South Dakota Big Game Hunting

Licensing & Applications

• Non-residents may only apply for deer, antelope, and bison; bighorn sheep, mountain goat, and elk are residents-only.
• All applications must be submitted through the South Dakota Game, Fish, and Parks system.
• Applicants must create a user profile online before applying.
• Groups of up to six may apply together; either all draw or none do.
• Residents and non-residents can apply together, but odds are reduced for groups with non-residents.
• Licenses are non-transferable and must be carried while hunting.

Draw System & Preference Points

• Preference points are awarded for unsuccessful applications in limited-license seasons.
• One point can be earned per year, per species, and is valid only for the first drawing in the first-choice unit.
• Points are retained in the applicant’s account but expire if not used for five years.
• Points may also be purchased during the points-only application period.
• Landowners receive preference in the draw but cannot transfer licenses to non-residents.

Regulations & Requirements

• Hunters must wear at least one exterior item of fluorescent orange or pink when hunting big game.
• Shooting hours for big game are one-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset.
• Minimum age for non-resident hunters is 12, or turning 12 by December 31 of the current year.
• Hunters under 16 must provide hunter safety certification.
• Bows must meet minimum draw weights; crossbows and draw-lock devices are generally not allowed except by permit.
• Firearms must meet energy standards; fully automatic and certain self-loading firearms are prohibited.
• Muzzleloaders must meet minimum caliber requirements, and scopes are not allowed in muzzleloader-only seasons.

Youth Opportunities

• South Dakota offers a statewide youth-only antlerless deer season for residents and non-residents.
• Youth hunters must be between 12–18 years old or turn 12 by December 31 of the current year.
• A HuntSAFE card or equivalent hunter education certification is required.

Access

• South Dakota offers both public and private land hunting opportunities.
• The state manages over 750,000 acres of public land and leases more than 1.2 million acres of private land for walk-in hunting access.
• Cooperative Hunter Access Program (CHAP) allows hunters to reserve access on select private lands.
• Permission is required to hunt private land not included in public or walk-in programs.

Other Considerations

• Refunds are available if licenses are returned prior to season start; preference points are retained.
• Harvest reporting is conducted through post-season surveys.
• Outfitters cannot guide deer or antelope hunts on public or state-managed lands — only on private lands.

Draw Results Posted

• Archery Deer: April 22 (same day)
• Archery Antelope: April 23 (same day)
• Bighorn Sheep, Mountain Goat, Elk: Late May
• Black Hills & Firearm Deer: Mid-June
• Firearm Antelope: Late August
• Bison: Mid-September