South Dakota Deer Season 2026-27
South Dakota deer season dates start with Sep 1, 2026-Jan 1, 2027. The table below keeps every listed deer row together with zones and notes where available.
Quick answer
South Dakota's listed 2026-27 firearm deer season runs Nov 1-Dec 15, 2026.
Archery Deer opens Sep 1, 2026 and closes Jan 1, 2027.
Archery Deer opens Sep 1, 2026 and closes Jan 1, 2027.
The tables below keep the rest of the listed seasons together by species, with source links back to South Dakota GF&P.
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
Application: May 20 - Jun 9, 2026
Zone: Nonresident Public/Private Land
Deer
Archery
Application: Jul 6 - Jul 20, 2026
Zone: Municipal
Deer
Archery
Application: Jun 17, 2026 - Jan 1, 2027
Zone: General
Deer
Archery - Nonresident Public/Private Land
Application: May 20, 2026 - Jun 9, 2026
Deer
Archery - Municipal
Application: Jul 6, 2026 - Jul 20, 2026
Zone: Municipal
Deer
Archery
Application: Jun 17, 2026 - Jan 1, 2027
Deer
Apprentice and Mentored
Online application: Jun 17, 2026 - Jan 1, 2027
Deer
Regular Firearm
Online application: Jun 3 - Jun 23, 2026
Zone: Custer State Park
Deer
Regular Firearm
Online application: Jun 3 - Jun 23, 2026
Zone: Black Hills
Deer
Regular Firearm
Online application: Jun 3 - Jun 23, 2026
Zone: West River
Deer
Firearm - East River Nonresident Landowner
Nonresident Landowner. Online Application: Sep 10, 2026 - Sep 24, 2026
Zone: East River
Deer
Regular Firearm
Online application: Sep 10 - Sep 24, 2026
Zone: East River Nonresident Landowner
Deer
Regular Firearm
Online application: Jun 3 - Jun 23, 2026
Zone: East River
Deer
Muzzleloader
Online application: Jun 3 - Jun 23, 2026
White-tailed Deer
Special Buck Firearm
Online Application: Mar 19, 2026 - Apr 14, 2026
Zone: West River
White-tailed Deer
Regular Firearm
Online application: Mar 19 - Apr 14, 2026
Zone: West River Special Buck
White-tailed Deer
Regular Firearm
Online application: Mar 18 - Apr 14, 2026
Zone: East River Special Buck
White-tailed Deer
Special Buck Firearm
Online Application: Mar 18, 2026 - Apr 14, 2026
Zone: East River
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Nearby deer seasons
South Dakota Deer Season FAQ
When does deer season open in South Dakota?
September 1, 2026 is the earliest listed deer opener in South Dakota — archery deer runs Sep 1, 2026-Jan 1, 2027. Confirm zone and permit details with South Dakota GF&P.
What are the 2026-27 deer season dates in South Dakota?
South Dakota lists 18 deer season windows: Archery Deer (Sep 1, 2026-Jan 1, 2027); Archery Deer (Sep 1, 2026-Jan 1, 2027); Archery Deer (Sep 1, 2026-Jan 1, 2027); Archery - Nonresident Public/Private Land Deer (Sep 1, 2026-Jan 1, 2027); Archery - Municipal Deer (Sep 1, 2026-Jan 1, 2027); Archery Deer (Sep 1, 2026-Jan 1, 2027); Apprentice and Mentored Deer (Sep 12, 2026-Jan 1, 2027); Regular Firearm Deer (Nov 1-Dec 15, 2026); and more. Always verify against South Dakota GF&P before hunting.
Are there different deer seasons in South Dakota?
Yes — South Dakota lists separate deer seasons for Archery Deer, Archery - Nonresident Public/Private Land Deer, Archery - Municipal Deer, Apprentice and Mentored Deer, Regular Firearm Deer, Firearm - East River Nonresident Landowner Deer. Each can carry its own dates, zones, and weapon rules; see the table above and South Dakota GF&P.
Do I need a license to hunt deer in South Dakota?
Yes. South Dakota generally requires the appropriate hunting license, and deer hunting may also require tags, permits, stamps, or zone authorizations. Confirm requirements with South Dakota GF&P.