South Dakota Bison Hunting 2025

Application Deadlines Non-Resident Fees Resident Fees Big Game Season Dates Draw Result Dates State Contact Information

West River Special Buck: April 15, 2025
Archery Deer: April 22, 2025
Archery Antelope: April 23, 2025
Sheep, Mtn Goat, Elk (Residents Only): May 20, 2025
Firearm Deer: June 17, 2025
Archery Limited Access Permits: July 1, 2025
Bison: August 7, 2025
Firearm Antelope: August 12, 2025
Points Only: December 15, 2025

FEES
Habitat Stamp Fee	$25.00
Trophy Bison	$6,506.00
Non-Trophy Bison	$3,256.00
Deer (West River, Black Hills, Refuge, Archery)	$375.00
Deer (West River Special Buck)	$650.00
Deer (Youth Only Antlerless)	$10.00
Antelope	$375.00
Antelope (Special Buck)	$650.00
Preference Point Only (Per Species)	$20.00

FEES
Habitat Stamp Fee	$10.00
Trophy Bison	$6,506.00
Non-Trophy Bison	$3,256.00
Deer (West River, Black Hills, Refuge, Archery)	$45.00
Deer (West River Special Buck)	$200.00
Deer (Youth Only Antlerless)	$5.00
Antelope	$45.00
Antelope (Special Buck)	$200.00
Preference Point Only (Per Species)	$5.00

SOUTH DAKOTA BISON SEASON DATES
Trophy Bull Hunts (Custer State Park)	Nov 17, 2025 – Jan 16, 026 (assigned dates)
Non-Trophy Hunts (Custer State Park)	Oct 6 – Nov 14 2025 (assigned dates)
SOUTH DAKOTA DEER SEASON DATES
Archery (All Areas)	Sep 1, 2025 – Jan 1, 2026
Firearm – West River	Nov 15 – Nov 30, 2025
Firearm – East River	Nov 22 – Dec 7, 2025
Firearm – Black Hills	Nov 1 – Nov 30, 2025
Firearm – Custer State Park	Nov 1 – Dec 15, 2025
Muzzleloader (All Zones)	Dec 1, 2025 – Jan 1, 2026
SOUTH DAKOTA ANTELOPE SEASON DATES
Archery	Aug 16 – Oct 31, 2025 (closed during firearm season)
Firearm & Special Draws	Oct 4 – Oct 19, 2025
SOUTH DAKOTA ELK SEASON DATES
Archery – Black Hills	Sep 1 – Sep 30, 2025
Firearm – Custer State Park	Oct 1 – Oct 31, 2025
SOUTH DAKOTA SHEEP SEASON DATES
Black Hills & Custer State Park Bighorn	Sep 1 – Dec 31, 2025

Disclaimer: Season dates vary by species and unit. Emergency orders may adjust dates. Verify with South Dakota GFP: https://gfp.sd.gov/hunting/

2025:
Archery Deer : April 22
Bighorn Sheep, Goat, Elk : Late May
Archery Antelope : April 23
Black Hills Deer : June 20
Firearm Deer : June 20
Firearm Antelope : Late August
Bison : Mid September

South Dakota Game, Fish, and Parks

523 East Capitol Avenue
Pierre, SD 57501
ph. 605-223-7660

APPLY

The bison herd on Custer State Park is doing really well. Both residents and non-residents may apply for bison hunts. Hunting opportunities are broken down into two categories – trophy bull and non-trophy bison. Hunting bison within Custer State Park is highly regulated. Bison taken in Custer State Park are eligible for Boone and Crockett’s record book program. Many top-scoring bison in the B&C record book come from this herd in South Dakota. Archery equipment is now allowed for all bison hunts.

A hunter is required to schedule and hunt with a Park-provided guide for all bison hunts at no additional charge. The Park will also provide field handling and may provide transportation of the carcass. The guide will indicate which animals are eligible and will approve the location to harvest. Applications will be available online for all bison hunts in July. Group applications are not allowed for trophy bull hunts. You must have 2 or more preference points to be considered in the draw.

Unit	Unit Description
CU124, Trophy bull	This hunt is a management tool to remove the oldest breeding bulls from the herd of Custer State Park. These bulls are typically 10+ years old. The trophy bulls are Boone & Crockett eligible as the hunt takes place on the entire Custer State Park. This is a two-day hunt where hunters can hunt with either a rifle or archery equipment.
CU125, Non-trophy bull	The purpose of the non-trophy bison hunt is to remove excess cows and young bulls from the herd of Custer State Park. Designated management animals will be moved to a 2,000-acre enclosure where license holders may kill any of the animals inside. A guide will designate this class of bison as your target on your one-day hunt. Non-trophy bulls are typically 2 1/2 years old and will range from 900 to 1,100+ pounds. Hunters can hunt with either a rifle or archery equipment.

Unit

Unit Description

CU124, Trophy bull

This hunt is a management tool to remove the oldest breeding bulls from the herd of Custer State Park. These bulls are typically 10+ years old. The trophy bulls are Boone & Crockett eligible as the hunt takes place on the entire Custer State Park. This is a two-day hunt where hunters can hunt with either a rifle or archery equipment.

CU125, Non-trophy bull

The purpose of the non-trophy bison hunt is to remove excess cows and young bulls from the herd of Custer State Park. Designated management animals will be moved to a 2,000-acre enclosure where license holders may kill any of the animals inside. A guide will designate this class of bison as your target on your one-day hunt. Non-trophy bulls are typically 2 1/2 years old and will range from 900 to 1,100+ pounds. Hunters can hunt with either a rifle or archery equipment.

HFA002-5

Alaska Peninsula Coast

Species: Brown Bear

Cost: $ 29,500.00

Location: Alaska, United States

HFA091-1

New Mexico Unit 36

Species: Rocky Mountain Elk

Cost: $ 8,000.00

Location: New Mexico, United States

HFA396-3

All-Inclusive Guided Stone

Species: Stone Sheep

Cost: $ 89,250.00

Location: British Columbia, Canada

HFA038-5

Trophy Canadian Moose

Species: Canadian Moose

Cost: $ 9,800.00

Location: British Columbia, Canada

HFA127-2

Wyoming Antelope Hunt

Species: Pronghorn Antelope

Cost: $ 4,500.00

Location: Wyoming, United States

HFA245-8

Montana Mountain Lion

Species: Mountain Lion

Cost: $ 6,800.00

Location: Montana, United States

HFA392-4

Idaho Trophy Mule Deer

Species: Mule Deer

Cost: $ 5,900.00

Location: Idaho, United States

SOUTH DAKOTA BISON HUNTS	2025 SEASON DATES
Trophy Bull Hunts (Custer State Park)	Nov 17, 2025 – Jan 16, 026 (assigned dates)
Non-Trophy Hunts (Custer State Park)	Oct 6 – Nov 14 2025 (assigned dates)

Disclaimer: Dates vary by assigned hunt period. Verify with South Dakota GFP: https://gfp.sd.gov/hunting/

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