big game species: mule deer, whitetail deer, elk, antelope, Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep, and Rocky Mountain goat. Residents have opportunities to buy or apply for tags for each of these species; however, nonresidents are restricted to deer and antelope only. Deer will be the primary target species for most hunters coming to the state, and over-the-counter (OTC) archery opportunities are available. Whitetail and mule deer can be found statewide, with the primary emphasis being whitetail deer. Rifle and muzzleloader hunting tags are distributed through the state's drawing. Tags for elk, antelope, Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep, and Rocky Mountain goat are only available through a drawing. The state consists primarily of private lands with small sections of public scattered throughout, including Custer State Park.
Be sure to check out our Application Strategy articles to learn in-depth research and application tips when it comes time to apply in South Dakota.
South Dakota uses a weighted preference point system for all big game species, which 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. South Dakota's preference point purchase period is September 15 to December 15 at 11:59 p.m. CT 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.
Preference points are only used towards the first choice on your application. If you are unsuccessful in your first choice, you’ll receive a preference point, which can be used for the following year. After all first choices have been drawn, applications with a second choice will be drawn at random for any leftover licenses.
South Dakota has a set number of tags available for nonresidents and they will not compete against residents in the draw.
Group applications are accepted for limited issue licenses. The maximum party size is six. Group points default to the lowest point value present in the party. For example, if three members have four points each, but one member has one point, then the party will apply with one point. All party members must have the same group number. Residents and nonresidents may apply together in the same group.
Learn more information about hunting applications, draw systems, hunt regulations, tag allocations, and more in our State Profile sections:
