Hunt

General Hunting Laws

Artificial Light

Between sunset and sunrise, no person may use or possess night-vision equipment or throw or cast the rays of a spotlight, motor vehicle headlight, or other artificial light onto a highway or into any field, pasture, woodland, forest, or prairie for the purpose of spotting, locating, taking, attempting to take, or hunting any animal, if the person is in possession or control of a firearm, bow, or other implement by which an animal could be killed. However:

A person may use a handheld light, while the person is on foot, to take raccoons after the raccoons have been treed by dogs, or to engage in trapping activity and to take trapped fur-bearing animals.
From January 1 - August 31 a person may use night vision equipment, but not artificial light, to take jackrabbits, coyotes, beaver during its hunting season, foxes, raccoons, opossums, badgers, skunks, and rodents, provided the person is on public land, and they use a shotgun and shot shells or a firearm and a cartridge having a bullet diameter of less than .312 inches.
From January 1- August 31, a person may use night vision equipment, but not artificial light, to take jackrabbits, coyotes, beaver during its hunting season, foxes, raccoons, opossums, badgers, skunks, and rodents, provided the person is on private land that is under lease to the Department of Game, Fish and Parks for the purpose of providing public access, has the permission of the landowner, and they use a shotgun and shot shells or a firearm and a cartridge having a bullet diameter of less than .312 inches.
A person may use night vision equipment and artificial light to take jackrabbits, coyotes, beaver during its hunting season, foxes, raccoons, opossums, badgers, skunks, and rodents, provided the person is on private land, and they use a shotgun and shot shells or a firearm and a cartridge having a bullet diameter of less than .312 inches.
“Artificial light” means a man-made light or lighting device that projects lumination for an unaided eye.
“Night-vision equipment” means an electronic or battery-powered device that enhances a person’s ability to see in the dark.

Recreational Artificial Light Law

Except as otherwise provided in “Artificial Light” above, between 10 p.m. and sunrise, from September 1 to January 31, inclusive, no person may cast the rays of a spotlight, or any artificial light other than a motor vehicle headlight, into any field, pasture, woodland, forest, or prairie, for the purpose of spotting or locating any wild animal. However, a person owning or occupying land and up to two guests may use night-vision equipment, a spotlight, or other artificial light, on the person’s land.

Boating Restrictions

Hunters and trappers must follow all state and federal boating regulations when operating boats on public waters in South Dakota. Those using a boat for hunting or trapping purposes should verify they have all required boating equipment on board and their vessel is currently and properly licensed.

The latest South Dakota Boating Handbook is available from any GFP Wildlife Division office and from County Treasurer offices.

The following list includes water bodies in South Dakota with boating or boat motor restrictions that may impact hunters and trappers. A complete listing of public water safety zones by county may be found at sdlegislature.gov.

Brown County: Willow Dam Wildlife Management Area, no motorboats or motor vehicles; Putney Slough Game Production Area, no boating Oct. 20 - Dec. 31 in Secs. 7, 8, 17, and 18 in T124N, R61W.
Clark County: Reid Lake, no boating Oct. 20 - Dec. 31; Indian Springs and Antelope Lake, no discharging a firearm or fishing from a boat east of the 424th Ave. line to 0.5 miles east of 427th Ave. line from Oct. 20-Dec. 31.
Codington County: McKilligan Lake, no boating during waterfowl seasons; Horseshoe Lake, no motors during waterfowl seasons; Blythe Slough in portions of Secs. 27 and 28 of T117N, R55W, no boating from March 1 - Aug. 31.
Day County: Blue Dog Lake on waters fronting the Lakeside Use Area starting at east property boundary and extending 300 feet west along shore is a no wake zone.
Hand County: Wall Lake, no motors during waterfowl seasons.
Hutchinson County: Silver Lake, no boating during fall and spring waterfowl seasons; Dimock, Tripp, and Menno lakes, no wake zone.
McCook County: The waters of Lehrman Game Production Area, in Sec. 32, T103N, R56W, no boating during the Light Goose Conservation Order as well as any open season for migratory waterfowl.
Minnehaha County: Clear Lake, no boating Oct. 20 - Dec. 31.
Roberts County: Secs. 20, 28, 29, 32, and 33 of T128N, R49W of Cottonwood Lake Waterfowl Refuge, no boating zone during waterfowl seasons; and Secs. 11, 12, and 14 of T127N, R48W of Mud Lake, only boats using electric motors during waterfowl seasons.
Turner County: Swan Lake, no motors on waters south and west of Christian Camp; and the waters at the eastern end of Swan Lake within an area starting at a point along the shoreline approximately 60 feet south of the concrete retaining wall that is located on the north side of the beach on a line to a point 100 feet westerly, then on a line to a point 100 feet southerly, then on a line in an easterly direction back to a point on shore are a no boating zone.

Civil Damage Liability

Violations of most big game regulations are Class 1 misdemeanors, punishable by fine and/or imprisonment and mandatory loss of hunting privileges for one year. In addition to criminal penalties, a person taking or killing big game illegally may be assessed civil damages in the amount of $100 for each game bird, $200 for each turkey, $1,000 for each non-trophy deer, non-trophy antelope, or bobcat, $5,000 for each non-trophy elk, mountain lion, or buffalo, and $10,000 for each mountain goat or bighorn sheep.

Cases involving “trophy” antelope or deer, civil damages will be at least $2,000 and not more than $5,000 for each animal; cases involving “trophy” elk, civil damages will be at least $6,000 and not more than $10,000 for each elk. If a person has taken or is in possession of more than two times the lawful daily or possession limit of a regulated wild animal, such person may be liable for twice the civil damages. In addition, individuals charged with the illegal taking of a trophy big game animal are subject to loss of all preference points for the lottery license drawing.

Closed Areas

The following are illegal:

Hunting without permission of landowner on legally vacated section lines.
No person (except the landowner or anyone with landowner permission) may hunt on that portion of public waters that inundate private land within 660 feet of livestock, occupied dwelling, churches, or schoolhouses.
Discharging firearms or hunting road rights-of-way within 660 feet of an occupied dwelling, church, schoolhouse, or livestock without written permission from the owner of such property. NOTE: Hunters often violate this state law when trees obscure feedlots, livestock, buildings, and dwellings. A violation of the 660-foot law carries a one-year suspension of hunting privileges when the distance is clearly and accurately posted.
Hunting waterfowl within state waterfowl refuges or game birds (including waterfowl) within state game bird refuges except as provided in season regulations.
Hunting during the waterfowl seasons along Brown County Road 16 adjacent to the Sand Lake National Wildlife Refuge.
Hunting within any federal refuge, National Park, or monument, except as otherwise provided for in season regulations.

Dog Training Statewide

No person may kill or capture any wild game birds while training or running a dog except during open seasons.

No person may train dogs on wild game birds statewide from April 15 - July 31.

Using pen-raised birds to train dogs is permitted with certain restrictions:

Ducks, ring-necked pheasants, partridges, and quail, which are obtained from the holder of a South Dakota captive game bird license, marked accordingly, and used for any event or activity related to sporting dog training or field trials may be pursued or taken on private lands at any time and on public areas with prior approval of the director of the division with management authority over the public area.
A bill of sale that shows the licensee’s name, address, and captive game bird license number; the number, species, and sex of the birds; the date of the transaction; and the name and address of the possessor of the birds must accompany the birds at all times, until the birds reach the domicile of the possessor.
Dog trainers may use throwing dummies, lures, or pigeons in the training of dogs at any time and in any place that such activity is not otherwise prohibited.
Ringneck pheasants to be killed or captured for any event or activity related to a sporting dog training or field trial shall be confined in a release trap, release box, or similar device until they are released immediately before they are killed or captured. A streamer of fluorescent surveyor tape conspicuously attached to the bird at all times during the event or activity is acceptable in lieu of confinement and release from a trap.

Dog Training Public Land

No person may train a dog for the purpose of locating, pursuing, pointing, or retrieving wild game birds on any publicly owned land or on any public road right-of-way using any form of motor vehicle, horse, or any type of conveyance from August 1 to the Friday preceding the third Saturday of September, inclusive.

