South Dakota Antelope Hunting Season

Pronghorn Antelope are available to hunt in South Dakota.

Pronghorn Antelope are abundant in South Dakota. According to South Dakota's Game, Fish, and Parks website, South Dakota has one of the largest antelope populations in the nation. The animals are considered "big game" and require a special license to hunt. The hunting seasons for each year are determined in May or July, with license applications due in August.

Licensing

In South Dakota, the license is considered "all-in-one" meaning that it includes a tag with the license. The South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks website states that the upper portion of the license, which contains general information, and the lower portion, which contains the hunting tag, must be carried with the hunter at all times while hunting. Once the specific animal's hunting season has ended, the license allows hunters to hunt other animals until Jan. 31. The website states that this includes prairie dogs, coyotes, badgers, red or gray foxes, skunks, gophers, jackrabbits, crows, ground squirrels, porcupines, raccoons, badgers and marmots.

Firearm Season

The firearm season for hunting antelope in South Dakota begins in October. Though the exact date is subject to change, the South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks website indicates that the typical season begins on the Saturday closest to Oct. 1. License prices vary and have to be won through a lottery-style drawing. The highest price listed for residents is $45 and the highest price for nonresidents is $245.

Firearm Restrictions

During the firearm season, the hunter must use specific weaponry. In general, big game animals may not be hunted with self- or auto-loading firearms that can hold more than six cartridges. No fully automatic weapons may be used. Shotguns must use a single slug weighing at least .5 oz. Buckshot is not permitted when hunting. According to South Dakota's Big Game Regulations 2010, only soft-point or expanding bullets are permitted when hunting antelope. Rifles must produce at least "1,000 foot-pounds of energy at the muzzle" and pistols must produce at least 500 foot-pounds when hunting antelope.

Archery Season

The archery season for antelope hunting begins in mid-October. The exact season is determined in May. There is no deadline for the application. Applications are accepted all season starting in July. The archery season and the firearm season can not be scheduled at the same time. Prices range from $35 to $45 for residents and $195 to $245 for nonresidents.

Archery Restrictions

According to South Dakota's Big Game Regulations 2010, the bow used in big game hunting must have a minimum pull of 40 lbs. The shaft of the arrow must be at least 26 inches long. Broadheads must be metal, have two cutting edges, and a cutting diameter of at least 7/8 inches. The arrow and the broadhead together must weigh at least 275 g. Explosive, poisonous, hydraulic, pneumatic or barbed points are not permitted. Electronic lighted sight pins, laser sights, and any other electronic bow devices can not be used. Telescopic sights are also not permitted. If a person is archery hunting for the first time or under age 16, he must complete a National Bowhunter Education Foundation course and possess a certification.

References

• Big Game Hunting 2010 Regulations
• Antelope Archery Hunting
• Antelope Firearm Hunting

Resources

• Apply Online for Big Game Application