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Big Game Hunting - Antelope, Turkey, Bison, etc.

ANTELOPE HUNTING

Firearm: Early October.
Archery: Mid-August through October (closed when firearm season is open).

Antelope can be hunted throughout most of western South Dakota. The majority of the antelope population resides in the northwest corner of South Dakota. Antelope prefer sagebrush-covered country along with native prairie pastures. A limited number of firearm licenses are available to non-residents on a lottery basis and may not be allotted if populations are low. Archery antelope licenses are unlimited.

More information about antelope hunting. (GFP)

More information about antelope hunting (archery). (GFP)

Antelope Hunting Tips Hide your approach, stay downwind. Keep out of sight when stalking antelope. Antelope are easy to stalk if you use hills to hide your approach and stalk downwind towards them. Decoys. Decoying antelope for close archery shots works well during the September rut. Pioneered in South Dakota, the use of an immature buck decoy lures a mature buck away from the herd to chase the intruder off. Use a steady rest. Use a steady rest when shooting antelope with a rifle. Shooting sticks, an attachable bipod or even a backpack can offer a sturdy rest for a successful shot. Fence crossings. Antelope are reluctant to jump fences and, instead, crawl under them when possible. Look for holes or downed fence where antelope consistently cross.

TURKEY HUNTING

Spring firearm and archery: Early April to mid-May.
Fall Black Hills turkey: October through December in prairie units. Early October to mid-October in the Black Hills. (Some units have special seasons.)

Wild turkeys are found statewide in varying densities. In the eastern portion of the state, turkeys prefer the woods and brushy hillsides of rivers as well as tree belts. In the western portion of the state, cottonwood river bottoms, creeks and cedar-covered slopes provide ideal turkey habitat. The main turkey habitat is found in the Black Hills, where hunters have access to 1.2 million acres of public lands in the national forest. Non-resident hunters may hunt the Black Hills, where licenses are unlimited and hunters may hunt statewide, except for several east river counties closed for Eastern turkey reintroduction.

More information about turkey hunting. (GFP)

Turkey Hunting Tips Walk ridge tops, use locator calls. Black Hills spring turkey hunters walk ridge tops using locator calls to pinpoint gobblers. Permission needed for private land. Acquire permission when prairie turkey hunting since most land is private. Late season hunting is often better. Hunting spring turkeys late in the season is often better. Hens begin nesting later and gobblers begin wandering, making them more susceptible to calls. Combine your hunts. Combining fall turkey hunting with other fall seasons creates an exciting hunt. Roosts. Prairie turkeys frequently use the same roost repeatedly, whereas Black Hills turkeys sometimes switch roosts, but generally roost on east-facing slopes. Camouflage and calling. Spring turkey hunters rely on camouflage and calling to lure birds into shotgun range. Always identify your target before shooting.

BISON HUNTING

Bison can be hunted in Custer State Park, certain Native American reservations and on private ranches with the use of professional guides.

More information about bison hunting. (GFP - Custer State Park)

RESIDENT ELK HUNTING

Western and central areas: Varies by geographic location.

Elk inhabit mountainous areas throughout the Black Hills and on the prairie in Butte, Bennett and Gregory counties.

More information about elk hunting. (GFP)

RESIDENT MOUNTAIN GOAT HUNTING

Black Hills area: October.

The white and shaggy mountain goat is reclusive and inhabits areas such as the Needles area near Custer State Park.

More information about mountain goat hunting. (GFP)

RESIDENT BIGHORN SHEEP HUNTING

Black Hills area: October.

Bighorn sheep are found throughout the Black Hills and Custer State Park and often are found near the Cleghorn Springs State Fish Hatchery area near Rapid City.

More information about bighorn sheep hunting. (GFP)

RESIDENT MOUNTAIN LION HUNTING

Statewide: Jan. 1 through March 31.

Mountain lions inhabit much of the Black Hills, but prefer isolated, rocky terrain surrounded by timber. There has been documented movement of mountain lions outside of the Black Hills and onto the prairies of South Dakota. They typically follow river drainages as they travel.

More information about mountain lion hunting. (GFP)