Training dogs on wild birds from August 1 to the Friday preceding the third Saturday of September is allowed with the following restrictions:

The dog(s) must be owned by the person conducting the training and not offered for sale.
The owner of the dog may be assisted in the training, provided the owner is also present during the training.
No person training a dog on wild game birds on public lands may possess a shotgun or rifle during the training during this time frame.
No person may train more than four dogs in any one day for the purpose of locating, pursuing, pointing, or retrieving wild game birds.
A person who otherwise qualifies to train dogs on public lands may use a horse for dog training on public lands until noon central time on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from the first Friday of August to the first Sunday of September, inclusive, with authorization of the government agency that manages the public land.
Sporting dog trials may be authorized and conducted on lands administered by the Department. An application for a sporting dog trial must be made in writing on forms provided by the department.

Dog Requirements

Dogs being brought into South Dakota are required to have a certificate from their local veterinarian indicating that they are vaccinated against rabies. A health certificate is not necessary for dogs traveling to this state unless:

The animal originates from an area quarantined for rabies;
The animal originates from a foreign county;
The animal is to remain in the state for 30 days or more;
A resident travels with an animal to another state or province and does not return within 30 days; or
The state veterinarian determines that it is necessary based on disease information for a time period not to exceed the term of the threat.

Dog owners with questions concerning requirements may call the South Dakota Animal Industry Board at 605.773.3321.

Electronic Calls

The use of electronic calls is prohibited when hunting migratory birds (except for crows and during the Spring Light Goose Conservation Order) and when hunting big game except for mountain lion. Turkeys are considered big game.

Falconry - General

A person may not hunt by falconry and be in possession of a firearm, except a pistol or be accompanied by a person carrying a firearm, except for a pistol. Non-migratory game birds and game animals may be hunted Sept. 1 - March 31. Migratory game birds may be hunted only in accordance with state and federal migratory game bird season regulations for 107 days beginning no earlier than Sept. 1 and ending by Jan. 15. The daily bag limit is three and the possession limit is six of game species in the aggregate.

Protected nongame birds and animals taken incidentally by a raptor may not be retained or possessed.

Falconry-Taking or Acquisition of Raptors

No person may take or attempt to take any raptor without first acquiring a raptor collecting permit issued by GFP. Permittees must be in immediate possession of the raptor collecting permit while taking or attempting to take raptors. The fee for a raptor collecting permit is $50 for residents, $200 for nonresidents.

The trapping of passage raptors (immature raptors in their first-year plumage) is permitted only between Aug. 1 - March 31. Only resident general or master falconry permittees may take eyas (young, flightless birds) from a nest or aerie. At least one eyas must be left in the nest or aerie. Eyas may be taken only between May 1 - July 31. For additional information, visit gfp.sd.gov/falconry-permit.

Federal Lacey Act

No person may transport or ship to another state fish and wildlife unlawfully taken, possessed, or sold in South Dakota.

General Restrictions

No one may:

Wantonly waste game or destroy any birds or animals protected by the laws of South Dakota.
Possess a loaded firearm while intoxicated.
Recklessly discharge a firearm or bow and arrow.
Use a firearm in the Fort Meade Recreation Area South Unit and the signed portion of the North Unit.
Take game, except by shooting it with a legal weapon or by birds trained in falconry.
Hunt game birds with a shotgun capable of being operated as a fully automatic.
Use rifles and handguns, including .22 caliber rimfire firearms, to hunt upland game birds. They may be used for hunting other small game animals such as squirrels and rabbits.
Hunt with air guns, EXCEPT air guns may be used by licensed hunters to take cottontail rabbit, tree squirrel, coyote, fox, skunk, gopher, ground squirrel, chipmunk, jackrabbit, marmot, porcupine, crow, and prairie dog; air guns must be factory-rated to produce a muzzle velocity of at least 600 feet per second; only hunting pellets are permitted.
Steal, damage, or destroy someone else’s trap, snare, or animal in a trap.
Use a drone to aid in the taking or recovery game.

Gifting Wildlife and Fish

For this rule, gift means the voluntary transfer of game/fish from any person to another without fee or consideration. A licensee may gift game and fish or any part of game and fish, to another person if each of the following conditions is met:

The game/fish was lawfully taken, caught, or killed; and
The number of game/fish gifted does not place the recipient in violation of any season, daily, or possession limit established for the species of game/fish being gifted.
If gifting to an unlicensed person the licensee shall gift the game/fish at the domicile of the recipient.
A wildlife processing facility and a person who deposits lawfully taken game with the facility for processing may agree upon a period of time following which the facility may consider the game, except a migratory bird, to be abandoned by the person. Except for a migratory bird, the facility may distribute abandoned game to any non-profit organization or any charitable organization that distributes food or other services to individuals in need. At no time may any abandoned game be considered the property of the wildlife processing facility.
Gifting of waterfowl must comply with federal regulations. See “Federal Laws for Migratory Game Birds” for more information.

