Wild animals often leave their young for extended periods of time.

Do not touch or try to “help” the animal. 

It is more than likely not orphaned. GFP does not take these animals and rehabilitation does not work.

Blah blah blah.

Yes, the captive game bird regulations and permit application can be found here.

There are three laws that cover this type of situation; the first two deal with dispatching the injured animal, while the other covers the disposition of the animal.

41-1-12.   Euthanasia of animal injured in motor vehicle accident. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, any person who has seriously injured a wildlife animal in a motor vehicle accident or any person who comes upon a wildlife animal that has been seriously injured in a motor vehicle accident may euthanize the seriously injured animal so that it will not suffer needlessly if that person has the means, skill, and will to euthanize the animal humanely.

41-1-13.   Report of euthanasia to department. Any person who euthanizes a wildlife animal pursuant to § 41-1-12 shall report the event to the Department of Game, Fish and Parks or any conservation office within twenty-four hours.

41-1-5.7.   Disposition of deer and antelope killed by motor vehicle. If any deer or antelope is killed by a motor vehicle on a public highway, any person who desires to possess that animal shall notify a conservation officer, as defined by § 41-15-10, prior to taking possession of the animal. The conservation officer may give a dated and written authorization allowing possession of the animal. The conservation officer may give verbal authorization to take immediate possession of the animal prior to receipt of the written authorization. The written authorization allows the possession and disposal of the animal. The written authorization shall remain with the carcass while in processing or storage. No part of an animal so obtained may be sold, bartered or traded. There is no fee for the issuance of such authorization.

Please contact your local conservation officer for additional questions or for more information.  

For more information on aquatic invasive species, please visit: http://sdleastwanted.com/.

Boats over 12 feet long and motorboats of any length, including those using electric trolling motors, must be registered to be operated on public waters. Boat registration, transferring of boat ownership and replacing lost boat registration stickers are done through your local county treasurer office. New boat owners have 45 days from the date of purchase to complete the licensing and registering process through their local treasurer’s office.  Boats purchased from a private party or dealership must have current registration prior to being operated on the water.  A temporary permit can be purchase through your local treasurer’s office. 

Boats are registered for a one year period. Fees are based on the length of boat and the type of propulsion. All registration needs to be done at the county treasurer's office in the county of residence, not where a boat is kept or primarily used.

Boats registered in another state may be in South Dakota for 60 consecutive days before registration is required in South Dakota. However, nonresident boats need to be licensed in South Dakota if they have been subject to a contract for a berth for a period of more than sixty consecutive days during any calendar year in marina facilities located within this state.

All motorized boats, regardless of length and construction materials, and all non-motorized boats over 18 feet in length must be licensed and numbered.

Non-motorized boats over 12 feet  and under 18 feet in length must have a validation sticker, but boat numbering is optional.

Non-motorized boats 12 feet in length or less are not required to be licensed or numbered.

Vessels registered in another state may be in South Dakota for 60 days before registration is required in South Dakota.

Vessels documented with the U.S. Coast Guard and on South Dakota waters for less than 60 consecutive days within on calendar year do not need South Dakota registration.

Vessels berthed at a South Dakota marina must have a South Dakota registration if the contract for the berth is for 60 or more consecutive days within one calendar year.

Please contact your local treasurer’s office or the Department of Motor Vehicles at 605.773.3541 or visit http://dor.sd.gov/Motor_Vehicles/.

The South Dakota Boating Handbook has all the information you need and the requirements for boating in our state. Pick one up today or download a copy online.

If there are no water-specific length restrictions for a species of fish, anglers may clean and cook those fish while on the ice in accordance with daily and possession limits while on that lake.

For example, anglers fishing on a lake with a minimum size limit for walleye would not be able to clean and eat walleyes. They would be able to clean and eat yellow perch and northern pike, but any fish eaten would count towards their daily limit.

Residents: 16 years old.

