Ember
South DakotaDeer & Turkey Season Dates
2026-2027 deer and turkey season dates for South Dakota.
Opener is in 54 days.
Score your stands in Ember before then — every one rated by terrain, wind, and season.
Whitetail Deer
Statewide
| Season | Dates | Weapon | Bag limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Archery Deer Season | Sep 1, 2026 – Jan 1, 2027 | archery | |
| Muzzleloader Deer Season | Dec 1, 2026 – Jan 1, 2027 | muzzleloader |
Archery Deer Season: Statewide archery. Nonresidents may not hunt private lands leased by GFP or public lands until Oct 1.
Muzzleloader Deer Season: Statewide muzzleloader deer season.
Black Hills Region
| Season | Dates | Weapon | Bag limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Black Hills Deer Firearm Season | Nov 1, 2026 – Nov 30, 2026 | firearms |
Black Hills Deer Firearm Season: Black Hills region firearm deer season. Includes mixed whitetail/mule deer.
East River
| Season | Dates | Weapon | Bag limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| East River Firearm General Season | Nov 21, 2026 – Dec 6, 2026 | firearms | |
| East River Antlerless-Only Firearm Season | Dec 12, 2026 – Dec 20, 2026 | firearms |
East River Firearm General Season: East River primary firearm deer season (whitetail dominant area).
East River Antlerless-Only Firearm Season: East River antlerless-only firearm tags. antlerless only
Whitetail Deer source: gfp.sd.gov
Turkey
Black Hills
| Season | Dates | Weapon | Bag limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring Turkey — Black Hills | Apr 25, 2027 – May 31, 2027 | shotgun |
Spring Turkey — Black Hills: Black Hills spring turkey season. bearded turkey only
Custer State Park
| Season | Dates | Weapon | Bag limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring Turkey — Custer State Park | Apr 25, 2027 – May 23, 2027 | shotgun |
Spring Turkey — Custer State Park: Custer State Park spring turkey — ends May 23 (earlier than Black Hills). bearded turkey only
Prairie Zone
| Season | Dates | Weapon | Bag limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall Turkey — Prairie Zone | Nov 1, 2026 – Jan 31, 2027 | any | |
| Spring Turkey — Prairie Zone (Regular/Archery/Mentored) | Apr 11, 2027 – May 31, 2027 | any |
Fall Turkey — Prairie Zone: Fall prairie turkey season. Includes regular and mentored hunters. Subject to GFP Commission finalization.
Spring Turkey — Prairie Zone (Regular/Archery/Mentored): Prairie zone spring turkey. Includes archery and mentored hunter seasons. bearded turkey only
Turkey source: gfp.sd.gov
Mule Deer
Gregory County (Unit 30A)
| Season | Dates | Weapon | Bag limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gregory County (Unit 30A) Firearm — Segment 1 | Nov 7, 2026 – Nov 10, 2026 | firearms | |
| Gregory County (Unit 30A) Firearm — Segment 2 | Nov 23, 2026 – Nov 29, 2026 | firearms |
Gregory County (Unit 30A) Firearm — Segment 1: Special dates for Gregory County Unit 30A. Split season.
Gregory County (Unit 30A) Firearm — Segment 2: Gregory County Unit 30A second segment.
West River
| Season | Dates | Weapon | Bag limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| West River Archery (Mule Deer) | Sep 1, 2026 – Jan 1, 2027 | archery | |
| West River Deer Firearm Season (Mule Deer) | Nov 14, 2026 – Nov 29, 2026 | firearms |
West River Archery (Mule Deer): West River archery season including mule deer areas.
West River Deer Firearm Season (Mule Deer): West River primary firearm season. Mule deer dominant area. Permit required.
Mule Deer source: gfp.sd.gov
Season dates and regulations can change. Always verify current dates with the South Dakota state wildlife agency before you hunt.
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