South Dakota is well known for its stunning natural beauty, many animals, and excellent hunting chances. Every year, as fall approaches, sportsmen from all over the nation anxiously await the beginning of the South Dakota deer hunting season. The South Dakota Deer Season is anticipated to be another successful and fun hunting season in 2023 for hunters of all experience levels. The South Dakota Deer Season provides an amazing experience in one of the country’s most beautiful and wildlife-rich states, whether you are an experienced hunter or a beginner just starting. To help you have a successful hunting trip, we’ll look more closely at what hunters may anticipate from the upcoming South Dakota Deer Season dates, rules, and limitations.
South Dakota Deer Season 2023
The South Dakota Deer Season, which provides a variety of hunting possibilities, including spot-and-stalk and stand hunting, is eagerly awaited by hunters across the US. However, it’s crucial to do your homework and get all required permits and licenses for the precise hunting unit you want to hunt in. The South Dakota Deer Season promises an amazing experience for hunters of all skill levels with its stunning environment and rich animals.
| SD Deer Seasons | Season Start Date | Season End Date |
|---|---|---|
| West River Special Buck | 11-Nov | 26-Nov |
| East River Special Buck | 18-Nov | 3-Dec |
| Resident Archery | 1-Sep | 1-Jan |
| Muzzleloader | 1-Dec | 1-Jan |
| Apprentice and Mentored | 9-Sep | 1-Jan |
| Black Hills | 1-Nov | 30-Nov |
| West River | 11-Nov | 26-Nov |
| East River | 18-Nov | 3-Dec |
| East & West River Antlerless | 9-Dec | 17-Dec |
| West River Landowner | 11-Nov | 26-Nov |
| East River Landowner | 18-Nov | 3-Dec |
| Custer State Park | 1-Nov | 15-Dec |
| Archery Antlerless Only Whitetail | 1-Sep | 1-Jan |
| Muzzleloader Antlerless Only Whitetail | 1-Dec | 1-Jan |
| Nonresident Archery Private Land Only | 19-Aug | 31-Oct |
| Nonresident Archery Public Land | 1-Oct | 1-Jan |
South Dakota Antelope Season
| SD Antelope Seasons | Season Start Date | Season End Date |
|---|---|---|
| Resident Archery (Season closed during firearms season) | 19-Aug | 31-Oct |
| Firearms Season | 30-Sep | 15-Oct |
| Landowner Season | 30-Sep | 15-Oct |
| Mentored Firearms Season | 30-Sep | 15-Oct |
| Nonresident Archery Public/Private Land (Season closed during firearms season) | 19-Aug | 31-Oct |
| Nonresident Archery Private Land Only (Season closed during firearms season) | 19-Aug | 31-Oct |
South Dakota Elk Season
| SD Elk Seasons | Season Start Date | Season End Date |
|---|---|---|
| Black Hills Firearm | 1-Oct | 31-Dec |
| Archery | 1-Sep | 30-Sep |
| Prairie | TBC | |
| Custer State Park Firearms | 1-Oct | 31-Oct |
| Custer State Park Archery | 1-Sep | 30-Sep |
Turkey Licenses
| SD Deer License Types | Non Resident Fee | Resident Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Deer (Archery) | 1 Any Deer $286 | 1 Any Deer $40 |
| 1 Doe Tag $80 | 1 Doe Tag $20 | |
| Deer (Black Hills) | 1 Any Deer $286 | 1 Any Deer $40 |
| 1 Any Whitetail $286 | 1 Any Whitetail $40 | |
| 1 Doe Tag $80 | 1 Doe Tag $20 | |
| Deer (Custer State Park) | N/A | Any Deer $156 |
| Antlerless Whitetail $31 | ||
| Deer (East River) | 1 Any Deer $286 | 1 Any Deer $40 |
| 1 Any Deer + 1 Doe Tag $336 | 1 Any Deer + 1 Doe Tag $50 | |
| 1 Doe Tag $80 | 1 Doe Tag $20 | |
| 2 Doe Tags $120 | 2 Doe Tags $30 | |
| Deer (West River) | 1 Any Deer $286 | 1 Any Deer $40 |
| 1 Any Deer + 1 Doe Tag $336 | 1 Any Deer + 1 Doe Tag $50 | |
| 1 Doe Tag $80 | 1 Doe Tag $20 | |
| 2 Doe Tags $120 | 2 Doe Tags $30 | |
| Deer (Mentored) | N/A | $5 |
| Deer (Muzzleloader) | 1 Doe Tag $80 | 1 Any Deer $40 |
| 1 Doe Tag $20 | ||
| Deer (National Wildlife Refuge ) | 1 Any Deer $286 | 1 Any Deer $40 |
| 1 Doe Tag $80 | 1 Doe Tag $20 | |
| Deer (Special Buck East River) | N/A | $175 |
| Deer (Special Buck West River) | $560 | $175 |
| Deer (Apprentice) | $10 | $5 |
| Deer (Youth) | $10 | $5 |
| Antelope (Archery) | Any Antelope $286 | Any Antelope $40 |
| Doe Antelope $80 | Doe Antelope $20 | |
| Antelope (Custer State Park ) | N/A | Any Antelope $156 |
| Antelope (Firearms) | Any Antelope $286 | Any Antelope $40 |
| Doe Antelope $80 | Doe Antelope $20 | |
| Antelope (Mentored) | N/A | Antelope $5 |
| Elk (Archery) | N/A | Any Elk $185 |
