Season windows from official South Dakota Game, Fish & Parks data, organized by species, unit, weapon, and tag type so you can line up realistic hunt dates before you apply.
Earliest Archery Open
Sep 1, 2025
2025 season
Latest Rifle Close
Jan 1, 2026
2025 season
Total Seasons
22
across all species
The 2025 South Dakota calendar spans 22 season windows across 3 species, opening as early as Sep 1, 2025 for archery and running through Jan 1, 2026 for rifle. Each species carries its own archery, rifle, and muzzleloader dates, and many vary by unit.
Line these windows up against the application deadlines before you apply, since drawing a tag you can't hunt around your schedule is a wasted point year. Dates below come from official South Dakota Game, Fish & Parks records; use the year selector above to compare seasons across years.
| Season | Weapon | Opens | Closes | Tag Type | Tags Available |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
RAD · archery | Archery | Sep 1, 2025 | Jan 1, 2026 | Draw | – |
APD · firearm | Rifle | Sep 13, 2025 | Jan 1, 2026 | Draw | – |
YOD · firearm | Rifle | Sep 13, 2025 |
When does hunting season open in South Dakota in 2025?
The earliest South Dakota 2025 archery season we track opens Sep 1, 2025, and the latest rifle season runs through Jan 1, 2026. Dates vary by species, unit, and weapon; check the full breakdown below. Source: official South Dakota Game, Fish & Parks records.
What can I hunt in South Dakota in 2025?
We track 22 South Dakota 2025 season windows across 3 species: Mule Deer, Pronghorn, Whitetail. Each has its own archery, rifle, and muzzleloader dates by unit.
Want draw odds and point projections for South Dakota?
Tag Planner models your draw timeline, true cost, and ROI across every western state. Free to try.
Last updated Jun 18, 2026 from official South Dakota Game, Fish & Parks records.
| Jan 1, 2026 |
| Draw |
| – |
BHD · firearm | Rifle | Nov 1, 2025 | Nov 30, 2025 | Draw | – |
CSP · firearm | Rifle | Nov 1, 2025 | Nov 30, 2025 | Draw | – |
WRD · firearm | Rifle | Nov 15, 2025 | Nov 30, 2025 | Draw | – |
ERD · firearm | Rifle | Nov 22, 2025 | Dec 7, 2025 | Draw | – |
MZD · muzzleloader | Muzzleloader | Dec 1, 2025 | Jan 1, 2026 | Draw | – |
ERD · firearm | Rifle | Dec 13, 2025 | Dec 21, 2025 | Draw | – |
WRD · firearm | Rifle | Dec 13, 2025 | Dec 21, 2025 | Draw | – |
| Season | Weapon | Opens | Closes | Tag Type | Tags Available |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
CUA · firearm | Rifle | Oct 4, 2025 | Oct 19, 2025 | Draw | – |
PRA · firearm | Rifle | Oct 4, 2025 | Oct 19, 2025 | Draw | – |
| Season | Weapon | Opens | Closes | Tag Type | Tags Available |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
RAD · archery | Archery | Sep 1, 2025 | Jan 1, 2026 | Draw | – |
APD · firearm | Rifle | Sep 13, 2025 | Jan 1, 2026 | Draw | – |
YOD · firearm | Rifle | Sep 13, 2025 | Jan 1, 2026 | Draw | – |
BHD · firearm | Rifle | Nov 1, 2025 | Nov 30, 2025 | Draw | – |
CSP · firearm | Rifle | Nov 1, 2025 | Nov 30, 2025 | Draw | – |
WRD · firearm | Rifle | Nov 15, 2025 | Nov 30, 2025 | Draw | – |
ERD · firearm | Rifle | Nov 22, 2025 | Dec 7, 2025 | Draw | – |
MZD · muzzleloader | Muzzleloader | Dec 1, 2025 | Jan 1, 2026 | Draw | – |
ERD · firearm | Rifle | Dec 13, 2025 | Dec 21, 2025 | Draw | – |
WRD · firearm | Rifle | Dec 13, 2025 | Dec 21, 2025 | Draw | – |