Nonresidents:  Nonresidents under age 16 do not need a fishing license if one of their parents or a guardian has a valid South Dakota fishing license, and the youth’s fish are included in the daily and possession limit of the parent or guardian. Nonresident youth under the age of 16 who wish to take their own limit of fish or are not with a licensed parent or guardian must purchase a nonresident youth license.

If the fish was caught on Lake Oahe, email your name, tag number, boat ramp used, general catch location, fish length, and date of catch to oahetags@gmail.com, or call 605.223.7656. If you would like background information on when and where your fish was tagged, please indicate an email or mailing address to send it to.

Ice houses must display the name and address of the owner in letters at least two inches high on the outside of the shelter. Portable shelters removed from the ice daily are exempt from the marking requirements.

Ice houses must be removed from the ice by midnight on the last day of February, statewide. They may be used after the removal date if they are removed from the ice daily.

The pond is not open to the public. It is used for educational purposes only so you would need to be registered for a fishing or kayaking class.  

It is open during the month of October and tours are available 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. most days during October. Please call 605.223.7681 in advance of the tour to check on open dates and times.  

Regional fishing reports and updates can be found online in the various regions.

Black Hills and Badlands: blackhillsbadlands.com

Missouri River and Central South Dakota: sdmissouririver.com

Northeast Fishing: sdglaciallakes.com

Southeast Fishing: southeastsouthdakota.com

There are four reservoirs on the Missouri River: Lake Oahe (Mobridge and Pierre), Lake Sharpe (Fort Thompson), Lake Francis Case (Chamberlain) and Lewis and Clark Lake (Yankton). 

Family Park is an urban fishery in and near the Sioux Falls city limits. The Eastern South Dakota Shore Fishing Guide is also a great tool to reference on other fishing locations and opportunities in the area.

The Black Hills Fishing Guide is the best resource for this information and is currently under revision. For more details, contact our Rapid City regional office. 

The GFP Division of Wildlife regional offices may be able to assist with this information. GFP also partners with the Departments of Environment and Natural Resources as well as Health on these matters:

Fish Consumption Advisories: http://denr.sd.gov/des/sw/fish.aspx or http://doh.sd.gov/food/fish-advisories.aspx. 

Click here for the most up to date fishing regulations.

No.

No.

Tournaments may be held at times and places which require that special conditions be imposed. These provisions may be included after the sponsor or organizer has applied for the permit through discussion with a department representative. Special provisions may include but not limited to:

• Designating a safe start area or establishing a no-wake zone.
• Requiring weigh-in areas away from high traffic areas
• Limitations for catch and release tournaments.
• Requiring reduced limits for tournaments.
• Prohibiting catch and release tournaments where fish are taken into possession and not immediately released for walleye and all salmon tournaments June 1 through September 15.
• Requiring special parking areas for tournament anglers.
• Requiring specific hours for events involving boats.
• Other conditions as imposed by local GFP official.

Fishing tournaments are not permitted from 8 a.m. on Friday to 8 p.m. on Sunday of Free Fishing and State Parks Open House Weekend (usually the weekend prior to Memorial Day weekend in May) or on Memorial Day, July Fourth, Labor Day, or on associated weekends when those holidays fall on Friday, Saturday, Sunday or Monday.

Applications will be accepted no earlier than November 1 of the year preceding the planned tournament or event, but no later than 30 days prior to the planned tournament or 15 days before the planned special event.

Tournament and Special Event permit requests are processed as they are received.

There is always the possibility that the date(s) and public access area you request may have already been permitted to another tournament or event.

If the event you are planning involves 200 or more participants or 100 or more boats, or the event is determined to involve a high risk of injury to participants or others, liability insurance and waivers of liability signed by each participant will be required. See the fishing tournament application for more details.

Fishing tournaments may generate concerns of the non-tournament public. This requires a positive approach by the tournament organizers and anglers. While a single tournament may not have a significant impact on fish population, collectively they are part of the total angling impact sustained by a fish population. Catching and releasing large numbers of fish, hauling fish in a livewell for several hours or improper handling may result in unnecessary fish mortality.

