Mule deer are found in good numbers in South Dakota and herd health is great. Mule deer are predominantly found in the units west of the Missouri River but some do inhabit the units directly east of the river too. The primary populations are found in the black hills along with some of the highest concentrations of public lands.
Mule Deer can be hunted over-the-counter with archery licenses but nonresidents may only hunt them on private land with this license type. There is, however, a limited draw license available to nonresidents that allows public land archery hunting. With the limited license, nonresidents may hunt public land only after October 1st. All muzzleloader and rifle licenses are draw-only for both residencies.
Overall, trophy potential is great in South Dakota and some excellent bucks are taken here each fall.
License Costs
Resident Deer - Any Deer/Any Whitetail |
$40 |
Nonresident Deer - Any Deer/Any Whitetail |
$286 |
Resident Deer - Doe tag |
$20 |
Nonresident Deer - Doe tag |
$80 |
Resident Deer - Any Deer + 1 Doe |
$50 |
Nonresident Deer - Any Deer + 1 Doe |
$336 |
Resident Deer - 2 doe tag |
$30 |
Nonresident Deer - 2 doe tag |
$120 |
Resident Deer- Custer State Park Any Deer |
$156 |
Resident Deer - Custer State Park Antlerless Whitetail |
$31 |
Resident Deer - Youth/Mentored |
$5 |
Nonresident Deer - Youth/Mentored |
$10 |
Resident Deer - Any Deer/Any Whitetail | $40 |
Nonresident Deer - Any Deer/Any Whitetail | $286 |
Resident Deer - Doe tag | $20 |
Nonresident Deer - Doe tag | $80 |
Resident Deer - Any Deer + 1 Doe | $50 |
Nonresident Deer - Any Deer + 1 Doe | $336 |
Resident Deer - 2 doe tag | $30 |
Nonresident Deer - 2 doe tag | $120 |
Resident Deer- Custer State Park Any Deer | $156 |
Resident Deer - Custer State Park Antlerless Whitetail | $31 |
Resident Deer - Youth/Mentored | $5 |
Nonresident Deer - Youth/Mentored | $10 |
News, notes, and alerts
The long archery season includes the peak of the rut in November
The maximum party application size for deer is 6
Group points default to the lowest point value present in the party
Highlights
Mule deer are found in the western half of the state primarily west of the Missouri River
Over-the-counter archery tags are available but nonresidents may only hunt private lands with this license type
Nonresidents must draw a lottery license to archery hunt mule deer on public lands
Understanding the Draw System
In regards to the South Dakota deer draw, there are a total of 7 different season types that hunters can apply and build points for. Residents are eligible for 6 of the 7 season types and nonresidents are only eligible for 4 of the 7. The season types and applicable residencies are broken down in the table below.
For the first draw period, 2 different season types can be applied for at this time. So essentially you can submit 2 different applications, one for each season type you choose. Although you can apply for more than one season type, you can only draw one deer license, not 2. There is a preference point purchase window where you are able to purchase preference points for other season types that you didn't apply for.
Season Type |
Resident |
Nonresident |
West River Deer |
Yes |
Yes |
East River Deer |
Yes |
No |
Black Hills Deer |
Yes |
Yes |
Custer Deer |
Yes |
No |
Muzzleloader Deer |
Yes |
No |
Refuge Deer |
Yes |
Yes |
Nonresident Archery Deer |
No |
Yes |
Season Type | Resident | Nonresident |
West River Deer | Yes | Yes |
East River Deer | Yes | No |
Black Hills Deer | Yes | Yes |
Custer Deer | Yes | No |
Muzzleloader Deer | Yes | No |
Refuge Deer | Yes | Yes |
Nonresident Archery Deer | No | Yes |
Boone and Crockett entries: Typical
Units listed below may not have a current hunt for this species. Units in this table are included if any part of the unit is found within the county.
County |
Entries |
Units within county |
Pennington |
6 |
02A, 02C, 21A, 49A, BD1, BD2 |
Meade |
4 |
02A, 49A, 49B, 53C, BD1 |
Haakon |
2 |
31A |
Stanley |
2 |
45C, 45D, 58A |
Brule |
1 |
13A, 13L |
County | Entries | Units within county |
Pennington | 6 | 02A, 02C, 21A, 49A, BD1, BD2 |
Meade | 4 | 02A, 49A, 49B, 53C, BD1 |
Haakon | 2 | 31A |
Stanley | 2 | 45C, 45D, 58A |
Brule | 1 | 13A, 13L |
** Four more counties with 1 entry each.
Boone and Crockett entries: Nontypical
Units listed below may not have a current hunt for this species. Units in this table are included if any part of the unit is found within the county.
County |
Entries |
Units within county |
Lawerence |
1 |
15B, BD1, BD2 |
Pennington |
1 |
02A, 02C, 21A, 49A, BD1, BD2 |
Tripp |
1 |
60A |
County | Entries | Units within county |
Lawerence | 1 | 15B, BD1, BD2 |
Pennington | 1 | 02A, 02C, 21A, 49A, BD1, BD2 |
Tripp | 1 | 60A |
4 Comments
Jacob Holsclaw
12/20/2024, 10:06:21 PM
I see SD offers a youth tag for non-residents to hunt antleless. Do they offer a discounted buck tag for youth non-residents? If they do i can't find it. Also, would youth need preference points?
Dave Barnett
12/20/2024, 10:36:41 PM
Hey Jacob, sadly there is not. For buck hunting a youth would be in the normal public draw that all adults are. Thank you!
Kevin Damitz
12/20/2024, 4:55:55 PM
"Mule Deer can be hunted over-the-counter with archery licenses but nonresidents may only hunt them on public land with this license type. There is, however, a limited draw license available to nonresidents that allows public land archery hunting." I am confused a bit by this statement. Can you guys please elaborate?