Harassment

No person may intentionally interfere with other persons lawfully engaged in taking or attempting to take game or fish, engage in activity specifically intended to harass or prevent the lawful taking of game or fish, or scare or disturb game with specific intent to prevent its lawful taking.

Hunting Guides on Public Lands

No person, acting as a hunting guide, may guide any hunting activity on state-owned or managed Game Production Areas, state parks, recreation areas and lakeside use areas, federal land leased or under agreement to GFP and posted as a Game Production Area and managed for wildlife purposes or private land leased or under agreement to GFP for the purpose of providing public access, or on highways or other rights-of-way within this state that otherwise meet the requirements except that a hunting guide or employees of a hunting guide may guide a hunting activity on the road rights-of-way immediately adjacent to property owned or leased by the hunting guide.

A “hunting guide” is defined as a person who holds himself or herself out to the public as a hunting guide and, for compensation or remuneration, directs or provides services to any person for the purpose of hunting any wild animals.

Federal agencies have regulations pertaining to guiding and outfitting in addition to those listed here. Contact the respective agency for more information.

Inspection

Any person who possesses any game bird, animal, or fish shall, upon the request of any person authorized to enforce the game and fish laws of the state, permit the inspection and count of the birds, animals, or fish. Any motor vehicle, pickup camper, camper, or any conveyance attached thereto, may be stopped for such an inspection and count by any uniformed law enforcement officer.

Motor Vehicle Restrictions

No person may operate motor-propelled vehicles (including e-bikes) on:

Lands owned, leased, or controlled by GFP except on designated roads and parking areas; and waters that are open to motorized boats (see boating restrictions).
Federal Waterfowl Production Areas, except on designated parking areas.
National Grasslands except on designated roads and trails.
U.S. Forest Service roads except on designated roads and trails.
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers land except on established roads.
On all waters of the Waubay National Wildlife Refuge and Waubay State Game Refuge in Day County, except for designated trails.
Private land without permission from the owner or lessee.

No person who is in or on a motor vehicle, except those hunters with Disabled Hunter Permits, may discharge a firearm, crossbow, or a bow and arrow at any wild animal except, coyotes, jackrabbits, rodents, skunks, badgers, raccoons, red fox, and grey fox.

No person may allow a firearm to protrude from a motor vehicle or a conveyance attached to it while the vehicle is on a public road during a hunting season. However, a firearm may protrude from a motor vehicle when shooting at, coyotes, jackrabbits, rodents, skunks, badgers, raccoons, red fox, and grey fox.

NOTE: Trespass laws apply and landowner permission is necessary to shoot from a road at these species that are on private land.

No person may use a motor vehicle to chase, harass, intercept, pursue, or disturb big game, small game, or migratory birds.

No person may kill or attempt to kill any wild bird or animal from an aircraft, except for persons with a valid aerial hunting permit issued by GFP. No person may use an aircraft for the purpose of hunting, taking, concentrating, driving, rallying, stirring up, locating, or spotting any wild bird or animal, except a person who uses a drone for the purpose of locating or spotting a predator or varmint, provided (1) The activity occurs only on or over land that is privately owned; (2) The person operating the drone is the landowner or has permission from the landowner or a lessee; (3) The activity does not occur during the months of September, October, or November; and (4) The operation of the drone is in full compliance with all applicable Federal Aviation Administration regulations.

No person may use an amphibious vehicle to hunt or shoot at waterfowl unless the vehicle is at rest or being used as part of a fixed hunting blind.

No person may use a motor vehicle on SD School and Public Lands (SPL) for the purpose of hunting, fishing, or trapping. This restriction does not apply to roads, trails, or parking areas designated and signed by GFP. However, a person who holds a valid Disabled Hunter permit from GFP and who uses a device for mobility may lawfully access SPL property by means of a Power Mobility Device for the purpose of hunting, fishing, or trapping.

