Hunt

License Requirements

Border Waters

On border waters with adjacent states, other than Nebraska, individuals with a valid South Dakota hunting or trapping license may only take wild animals on South Dakota’s side of the border. However, on the South Dakota-Nebraska border waters a hunter holding a resident South Dakota or a resident Nebraska license may enter and leave the water from either state’s shore. Individuals holding a nonresident license must enter and leave the water from the shore of the state in which they are licensed. Deeded islands in the Missouri River require the license of the state in which they are deeded. South Dakota islands include: James River Island, Gunderson Island and Jones Island. Nebraska islands include: Mayfield Island and Elk/Rush Island. Sandbars and islands not deeded and not attached to either state and Lake Yankton are open to hunting by licensed hunters from either state.

The Springfield Bottoms are open only to South Dakota licensed hunters and the Bazile Creek Area is open only to Nebraska licensed hunters. 

Hunters licensed by either state may hunt anywhere in the flowing Missouri River if water separates the hunter from the mainland of the other state. 

Buying Licenses

Resident and nonresident licenses can be purchased online at gfp.sd.gov, or with the GFP mobile app. Many over-the-counter resident and nonresident licenses may be purchased at many retail stores in South Dakota and at a few County Treasurer offices. When purchasing licenses over the counter you must have your state-issued ID with you.

Big game licenses (including turkey licenses) and Nonresident Waterfowl Licenses are issued by lottery and can be completed through the online licensing application system. Application information can be found at: gfp.sd.gov/view-applications 

Carrying/Exhibiting Licenses

A licensee shall exhibit the licensee’s license or license authorization issued by GFP upon request by a Conservation Officer or other law enforcement officer. A licensee who is 16 years of age or older who holds the license authorization shall exhibit and provide for inspection a driver’s license, a state-issued identification card, or another form of valid identification for the purpose of verifying the identity of the licensee. 

Hunters can use their smartphone to display a copy of their license instead of a paper copy.

Delinquent Child Support

South Dakota law prohibits the issuance of any license or permit issued by GFP if an individual owes $1,000 or more in past-due child support, unless the individual enters into a repayment agreement with the Department of Social Services (DSS) for payment of the delinquent child support. For more information, contact the Division of Child Support at 605.773.3641.

Shoot from a vehicle permit

A ‘Shoot from a Vehicle’ Permit allows a qualified hunter to lawfully shoot game animals from a stationary motor vehicle. This includes big game animals such as deer, antelope, elk, and turkey as well as small game animals such as grouse, pheasants, partridge, rabbits, and waterfowl. 

The ‘Shoot from a Vehicle’ Permits are free to qualified hunters, valid for a four-year period and may be renewed within 60 days of the expiration date. A temporary permit can be issued for no more than 12 months for temporary ambulatory injuries. 

NOTE: The ‘Shoot from a Vehicle’ Permit is intended for use only in situations where an applicant’s physical or medical condition makes it impossible or causes severe pain or physical hardship for the applicant to walk while hunting. 

Qualifying individuals must have at least one of the following physical disabilities or medical conditions: 

  • Has lost one or both legs or who has temporarily or permanently lost the use of one or both legs; 
  • Requires a wheelchair for mobility; 
  • Is physically unable to walk without the assistance of another person, prosthetic aid, brace, crutch or other device that is intended to support or assist the person while walking; 
  • Requires use of portable oxygen; 
  • Is unable to walk a distance of more than 300 feet without assistance or rest due to arthritic, neurological or orthopedic condition; 
  • Has been diagnosed with a neuromuscular disorder (such as muscular dystrophy or multiple sclerosis); 
  • Has been diagnosed with a Class III cardiac disease resulting in marked limitation of physical activity; 
  • Has been diagnosed with a Class IV cardiac disease resulting in the inability to carry on any physical activity without discomfort; 
  • Is restricted by lung disease to such a degree that the person’s forced expiratory volume in one second, when measured by a spirometer, is less than one liter; or the arterial oxygen tension is less than 60 mm/ hg on room air at rest. 

In addition: 

  • Persons who have lost an arm or permanent or temporary use of an arm or use a wheelchair for mobility may be eligible for a crossbow/draw-lock permit. 
  • Persons classified as legally blind or quadriplegic may be eligible for a Designated Shooter Permit. 

Applications may be downloaded at: gfp.sd.gov/disabled-hunter or obtained from any GFP Wildlife Division office.

Lost Licenses

Lost general hunting and fishing licenses may be replaced by any local licensing agent. Agents may charge a standard agent fee ($4 or $8) for replacing general hunting and fishing licenses. In addition, licenses may be reprinted at home by the licensee at any time.

Big game licensees should contact GFP at 605.223.7660 for information on replacing lost big game licenses.  The cost to replace big game licenses is $4 for residents and $8 for nonresidents.

Revoked Licenses

If a person is convicted of certain wildlife violations, the person’s hunting or trapping privilege shall be automatically revoked for one or more years and that person is prohibited from buying or applying for another license during that time. 

Any person whose hunting or trapping privileges are currently revoked or suspended in any other state or country may not purchase a license or exercise the same privilege in South Dakota during the period of revocation or suspension. 

No person who has an unpaid and unsatisfied judgment issued for wildlife civil damages may hunt, fish, or trap or purchase, attempt to purchase or possess any South Dakota hunting, fishing, or trapping license. 

Restrictions

No one may, at any time apply for, procure, or possess a license or preference point under an assumed name or in which an address other than the person’s regular place of residence is given. Persons may not make any false statement whatsoever in securing a license or preference point. Persons may not lend a license or tag to another person or knowingly issue or aid in securing a license or preference point for any person not legally entitled to it.

Tribal Information

State hunting licenses are valid on private, deeded lands within the exterior boundaries of reservations. 

State hunting licenses are not valid on tribal trust lands and tribal licenses are not valid on private deeded lands within a reservation. Persons planning to hunt on tribal lands should contact the appropriate tribal office. If hunting on U.S. Army Corps of Engineers lands adjoining the Crow Creek or Standing Rock Reservations, state licensing requirements, seasons and bag limits apply. 

Ownership of the former U.S. Army Corps of Engineers lands on the Lower Brule Sioux Reservation and Cheyenne River Sioux Reservation has been transferred to the respective tribes. All tribal and federal laws apply down to the water’s edge. Please contact the appropriate tribal office for specific information.

Returned Licenses

GFP accepts license returns for all big game and limited draw seasons. To be eligible for a refund and reinstatement of preference points the following rules apply: 

  1. Deer licenses obtained during the combined deer drawing must be postmarked no later than September 24.
  2. Elk licenses, including all licenses issued to landowners, must be postmarked no later than August 1. 
  3. All other licenses must be postmarked prior to the start of the respective season.

Hunters returning their tags by these deadlines will receive a full refund and preference points for that season will be reinstated. Returned deer licenses will be posted on the GFP licensing website and available via a lottery drawing process. Preference points will not be used during this lottery drawing. Learn more about the drawing for returned licenses and eligibility requirements.  

Mail returned licenses with a note specifying this is a return license to: GFP Licensing Office, 20641 SD Hwy 1806, Fort Pierre, SD 57532. 

Youth accompaniment 

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