Hunting in South Dakota
Everything you need to hunt legally in South Dakota. Access shooting hours calculators, season dates, bag limits, license costs, and hunter education requirements all in one place.
Quick Facts
Digital License
Accepted in field
License Year
January 1 - December 31
Wildlife Agency
SD GFP
Draw System
preference points
Updated: January 2026
South Dakota Hunting Tools
Free calculators and lookup tools to help you hunt legally in South Dakota.
Shooting Hours Calculator
30 minutes before sunrise
Calculate legal shooting times in South Dakota based on your exact location and date. Know exactly when you can start and stop hunting.
Season Dates Finder
5 species tracked
Find all South Dakota hunting season dates by species and method. Deer, turkey, waterfowl, and more with archery, rifle, and muzzleloader dates.
License Cost Calculator
From $25 resident
Compare South Dakota hunting license prices for residents and non-residents. Find the best value licenses and required permits.
Bag Limits Lookup
15 species covered
South Dakota bag limits by species. Daily limits, possession limits, and season limits for deer, turkey, waterfowl, and small game.
Hunter Education Requirements
Online courses accepted
South Dakota hunter education requirements. Find out if you need certification, available exemptions, and approved course providers.
Complete License Guide
All license types & pricing
Detailed guide to all South Dakota hunting and fishing licenses, draw systems, official app info, and state-specific requirements.
South Dakota License Costs
Compare resident and non-resident hunting license prices for 2026.
| License Type | Resident | Non-Res |
|---|---|---|
| Resident Small Game | $36.00 | $142.00 |
| Resident Fishing | $31.00 | $80.00 |
| Combo | $60.00 | N/A |
| Deer License | $Lottery | $Lottery |
South Dakota Hunting Seasons
Upcoming and current hunting seasons in South Dakota.
Deer
Archery
Sep 27
to Jan 1
Deer
Rifle
Nov 15
to Dec 7
Deer
Rifle
Nov 8
to Nov 30
Deer
Muzzleloader
Dec 13
to Dec 28
Turkey
Apr 11
to May 31
South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks
SD GFP
Digital License Info: Digital licenses available through Go Outdoors SD app, though users report navigation issues.
Hunter Education
South Dakota requirements
Neighboring States
Hunting resources for states near South Dakota.
Store Your South Dakota License in Hunter Passport
Keep your SD hunting and fishing licenses alongside all your other states. Works completely offline, displays instantly to game wardens.