Hunting License in South Dakota - Steps to Buy Your SD License & Tags

David Harrison  ·  Updated on July 29, 2025

Hunting LicenseGuidesHunter Education
hunting license in south dakota

South Dakota law is clear, anyone younger than 16 years old needs to complete hunter education.

Hunters over 16 are still encouraged to take an online education course, as it may be required for out-of-state hunts. If you are an adult 17 years or older, HunterSafetyUSA can help you get you educated & certified for these out-of-state hunts. 

 

3 Easy Steps to Get Your South Dakota Hunting License 

  • Step 1: Complete a hunter safety education course (if necessary).
  • Step 2: Print or save your temporary certificate for immediate use
  • Step 3: You can now go buy your hunting license in SD


SD Hunter Education Certification Options

The South Dakota Game, Fish & Parks Department presents the following HuntSAFE course options. They are required for persons aged 12 through 15. Participants of all ages are welcome.

  • In-person, classroom-style course allows students to participate in multiple in-person sessions, providing participants with knowledge and skills relative to hunting and hunter safety. Individuals under 16 will still have to do a field-day. 
  • Online Independent Study Course through a South Dakota Game, Fish & Parks Department exclusive partner. These self-paced online courses are available to anyone 11 and older. 

 

Alternatively, if you're over 17, interested in learning &/or looking to hunt in other states, skip having to attend an in-person field-day course with our 3 hour interactive Hunter Safety course.

  • We provide all the resources to get you fully certified online with our IHEA approved course. Your TPWD issued permanent hunter education certificate (card) can be used to purchase your hunting license in all 50 US States, Mexico and Canada (including in South Dakota from the South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks).
  • After completing the Hunter Ed course and passing the final exam, you’ll receive your temporary Hunter Education Certificate.
  • We submit your course results to TPWD. They will issue and email you your permanent Hunter Education Certificate (Card) in 24 hours (this can take 3-4 days when completed outside of hunting season, April-July); however, when taken during peak hunting season, August-March, it's processed in 24 hours. This is valid for use in all 50 USA States (including South Dakota), Mexico, Canada, and any other country or US Territory that has reciprocity with IHEA-USA & State Issued Hunter Education Certificates.


Select Your South Dakota Hunting License

South Dakota offers a variety of hunting licenses for different age groups, residency statuses, and hunting preferences, each governed by specific regulations.

South Dakota residents who are at least 12 years old may apply for a hunting license. Residents ages 16 to 18 are required to purchase the Junior Combination License.

Below is an overview of the primary license types available:​

Resident Licenses

A resident is a person who has lived in South Dakota for at least 90 days. Non-resident full-time students who attend an institution in South Dakota and active-duty military members are considered residents. All South Dakota residents age 16 or older must have a resident hunting license, which is managed through the mySD online system. Additional licenses, such as the mySD license, may be required.

  • Small Game License: Allows residents aged 18 and older to hunt small game species such as pheasant, grouse, partridge, quail, cottontail rabbit, and tree squirrel.
  • Combination License: Provides residents aged 18 and older with both small game hunting and fishing privileges.
  • Big Game Licenses: Specific licenses are required to hunt big game species like deer, elk, antelope, bighorn sheep, and bison. These licenses are typically obtained through a lottery or draw system.
  • Furbearer License: Required to trap or hunt furbearing animals such as raccoon, mink, muskrat, and beaver.
  • Turkey License: Needed to hunt turkeys during the designated spring and fall seasons.
  • Mountain Lion License: Required to hunt mountain lions in specified areas.
  • Paddlefish License: Necessary for paddlefish snagging or archery seasons
  • Senior Combination License: Available to residents aged 65 and older, this license includes small game hunting and fishing privileges at a discounted rate.

Non-Resident Licenses

All non-residents must have a non-resident hunting license. Additional licenses may be required.

  • Small Game License: Allows non-residents to hunt small game species.
  • Waterfowl License: Required for non-residents to hunt waterfowl species; includes the South Dakota Migratory Bird Certification.
  • Big Game Licenses: Non-residents can apply for specific big game licenses through a lottery or draw system, often involving preference points to increase the chances of obtaining a license.
  • Turkey License: Needed to hunt turkeys during designated spring and fall seasons.
  • Paddlefish License: Necessary for paddlefish snagging or archery seasons.

Youth Licenses & Requirements

  • Youth Small Game License: Available for residents and non-residents aged 12 to 15; allows hunting of small game species.
  • Youth Big Game Licenses: Available for residents aged 12 to 15; allows hunting of big game species such as deer and antelope.
  • Hunter Education Requirement: Individuals born after December 31, 1972, must complete a certified hunter education course before purchasing a hunting license.

Senior Licenses & Discounts

  • Senior Combination License: Available to residents aged 65 and older; includes small game hunting and fishing privileges at a discounted rate.

Lifetime Licenses

  • Lifetime Hunting and Fishing License: Provides residents with lifetime hunting and fishing privileges; specific details and eligibility requirements can be obtained from the South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks Department.

Disability & Military Licenses

  • Disabled/Veteran Hunting and Fishing Card: Available to residents with total disability and certain veterans; provides hunting and fishing privileges at a reduced fee.
  • Active-Duty Military Privileges: Active-duty military members who are South Dakota residents but stationed elsewhere are not required to have a hunting license to hunt small game. However, they must purchase permits and stamps needed to hunt specific game.

Required Endorsements & Tags

  • Habitat Stamp: Required for all hunters aged 18 and older when purchasing or applying for a hunting license; supports habitat protection and improvement.
  • Migratory Bird Certification: Required for hunting migratory birds; must be renewed annually through mySD.
  • Federal Duck Stamp: Required for all waterfowl hunters aged 16 and older; must be purchased in addition to the state waterfowl license.
  • Big Game Tags: Specific tags are required for hunting big game species such as deer, elk, antelope, and bighorn sheep; obtained through draw or over-the-counter options.

SD Hunting licenses are good from Dec. 15 to Jan. 31 of the year after next. 


Where to buy your Hunting License in South Dakota

To hunt in South Dakota, you can purchase your license either online through the South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks (GFP) licensing platform or in person through an authorized license agent via the MySD system. A comprehensive list of all in-person approved license agents is available here.

Below are some suggested authorized in-person hunting license agents in the state of South Dakota:

 

FAQs

 

How early should I sign up for the course before the hunting season?

Ideally, take your course by summer so you don’t miss out during the license purchase rush in late summer and fall.

 

Will the Texas Hunter Education Card (Certificate) be accepted in South Dakota?

Yes, the permanent Texas Parks & Wildlife Hunter Education Card (Certification) is recognized by all states and provinces with mandatory hunter education requirements due to reciprocity agreements with the International Hunter Education Association (IHEA). 

 

Does South Dakota require a hunter Safety course?

Yes, South Dakota requires that hunters under the age of 16, must first complete a course approved by the South Dakota Department of Game, Fish and Parks and IHEA-USA.