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 a municipal archery deer license (antlerless ARD-MP3) and an access permit provided by the Sioux Falls GFP office. The location where you hunt will determine which MP3 license you must purchase.
There are two options for archery deer hunting in Sioux Falls city limits: 1) on public/private land where the GFP administers hunting access, and 2) on private land. In Go Outdoors, these show as two different options when you apply, so make sure you are choosing the correct license. All ARD-MP3 licenses are printed and distributed at the Sioux Falls SDGFP office (4500 S. Oxbow Ave.).
1) Public/private land where the SDGFP administers hunting access (SFALLS01 & SFDIS01). This is a limited draw for 48 ARD-MP3 “Public Land” licenses (8 disabled hunting licenses and 40 general hunting licenses). SDGFP has acquired hunting access for certain private and public land within Sioux Falls. Hunters who successfully draw one of these tags will be randomly assigned a 1-month time period and hunting location. Hunting time periods will be for 1 month (i.e. September, October, November or December). The application period for these licenses is June 30 – July 21 at 8 a.m. (Central).
- All hunters must pass a proficiency test on August 12 or 13 from 5-7 p.m. at the GFP Outdoor Campus (4500 S. Oxbow Ave.). The proficiency test consists of 4 shots at 20 yards using the hunter’s broadhead tipped arrows and bow which he/she will be using within the city. Two the three arrows must land within an 8-inch circle to qualify. Successful applicants will receive emailed instructions about the mandatory meetings and proficiency test. Hunters who passed this test in 2024 do not need to qualify again.
- All hunters must attend a mandatory pre-hunt meeting with GFP and Sioux Falls Animal Control on August 20, 2025 from 6-7 p.m. at the Outdoor Campus (4500 S. Oxbow Ave).
- In an effort to incentivize doe harvest and control deer populations in the City of Sioux Falls, successful applicants for the GFP administered hunt will have the opportunity to harvest a buck AFTER they successfully harvest a doe and report it to GFP. After they pass the proficiency test and attend the mandatory meeting, successful applicants will be given an access permit which allows the hunter to harvest an ANTLERLESS DEER. Once the hunter harvests their antlerless deer during the GFP administered hunt and the harvest is confirmed by Sioux Falls GFP staff, they will be given an ANY DEER access permit. Harvest of an antlered deer under the ANTLERLESS DEER access permit may result in loss of hunting privileges and other charges.
2) Private Land (SFALLPVT)
a. Private land inside City limits that the City Police Department has approved: The City of Sioux Falls allows hunting on specific private properties to help manage deer populations in areas with high deer populations. All landowners who are interested in hunting their own land or are interested in allowing hunting on their land within city limits must get preapproval annually from the Sioux Falls Police Department by contacting the Sioux Falls Animal Control Supervisor at 605.367.7000. Hunters must contact landowners directly for written consent to hunt their property, and hunters must bring that written consent to the Sioux Falls GFP office (4500 S. Oxbow Ave.) to pick up their MP3 antlerless license and be issued an access permit to hunt in the city. When applying for this license, hunters should choose the ARD-MP3 “Private Land” License. The application period for these licenses is June 30 – July 21 at 8 a.m. (Central). There will be an initial draw for 100 licenses, then the leftovers can be purchased on a first-come, first-serve basis.
• All hunters within city limits must pass a proficiency test prior to being issued an access permit. Proficiency tests are administered at the SDGFP Sioux Falls office (4500 S. Oxbow Ave.) and must be pre-arranged with GFP staff. Each hunter will only be required to pass a proficiency test once per lifetime.
• All deer harvested within city limits must be reported to GFP.
b. Private Land outside City Limits (SFALLPVT): In 2025, hunters can purchase the ARD-MP3 “Private Land” license and use it on private land surrounding the city limits of Sioux Falls within the area defined as: 258th Street from 466th Avenue to 484th Avenue, then south to 268th Street, west on 268th to 480th Avenue, south on 480th Avenue to 271st Street, west along 271st Street to 466th Ave, and north along 466th Avenue to 258th Street (SEE MAP BELOW). Hunters must have permission from the landowner. No access permit or proficiency test is required outside city limits. The application period for these licenses is June 30 – July 21 at 8 a.m. (Central). There will be an initial draw for 100 licenses (which can also be used within city limits-see 2a), then the leftovers can be purchased on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Rules Specific to Sioux Falls Municipal Hunting
- Hunter must be a South Dakota resident.
- Hunter must be 18 years of age or older to hunt alone. Hunters under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a qualified adult mentor.
- Hunters must possess a hunter safety education certificate.
- All hunters within city limits are required to pass a proficiency test.
- Hunting is only allowed in areas pre-approved by Sioux Falls Police Department.
- All hunters must use municipal ARD-MP3 licenses to harvest antlerless deer in the MP3 zone.
- All hunters within the City must report harvest to SDGFP Sioux Falls office.
- Temporary hunting blinds, tree stands and game cameras will be allowed in most areas, but blinds/stands/cameras may not be placed prior to first day of the hunter’s access permit and must be removed by sunset on the last day of their access permit timeframe.
- Portable tree stands, portable blinds, and climbing devices that do not utilize nails, wire, or bolts for attachment are allowed. One screw-in t-bolt may be used to stabilize the tree stand. Removable screw-in steps may be used to access a tree stand.
- At no time will the hunter be allowed to drive a motor vehicle on the hunting property, except in designated parking zones. Disabled hunters may drive onto properties in designated areas as permitted by SDGFP.
- Only legal archery equipment can be used.
- A person must have their license in their immediate possession while hunting and their parking permit must be displayed in the front window of their vehicle.
- All hunters must sign an indemnity waiver for SDGFP coordinated hunts.
- A person’s hunting access permit will be revoked if the hunter is found to be in violation of any of these rules.
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 2024 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
