South Dakota hunting
Public hunting land in South Dakota
Caliber maps 628 public hunting areas in South Dakota, with South Dakota Department of Game, Fish and Parks's license fees, hunter education rules and official links in one place. Find the closest land to you on a list or a map, free.
South Dakota · 628 areas
Black Hills National Forest
National forest · 1,075,125 acres
Buffalo Gap National Grassland
National grassland · 586,971 acres
South Dakota Field Office
BLM land · 275,364 acres
Grand River National Grassland
National grassland · 154,662 acres
Fort Pierre National Grassland
National grassland · 115,811 acres
Largest areas shown. Caliber sorts all 628 by distance from you.
- 615
- State wildlife areas
- 2
- National forests
- 4
- National grasslands
- 1
- BLM land
- 6
- National wildlife refuges
South Dakota hunting licenses and rules
- Wildlife agency
- South Dakota Department of Game, Fish and Parks
- Phone
- 605.223.7660
- Resident license
- $36 — Resident Small Game license (+ agent fee; $10 Habitat Stamp extra for ages 18+)
- Nonresident license
- $142 — Nonresident Small Game (10 days, two 5-day periods; no annual option; $25 Habitat Stamp extra)
- Hunter education
- HuntSAFE hunter education is required for ages 12 through 15; adults are not required.
Fees and rules as published by South Dakota Department of Game, Fish and Parks, checked Oct 31, 2026. They change, so confirm on the agency's site. This isn't legal advice.
Official links
- Hunting licenses
- Season dates
- Regulations
- Public hunting lands
- South Dakota Department of Game, Fish and Parks website
Practicing for hunter ed?
Caliber has unofficial hunter education practice questions with explanations.
Try sample questions →Largest public hunting areas in South Dakota
The 12 biggest of 628 areas. Caliber has every one, with a map, and sorts them by distance from you.
| Area | Type | Acres | Access |
|---|---|---|---|
| Black Hills National Forest | National forest | 1,075,125 | Open |
| Buffalo Gap National Grassland | National grassland | 586,971 | Open |
| South Dakota Field Office | BLM land | 275,364 | Open |
| Grand River National Grassland | National grassland | 154,662 | Open |
| Fort Pierre National Grassland | National grassland | 115,811 | Open |
| Custer National Forest | National forest | 73,893 | Open |
| Sand Lake National Wildlife Refuge | Wildlife refuge | 38,972 | Restricted: permit, reservation or special rules |
| Lacreek National Wildlife Refuge | Wildlife refuge | 33,142 | Restricted: permit, reservation or special rules |
| Waubay National Wildlife Refuge | Wildlife refuge | 9,262 | Restricted: permit, reservation or special rules |
| Shadehill Reservoir Game Production Area | State wildlife area | 6,206 | Open |
| Lake Thompson Game Production Area | State wildlife area | 5,698 | Restricted: permit, reservation or special rules |
| Buryanek Game Production Area | State wildlife area | 4,839 | Restricted: permit, reservation or special rules |
State wildlife areas · 615
Run for wildlife and, usually, hunting. Many need a state license plus a land-use permit or have their own season dates, draw hunts or weapon limits.
National forests · 2
Hunting is generally allowed under state hunting laws, except near developed sites and where posted. Some areas close for fire or wildlife.
National grasslands · 4
Hunting is generally allowed under state hunting laws. Grasslands are often mixed with private land, so know the boundaries.
BLM land · 1
Hunting is generally allowed under state hunting laws. BLM land is often scattered between private parcels, so legal access can be the hard part.
National wildlife refuges · 6
Refuges allow hunting only where and when each refuge opens it, often with its own permit and rules. Check the refuge's hunt page before you go.
South Dakota hunting FAQ
Where can I find public hunting land in South Dakota?
Caliber lists 628 public hunting areas in South Dakota: 615 state wildlife areas, 2 national forests, 4 national grasslands, 1 blm land, 6 national wildlife refuges. Open Caliber, enter your ZIP and see the closest areas on a list or a map. South Dakota Department of Game, Fish and Parks also publishes its own public hunting land information on its website.
How much is a hunting license in South Dakota?
As published by South Dakota Department of Game, Fish and Parks (checked Oct 31, 2026): resident, $36 — Resident Small Game license (+ agent fee; $10 Habitat Stamp extra for ages 18+); nonresident, $142 — Nonresident Small Game (10 days, two 5-day periods; no annual option; $25 Habitat Stamp extra). Fees change, so confirm on the agency's licensing page before you buy.
Do I need hunter education to hunt in South Dakota?
HuntSAFE hunter education is required for ages 12 through 15; adults are not required. Check South Dakota Department of Game, Fish and Parks for exemptions and current rules.
When is hunting season in South Dakota?
Seasons vary by species, zone and year, so Caliber links to South Dakota Department of Game, Fish and Parks's official season-date page instead of listing dates. Always check current regulations before you hunt.
Find South Dakota hunting land near you
All 628 South Dakota areas on a list or a map, sorted by distance, plus a free bullet drop calculator and DOPE book. Free on iPhone.
Free download · Optional Caliber Pro upgrade · iPhone and iPad
Public hunting land in other states
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Area data: USGS Protected Areas Database of the United States (PAD-US) 4.1, public domain. Access as recorded in PAD-US. Always check current regulations, seasons and access rules with South Dakota Department of Game, Fish and Parks and the managing agency before you hunt.
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