South Dakota Bird Hunting
Seasons Span September 20 – January 31, 2026
State Drought Monitor – Upland hunting conditions are often highly dependent upon moisture for both habitat production and bird survival.
Season Dates by Species
- Ring-Necked Pheasant:
- Youth Season: September 27 – October 5, 2025 (statewide on public and private land).
- Resident-Only Season: October 11 – 13, 2025 (public lands only).
- General Season: October 18, 2025 – January 31, 2026 (statewide, with delayed openings on certain refuges: e.g., Renziehausen GPA and refuges open December 1, 2025 – January 31, 2026; Sand Lake NWR open December 8, 2025 – January 31, 2026).
- Sharp-Tailed Grouse, Greater Prairie-Chicken, and Ruffed Grouse (combined):
- September 20, 2025 – January 31, 2026 (statewide).
- Gray (Hungarian) Partridge and Chukar:
- September 20, 2025 – January 31, 2026 (statewide).
- Quail:
- October 18, 2025 – January 31, 2026 (statewide).
- Greater Sage Grouse:
- Closed.
Required Licenses and Costs
Hunters aged 12 and older need a valid license. Youth under 12 can hunt under mentorship without a license but must be accompanied. All hunters 18 and older require a Habitat Stamp (except for certain exemptions like 1-day licenses or landowner privileges). A State Migratory Bird Certificate is required for hunting pheasant, grouse, partridge, and quail (valid July 1, 2025 – June 30, 2026). Licenses can be purchased online via the South Dakota Game, Fish, and Parks (GFP) website. Costs include a $6 surcharge where noted.
| License Type | Resident Cost | Non-Resident Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small Game License | $36 (includes surcharge) | $142 (two 5-day periods) | Required for all upland birds; includes predator/varmint hunting. |
| One-Day Small Game License | $15 | N/A | Residents only; limited use. |
| Youth Small Game License (ages 12-17) | $5 | $10 (two 5-day periods) | – |
| Mentored Small Game License (under 16) | $5 | $10 | For youth hunting with a mentor. |
| Habitat Stamp (18+) | $10 | $25 | Required for most hunting licenses; funds habitat/access programs. |
| State Migratory Bird Certificate | $5 | $5 | Required for upland birds classified under migratory regulations. |
Federal Waterfowl Stamp ($29, ages 16+) is not required for upland birds but may apply if combining with waterfowl hunts.
Daily Bag Limits and Possession Limits
Limits apply statewide unless otherwise noted. Possession limits accrue based on daily bags (e.g., for pheasant, 15 birds cannot be possessed until after the fifth day of hunting).
| Species | Daily Bag Limit | Possession Limit |
|---|---|---|
| Ring-Necked Pheasant (roosters only) | 3 | 15 (Youth/General); 9 (Resident-Only) |
| Sharp-Tailed Grouse, Greater Prairie-Chicken, and Ruffed Grouse (combined) | 3 | 15 |
| Gray (Hungarian) Partridge and Chukar | 5 | 15 |
| Quail | 5 | 15 |
For more details or updates, consult the official South Dakota GFP Hunting and Trapping Handbook.
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