No person may use a snowmobile to chase, harass or disturb any wild animal.

No person may use a snowmobile to chase, drive, harass, kill, or attempt to kill any game animal. An individual may use a snowmobile in the taking of a coyote if the individual is on property that the individual owns, leases or is an invitee of the owner or lessee; the individual is 18 or older; the individual is not engaged in harassing coyotes; the individual is using a firearm to take the coyote; the snowmobile is stationary at the time the individual shoots or attempts to shoot the coyote; and no other individual is aboard the snowmobile.

No person may send or receive a message by radio, cellular telephone, or other electronic form of communications while in or on a motor vehicle for the purpose of hunting big game, small game, or migratory waterfowl.

Hunters planning to use U.S. Forest Service or National Grassland public lands should contact the Forest Service or Grasslands office for details on travel restrictions.

Party Hunting Daily Limits

Two or more legally licensed hunters who mutually agree to hunt small game as a party and who maintain visual and unaided vocal contact may take more than one daily limit of small game. However, the total number of small game taken by the party may not exceed the aggregate daily limit for all members of the party who are licensed to take and possess small game.

This does not apply to anyone who hunts small game in more than one party in one day.

This does not apply to any big game license, or any tag issued as a part of a hunting license nor does this section apply to hunting of migratory birds.

Protected Animals

The following mammals are on the state and/or federal threatened or endangered species lists and are protected: wolf, swift fox, and black- footed ferret. No person may kill nongame birds except English (house) sparrows, rock pigeons, Eurasian collared-doves, and European starlings. Blackbirds (red-winged and yellow- headed), common grackles, American crows, and Black-billed magpies may be killed when doing or about to do depredation.

Non-toxic Shot

The use of non-toxic shot is required for all small game/waterfowl hunting on all State Game Production Areas, lake and fishing access areas, state park system areas, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers land, U.S. Bureau of Reclamation Wildlife Production Areas managed by GFP, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service National Wildlife Refuges, and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Waterfowl Production Areas (WPA). Lead shot may not be possessed while hunting waterfowl/small game on these areas.

GFP encourages hunters to use non-toxic shot for all hunting, but it is not required on U.S. Forest Service National Grasslands, SD School and Public Lands, or on most GFP-managed and leased property designated as Walk-In Areas, CHAP, and CREP areas when hunting small game such as pheasants, grouse, or doves.

Those hunting ducks, geese, coots, tundra swan, Sandhill cranes or snipe may not possess lead shot and must use a federally approved non-toxic shot.

Approved non-toxic shot includes steel (iron) shot, bismuth-tin, tungsten-polymer, tungsten-matrix, tungsten-iron-fluoropolymer, and any combination of tungsten-iron-nickel-tin-copper-bismuth. See also 50 Code of Federal Regulations 20.21(j)(1) for the complete listing of federally approved non-toxic shot types.

Coated lead shot does NOT qualify as non-toxic shot.

Turkeys are classified as big game and can be hunted with lead shot.

In addition, target shooting with shotguns using lead shot is prohibited on the following state public lands: State Game Production Areas, lake and fishing access areas, public water access areas, state park system areas, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Wildlife Production Areas, and U.S. Bureau of Reclamation lands managed by GFP.

National Parks, Monuments, Memorials

The taking of wildlife is prohibited in Badlands National Park, Jewel Cave National Monument, Mount Rushmore National Memorial, and Wind Cave National Park. No person may hunt, trap or discharge a firearm within the boundaries of these units.

If an animal is wounded outside the boundaries of one of these units and enters within the boundaries, the hunter should immediately notify a Park Ranger before tracking or retrieving the animal.

Public Land and Park Restrictions

No person may enter, use, or occupy lands owned or leased by GFP if it interferes with the management of the area, the posted purpose for which the land was acquired, or if the lands are posted against such entry or use. Camping is only permitted in established campgrounds. Camping is also prohibited on U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Waterfowl Production Areas (WPA). Campfires are allowed only at designated campsites and in approved fireplaces, stoves, or grills on GFP lands. Campfires are not allowed on U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Waterfowl Production Areas (WPA).

Hunting is not permitted in standing crops on School and Public Lands or where posted accordingly.

