Hunting in South Dakota

If you are looking for a hunting adventure that will test your skills, challenge your endurance, and reward you with trophies of a lifetime, then you should consider hunting the Big Five in South Dakota. The Big Five are the most sought-after and elusive big game animals in the state: mountain lions, mountain goats, bighorn sheep, black bears, and turkeys³. These animals are not only rare and beautiful, but also formidable and dangerous. Hunting them requires careful planning, preparation, and skill. In this guide, we will give you some essential information and tips on how to hunt the Big Five in South Dakota.

Mountain Lions

Mountain lions are the largest wild cats in North America, weighing up to 200 pounds and measuring up to 8 feet long. They are also very secretive and stealthy, hiding in dense cover and stalking their prey. Mountain lions are mainly found in the Black Hills region of western South Dakota, where they feed on deer and other animals. The mountain lion hunting season runs from December 26 to March 31, or until a harvest limit is reached. To hunt mountain lions, you need a mountain lion license and a furbearer license. You can use dogs to track them, but not bait. You must report your harvest within 24 hours and present the animal for inspection within 5 days¹.

Tips for Hunting Mountain Lions

• Scout the area for fresh tracks, scat, kills, or other signs of mountain lion activity. Look for trails along ridges, creeks, or game trails.
• Use a good pair of binoculars or a spotting scope to scan the terrain for movement or silhouettes of mountain lions.
• Use dogs that are trained and experienced in tracking and treeing mountain lions. Follow them closely and be ready to shoot when they corner or tree the cat.
• Aim for the chest or neck area of the mountain lion. Avoid shooting at the head or spine, as these are small targets that can result in wounding or missing the animal.
• Be prepared for a close encounter with a wounded or charging mountain lion. Carry a handgun or a knife as a backup weapon and stay alert.

Mountain Goats

Mountain goats are not native to South Dakota, but were introduced in the 1920s as a game species. They live in the rugged terrain of the Black Hills, where they can climb steep cliffs and rocky slopes with ease. Mountain goats have thick white coats that help them blend in with the snow and ice. They weigh up to 300 pounds and have long black horns that curve backwards. The mountain goat hunting season runs from September 1 to December 31, or until a harvest limit is reached. To hunt mountain goats, you need a mountain goat license and a big game license. You cannot use dogs or bait to hunt them. You must report your harvest within 24 hours and present the animal for inspection within 5 days¹.

Tips for Hunting Mountain Goats

• Do your homework and research the area where you plan to hunt. Study maps, aerial photos, or online resources to locate potential goat habitat and access points.
• Be physically fit and mentally prepared for a strenuous hunt. You may have to hike for miles over rough terrain and at high altitudes to find and stalk mountain goats.
• Use a lightweight rifle or handgun that is accurate and powerful enough to take down a mountain goat. Choose bullets that have good penetration and expansion characteristics.
• Dress appropriately for the weather and terrain. Wear layers of clothing that can keep you warm, dry, and comfortable. Wear sturdy boots that have good traction and ankle support.
• Be respectful of the environment and other hunters. Follow the principles of leave no trace and avoid disturbing wildlife or vegetation. Do not shoot at goats that are too far away or too close to other hunters.

Bighorn Sheep

Bighorn sheep are native to South Dakota, but were nearly wiped out by disease and hunting in the early 1900s. They were reintroduced in the 1960s and have since recovered to a healthy population. Bighorn sheep live in the Badlands and the Black Hills, where they graze on grasses and shrubs. They weigh up to 300 pounds and have massive curled horns that can measure up to 40 inches long. The bighorn sheep hunting season runs from September 1 to December 31, or until a harvest limit is reached. To hunt bighorn sheep, you need a bighorn sheep license and a big game license. You cannot use dogs or bait to hunt them. You must report your harvest within 24 hours and present the animal for inspection within 5 days¹.

Tips for Hunting Bighorn Sheep

• Do your homework and research the area where you plan to hunt. Study maps, aerial photos, or online resources to locate potential sheep habitat and access points.
• Be physically fit and mentally prepared for a strenuous hunt. You may have to hike for miles over rough terrain and at high altitudes to find and stalk bighorn sheep.
• Use a lightweight rifle or handgun that is accurate and powerful enough to take down a bighorn sheep. Choose bullets that have good penetration and expansion characteristics.
• Dress appropriately for the weather and terrain. Wear layers of clothing that can keep you warm, dry, and comfortable. Wear sturdy boots that have good traction and ankle support.
• Be respectful of the environment and other hunters. Follow the principles of leave no trace and avoid disturbing wildlife or vegetation. Do not shoot at sheep that are too far away or too close to other hunters.

Black Bears

Black bears are rare in South Dakota, but occasionally wander into the state from neighboring Wyoming or Montana. They are mostly found in the Black Hills region, where they feed on berries, nuts, insects, and carrion. Black bears can weigh up to 500 pounds and have black fur that may have brown or cinnamon highlights. They have short claws that help them climb trees and dig for food. The black bear hunting season runs from September 1 to December 31, or until a harvest limit is reached. To hunt black bears, you need a black bear license and a furbearer license. You can use dogs to track them, but not bait. You must report your harvest within 24 hours and present the animal for inspection within 5 days¹.

Tips for Hunting Black Bears

• Scout the area for fresh tracks, scat, kills, or other signs of black bear activity. Look for trails along creeks, ridges, or berry patches.
• Use a good pair of binoculars or a spotting scope to scan the terrain for movement or silhouettes of black bears.
• Use dogs that are trained and experienced in tracking and treeing black bears. Follow them closely and be ready to shoot when they corner or tree the bear.
• Aim for the chest or neck area of the black bear. Avoid shooting at the head or spine, as these are small targets that can result in wounding or missing the animal.
• Be prepared for a close encounter with a wounded or charging black bear. Carry a handgun or a knife as a backup weapon and stay alert.

Turkeys

Turkeys are abundant in South Dakota, especially in the eastern part of the state where they thrive in agricultural lands and woodlands. Turkeys are omnivorous birds that feed on seeds, fruits, insects, and small animals. They can weigh up to 25 pounds and have colorful feathers that range from bronze to iridescent green. Male turkeys have long beards that hang from their chests and fan-shaped tails that they display during mating season. The turkey hunting season runs from April 10 to May 31 for spring season, and from October 1 to January 31 for fall season. To hunt turkeys, you need a turkey license and a small game license. You cannot use dogs to hunt them during spring season, but you can during fall season. You also cannot use bait to hunt them during both seasons¹.

Tips for Hunting Turkeys

• Scout the area for fresh tracks, droppings, feathers, roosts, or other signs of turkey activity. Look for fields, pastures, edges, or openings where turkeys like to feed or strut.
• Use a variety of calls to locate and lure turkeys. Try different sounds such as yelps, clucks, purrs, cuts, gobbles, or kee-kees depending on the season and situation.
• Use decoys to attract turkeys and distract them from your position. Place them in visible locations where turkeys can see them from a distance.
• Aim for the head or neck area of the turkey. Avoid shooting at the body, as this can result in wounding or missing the bird.
• Be patient and persistent when hunting turkeys. They can be very wary and unpredictable at times.

Hunting the Big Five in South Dakota can be a rewarding and memorable experience if you do it right. It can also help you appreciate the diversity and beauty of the state’s wildlife and natural resources. If you are up for the challenge?

SOURCES

themeateater.com | fs.usda.gov | rokslide.com