South Dakota is world-famous for pheasant hunting and also offers quality white-tailed deer, mule deer, pronghorn, and elk hunting in the Black Hills and Missouri River breaks.
South Dakota hunting seasons cover 430 season dates statewide for Pheasant, White-tailed Deer, Mule Deer and more. Most seasons are open to any licensed hunter within the posted dates. Use the tables below for exact opening and closing dates by species and zone.
Season data sourced from the South Dakota wildlife agency. Always verify dates and regulations on the official site before hunting—regulations can change during the season.
| GMU | Weapon | Season | Harvest | Public |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 00 | Archery | Sep 1 — Jan 1 | — | — |
| 00 | Rifle | Nov 1 — Dec 7 | — | — |
| 00 | Muzzleloader | Dec 1 — Jan 1 | — | — |
| 00A | Archery | Sep 1 — Jan 1 | — | — |
| 00A | Rifle | Nov 1 — Dec 7 | — | — |
| 00A | Muzzleloader | Dec 1 — Jan 1 | — | — |
+ 194 more Deer seasons
South Dakota season dates vary by species and zone. Archery seasons typically open first, followed by firearms and muzzleloader. This page lists 430 South Dakota season dates—check the species tables above for exact opening and closing dates.
South Dakota offers hunting for 5 species, including Pheasant, White-tailed Deer, Mule Deer and more. Each species has its own season dates, weapon rules and bag limits.
Always verify season dates and regulations with the official state wildlife agency:
South Dakota Official Hunting Regulations →See GMU boundaries, public land, and walk-in access areas for South Dakota on our interactive hunting map.
Hunting in Canada? Explore Crown Land Maps, Hunting Seasons, Licence Guide, and Regulations for Canadian provinces.