Only persons using a state park, state recreation area, state nature area, or state lakeside use area for lawful hunting, trapping, fishing, snowmobiling, boating, or camping may enter, use, or occupy any of the above areas from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m.

Only persons engaged in lawful hunting, trapping, fishing, or boating may enter, use, or occupy any of the following areas from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. year-round: Public Shooting Areas, Game Production Areas, Wildlife Refuges, Lake and Fishing Access Areas, Public Water Access Areas, and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Waterfowl Production Areas (WPA).

A person hunting in a leased controlled waterfowl hunting area may hunt only in designated hunting areas. Hunting in leased shooting zones where blinds have been constructed by GFP must only occur from the constructed blinds. Hunting outside of or between adjacent blinds is prohibited.

No person may target shoot on U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Waterfowl Production Areas (WPA).

The Fort Pierre National Grasslands prohibits trap shooting.

Uncased firearms, crossbows, and bows are prohibited in all state parks, state recreation areas, state nature areas, and state lakeside use areas with the following exceptions:

Uncased firearms, crossbows, and bows are permitted on designated rifle and archery ranges year round and may be transported or carried uncased to and from ranges and boat ramps from designated parking areas; and a firearm, air gun, crossbow, or bow legally transported in a motor vehicle, trailer camper, or boat pursuant to state law, is considered cased for purposes of this section;

Other exceptions for State Park and Recreation Areas are described on page 80 of the Hunting Handbook.

The discharge of firearms or bows on or across the George S. Mickelson Trail rights-of-way is prohibited.

Uncased firearms are prohibited on:

The East Pelican Lake Access Area in Codington Co.
That portion of the Beilage Game Production Area north of Christensen Drive located in Sec. 24 and 25, T6N, R2E, in Lawrence Co.
Hazel’s Haven Fishing Access Area in Moody Co.
That portion of the Marcotte Game Production Area in Sec. 16, T5N, R5E, in Meade Co.
Kelley’s Cove Fishing Access Area in Yankton Co.
The Hwy 38/James River Fishing Access Area in Davison Co.
The New Underwood Lake Access Area in Pennington Co. except any licensed hunter while lawfully engaged in hunting.
The Rollings Game Production Area in Lincoln Co. except any licensed hunter, using a shotgun with shot shells only, while hunting small game or wild turkey and persons using the shooting range when open.
The Lake Henry Fishing Access Area in Bon Homme Co. except any licensed hunter, using a shotgun with shot shells only, while hunting small game or turkey.
Only shotguns using shot shells, crossbows, and bow and arrow are permitted on lands owned and operated by the Otter Tail Power Company and leased as a Game Production Area in Grant Co. and the Lake Andes units Game Production Areas in Charles Mix Co.
Centerfire rifles are prohibited on the Lechtenberg Game Production Area in Hand Co. and on the Cottonwood Lake Hatchery Game Bird Refuge in Spink Co.

No person may use any firearm on the Fort Meade Recreation Area South Unit and the signed portion of the North Unit.

No person may discharge a weapon across or from a National Forest Service road, Grassland road, or into a cave or within 150 yards of a residence, building, campsite, or recreation area (Pactola, Sheridan, Deerfield, etc.).

NOTE: A person who is allowed to legally carry a concealed pistol pursuant to state law may carry a concealed pistol at any time.

No person may ride or allow horses on land owned, leased, or controlled by GFP except on designated bridle trails or equestrian areas. During established seasons, licensed deer hunters may use horses on state Game Production Areas along the Missouri River, and licensed deer and elk hunters or anyone assisting in the removal of legally tagged deer and elk may use horses on the Battle Mountain/Friendshuh GPA in Fall River and Custer counties. Horses are prohibited on U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Waterfowl Production Areas (WPA) and National Wildlife Refuges.

A person may not destroy, damage, or remove a living or dead tree, shrub, or vegetation; disturb any earth, rocks, minerals, natural formations, or cultural resources; or destroy, damage, or remove skulls or other parts of animal carcass located on lands owned or leased by GFP without written permission from the secretary or a designated agent.

