South Dakota 2026-27 Hunting Season Dates
Quick answer
South Dakota's 2026-27 firearm deer season opens between November 1, 2026 and November 21, 2026 depending on zone; the last zone closes December 6, 2026.
Archery deer season runs Sep 1, 2026-Jan 1, 2027.
Duck season opens between September 26, 2026 and October 24, 2026 depending on zone; the last zone closes January 14, 2027.
The tables below keep the rest of the listed seasons together by species, with source links back to South Dakota GF&P.
- firearm deer
- opens Nov 1-21, 2026 by zone
- archery deer
- Sep 1, 2026-Jan 1, 2027
- duck
- opens Sep 26-Oct 24, 2026 by zone
Free South Dakota wallpaper
South Dakota 2026-27
Save to Photos → set as your lock screen. See all 50 states →
Get South Dakota’s dates + next season’s wallpaper in your inbox
Key seasons by species
How to read South Dakota's seasons
Deer licenses are drawn by unit and season
South Dakota issues most deer licenses by unit through a draw, split across East River, West River, and specialty seasons, so the dates below apply only once you hold a license for a specific unit and season type.
Confirm unit boundaries, license availability, and draw deadlines with the official South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks source.
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.
New 2026-27
federal openings
in South Dakota
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service opened or expanded hunting and fishing access at 1 station in South Dakota. The final rule took effect August 31, 2026.
Deer
14 listed rowsDeer
Archery
Application Dates: Jun 17, 2026 - Jan 1, 2027
Zone: Statewide
Deer
Municipal Archery
Application Dates: Jul 6, 2026 - Jul 20, 2026
Zone: Municipal
Deer
Nonresident Archery Private Land
Application Dates: May 20, 2026 - Jun 9, 2026
Zone: Statewide
Deer
Apprentice and Mentored
Online Application Dates: Jul 28, 2026 - Jan 1, 2027
Zone: Statewide
Deer
Nonresident Archery Public or Private Land
Application Dates: May 20, 2026 - Jun 9, 2026
Zone: Statewide
Deer
Firearms
Online Application Dates: Jun 3, 2026 - Jun 23, 2026
Zone: Black Hills
Deer
Firearms
Online Application Dates: Jun 3, 2026 - Jun 23, 2026
Zone: Custer State Park
Deer
West River Special Buck
Online Application Dates: Mar 19, 2026 - Apr 14, 2026
Zone: West River
Deer
Firearms
Online Application Dates: Jun 3, 2026 - Jun 23, 2026
Zone: West River
Deer
Firearms
Online Application Dates: Jun 3, 2026 - Jun 23, 2026
Zone: East River
Deer
East River Special Buck
Online Application Dates: Mar 18, 2026 - Apr 14, 2026
Zone: East River
Deer
East River Nonresident Landowner
Online Application Dates: Sep 10, 2026 - Sep 24, 2026
Zone: East River
| Season | Dates | Status |
|---|---|---|
| DeerNational Wildlife Refuge Deer · National Wildlife RefugeSee application for season dates. Online Application Dates: Jun 3, 2026 - Jun 23, 2026 | dates not listed | Closed |
| DeerMuzzleloader · StatewideOnline Application Dates: Jun 3, 2026 - Jun 23, 2026 | Upcoming |
Turkey
Turkey
Fall Prairie
Online Application Dates: Aug 18, 2026 - Sep 2, 2026
Zone: Prairie
Turkey
Fall Mentored
Online Application Dates: Aug 18, 2026 - Sep 2, 2026
Zone: Statewide
Turkey
Spring Mentored
Online Application Dates: Jan 21, 2026 - May 31, 2026
Zone: Statewide
Turkey
Spring Prairie
Online Application Dates: Jan 14, 2026 - Feb 11, 2026
Zone: Prairie
Turkey
Spring Prairie Archery
Online Application Dates: Jan 21, 2026 - May 31, 2026
Zone: Prairie
Turkey
Nonresident Spring Black Hills
Online Application Dates: Jan 21, 2026 - Feb 11, 2026
Zone: Black Hills
Turkey
Spring Black Hills Archery
Online Application Dates: Jan 21, 2026
Zone: Black Hills
Turkey
Spring Custer State Park
Online Application Dates: Jan 21, 2026 - Feb 11, 2026
Zone: Custer State Park
Turkey
Spring Black Hills
Online Application Dates: Jan 21, 2026
Zone: Black Hills
Elk
Elk
Traditional
dates not listed
Exact dates not listed in the current data.
See application for season dates. Online Application Dates: Apr 22, 2026 - May 19, 2026
Zone: Statewide
Elk
Prairie Elk - Landowner-own-Land
dates not listed
Exact dates not listed in the current data.
