South Dakota

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 but 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 archery opportunities are available. Whitetail and Mule deer can be found statewide with the primary emphasis being whitetails. 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 is primarily comprised of private lands with small sections of public scattered throughout, Including Custer State Park.

License Costs

Species Costs

Important Dates

Draw System

Tag Lottery

South Dakota uses a point system for their limited license drawings. They refer to these points as “preference” points, however they aren’t used in a true preference form. More so, like bonus points, where even with max points, it does not guarantee a tag. For every year that you are unsuccessful in the draw, you will accrue a preference point.

Preference points are only used towards the first choice on your application. If you are unsuccessful on 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.

Specifics of the deer draw

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.

Specifics of the elk draw

With the South Dakota elk draw hunters will have a few decisions to make when submitting their application. In total, there are 5 separate season types that hunters can apply and build points for. Hunters can submit one application per season type during the first application period but are only eligible to draw one license per year. There is a draw order that applicants will also need to pay attention to in order to ensure they draw the specific tag they are wanting. If an applicant draws a license they will not be eligible to draw licenses from any subsequent applications but can still build points from those.

Elk draw order:

Nonresident Archery Hunts For Deer And Antelope

Nonresidents will have two options with it comes to archery hunting for deer or antelope in South Dakota. There is an -over-the-counter license available but nonresidents may only hunt on private lands with this license type. However, this is now a limited draw license that does allow nonresidents to archery hunt public lands. This license is only available to nonresidents and must be drawn. With this license, nonresidnets hunters can hunt both public and private lands but may only hunt public lands after October 1.

Nonresident Tag Allocation

South Dakota has set numbers of tags available for nonresidents and they will not compete against residents in the draw.

Application Hunt Choices

South Dakota looks at all first choice applications before moving on to second choice tag selections.

Party Applications

Group applications are accepted for limited issue licenses. The maximum party size is 6. Group points default to the lowest point value present in the party. As an example, if three members have 4 points each but one member has 1 point then the party will apply with 1. All party members must have the same group number. Residents and Nonresidents may apply together in the same group.

Credit Cards

Credit cards are accepted online. (Visa, Mastercard & Discover)

Getting a Tag

Landowner Tags

South Dakota does have landowner tags but these are not transferable.

Youth Opportunities

Youth hunters must be accompanied by a parent/guardian when obtaining a Youth Deer License. The Youth Deer License is good for an “Any Antlerless Deer” license that is valid for unit YOD-03 or an “Antlerless Whitetail Deer” license that is valid for unit YOD-13. All Youth licensees under the age of 16, must be accompanied by a parent, guardian or responsible adult. Youth license YOD-03 is valid for units 02A, 15A, 15B, 31A, 35A, 35C, 35L, 49A, 49B, 53A, 53C, and 64A. Youth license YOD-13 is valid for that portion of the state not included in YOD-03, excluding Farm Island State Recreation Area, LaFramboise Island State Nature Area, Custer State Park, and all national parks and monuments. Also, youth deer hunting is not allowed on Sand Lake National Wildlife Refuge, Lacreek National Wildlife Refuge, Lake Andes National Wildlife Refuge, and Waubay National Wildlife Refuge unless otherwise allowed by the refuge. Contact the appropriate refuge to see if youth deer hunting is allowed.

Returned Tags

Applicants who draw a license using preference points and decide to return the tag, can do so prior to the start of the season and retain their preference points. They will also be reimbursed for license costs and be eligible for future drawings.

Hunting Rules

Minimum Age To Hunt

Residents and Non-residents at least 12 years old, or who will turn 12 by December 31, may hunt any season they are licensed for after September 1.

Hunters Education

HuntSAFE is required for persons 12 through 15. Participants of all ages are welcome. Nonresidents must possess a copy of hunter safety card, or previous hunting license issued to them from any state.

Bowhunters Education

All archery big game licensees ages 11-15, all first-time archery big game licensees regardless of age and all archery elk licensees are required to possess bowhunter education certification prior to obtaining an archery license.

Hunters Orange

Big game licensees (excluding turkey and mountain lion) hunting with a firearm must wear at least one exterior garment of fluorescent orange while hunting. Garments include hats, shirts, vests, jackets, coats or sweaters.

Weapon Restrictions

Archery-No Explosive, poisonous, hydraulic or pneumatic point. Crossbows and draw-lock devices require a permit. Arrow rests cannot have more than three inches of continuous contact with the arrow. No electronic devices mounted to the bow that aid in the taking of game. Cameras, video cameras and cell phones can be mounted for photographic purposes. Lighted site pins and luminated nocks may be used. No electronic arrow or electronic string releases. Need at least two metal cutting edges for broadheads. May not use a bow that measures less than 40 pounds pull when hunting elk or less than 30 pounds when hunting big game other than elk.

Muzzleloader-No person can hunt, pursue, shoot or kill any big game with projectiles less than .44 caliber. Telescopic sights are not allowed.

Rifles-No self-loading or auto-loading firearm that holds more than six cartridges or shells may be used to hunt, pursue, shoot or kill any big game animal. No full automatic rifles may be used. Slugs must weigh at least one-half ounce. Buckshot is prohibited.