South Dakota has certain regulations in place for non-residents who wish to hunt in the state. Non-residents are only allowed to apply for bison, deer, and antelope and are not permitted to hunt bighorn sheep, mountain goat, or elk. It is important to note that South Dakota typically releases their current year regulations and changes at the end of May, which is after this issue has been published. As such, the information provided in this section is accurate to the best of our ability with the resources available to us. It is always advisable to check the South Dakota Game, Fish, and Parks website for any updates, especially as the application deadlines draw nearer. By staying up to date with any changes, non-residents can ensure they are following all rules and regulations and can have a successful hunting experience in South Dakota.

Applicants need to set up a user profile for the State Game and Fish website if they’ve never applied online before. A valid credit card is required when applying online, but it won’t be charged until the draw results are announced. There’s no application fee for antelope, deer, or bison licenses. Groups of up to six applicants can apply for limited issue licenses together, and either all members will draw a tag or none of them will. Incomplete applications void all other applications in the group. Residents and non-residents may apply together, but residents who apply with non-residents will have a lower chance of drawing a first-choice license.

The big game license consists of two parts – the tag and the license with general information about the licensee. Both parts must be carried while hunting during the specified big game season. The licensee is not allowed to take more big game than is authorized by the license or to kill a big game animal not specifically authorized by the license. The license and tag cannot be transferred, and the license must be in the licensee’s possession while hunting. The top portion of the big game licenses can be used to hunt various other allowed species until January 31, 2026. Big game licensees who have already filled their tag(s) can still carry a legal weapon to hunt these other species with their group.

Last year, no applicants with less than 2 points drew a bison license, and the bulk of the better antelope and deer units we cover took 2 or more points to draw. South Dakota makes 8% of their firearm antelope and deer licenses available to non-resident applicants. There are three drawings that take place before any leftover licenses are available. We are only covering the first drawing as almost every non-resident license is allocated through the first draw.

For seasons with limited licenses, there is a preference point system for unsuccessful applicants. One point is earned each year an applicant is unsuccessful, and these points are valid for the applicant’s first choice in the first drawing in their first unit-type choice only. Points are stored in the applicant’s account and remain valid even if they do not apply the following year. However, points cannot be transferred to another person. Youth applicants under age 16 will not be charged the $20 preference point fee.

South Dakota uses a preference point system for limited draw firearm antelope, deer, and bison licenses. You can buy preference points by paying the fee and entering the preference point code for each species. You can earn a maximum of one point per year per species, and the points only affect the first drawing. The more points you have, the better your chances of drawing a license. Non-residents can build preference points for their first choice in the first drawing, but preference is only valid for the first drawing in the applicant’s first unit. Points can be purchased September 15 through December 15, 2025. If you stop applying or buying points, South Dakota will purge your points five years later. There is also a points only code for applying for firearm antelope, deer, and bison licenses.

Listed draw odds were calculated by dividing the number of eligible applicants with preference points by the number of licenses available.

South Dakota offers a statewide resident and non-resident youth antlerless deer season, which traditionally opens the second Saturday of September. Youth who are 12-18 years old or who will turn 12 by December 31st of the current year may purchase a license and hunt the entire season. Youth hunters must possess a HuntSAFE card or another state equivalent Hunter Education certification.

Self-loading or autoloading firearms that hold more than six cartridges or shells are not allowed for hunting big game animals. Firearms capable of being operated as fully automatic are also prohibited for hunting both big and small game animals. Buckshot is also prohibited. Shoulder-held firearms using ammunition must produce at least 1,000 foot-pounds of energy at the muzzle and handguns using ammunition that is rated to produce at least 500 foot-pounds of energy at the muzzle are allowed for hunting deer and antelope. Only soft-point or expanding bullets are permitted.

Hunters using bows and arrows are not allowed to use or possess explosive, poisonous, hydraulic, or pneumatic points. Crossbows and draw-lock devices that hold the bow at partial or full draw are also not allowed, except for individuals with a valid crossbow/draw-lock permit. Electronic devices mounted to the bow that aid in taking game are not allowed, except for cameras. Game cameras, cell phones used exclusively for photographic purposes, lighted sight pins, and illuminated nocks are legal. Electronic arrow or string releases, telescopic sights, and arrows without at least two metal cutting edges are not allowed for hunting big game animals. Bows that measure less than 40 pounds pull when hunting elk or less than 30 pounds when hunting big game other than elk are not allowed.

In seasons restricted to muzzleloading firearms, telescopic sights are not allowed. Muzzleloading rifles must discharge a projectile of at least .44 caliber, while muzzleloading handguns must discharge a projectile of .50 caliber or larger.

Applicants can apply for a special buck license under a landowner in mid-April for better chances at drawing. Non-residents can apply for leftover licenses that return for specific units in the third draw held in early August.

South Dakota offers walk-in hunting areas leased by the state’s Department of Game, Fish, and Parks using money from hunting license sales and Federal Aid tax on hunting equipment sales. No permission from landowners is required to hunt in these areas, and driving is not allowed except on designated trails and parking areas. Despite 80% of South Dakota being private land, hunters can find enough public, accessible land with the help of a map and the South Dakota Game, Fish, and Parks brochure/atlas. Permission is required to hunt on private lands, and hunters are advised to apply for licenses and areas that have accessible public land or obtain private land permission before applying. South Dakota manages over 750,000 acres of public land and offers more than 1.2 million acres of leased private land for walk-in hunting. The private land walk-in hunting program started in 1988 and has grown to 1,400 landowners.