South Dakota 2025-27 Hunting Season Dates
Quick answer
South Dakota's listed 2025-27 firearm deer season runs Nov 1-Dec 15, 2026.
Archery Deer opens Sep 1, 2026 and closes Jan 1, 2027.
August Management Take Canada Goose opens Aug 15, 2026 and closes Aug 31, 2026.
The tables below keep the rest of the listed seasons together by species, with source links back to South Dakota GF&P.
- firearm deer
- Nov 1-Dec 15, 2026
- archery deer
- Sep 1, 2026-Jan 1, 2027
- waterfowl
- Aug 15-31, 2026
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Key seasons by species
We summarize official agency information and link to the source for verification. Regulations can change, and zone details matter. Always confirm final dates, bag limits, permits, and legal requirements with South Dakota GF&P before hunting.
Proposed 2026-27
federal openings
in South Dakota
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is proposing hunting and fishing access changes at 1 station in South Dakota. Public comment closes June 26, 2026.
Deer
19 listed rowsDeer
Firearm - National Wildlife Refuge
dates not listed
Exact dates not listed in the current data.
See application for season dates. Online Application: Jun 3, 2026 - Jun 23, 2026
Zone: National Wildlife Refuge
Deer
Archery
Sep 1, 2026-Jan 1, 2027
Application: Jun 17, 2026 - Jan 1, 2027
Deer
Archery
Sep 1, 2026-Jan 1, 2027
Application: Jun 17, 2026 - Jan 1, 2027
Zone: General
Deer
Archery
Sep 1, 2026-Jan 1, 2027
Application: May 20 - Jun 9, 2026
Zone: Nonresident Public/Private Land
Deer
Archery - Nonresident Public/Private Land
Sep 1, 2026-Jan 1, 2027
Application: May 20, 2026 - Jun 9, 2026
Deer
Archery - Municipal
Sep 1, 2026-Jan 1, 2027
Application: Jul 6, 2026 - Jul 20, 2026
Zone: Municipal
Deer
Archery
Sep 1, 2026-Jan 1, 2027
Application: Jul 6 - Jul 20, 2026
Zone: Municipal
Deer
Apprentice and Mentored
Sep 12, 2026-Jan 1, 2027
Online application: Jun 17, 2026 - Jan 1, 2027
Deer
Regular Firearm
Nov 1-Dec 15, 2026
Online application: Jun 3 - Jun 23, 2026
Zone: Custer State Park
Deer
Regular Firearm
Nov 1-30, 2026
Online application: Jun 3 - Jun 23, 2026
Zone: Black Hills
Deer
Regular Firearm
Nov 14-29, 2026
Online application: Jun 3 - Jun 23, 2026
Zone: West River
Deer
Firearm - East River Nonresident Landowner
Nov 21-Dec 6, 2026
Nonresident Landowner. Online Application: Sep 10, 2026 - Sep 24, 2026
Zone: East River
Show 7 more deer rows
Deer
Regular Firearm
Nov 21-Dec 6, 2026
Online application: Sep 10 - Sep 24, 2026
Zone: East River Nonresident Landowner
Deer
Regular Firearm
Nov 21-Dec 6, 2026
Online application: Jun 3 - Jun 23, 2026
Zone: East River
Deer
Muzzleloader
Dec 1, 2026-Jan 1, 2027
Online application: Jun 3 - Jun 23, 2026
White-tailed Deer
Regular Firearm
Nov 14-29, 2026
Online application: Mar 19 - Apr 14, 2026
Zone: West River Special Buck
White-tailed Deer
Special Buck Firearm
Nov 14-29, 2026
Online Application: Mar 19, 2026 - Apr 14, 2026
Zone: West River
White-tailed Deer
Regular Firearm
Nov 21-Dec 6, 2026
Online application: Mar 18 - Apr 14, 2026
Zone: East River Special Buck
White-tailed Deer
Special Buck Firearm
Nov 21-Dec 6, 2026
Online Application: Mar 18, 2026 - Apr 14, 2026
Zone: East River
Turkey
16 listed rowsTurkey
Spring Archery
Apr 11-May 31, 2026
Online application: Jan 21 - May 31, 2026
Zone: Prairie
Turkey
Spring
Apr 11-May 31, 2026
Online application: Jan 14 - Feb 11, 2026