| Elk (Black Hills) | N/A | Any Elk $185 |
| Elk (Custer State Park) | N/A | Any Elk $316 |
| Elk (Prairie) | N/A | Any Elk $185 |
Turkey Regulations
- South Dakota public and privately leased areas will allow nonresident archery hunting on October 1. Walk-In Areas, Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program areas, Controlled Hunting Access Program areas, and Cooperative Hunting Access Areas are private. Nonresident archery hunters may hunt private property beginning September 1.
- South Dakota nonresident hunters must apply for a hunting license by April 1 to hunt on private and public properties. After the deadline, the license will only be valid for hunting on private property, not department-leased grounds. In 2020, the deadline was April 1. Nonresident hunters using private land licenses on public property may be cited.
- South Dakota residents will get 500 Unit 35L access licenses and 125 nonresidents. Lotteries will give these free entry permits.
- The SDGFP Commission approved a new deer license allocation proposal allowing resident hunters to apply for two of the six deer seasons in the first draw, including East River/Special Buck, West River/Special Buck, Black Hills, Muzzleloader, Refuge, and Custer State Park. Special Buck license holders may submit one extra application in the first draw, but not for the same season.
- The SDGFP Commission has approved changes to the deer license allocation proposal that allows resident hunters to apply for two of the six deer seasons in the first draw, while nonresident hunters can still apply for eight percent of West River, Black Hills, and Refuge hunting seasons. After the fourth draw, resident and nonresident hunters may acquire limitless permits. Youth under 15 may get free preference points for the combined deer draws, and first-time applicants in that age group get additional points. These adjustments will be reviewed in three years.
- CWD kills deer, elk, and moose. Lawrence, Pennington, Custer, Fall River, Custer State Park, and Wind Cave National Park in South Dakota have found it. Visit website and map for CWD information and authorized large-game corpse disposal locations.
FAQs on the SD Deer Hunting Season
When does South Dakota's deer hunting season start and end?
South Dakota’s deer hunting season begins and ends depending on the kind and region. West River Special Buck runs from November 11 to November 26, while East River Special Buck runs from November 18 to December 3. September 1 through January 1 is resident archery season. Muzzleloader season runs from December 1 through January 1. Apprentice and Mentored season runs September 9–January 1. Black Hills season runs from November 1 to November 30, West River from November 11 to November 26, and East River from November 18 to December 3. November 1 to December 15 is Custer State Park’s season. Finally, there are seasons for antlerless deer, archery-only whitetail, muzzleloader-only whitetail, and nonresident archery on private and public properties.
How would the delay in nonresident archery hunting help residents?
Residents will benefit from the later start date for nonresident archery hunting since they will exclusively use public lands for bow hunting in September. This implies that at this season, when the chance to kill a buck still in velvet is at its maximum, there will be less demand from nonresident hunters in certain public areas. Due to the absence of outside hunters, local hunters will have greater possibilities to shoot deer and enjoy the outdoors.
What are nonresident archery hunters' alternatives for November rut hunting if they miss the application deadline?
Nonresident archery hunters may still hunt the rut in November on public lands if their applications were submitted before the application deadline. However, if they fail to apply by the deadline, nonresident archery hunters will only be permitted to hunt the rut in November on private grounds, excluding sites leased by the government.
Can nonresident archery hunters hunt in South Dakota throughout September despite the delay?
Despite the postponement of the start date for nonresident archery hunting on public lands, nonresident bow hunters will still be permitted to hunt in South Dakota throughout September, but only on private property.