Public perception of fishing tournaments is important to consider and there are several actions which participants may take to improve those perceptions. Tournament sponsors should incorporate appropriate catch and release format, proper handling techniques, and reduced daily creel limits as ways to minimize criticism while maintaining ethical tournament practices. One or more of these practices may go a long way in generating positive attitudes toward tournaments.

A fishing tournament is any organized competitive angling event involving 20 or more boats or, if boats are not involved, 50 or more people, conducted on the public waters of this state, for the purpose of awarding prizes or for personal gain or promotional consideration. Junior fishing clinics or achievement contests for youths under age 17 are not considered to be fishing tournaments regardless of the number of participants.

The application and review process for a permit allows GFP to determine that the event being planned:

1) is allowable within the statutes, rules and policies which apply;

2) will not harm the resources involved;

3) is compatible with the facilities available;

4) does not conflict with other, previously scheduled events;

5) does or does not carry a higher than usual risk of injury to participants or others and greater liability for event organizers and employees of the state.

Any tournament over 19 teams/boats or 50 people needs a permit, any tournament over 99 boats or 200 people need to have insurance.

Fishing Tournament Regulations

Application Details 

The South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks does not post contact information for each fishing tournament on the website. That information can be obtained by calling 605.773.5913.

No, these are not legal for hunting. These devices are not considered bows or crossbows, nor are they considered a legal air rifle.  

Call 605.223.7680 or email wildinfo@state.sd.us and provide detailed information about the situation.

Yes you can. 

Take a photo of the paper copy and save it, or better yet, download the GFP mobile app, log into the licensing system and show or view your license that way. The bar code seen on your license allows South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks (GFP) conservation officers to electronically scan the license on smartphone devices while in the field in lieu of a paper copy.

If you choose to print and carry a paper copy of your small game, fishing or trapping license, that is still fine.

NOTE: This does not apply to federal waterfowl stamps, tags and licenses mailed to you from the department's licensing office. Stamps, tags and licenses must be carried with you while you are hunting and all tagging requirements apply.  

If you bought your license online, you can use your user profile to get a copy of your license. 

Any licensing agent can replace your license if you don’t have a user profile (purchased it from an agent). You may be charged a fee for this. 

Before heading into the field this fall, log into your GFP online licensing account from your smartphone device to view your small game, fishing or trapping license and take a picture or screenshot of it with your device (Android, iPhone, etc.). This electronic version is an acceptable method of carrying a small game, fishing or trapping license.

If you have lost a big game license contact our licensing office at 605.223.7680 or via email at wildinfo@state.sd.us.

You must have a fixed and permanent domicile in the state and have lived in the state for at least 90 consecutive days prior to making application. You must make no claims of residency in any other state or foreign country and have transferred your driver's license and all your motor vehicle registrations to South Dakota.

Current cost is $67 for non-resident families and it allows children under 16 and spouse to fish.

The combined harvest of all family members covered may not exceed one day daily limit and one possession limit for each species.

The licensing office in Fort Pierre will need to void the preference point purchase first and then you can apply for a license. Please send an email to wildinfo@state.sd.us to address the situation.

The licensing office in Fort Pierre will need to make this change for you. Please send an email to wildinfo@state.sd.us to address the situation.

A Disabled Hunter Permit authorizes qualifying individuals to lawfully shoot game animals from a stationary motor vehicle. This includes big game animals such as deer, antelope, elk, and turkey, and small game animals such as grouse, pheasants, partridge, rabbits, and waterfowl. 

Applicants, veteran or non-veteran, for the reduced fee permits must be a resident of South Dakota and meet at least one of several different requirements. View the application and learn more.

A Crossbow/Draw-lock Permit is available to any person who is permanently incapable of using a bow and arrow due to the loss of or use of one or both arms, caused by birth defect, injury, disease, or who is confined to a wheelchair.

Residents and non-residents at least 12 years old, or who will turn 12 by December 31, may hunt any season they are licensed for after September 1. They must possess a Hunter Safety Card (or in case of non-residents, a copy of a current or previous hunting license issued to them from any state). 