Zone: Prairie
Turkey
Spring Mentored
Apr 11-May 31, 2026
Online application: Jan 21 - May 31, 2026
Turkey
Spring Prairie
Apr 11-May 31, 2026
Online Application: Jan 14, 2026 - Feb 11, 2026
Zone: Prairie
Turkey
Spring Prairie Archery
Apr 11-May 31, 2026
Online Application: Jan 21, 2026 - May 31, 2026
Zone: Prairie
Turkey
Spring Custer State Park
Apr 25-May 23, 2026
Online Application: Jan 21, 2026 - Feb 11, 2026
Zone: Custer State Park
Turkey
Spring Black Hills Archery
Apr 25-May 31, 2026
Online Application: Jan 21, 2026
Zone: Black Hills
Turkey
Spring Black Hills
Apr 25-May 31, 2026
Online Application: Jan 21, 2026
Zone: Black Hills
Turkey
Spring Black Hills - Nonresident
Apr 25-May 31, 2026
Nonresident. Online Application: Jan 21, 2026 - Feb 11, 2026
Zone: Black Hills
Turkey
Spring
Apr 25-May 31, 2026
Online application: Jan 21 - Feb 11, 2026
Zone: Nonresident Spring Black Hills
Turkey
Spring
Apr 25-May 31, 2026
Online application: Jan 21, 2026
Zone: Black Hills
Turkey
Spring
Apr 25-May 23, 2026
Online application: Jan 21 - Feb 11, 2026
Zone: Custer State Park
Show 4 more turkey rows
Turkey
Spring Archery
Apr 25-May 31, 2026
Online application: Jan 21, 2026
Zone: Black Hills
Turkey
Fall Prairie
Nov 1, 2026-Jan 31, 2027
Online Application: Aug 18, 2026 - Sep 2, 2026
Zone: Prairie
Turkey
Fall Mentored
Nov 1, 2026-Jan 31, 2027
Online application: Aug 18 - Sep 2, 2026
Turkey
Fall
Nov 1, 2026-Jan 31, 2027
Online application: Aug 18 - Sep 2, 2026
Zone: Prairie
Elk
Elk
Landowner Preference
dates not listed
Exact dates not listed in the current data.
See application for season dates. Online Application: Mar 12, 2026 - Apr 2, 2026
Elk
General
dates not listed
Exact dates not listed in the current data.
See application for season dates. Online application: Mar 12 - Apr 2, 2026
Zone: Landowner Preference
Elk
General
dates not listed
Exact dates not listed in the current data.
See application for season dates. Online application: Jul 14 - Dec 31, 2026
Zone: Prairie Landowner-own-Land
Elk
General
dates not listed
Exact dates not listed in the current data.
See application for season dates. Online application: Apr 22 - May 19, 2026
Prairie Elk
Landowner-own-Land
dates not listed
Exact dates not listed in the current data.
See application for season dates. Online Application: Jul 14, 2026 - Dec 31, 2026
Zone: Prairie
Waterfowl
16 listed rowsCanada Goose
General
Nov 4, 2025-Feb 15, 2026
2025 season
Zone: Unit 2
Canada Goose
August Management Take
Aug 15-31, 2026
August Goose Management Take
Canada Goose
Early
Sep 1-30, 2026
Early season
Canada Goose
General
Oct 1-Dec 16, 2026
Zone: Unit 1
Canada Goose
General
Nov 2, 2026-Feb 14, 2027
Zone: Unit 2
Duck
Youth
Sep 12-13, 2026
Youth Waterfowl
Duck
General
Sep 26-Dec 8, 2026
Zone: Low Plains North
Duck
General
Sep 26-Dec 8, 2026
Zone: Low Plains Middle
Duck
General
Oct 10, 2026-Jan 14, 2027
Zone: High Plains
Duck
General
Oct 24, 2026-Jan 5, 2027
Zone: Low Plains South
Light Goose
Conservation Order
Feb 16-May 15, 2026
Light Goose Conservation Order
Light Goose
General
Sep 26, 2026-Jan 8, 2027
Show 4 more waterfowl rows
Waterfowl
Youth Only - Nonresident
dates not listed
Exact dates not listed in the current data.
See respective unit and species for specific dates. Online Application: Jul 1, 2026 - Sep 13, 2026
Waterfowl
General - Nonresident
dates not listed
Exact dates not listed in the current data.
