For people who love outdoor activities: if you’re getting ready for exciting outdoor adventures in South Dakota, you’re in the right spot. The hunting season schedule is just around the corner, and we have listed the most up-to-date information on South Dakota hunting season, notices, and license details that all hunters should know.
Whether you’re hunting deer, birds, or a unique small game, we’ll assist you in preparing for a season this year. In this article, we have summarized and updated the necessary information regularly. Keep reading!
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South Dakota is a top destination for turkey hunters with excellent opportunities to harvest birds across two different seasons. Here we’ll cover everything you need to know about turkey hunting dates, licenses, limits, and more in South Dakota.
Overview of Turkey Seasons
South Dakota offers spring and fall turkey seasons:
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Spring Turkey – Available in the prairie Black Hills and Custer State Park regions from mid-April through May. Dates vary by region.
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Fall Turkey – Runs statewide from November 1st through January 31st.
Within spring there are also separate archery-only and mentored hunting seasons. Below are the turkey seasons for major South Dakota hunting zones:
Spring 2024
- Prairie: April 13 – May 31
- Prairie Archery: April 13 – May 31
- Black Hills: April 27 – May 31
- Black Hills Archery: April 27 – May 31
- Custer State Park: April 27 – May 19
- Mentored Hunting: April 13 – May 31
Spring 2025
- Prairie: April 12 – May 31
- Prairie Archery: April 12 – May 31
- Black Hills: April 26 – May 31
- Black Hills Archery: April 26 – May 31
- Custer State Park: April 26 – May 18
Fall
- November 1 – January 31 (both 2024 and 2025)
So your main spring options are prairie or Black Hills, plus statewide fall. Application deadlines and licenses vary.
Licensing Requirements
To hunt turkeys in South Dakota, you’ll need:
- Small game license
- State duck stamp
- Federal duck stamp
- Turkey tag or application
Resident fees are $28 for small game, $7.50 state duck, $25 federal duck. Nonresidents pay $125, $10, and $25 respectively.
Turkey tags are $6 for residents, $106 nonresidents. Apply for spring tags January 24 – February 12 each year through a lottery. Counties near the Black Hills often have the most tags.
Limits and Regulations
Here are some key regulations South Dakota turkey hunters should know:
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Bag limit – 1 bearded turkey in spring, 2 total in fall
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Shooting hours – 1⁄2 hour before sunrise to sunset
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Archery – Bows only, no crossbows
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Hunter orange required in certain spring seasons
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Special license needed for Custer State Park season
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Tagging, registration, and reporting required
Be sure to consult rules for the zone you’ll be hunting. Hiring an experienced guide is advisable your first time out.
Tips for Hunting Spring Gobblers
Since the spring season offers specialty hunting, many focus efforts then:
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Use calls and decoys to lure in breeding toms
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Target fields near forests and roost sites early/late
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Scout thoroughly pre-season to find signs like tracks and feathers
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Use camo and sit extremely still to avoid detection
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Wait for turkeys to get within 25 yards or less before shooting
Do your homework on seasons, limits, and patterns and you’ll gain a real edge on these wily birds. Just prepare for early wake up calls!
Top Turkey Destinations in South Dakota
South Dakota has excellent turkey habitat, especially in these areas:
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Black Hills – Mixed forests with meadow openings on public lands
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Custer State Park – Ponderosa pine habitat mixed with grasslands
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Missouri River region – Riparian woodlands along the river drainage
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James River valley – Cottonwood forests and agricultural fields
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Central prairie – Shelterbelts, creek corridors, and grasslands
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Northeast SD – Oak forests and agricultural edges
Wherever you hunt, focus on habitats like pine stands, hardwoods, meadows, crops, and brushy fence lines. With smart preparation and persistence, you can experience fantastic spring gobbler hunting across South Dakota.
Key Takeaways on South Dakota Turkey Seasons
Here are some top tips to recap:
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Spring offers specialty turkey seasons in the prairie and Black Hills
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Fall season is open statewide from November through January
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Acquire the proper licenses, stamps, and turkey tag/application
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Limits are 1 bearded turkey in spring, 2 total in fall
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Practice calling, scout thoroughly, and use decoys in spring
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Understand zone-specific dates, shooting hours, and regulations
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Black Hills and prairie regions offer premier spring gobbler habitat
South Dakota gives turkey hunters excellent opportunities to target these challenging birds. Follow the seasons, scout hard, and brush up on turkey hunting basics and you’ll gain an edge. Good luck this spring gobbler season!
