Municipal Deer Licenses
City of Rapid City Archery Deer License
A limited public archery hunt has been set up to provide an opportunity in certain areas within the city limits of Rapid City. This deer hunting opportunity will be administered cooperatively by the Rapid City Police Department and South Dakota Department of Game, Fish and Parks. People interested must apply on-line for a municipal deer license. The application period will open on June 27 and close on July 17 at 8 a.m. Central time.
This hunting opportunity will have 6 designated regular hunting zones (see maps below). There will be 8 hunt periods. Hunt periods will overlap but no more than 2 hunters will be allowed on any hunt zone at any time. When applying for the municipal license, hunters will be able to choose which time period they wish to hunt. Applicants will be able to make a first and second choice as to which sessions they would like to apply for. Hunt units will be assigned on a first-come-first-served basis at the mandatory orientation following the notification of successful applicants.
Dates for 2024 Rapid City Municipal Archery Hunt include:
Sept 1-Sept 26
Sept 13-Oct 10
Sept 27-Oct 24
Oct 11-Nov 7
Oct 25-Nov 21
Nov 8-Dec 5
Nov 22-Dec 19
Dec 6-Jan 1
The following criteria and rules will apply to this Rapid City limits archery hunting opportunity:
• A hunter must be a resident of South Dakota.
• A hunter must be 18 years of age to hunt alone. A hunter under the age of 18 must be accompanied (within arm’s reach) by a qualified adult supervisor.
• A hunter must possess a hunter safety education certificate.
• Individuals interested in this archery hunt must apply online for the opportunity to draw a municipal license. If a person draws a municipal license, that person can only hunt in the zone and session dates identified on the municipal license.
• If successful in drawing a municipal license, the license holder must attend a mandatory hunter briefing meeting prior to hunting. The dates and times of the briefing will be supplied in the email to successful applicants.
• A hunter must first harvest an antlerless deer on a valid SD license before they may utilize an Any Deer license. The first antlerless deer must be checked by texting a picture of the doe tagged with the municipal tag to GFP staff.
• Hunters must pass a proficiency test prior to applying for a municipal license. The proficiency test will require a hunter to place 3 of 4 arrows in an 8” diameter circle at 30 yards with a broadhead tipped arrow and the archery equipment to be used while hunting with the municipal license.
• Only legal archery equipment can be used during this hunt.
• A hunter must obtain and display a Parking Permit distributed by GFP in his or her vehicle while the hunter is hunting pursuant to the terms of the municipal license.
• All participants must complete and send in their hunter survey even if they do not harvest a deer.
• Preference points will be issued for unsuccessful municipal license applicants.
• A person must have their municipal license in their immediate possession while hunting.
• Temporary hunting blinds or trees stands will be allowed, but blinds may not be placed prior to a particular hunter’s license period and must be removed by the last day of their 28-day window. Temporary tree stands may be used but the use of nails, screws, bolts, or anything that will cause lasting damage to the tree is prohibited.
• At no time will a hunter be allowed to drive a motor vehicle on the hunting property, except in designated parking zones (vehicle parking identification will be provided). You are allowed in your hunt zone only during your specified hunt dates.
• A person’s municipal license will be revoked if the hunter is found to be in violation of any of these rules.
• If other restrictions are implemented, hunters will be notified of those restrictions at the mandatory hunter briefing meeting or through e-mail correspondence with successful applicants.
If you have additional questions about this season, please call the GFP Rapid City Regional Office at 605.394.2391.
Blessed Sacrament Church Hunting Zone
Outdoor Campus West Archery Complex Hunting Zone
Bailey Property Hunting Zone
Creek Drive Hunting Zone
Mount Rushmore Rd
Rapid City Airport
City of Sioux Falls
To hunt in the City of Sioux Falls you must have an archery deer license and an access permit provided by the Sioux Falls GFP office. The location you hunt determines which license you must purchase.
There are two options for archery deer hunting in Sioux Falls: 1) on private land in City approved areas with the written permission of the landowner, and 2) on public land/private land in City approved areas with permission/draw through Game, Fish and Parks.
1) Private land in City approved areas with the written permission of the landowner. For this hunting opportunity you can use either the following archery licenses: ARD-ST1-01 “Any Deer”, ARD-ER1-01 “Any Deer” East River, ARD-LM1-13 “Antlerless Whitetail” or the Municipal License/Access Permit ARD-MP3 “Antlerless Whitetail” Private Land License. In this situation, the license you use is approved by the landowner (buck or doe). There is a draw for 100 private land Municipal Licenses. The draw is held June 27-July 17 (8 am) and successful applicants will find out if they were drawn by email no later than July 22. Leftovers are available after that date on a first-come, first-serve basis. If you are drawn for the tag before July 17 your license will be sent to the Sioux Falls Regional GFP Office at 4500 S. Oxbow Avenue. You can pick it up there once you provide written permission from the landowner. After July 22, leftover licenses can be purchased at the Sioux Falls Regional office as long as written landowner permission is provided.
2) Public land/private land hunting which is managed by the GFP. On certain properties within Sioux Falls, GFP sets up hunting areas and blinds and completes a limited draw for Municipal License/Access Permits ARD-MP3 “Antlerless Whitetail” Public Land License. Hunters must apply for this license and select a preferred timeframe in which to hunt (see timeframes below). If drawn, the hunter then has a 2-week period to hunt in a specific unit that contains no other hunters. Units are randomly assigned to hunters.