See respective unit and species for specific dates. Application: May 26, 2026 - Jun 8, 2026
Waterfowl
Youth Only
Sep 12-13, 2026
Youth Waterfowl season
White-fronted Goose
General
Sep 26-Dec 8, 2026
Dove
Mourning Dove
General
Sep 1-Nov 9, 2026
Pheasant
Pheasant
Youth Only
Sep 26-Oct 4, 2026
Pheasant
Traditional
Oct 17, 2026-Jan 31, 2027
Quail
Quail
General
Oct 17, 2026-Jan 31, 2027
Grouse
Prairie Grouse
General
Sep 19, 2026-Jan 31, 2027
Rabbit
Cottontail Rabbit
General
Sep 1, 2026-Mar 31, 2027
Squirrel
Tree Squirrel
General
Sep 1, 2026-Mar 31, 2027
Furbearer
Mink and Weasel
General
Nov 1, 2026-Jan 31, 2027
Zone: Resident
Mink and Weasel
General
Dec 1, 2026-Jan 31, 2027
Zone: Nonresident
Migratory Birds
August Goose
Management Take
Aug 15-31, 2026
August Goose Management Take
Sandhill Crane
General
Sep 26-Nov 22, 2026
Snipe
General
Sep 1-Oct 31, 2026
Tundra Swan
General
Oct 3, 2026-Jan 8, 2027
Online application: Jun 17 - Jul 1, 2026
Pronghorn
Antelope
Archery
Aug 15-Oct 31, 2026
Season closed during firearms season. Application: Jun 23 - Jul 7, 2026
Zone: Nonresident Public/Private Land
Antelope
Archery
Aug 15-Oct 31, 2026
Season closed during firearms season. Online application: Jul 22 - Oct 31, 2026
Antelope
Archery - Nonresident Public/Private Land
Aug 15-Oct 31, 2026
Season closed during firearms season. Application: Jun 23, 2026 - Jul 7, 2026
Antelope
General
Oct 3-18, 2026
Application: Jun 23 - Jul 7, 2026
Zone: Custer State Park
Antelope
Special
Oct 3-18, 2026
Online application: Jun 23 - Jul 7, 2026
Antelope
Firearms
Oct 3-18, 2026
Online Application: Jun 23, 2026 - Jul 7, 2026
Antelope
General - Custer State Park
Oct 3-18, 2026
Application: Jun 23, 2026 - Jul 7, 2026
Zone: Custer State Park
Antelope
Firearm
Oct 3-18, 2026
Online application: Jun 23 - Jul 7, 2026
Bison
Bison
Non-Trophy
Oct 5-Nov 13, 2026
Non-Trophy Buffalo
Zone: Custer State Park
Bison
Trophy
Nov 16, 2026-Jan 15, 2027
Trophy Buffalo
Zone: Custer State Park
Mountain Lion
Mountain Lion
General
Dec 26, 2025-Apr 30, 2026
Online application: Dec 3, 2025 - Dec 25, 2026
Zone: Black Hills
Mountain Lion
General - Statewide
Dec 26, 2025-Dec 25, 2026
Online Application: Dec 3, 2025 - Dec 25, 2026
Zone: Statewide
Mountain Lion
General
Dec 26, 2025-Dec 25, 2026
Online application: Dec 3, 2025 - Dec 25, 2026
Zone: Statewide
Bighorn Sheep
Bighorn Sheep
General
Sep 1-Dec 31, 2026
Online application: Apr 22 - May 19, 2026
Zone: Black Hills
Bighorn Sheep
General
Sep 1-Dec 31, 2026
Online application: Apr 22 - May 19, 2026
Zone: Custer State Park
Other
Crow
Spring
Mar 1-Apr 30, 2026
Spring season
Crow
Fall
Sep 1-Oct 31, 2026
Fall season
Partridge
General
Sep 19, 2026-Jan 31, 2027
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South Dakota Hunting Season FAQ
When does deer season start in South Dakota?
September 1, 2026 is the first listed deer opener for South Dakota; it is archery deer Sep 1, 2026-Jan 1, 2027.
When is South Dakota's firearm deer season?
Nov 1-Dec 15, 2026 is the listed firearm deer window for South Dakota. Check zone and permit details with South Dakota GF&P before hunting.
When does spring turkey open in South Dakota?
A current spring turkey opener is not listed for South Dakota yet. Check South Dakota GF&P for the latest turkey dates.
Do I need a license to hunt in South Dakota?
Yes. Hunters generally need the appropriate South Dakota hunting license, and some seasons may require tags, permits, stamps, or zone-specific authorizations. Confirm final requirements with South Dakota GF&P.