General Hunting Information

Accommodations:
Most South Dakota communities offer motels, campgrounds and bed-and-breakfast housing at reasonable rates. Reservations are typically unnecessary except during the opening of the pheasant and west river deer seasons. In addition, some farm families host hunters. Request a free South Dakota Vacation Guide from the Office of Tourism for a listing of accommodations, or visit the online Visitor Services Directory. If you have already requested a South Dakota Fishing and Hunting Guide, a South Dakota Vacation Guide will automatically be sent with it.

Hunting on Private Land:
Hunters and trappers must have permission from landowners or lessees of private land before hunting on that land. No one may enter Black Hills land to hunt if the land is posted or after being told by the owner or lessee not to do so.

Licensing:
Nonresidents who are at least 12 years old or turn 12 before Jan. 1, may apply for or buy licenses and may hunt in an open season beginning Sept. 1. To purchase a South Dakota license, nonresidents under 16 must show proof they have passed a hunter safety course or they hold a hunting license for the current or previous year from any state. All big game archery licensees, ages 11-15, all first-time archery big game licensees regardless of age, and all archery elk licensees must possess a National Bowhunter Education Foundation certificate or certificate of completion from a bowhunter education course approved by any state or provincial government.

Small Game Licenses:
Small game licenses may be obtained from authorized licensing agents, such as hardware and sporting goods stores. Nonresident small game licenses are valid for two periods of five consecutive days each. Hunters may buy additional small game licenses.