The mentored hunting program is designed so parents can make the decision on when their child is ready to go hunting for the first time. By emphasizing one-on-one interaction between the beginning hunter and the experienced hunter, safety, respect for wildlife and solid conservation ethics are passed to the conservation leaders of tomorrow.

Any resident youth, at least 10 years of age but less than 16 years of age, that is not required to possess a hunting license as long as accompanied by a hunting mentor while in the field hunting. This is for residents only. Child must be at least 10 years of age and less than 16 years of age. No license required for the mentored hunter nor is a hunter education class required.

The mentored hunter must be accompanied by unarmed mentor. 

GFP does not license hunting or fishing guides. No person, acting as a hunting guide, may guide any hunting activity on state-owned or managed lands, including: 

• Game Production Areas
• State Parks and Recreation Areas
• Lakeside Use Areas
• Federal land leased or under agreement to South Dakota
• Land posted as a Game Production Area and managed for wildlife purposes
• Waterfowl Production Areas
• Federal Refuges
• Private land leased or under agreement to GFP for the purpose of providing public access
• Highways or other public rights-of-way within this state. However, the hunting guide or employees of a hunting guide may guide a hunting activity on the road right-of-way immediately adjacent to property owned or leased by the hunting guide.

No, you must run the ten-days consecutively. 

You may put the last five days of the hunting season and then change the privilege dates when you know what dates you will be hunting.

 On December 15 the next year’s licenses are available for sale.

The process is simple, please send an email to wildinfo@state.sd.us and your information will get routed to the appropriate staff member. Or submit the HunSAFE replacement card form yourself online.

Several public hunting lands require nontoxic shot for all shotgun hunting of small game. 

Public road rights-of-way are open for the hunting of small game and waterfowl. No person may hunt within 660 feet of schools, churches, occupied dwellings and livestock. The hunter or the small game animal being shot should not be within the 660-foot safety zone.

The public right-of-way along a section line or other highway is open for hunting if:

• The right-of-way has been commonly used by the public for vehicular travel, as demonstrated by the existence of a well-worn vehicle trail.
• An intentional alteration or adaptation has been made to the right-of-way to enhance the natural terrain's utility for vehicular travel or to permit vehicular travel where it was not possible before.

Fences may not be placed on a right-of-way boundary, and occasionally, there is no fence. Most section line rights-of-way are 66 feet wide. Some acquired rights-of-way are wider.

Please email wildinfo@state.sd.us to request more information about your situation.

Please email wildinfo@state.sd.us explaining your situation.

 

Applications for Black Hills turkeys are available here.

Applications must be submitted ahead of your planned hunt and leave enough time to receive your license through the mail (7-10 days). Nonresidents are eligible for one Black Hills turkey license.  

Contact the Rapid City GFP office at 605.394.2391 for current information on the Black Hills turkey populations.

Waterfowl must include at least a head or fully feathered wing.

Small game- unless processed by a licensed wildlife processing facility (pheasants, grouse or prairie chicken) - must have at least a head, fully feathered wing or foot.

Fish must be readily counted. Frozen fish must be packaged individually; two fillets are the equivalent of one fish.

Details can also be found in either the hunting or fishing regulation handbooks. 

We have several private lands biologists across the state.

• Brian Pauly handles from the James River – east 605.353.7185
• Matt Grunig handles west of the James River to approx. the Missouri River 605.353.6699 
• Tim Olson handles central SD 605.773.3658
• Cody Grewing handles western SD 605.394.5232

For more information on all things habitat in South Dakota visit: http://habitat.sd.gov/ or http://habitat.sd.gov/advisors/docs/habitat-advisor-map.pdf. 

Contact the GFP regional office where the GPA is located.

• Northeast – Watertown 605.882.5200
• Southeast – Sioux Falls 605.362.2700
• Central – Fort Pierre 605.223.7660
• Western – Rapid City 605.394.2391

Meandered lakes are waters that at the time of the original survey of South Dakota, the U.S. government surveyor estimated to be larger than 40 acres and of a permanent nature. Land within the defined meander line, or surveyed boundary, became state trust property.

