South Dakota Archery Deer Season Proposal Would Open More Areas for Antlerless Deer Harvest

A proposal from the South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks (GFP) Commission would open more of the state for deer hunters to harvest antlerless whitetail deer during the archery season.

In recent years, GFP has closed certain areas of the state for antlerless deer harvest due to low deer populations. Whitetail deer numbers are increasing across the state; calling for the Commission to ease restrictions. To view a map of these proposed areas, visit http://gfp.sd.gov/agency/commission/docs/2016/May/may-materials.pdf.

Resident and nonresident hunters may purchase one statewide any deer license or one East River any deer license and one West River any deer license. Residents and nonresidents may purchase one antlerless whitetail deer license as well.

The proposed archery deer season would run from Sept. 24, 2016 – Jan. 15, 2017.  From Jan. 1-15, only antlerless whitetail deer licenses would be valid.

The Commission also proposed to increase the number of antlerless whitetail deer archery access permits from 20 to 25 for the Adams Homestead and Nature Preserve.  Five archery access permits would also be available for Good Earth State Park.

The Commission will finalize this proposal at their June 2-3, 2015, meeting at the Watertown Convention Center. Written comments can be sent to wildinfo@state.sd.us. To be part of the official public record, comments must be received by 12 p.m. on June2. Please include your full name along with the city and state of residence. If you would like to comment in person, the public hearing will be held June 2, at 2 p.m. CDT at the Watertown Convention Center.