See application for season dates. Online Application Dates: Jul 14, 2026 - Dec 31, 2026
Zone: Prairie
Elk
Landowner Preference
dates not listed
Exact dates not listed in the current data.
See application for season dates. Online Application Dates: Mar 12, 2026 - Apr 2, 2026
Zone: Statewide
Waterfowl
Canada Goose
Traditional
Zone: Unit 1
Canada Goose
Traditional
Zone: Unit 2
Duck
Traditional
Zone: Low Plains Middle
Duck
Traditional
Zone: Low Plains North
Duck
Traditional
Zone: High Plains
Duck
Traditional
Zone: Low Plains South
Light Goose
Traditional
Zone: Statewide
White-fronted Goose
Traditional
Zone: Statewide
Canada Goose
Early
Zone: Statewide
Light Goose
Conservation Order
Zone: Statewide
Waterfowl
Youth Waterfowl - Nonresident
dates not listed
Exact dates not listed in the current data.
See respective unit and species for specific dates. Online Application Dates: Jul 1, 2026 - Sep 13, 2026
Zone: Statewide
Waterfowl
Youth Waterfowl
Zone: Statewide
Dove
Mourning Dove
Traditional
Zone: Statewide
Pheasant
Pheasant
Traditional
Zone: Statewide
Pheasant
Youth Only
Zone: Statewide
Pheasant
Resident Only
Zone: Statewide
Quail
Quail
Traditional
Zone: Statewide
Grouse
Prairie Grouse
Traditional
Zone: Statewide
Rabbit
Cottontail Rabbit
Traditional
Zone: Statewide
Squirrel
Tree Squirrel
Traditional
Zone: Statewide
Furbearer
Mink and Weasel
Traditional
Resident season
Zone: Statewide
Mink and Weasel
Nonresident
Nonresident season
Zone: Statewide
Migratory Birds
Sandhill Crane
Traditional
Zone: Statewide
Tundra Swan
Traditional
Online Application Dates: Jun 17, 2026 - Jul 1, 2026
Zone: Statewide
Goose
August Goose Management Take
Zone: Statewide
Snipe
Traditional
Zone: Statewide
Pronghorn
Antelope
Archery
Season closed during firearms season. Online Application Dates: Jul 22, 2026 - Oct 31, 2026
Zone: Statewide
Antelope
Nonresident Archery Public/Private Land
Season closed during firearms season. Application Dates: Jun 23, 2026 - Jul 7, 2026
Zone: Statewide
Antelope
Firearms
Online Application Dates: Jun 23, 2026 - Jul 7, 2026
Zone: Statewide
Antelope
Special
Online Application Dates: Jun 23, 2026 - Jul 7, 2026
Zone: Statewide
Antelope
Custer State Park
Application Dates: Jun 23, 2026 - Jul 7, 2026
Zone: Custer State Park
Bison
Bison
Non-Trophy Buffalo
Zone: Custer State Park
Bison
Trophy Buffalo
Zone: Custer State Park
Mountain Lion
Mountain Lion
Traditional
Online Application Dates: Dec 3, 2025 - Dec 25, 2026
Zone: Statewide
Mountain Lion
Traditional
Online Application Dates: Dec 3, 2025 - Dec 25, 2026
Zone: Black Hills
Bighorn Sheep
Bighorn Sheep
Traditional
Online Application Dates: Apr 22, 2026 - May 19, 2026
Zone: Custer State Park
Bighorn Sheep
Traditional
Online Application Dates: Apr 22, 2026 - May 19, 2026
Zone: Black Hills
Other
Partridge
Traditional
Zone: Statewide
Crow
Fall
Zone: Statewide
The Friday Hunting Briefing.
Gear deals worth grabbing, the week's hunting news, and field-tested picks — curated every Friday by a hunter, for hunters. Free, unsubscribe anytime.
🎯 While you wait for opening day
Practice in Hunting Homestead
Build a property, plant food plots, and take shots with real ballistics in our free browser game. No download — season's always open.
South Dakota Hunting Season FAQ
When does deer season start in South Dakota?
Archery deer season runs Sep 1, 2026-Jan 1, 2027. Firearm deer season opens between November 1, 2026 and November 21, 2026 depending on zone; the last zone closes December 6, 2026. Dates can differ by zone and permit; confirm with South Dakota GF&P.
When is South Dakota's firearm deer season?
Firearm deer season opens between November 1, 2026 and November 21, 2026 depending on zone; the last zone closes December 6, 2026. Check zone and permit details with South Dakota GF&P before hunting.
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.
Explore more hunting seasons
Nearby states