South Dakota Waterfowl Hunting Season
- Duck Season – Low Plains North: Sep 21, 2024 – Dec 3, 2024
- Duck Season – Low Plains Middle: Sep 21, 2024 – Dec 3, 2024
- Duck Season – Low Plains South: Oct 26, 2024 – Jan 7, 2025
- Duck Hunting – High Plains: Oct 12, 2024 – Jan 16, 2025
- Canada Goose – Early: Sep 1, 2024 – Sep 30, 2024
- Canada Goose – Resident Special (Bennett County):Oct 19 – Dec 22, 2024
- Canada Goose – Unit 1:Sep 1, 2024 – Dec 16, 2024
- Canada Goose – Unit 2:Nov 4, 2024 – Feb 16, 2025
- Canada Goose – Unit 3:Jan 11 – Jan 19, 2024
- Canada Goose – Unit 3 (Bennett County, Second Season):Jan 11, 2025 – Jan 19, 2025
- Light Goose Conservation Order: Feb 19, 2024 – May 15, 2024
- Light Goose Season: Sep 28, 2024 – Jan 10, 2025
- White-fronted Goose Season: Sep 28, 2024 – Dec 10, 2024
- Youth Waterfowl: Sep 7, 2024 – Sep 8, 2024
- Sandhill Crane Season: Sep 28, 2024 – Nov 24, 2024
- Tundra Swan Season: Sep 28, 2024 – Jan 10, 2025
The bag limit and total possession limit for these waterfowl species are as follows:
| Species | Daily Limit | Possession Limit |
| Ducks | 6 | 18 |
| Canada Goose | 8 (Unit 1) | 24 (Unit 1) |
| 4 (Unit 2 & Unit 3) | 12 (Unit 2 & Unit 3) | |
| White-Fronted Goose | 3 | 9 |
| Light Goose | 50 | Unlimited |
South Dakota Upland Birds Hunting Season
| Seasons | Dates | Limits |
| Grouse Season | Sep 21, 2024 – Jan 31, 2025 | 3 daily and 15 in total |
| Partridge Season | Sep 21, 2024 – Jan 31, 2025 | 3 daily and 15 in total |
| Pheasant Season – Traditional | Oct 19, 2024 – Jan 31, 2025 | 3 daily and 15 in total |
| Pheasant Season – Youth Only | Sep 28 – Oct 6, 2024 | 3 daily and 15 in total |
| Pheasant Season – Resident Only | Oct 12- Oct 14, 2024 | 3 daily and 9 in total |
| Quail Season | Oct 19, 2024 – Jan 31, 2025 | 5 daily and 15 in total |
Shooting hours for each season vary from:
- Pheasant: 10 a.m., central time, to sunset.
- Prairie and Grouse: sunrise to sunset statewide.
- Quail: sunrise to sunset statewide.
Merriam’s Turkey Hunt in the Black Hills – TURKEY POSSE ’24
FAQ
How long is turkey season in South Dakota?
| Description | Dates |
|---|---|
| Turkey Season – Spring Archery | 2025 | Season Dates Start: Apr 12, 2025 End: May 31, 2025 |
| Turkey Season – Spring Mentored | 2025 | Season Dates Start: Apr 12, 2025 End: May 31, 2025 |
| Turkey Season – Spring Black Hills | 2025 | Season Dates Start: Apr 26, 2025 End: May 31, 2025 |
Where is the best turkey hunting in South Dakota?
Carpenter and mouth of White River area has a good bit of public hunting ground that is rough, tough to get around on but lots of turkey. Look at Lyman Co. in Atlas south of Ocoma.
Can you buy over the counter turkey tags in South Dakota?
- You can buy some over-the-counter turkey tags at retail stores and some County Treasurer offices.
- You must have a state-issued ID to purchase a license over the counter.
Can you road hunt turkeys in South Dakota?
Big game hunting on highways and public rights-of-way prohibited–Exceptions–Violation as misdemeanor. No person may hunt big game on interstate highways or controlled access facilities as defined in § 31-8-1 within this state.
Is there a spring turkey season in South Dakota?
Within spring turkey there are also separate regular archery-only, and mentored hunting seasons. Below are the 2024 and 2025 turkey season dates for the major South Dakota hunting areas Spring 2024 Spring 2025 Fall So your main options are prairie or Black Hills for spring turkey, plus statewide fall turkey.
When is turkey hunting in South Dakota?
South Dakota offers turkey hunting in the spring and fall seasons Spring Turkey – Available for prairie, Black Hills, and Custer State Park regions from mid-April through May. Specific season start and end dates vary. Fall Turkey – Runs November 1st through January 31st with no region restrictions.
Can you shoot a Turkey in South Dakota?
Finally, wild turkey bows must draw at least 30 pounds. However, cameras, video cameras, and cell phones used solely for photography are allowed. Note: For complete regulation for Turkey season in South Dakota, you may review the SD Game & Fish Park Website. FAQs on SD Turkey Hunting Season When is the South Dakota turkey hunting season?
What are the turkey hunting rules in South Dakota?
Here are some key turkey hunting rules to be aware of if hunting in South Dakota: Bag limit is 1 bearded turkey in the spring, 2 turkeys total in the fall. Legal shooting hours are from 1/2 hour before sunrise to sunset. Only bows allowed for archery seasons, no crossbows. Hunter orange required when hunting spring Black Hills and mentored seasons.
Will South Dakota have a turkey season in 2023?
Many hunters are preparing for a successful 2023 South Dakota turkey season. The state’s rich animals and picturesque scenery attract hunters nationwide. South Dakota’s turkey season is exhilarating and memorable for hunters of all levels.
Can the Black Hills spring turkey season be changed?
The Black Hills spring turkey season’s start date may be changed. South Dakota turkey hunters should have a productive season. Residents and nonresidents must be 12 to hunt. Nonresidents under 16 must give their hunter safety card certificate number or a current or past hunting license from any state.