South Dakota Prairie Dog Hunting

Black-tailed prairie dogs are prevalent in western South Dakota.

The black-tailed prairie dog is found predominantly in western South Dakota, especially on national grasslands and tribal land. As of 2010 the South Dakota Game Fish & Parks Department manages an annual hunting season. The prairie dog was once a candidate for the federal endangered species list. In 2004, the prairie dog was removed from the federal list thanks to increased cooperation among state and tribal agencies to better manage the prairie dog population.

Seasons

Hunting black-tailed prairie dogs is permitted on public lands (state and federal) in South Dakota from mid-June through the end of February. It is prohibited from March 1 through June 14. It is never allowed in national parks and the Conata Basin in Buffalo Gap National Grassland. Shooting prairie dogs is permitted year-round on South Dakota's private lands; however, prior approval must be received from landowners.

Acreage

In 2005, a South Dakota Game Fish & Parks report estimated there were over 411,000 acres of prairie dogs in the state. By 2008, aerial photography had determined that acreage to have grown to over 611,000 in 30 South Dakota counties (291,000 of which was on tribal land). Shannon, Dewey, Pennington and Mellette counties accounted for over half (51percent) of the prairie dog acreage in the state. The Pine Ridge Indian Reservation accounted for 19 percent of the state's total prairie dog acreage.

Licenses/limits

There is no limit on prairie dogs you may shoot in season. Residents must have a valid South Dakota hunting, predator/varmint or furbearer license. Non-residents must have a valid South Dakota non-resident hunting or predator/varmint license. The least expensive option is a predator/varmint license, which, as of 2010, is $5 for residents and $35 for non-residents. Apply online at the South Dakota Game Fish & Parks website. Any caliber gun or rifle is permitted.

Youth

Resident youth who are at least 12 years old by Dec. 31 can purchase a license and hunt in South Dakota. A parent, guardian or responsible adult (at least 18 years old) must accompany youth under age 16 when purchasing a license and while hunting. For those youth between ages 12 and 15, a hunter safety card is required.

Non-resident youths between the ages of 12 and 15 need a copy of their hunter safety card as well as a valid or expired hunting license issued to them from another state. A small game license for non-resident youth is $25 and is valid for two five-day periods.

Tribal land

State hunting licenses are not valid on tribal trust lands. Hunters must obtain authorization from the respective tribal councils. For example, to hunt on the Pine Ridge reservation, which has the highest concentration of prairie dogs in the state, hunters should obtain a tribal hunting permit from the Oglala Sioux tribal council. Contact the individual tribes to determine cost and availability. Not all land on South Dakota reservations are in a tribal trust; if you hunt on private lands owned by non-Native Americans, you must hold a state hunting permit. Phone numbers for each of the state's tribes are available on the South Dakota Game Fish & Parks website.

References

• Prairie Dogs in South Dakota

Resources

• South Dakota online hunting application
• Directory of South Dakota Prairie Dog Hunting