SD Deer Hunting

South Dakota Deer Season Dates 2026

Deer season in South Dakota runs Sep 1 – Aug 31 across 85 Units.

256 Seasons3 Weapon Types

Rifle

UnitTypeDatesHarvestPressurePublic
00Black HillsNov 1 — Dec 7———
00ABlack HillsNov 1 — Dec 7———
00BBlack HillsNov 1 — Dec 7———
00XBlack HillsNov 1 — Dec 7———
00ZBlack HillsNov 1 — Dec 7———
01ABlack HillsNov 1 — Dec 7———
Unit 1Black HillsNov 1 — Dec 7———
Unit 10Black HillsNov 1 — Dec 7———
Unit 11Black HillsNov 1 — Dec 7———
Unit 12Black HillsNov 1 — Dec 7———
Unit 13Black HillsNov 1 — Dec 7———
Unit 14Black HillsNov 1 — Dec 7———
Unit 15Black HillsNov 1 — Dec 7———
Unit 16Black HillsNov 1 — Dec 7———
Unit 17Black HillsNov 1 — Dec 7———
Unit 18Black HillsNov 1 — Dec 7———
Unit 19Black HillsNov 1 — Dec 7———
Unit 2Black HillsNov 1 — Dec 7———
Unit 20Black HillsNov 1 — Dec 7———
20ABlack HillsNov 1 — Dec 7———
Unit 21Black HillsNov 1 — Dec 7———
Unit 22Black HillsNov 1 — Dec 7———
Unit 23Black HillsNov 1 — Dec 7———
Unit 24Black HillsNov 1 — Dec 7———
Unit 25Black HillsNov 1 — Dec 7———

+ 61 more

Archery

UnitTypeDatesHarvestPressurePublic
00ArcherySep 1 — Jan 1———
00AArcherySep 1 — Jan 1———
00BArcherySep 1 — Jan 1———
00XArcherySep 1 — Jan 1———
00ZArcherySep 1 — Jan 1———
01AArcherySep 1 — Jan 1———
Unit 1ArcherySep 1 — Jan 1———
Unit 10ArcherySep 1 — Jan 1———
Unit 11ArcherySep 1 — Jan 1———
Unit 12ArcherySep 1 — Jan 1———
Unit 13ArcherySep 1 — Jan 1———
Unit 14ArcherySep 1 — Jan 1———
Unit 15ArcherySep 1 — Jan 1———
Unit 16ArcherySep 1 — Jan 1———
Unit 17ArcherySep 1 — Jan 1———
Unit 18ArcherySep 1 — Jan 1———
Unit 19ArcherySep 1 — Jan 1———
Unit 2ArcherySep 1 — Jan 1———
Unit 20ArcherySep 1 — Jan 1———
20AArcherySep 1 — Jan 1———
Unit 21ArcherySep 1 — Jan 1———
Unit 22ArcherySep 1 — Jan 1———
Unit 23ArcherySep 1 — Jan 1———
Unit 24ArcherySep 1 — Jan 1———
Unit 25ArcherySep 1 — Jan 1———

+ 60 more

Muzzleloader

UnitTypeDatesHarvestPressurePublic
00MuzzleloaderDec 1 — Jan 1———
00AMuzzleloaderDec 1 — Jan 1———
00BMuzzleloaderDec 1 — Jan 1———
00XMuzzleloaderDec 1 — Jan 1———
00ZMuzzleloaderDec 1 — Jan 1———
01AMuzzleloaderDec 1 — Jan 1———
Unit 1MuzzleloaderDec 1 — Jan 1———
Unit 10MuzzleloaderDec 1 — Jan 1———
Unit 11MuzzleloaderDec 1 — Jan 1———
Unit 12MuzzleloaderDec 1 — Jan 1———
Unit 13MuzzleloaderDec 1 — Jan 1———
Unit 14MuzzleloaderDec 1 — Jan 1———
Unit 15MuzzleloaderDec 1 — Jan 1———
Unit 16MuzzleloaderDec 1 — Jan 1———
Unit 17MuzzleloaderDec 1 — Jan 1———
Unit 18MuzzleloaderDec 1 — Jan 1———
Unit 19MuzzleloaderDec 1 — Jan 1———
Unit 2MuzzleloaderDec 1 — Jan 1———
Unit 20MuzzleloaderDec 1 — Jan 1———
20AMuzzleloaderDec 1 — Jan 1———
Unit 21MuzzleloaderDec 1 — Jan 1———
Unit 22MuzzleloaderDec 1 — Jan 1———
Unit 23MuzzleloaderDec 1 — Jan 1———
Unit 24MuzzleloaderDec 1 — Jan 1———
Unit 25MuzzleloaderDec 1 — Jan 1———

+ 60 more

Deer in South Dakota: FAQ

When is deer season in South Dakota?

Deer season in South Dakota currently runs Sep 1 to Aug 31, across 256 season rows and 85 Units, split by weapon (Archery, Rifle, Muzzleloader).

Where is the best place to hunt deer in South Dakota?

The best Units for deer in South Dakota depend on harvest success and public-land access, both shown per Unit above. Compare units before you apply for a tag or plan your hunt.

Plan your Deer hunt in South Dakota

View Unit boundaries, public land, and walk-in access areas on our interactive map.

Also see South Dakota seasons, public land, and license.

Deer seasons in South Dakota — offline