Shed antler hunting is allowed on GFP owned lands, including state parks, recreation areas, and Game Production Areas. However, permission from the landowner is required for shed hunting on Walk-In Areas, CREP, CHAP, or other privately-owned lands leased by GFP for public hunting. Regulations differ for lands owned by other state or federal agencies. Contact the respective agency for more information.

If you are planning a trip for hunting or other recreation on National Forest and Grasslands in South Dakota please contact a U.S. Forest Service Office for information on use of these public areas, road closures, and recreation fees that might apply in certain areas.

Railroad Rights-of-Way

Railroad rights-of-way are not considered to be the same as road rights-of-way for purposes of hunting. Some rail lines expressly prohibit hunting on their owned or leased railroad rights-of-way.

Road-Killed Big Game

If an accident occurs between a motor vehicle and a deer or other big game, the accident must be reported to law enforcement if there is significant damage to the vehicle. In accordance with state law, before any individual can possess a big game animal killed by a motor vehicle, that individual must obtain authorization from a GFP Conservation Officer prior to taking possession. Taking carcasses or any part of a big game animal, including the antlers, without authorization is illegal.

Sale/Use of Wildlife

No person may sell or barter game birds or animals except for skin, head, or bone-hard antlers of big game; skin or plumage of pheasants, sharp- tailed grouse, prairie chickens, or grey partridge; turkey feathers; skins of cottontail rabbit, fox squirrel, grey squirrel, and red squirrel that have been lawfully taken by a licensed hunter; and legal furbearers.

No person may wantonly waste game.

Trespass

No person may hunt or trap any species of game, including unprotected species, on private land without permission from the owner or lessee except in that part of the Black Hills Fire Protection District south of Interstate 90 and west of SD Hwy 79. In that area, no person may enter private land to hunt if the land is posted or if told by the owner or lessee not to do so. The Black Hills Fire Protection District is as follows: Commencing at a point on the WY-SD state line at the junction of I-90 at the state line; then east and southeast along I-90 via Rapid City to the intersection of U.S. Hwy 16B; then south and southwest along U.S. Hwy 16B to the intersection of SD Hwy 79; then south along SD Hwy 79 to the intersection of U.S. Hwy 18; then south along U.S. Hwy 18 to the Cheyenne River; then west and northwest along the Cheyenne River to the WY-SD state line; then north along said state line to the place of beginning. The Black Hills Fire Protection District does not include any area within the limits of any municipality.

If a person is convicted of knowingly trespassing, the person’s applicable hunting or trapping privilege shall be revoked for one year. A person’s applicable hunting or trapping privilege shall be revoked for two years following a second or subsequent trespassing conviction within ten years.

Unarmed Retrieval

Hunters may retrieve lawfully taken small game without permission from private or public land (except National Wildlife Refuges closed to such entry) if they are unarmed and retrieve on foot.

Permission is needed to retrieve big game, including turkeys.

To be lawfully taken from road rights-of-way, the hunter must be within the rights-of-way boundaries when shooting and the small game must originate from or be flying over the road rights-of-way.

See the “Hunting on Public Road Rights-of-Way.”

Walk-In Area/CREP/CHAP Restrictions

No one may enter, use, or occupy lands leased by GFP through state access programs for any purpose other than hunting unless they have permission from the landowner or any lessee of the land other than GFP.

A person may enter, use, or occupy lands leased by GFP under the state for purposes of hunting under the following conditions:

The person moves or travels only on foot.
The conditions under which a person may enter, use, or occupy lands leased by GFP apply whether or not the state has jurisdiction to impose its hunting regulations on the person seeking to enter, use, or occupy the land.
Landowner permission is required to night hunt these areas. Landowner permission is required to trap on these areas.
The same restrictions apply to land in CREP, except hunting and fishing are allowed on CREP without landowner permission.

Youth Accompaniment

A parent, guardian, or responsible adult (at least 18 years old) must accompany youth under age 16 while hunting.

Be Respectful of Road Conditions

Driving roads during wet weather and leaving the traveled road in bad condition may hinder relationships between hunters and landowners.

Landowners have expressed their concern about road conditions during the hunting seasons. When roads are traveled during wet periods ruts are developed and once frozen, can be extremely difficult to drive farm equipment down to access crop fields. Please respect these important roads. If you notice your vehicle leaving ruts, make the right decision; back out of the soft area, park, and walk to your desired location.