• Meandered Lakes List: This list of meandered lakes in South Dakota was compiled by reviewing original survey plats from state archives and should not be considered a complete list.

Water overlying private property that flooded after years of rainfall and that are not part of a meandered basin. Nonmeandered waters do not include rivers, streams, man-made lakes or meandered lakes.

A Section 8 water is one of the 27 nonmeandered water bodies identified in Section 8 of House Bill 1001 as being open to recreational use by the public due to previous public use and established boat ramps on those waters. These waters are open to public use unless the GFP Commission authorizes a landowner to close part of the water body overlying their deeded land through a petition process. Listed below are the 27 nonmeandered bodies of water that were reopened for recreational use with the passing of HB 1001.

• Casey's Slough, Cottonwood GPA, Dry #1, Dry #2, Round, and Swan in Clark County;
• Deep and Goose in Codington County;
• East Krause, Lynn, and Middle Lynn, in Day County;
• North Scatterwood in Edmunds County;
• Three Buck in Hamlin County;
• Bullhead, Cattail-Kettle, and Opitz in Marshall County;
• Island South in McCook County;
• Keisz in McPherson County;
• Grass, Loss, Scott, and Twin in Minnehaha County;
• Twin in Sanborn County;
• Cottonwood and Mud in Spink County;
• Cottonwood in Sully County; and
• Dog Ear in Tripp County

A non-Section 8 nonmeandered water is any other nonmeandered water that is not listed above.

The process is different for a Section 8 nonmeandered water than it is for a non-Section 8 nonmeandered water.

• A Section 8 water cannot be closed, except through GFP Commission action. Landowners may petition the Commission requesting closure on part of a Section 8 water. The Commission may grant, deny or modify the petition.
   
• A non-Section 8 water can be closed by the landowner marking the water with signs and/or buoys that are outlined in administrative rules established by the GFP Commission. The signs and/or buoys must be placed in a manner that makes it clear to the public that it is closed. Landowners are required to notify GFP within a reasonable timeframe when posting a non-Section 8 nonmeandered water as closed, so that the department can add the water to the closure map on the GFP website. The notification should include a legal description of the waters the landowner is closing. This notification can be done through the Pierre office, GFP field office or a local Conservation Officer.

Yes. These were finalized by the GFP Commission on November 3, 2017, and can be viewed here.

Yes. Signs will be red with white lettering and will be provided by GFP to landowners in order to provide a consistent and recognizable sign. Buoys must be red in color, with contrasting letters stating “CLOSED” painted or marked on them. They must be a minimum of 14.5 inches by 19.5 inches. Purchase of buoys will be the responsibility of the landowners and can be purchased through several vendors.

Landowners will be responsible for placement and maintenance of both signs and buoys.

More details can be found here.

Markers that are improperly placed either intentionally or accidentally should be reported to GFP so they can be rectified. 

The Legislature gave the GFP Commission the authority to decide on requests to restrict nonmeandered lakes. The process provides landowners with lakebed property on one of the 27 Section 8 lakes the ability to formally make those requests by petitioning the GFP Commission.

Petitioning landowners must first complete and submit the petition form.

Upon submission of the form, the Commission will schedule and post a hearing date based on the availability of the landowner and the Commission. The hearing agenda will be publicly posted and the hearing will be open to the public.

Following the hearing, the Commission will adopt a resolution that grants the petition in part or full, or denies the petition stating its reasons for partial or complete denial. State law requires the Commission to consider privacy, safety and substantially affected financial interests of the landowner as well as history of use, water quality and quantity and the public’s interest in recreational use of the water.

Currently, GFP staff have discussed access agreement with a few landowners, but no agreements have been finalized at this time.

As of December 6, 2017, eight water bodies have been closed.

Check out the map here for more details and the most up to date closures.

The injunctions put in place on specific water bodies remain in effect until such time as they are removed by additional court action; which currently includes Duerre v. Hepler and Parks v. Cooper. More specifically, these Day County water bodies include: Duerre Slough, Jesse Slough, Schiley Lake, Long Lake and Parks Slough.