Successful applicants for option 2 must attend a mandatory pre-hunt meeting with GFP representatives and pass a proficiency test. Hunters will receive their unit location, license and parking permit at that time. The proficiency test will be 4 shots at 30 yards using broadhead tipped arrows and the bow the hunter will be using within the city. Three of the 4 arrows must land within an 8-inch circle to qualify. There are 3 hunting units for general hunters (24 licenses) and one unit specifically set aside for disabled hunters (8 licenses).
Dates for 2024 Sioux Falls Municipal Archery Deer hunt:
Sept 1-Sept 14
Sept 15-Sept 28
Sept 29-Oct 12
Oct 13-Oct 26
Oct 27-Nov 9
Nov 10-Nov 23
Nov 24-Dec 7
Dec 8-Dec 21
Rules specific to the GFP administered hunting units:
- Hunter must be South Dakota resident.
- Hunter must be 18 years of age or older to hunt alone. A hunter under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a qualified adult supervisor.
- A hunter must possess a hunter safety education certificate.
- Temporary hunting blinds or tree stands will be allowed, but blinds may not be placed prior to the particular hunter’s license period and must be removed by the last day of their hunting timeframe. Temporary tree stands may be used but the use of nails, screws, bolts, or anything that will cause lasting damage to the tree is prohibited.
- At no time will the hunter be allowed to drive a motor vehicle on the hunting property, except in designated parking zones.
- You are allowed to hunt in your hunt zone only during your designated hunt dates. You must post your parking permit in the front window of your vehicle while hunting.
- A person’s municipal license will be revoked if the hunter is found to be in violation of any of these rules.
Rules for both private and public land hunting opportunities in Sioux Falls:
- Only legal archery equipment can be used.
- A person must have their license in their immediate possession while hunting.
When applying for the MP3 Municipal License, make sure you are selecting the correct option:
Option 1 – Private Land license: Private land where you personally have the landowner’s written permission. 100 licenses available, 1 license/hunter. Landowner permission required.
Option 2 – Public Land license: 24 general licenses and 8 disabled hunter licenses for GFP administered hunt on public and private land. 1 license/hunter. Proficiency test required.
City of Custer Archery Municipal Deer License
A limited public archery hunt has been set up to provide an opportunity in certain areas within the city limits of Custer. This deer hunting opportunity will be administered cooperatively by the City of Custer and South Dakota Department of Game, Fish and Parks in conjunction with the Custer County Sheriff’s Office. People interested must apply on-line for a municipal deer license. The application period will open on June 27 and close on July 18 at 8 a.m. Central Time.
This hunting opportunity will have 3 designated regular hunting zones (see maps below). There will be 5 hunt periods each lasting 14 days. When applying for the municipal license, hunters will be able to choose which time period they wish to hunt. Applicants will be able to make a first and second choice as to which sessions they would like to apply for. Hunt areas will be assigned on a first-come-first-served basis at the orientation meeting.
Dates for 2023 Custer Municipal Archery Deer Hunt include:
Oct 14 – Oct 27
Oct 28 – Nov 10
Nov 11 – Nov 24
Nov 25 – Dec 8
Dec 9 – Dec 22
The following criteria and rules will apply to this Custer City limits archery hunting opportunity:
• A hunter must be a resident of South Dakota.
• A hunter must be 18 years of age to hunt alone. A hunter under the age of 18 must be accompanied (within arm’s reach) by a qualified adult supervisor.
• A hunter must possess a hunter safety education certificate.
• Individuals interested in this archery hunt must apply online for the opportunity to draw a municipal license. If a person draws a municipal license, that person can only hunt in the zone and session dates identified on the municipal license.
• If successful in drawing a municipal license, the license holder must attend a mandatory hunter briefing meeting prior to hunting. The dates and times of the briefing will be supplied in the email to successful applicants.
• A hunter is encouraged to fill their municipal license first. However, a hunter may utilize a valid and applicable archery license(s) from the SDGFP within their hunting zone and hunting period.
• Hunters must pass a proficiency test prior to applying for a municipal license. The proficiency test will require a hunter to place 3 of 4 arrows in an 8” diameter circle at 30 yards with a broadhead tipped arrow and the archery equipment to be used while hunting with the municipal license.
• A hunter must mark his or her arrows with his or her SD archery license number that is printed on his or her municipal archery license or their printed first and last name. The license number typically starts with the 2-digit year followed by 8 digits (ex. 22-0000000).
• Only legal archery equipment can be used during this hunt.
• A hunter must obtain and display a Parking Permit distributed by SDGFP in his or her vehicle while the hunter is hunting pursuant to the terms of the municipal license.
• All participants must complete and send in their hunter survey even if they do not harvest a deer.
• Preference points will be issued for unsuccessful municipal license applicants.
• A person must have their municipal license in their immediate possession while hunting.
• Temporary hunting blinds or trees stands will be allowed, but blinds may not be placed prior to a particular hunter’s license period and must be removed by the last day of their 28-day license window. Temporary tree stands may be used but the use of nails, screws, bolts, or anything that will cause lasting damage to the tree is prohibited.
• At no time will a hunter be allowed to drive a motor vehicle on the hunting property, except in designated parking zones (vehicle parking identification will be provided). You are allowed in your hunt zone only during your specified hunt dates.
• A person’s municipal license will be revoked if the hunter is found to be in violation of any of these rules.
• If other restrictions are implemented, hunters will be notified of those restrictions at the mandatory hunter briefing meeting or through e-mail correspondence with successful applicants.
If you have additional questions about this season, please call the GFP Rapid City Regional Office at 605.394.2391.
Golf Course Hunting Zones West and East
Big Rock Park Hunting Zone
