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South Dakota Hunting Season 2023

We set out to create the most simplified guide to South Dakota hunting seasons for 2023.

Want to find out season dates, learn about regulations and bag limits, understand license requirements, and get access helpful links?

Then you’ll love the info outlined in today’s guide. Let’s dive right in.

South Dakota Hunting Seasons

South Dakota Hunting Season Dates

The Mount Rushmore state is vast and and is home to Black Hills National Forest. Did you know South‌ ‌Dakota‌ ‌is‌ ‌known worldwide for its‌ ‌pheasant‌ ‌hunting?

South Dakota Deer Season 2023

Archery: September 1, 2023 - January 1, 2024

Apprentice and Youth: September 11, 2023 - January 1, 2024

General Season: Varies by zone but generally opens November 1, 2023 - and closes December 19, 2023

Muzzleloader: December 1, 2023 - January 1, 2024

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South Dakota Wild Turkey Season 2023

Fall Turkey: November 1, 2023 - January 31, 2024

Spring Archery: April 2, 2024 - May 31, 2024

Spring (Black Hills, Prairie): April 9, 2024 - May 31, 2024

Spring (Custer State Park): April 9, 2024 - May 22, 2024

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South Dakota Antelope Season 2023

Archery: August 21, 2023 - October 1, 2023

Late Archery: October 18, 2023 - October 31, 2023

Firearms: October 2, 2023 - October 17, 2023

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South Dakota Hunting Zones 2023

See the map below for a breakdown of SD's hunting zones:

South Dakota Bag Limits 2023

Antelope bag limit: 1

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South Dakota Hunting License 2023

SeasonResident FeeNon Resident Fee
Deer | Archery1 Any Deer $40
1 Doe Tag $20		1 Any Deer $286
1 Doe Tag $80
Deer | Black Hills1 Any Deer $40
1 Any Whitetail $40
1 Doe Tag $20		1 Any Deer $286
1 Any Whitetail $286
1 Doe Tag $80
Deer | Custer State ParkAny Deer $156
Antlerless Whitetail $31		N/A
Deer | East River1 Any Deer $40
1 Any Deer + 1 Doe Tag $50
1 Doe Tag $20
2 Doe Tags $30		1 Any Deer $286
1 Any Deer + 1 Doe Tag $336
1 Doe Tag $80
2 Doe Tags $120
Deer | West River1 Any Deer $40
1 Any Deer + 1 Doe Tag $50
1 Doe Tag $20
2 Doe Tags $30		1 Any Deer $286
1 Any Deer + 1 Doe Tag $336
1 Doe Tag $80
2 Doe Tags $120
Deer | Mentored$5N/A
Deer | Muzzleloader1 Any Deer $40
1 Doe Tag $20		1 Doe Tag $80
Deer | National Wildlife Refuge 1 Any Deer $40
1 Doe Tag $20		1 Any Deer $286
1 Doe Tag $80
Deer | Special Buck East River$175N/A
Deer | Special Buck West River$175$560
Deer | Apprentice$5$10
Elk | ArcheryAny Elk $185N/A
Elk | Black HillsAny Elk $185N/A
Elk | Custer State ParkAny Elk $316N/A
Elk | PrairieAny Elk $185N/A

Turkey License

SeasonResident FeeNonresident Fee
Turkey | Archery$25$100
Turkey | Black Hills Spring $25$100
Turkey | Custer State Park Spring $25N/A
Turkey | Prairie Spring1 Male Turkey $25
2 Male Turkeys $35		1 Male Turkey $100
2 Male Turkeys $125
Turkey | Prairie Fall1 Any Turkey $15
2 Any Turkey $20		1 Any Turkey $90
2 Any Turkey $100
Turkey | Mentored Spring$5N/A
Turkey | Mentored Fall$5N/A

South Dakota Hunting Regulations 2023

Must wear orange when hunting big game with a firearm (exceptions for turkey and mountain lion).

Helpful Resources

Official State Site: https://apps.sd.gov/gf79license/login.aspx

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FAQs
When is pheasant hunting season in South Dakota?

SD's traditional pheasant season is from October 16, 2023 - January 31, 2024.

What time can you start hunting pheasants in South Dakota?

You can start hunting 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset for big game. Turkey hours are 30 minutes before sunrise to sunset.

How much is a South Dakota non resident hunting license?

South Dakota has a few different licenses for non residents. The cost for the season long Nonresident Shooting Preserve license is $121. You can also get a one day ($46) and five day ($76) license.

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