The law now specifically prohibits "recreational use" of marked (closed) waters. Casting a lure into marked (closed) waters is a recreational use of those waters and is a violation of Section 5 of HB 1001.

Yes, if the waters are marked as closed.

Public trust is a term used to describe things that cannot be owned as personal possessions. The Supreme Court of SD upheld that water is a public trust resource, but also stated that it was the legislature’s responsibility to determine what that water could be used for.

These discussions have been limited.

This idea was discussed by certain members of the nonmeandered waters legislative summer study committee and will likely be discussed further during the 2018 legislative session.

This concept was discussed by certain members of the nonmeandered waters legislative summer study committee and will likely be discussed further during the 2018 legislative session.

Landowners who want to close nonmeandered waters must mark closed areas with signs provided by GFP and/or buoys that meet the standards provide by administrative rule. Marking requirements can be found here. The landowner must also notify GFP of the closure so staff can ensure the marked area is properly indicated on the closure map.

It is up to each individual to know where they are and if they are authorized to be there. 

Hunting on the ice above private land on nonmeandered waters is prohibited without permission from the owner of the flooded land. Wading on nonmeandered waters is also prohibited without permission. Waterfowl hunting from a boat is allowed on any unmarked area as long as the hunters remain in the boat.

Ice anglers need permission to fish on waters marked as closed to recreational use.

It is the responsibility of the landowner or his/her designee to monitor the areas that have been closed. Law enforcement will investigate claims of trespassing on properly marked nonmeandered waters. 

Casting into unmarked (open) water from a legal point of access is legal. Any contact between recreational equipment and private property underlying any unmarked (open) nonmeandered lake incidental to a lawful recreational use is not a criminal trespass.

Nonmeandered water over a road right-of-way is open to recreational use and cannot be closed by marking. It is the responsibility of the person recreating to ensure they are in fact over the road right-of-way. 

Reetz Lake is currently closed.

Yes, there is a map available showing current nonmeandered water closures. Some of the waters may be fully or partially closed. Individuals are asked to please pay attention to posted signs.

Waters over section lines that have not been vacated are open to recreational use.

Legislators will need to enact changes to the Open Waters Compromise (SDCL 41-23-8) during the 2018 legislative session. This action could be as simple as changing the sunset date which is currently June 30, 2018, or it could be much more detailed and could include repeal of the statute.

Per statute, landowners cannot charge a fee for fishing nonmeandered waters that are marked as closed. 

All waters not marked as closed are open to recreational use, although the bed of nonmeandered lakes cannot be used without permission of the landowner. Hunting on ice of nonmeandered lakes is also prohibited, unless permission is granted by the owner of the lakebed.

GFP will provide the signs utilized to mark closures. The landowner will purchase any buoys that may be necessary to mark open water areas. The landowner is responsible for installing and maintaining the signs and buoys.

Historically, the pheasant hunting season begins on the third Saturday of October each year.

GFP staff and field biologists conduct a pheasant brood route survey in early August.  The results of that survey are then available in late August. Be sure to check out the most recent information on the brood count survey results (current year and ten year trends). This will help in identifying where a larger population base of the year’s pheasant hatchings.

The South Dakota Public Hunting Atlas is a quality resource when it comes to identifying game production areas, walk in areas, school and public lands and more. Where you choose to hunt is up to you. Be sure to check out the most recent information on the brood count survey results (current year and ten year trends). This will help in identifying a larger population base of the year’s pheasant hatchings.

Walk In Areas are privately owned lands, operating as working farms and ranches.

Walk-In Areas are leased for public hunting access by the South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks using money from the sale of hunting licenses and Federal Aid money from a tax on hunting equipment sales to pay the leases. No further permission from landowners is needed to hunt these areas.

No driving is allowed on Walk-In Areas except on designated trails and parking areas. 

National Grassland areas in western South Dakota, managed by the U.S. Forest Service, are popular hunting destinations. Please contact these grassland offices for information on travel restrictions. The Buffalo Gap National Grasslands can be reached at 605.279.2125.

Native American Tribal lands host some of the state's best prairie dog hunting opportunities. State licenses are not valid on tribal trust lands, unless authorized by the tribal council. Individual tribes may require a tribal permit to hunt on their lands. Contact the individual tribes to find out what licenses they offer and the cost. Not all the land inside the South Dakota reservations is under tribal jurisdiction. If you hunt on private land deeded to non-Indians you must have a state license.

When applying for Limited Issue Licenses (including Deer, Antelope, Turkey, Nonresident Waterfowl and Paddlefish), applicants can choose whether or not they want to purchase a preference point if they are unsuccessful in the first drawing. Learn more.

Individuals who did not enter a drawing or applicants who chose not to purchase a preference point will still be able to purchase a preference point even after the drawing for a particular season is completed (for example, applicants who did not purchase a preference point at the time they applied in the initial drawing may purchase this year's preference point for a big game season through Dec. 15).

Applicants may only purchase one preference point per year for each season in which they apply.  

Resident applicants who elect to purchase a preference point are charged a $5.00 fee.

Nonresident applicants who elect to purchase a preference point are charged a $10.00 fee. 

Just like license fees, the revenue generated from applicants who purchase preference points are used by GFP to provide a variety of department services, including hunting access, habitat development on GFP-owned lands, conservation law enforcement services and wildlife depredation assistance just to mention a few.  

This information can be filled out and entered online.

Once the form is submitted, GFP staff will process and mail the information out.

This information can be filled out and entered online. Once the form is submitted, GFP staff will process and mail the information out.

Conservation officer phone numbers can be found at the front of the most current hunting or fishing handbook and also online.

Please email wildinfo@state.sd.us and we will have the appropriate staff member look this information up and provide you with a timely response.

Call 1.800.710.2267 or visit campsd.com to make a camping reservation.

$30 for one vehicle and $15 for the second

Yes. Find out if the state park or recreation area near you rents kayaks. 

Do not take canoes out in windy and/or stormy conditions.

Make certain there is at least one adult in the canoe.

Make certain that all lifejackets fit properly and are zipped/hooked correctly.

Do not stand in a canoe.

Save the horseplay for off the water.

Stay out of the swimming area.

Stay close to shore, especially when just learning to canoe.

Scrape off the old one it will be sticky and may be in pieces, put on scratch paper and take to the state park or mail it to the Pierre office requesting a replacement pass free of charge.

Feel free to contact the closest office and our park staff will be sure to provide you with a timeline of when the park entrance license will be mailed out. When calling, be sure to leave a voicemail as many of our park staff may be assisting a camper (esp. during the busy summer months), mowing or moving snow and taking care of the park.

No, you cannot rough camp on Game Production Areas or on Walk In Areas.

Walk In Areas are privately owned by individuals and leased by our agency for hunting. 

These are available from the National Park Service. The Visitor Center in Rapid City is also a helpful resource at 605.355.3700.

Email your contact information to parksinfo@state.sd.us. More details.

If in Black Hills, contact the U.S. Forest Service for a permit and map.

Off road vehicles in the parks requirements same as an automobile, South Dakota license, park permit, stay on designated roads, valid driver’s license.

More ATV and off highway vehicle information.

If riding in the Rapid City area call 605.343.1567 or in the Custer area call 605.673.9200.

Studies have shown a bounty system on coyotes is expensive and ineffective. For a bounty system to be effective on coyotes a 50-75 percent population decrease would have to occur over a long period of time.

If it is an animal like a coyote, badger, skunk, fox or mink and they live outside of city limits, they can call one of our GFP Wildlife Damage/Animal damage staff for assistance. If they are inside city limits, they must call their local animal control office.  

No, we do not license bat removal agencies. 

A landowner may have up to two guests when spotlighting for jackrabbits, coyotes, fox, raccoons, opossums, badgers, skunks and rodents. The landowner must accompany the guest(s).