MITCHELL, S.D. (Mitchell Now) — South Dakota’s fall hunting season is quickly approaching, with the youth pheasant opener a little more than a month away and several other seasons beginning even sooner. Hunters across the Mitchell area and the rest of the state are preparing for pheasant, deer, waterfowl, turkey, dove and other opportunities this fall.

Before heading into the field, hunters should check licenses, season dates, unit boundaries and regulations through South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks.

2026 Pheasant Season

South Dakota’s traditional pheasant season runs Oct. 17 through Jan. 31, 2027.

Other pheasant dates include:

  • Youth-only: Sept. 26-Oct. 4
  • Resident-only: Oct. 10-12
  • Traditional: Oct. 17-Jan. 31

Traditional-season shooting hours are 10 a.m. Central Time to sunset statewide. The daily limit is three rooster pheasants, with a possession limit of 15 that accumulates at three birds per day.

Hunters can review requirements on GFP’s pheasant hunting page.

2026 Deer Seasons

South Dakota’s 2026 deer hunting seasons begin Sept. 1 with archery hunting and continue into January, with firearm seasons scheduled throughout November and December.

Major 2026 deer season dates include:

  • Archery deer: Sept. 1-Jan. 1, 2027
  • Apprentice and mentored deer: Sept. 12-Jan. 1, 2027
  • Black Hills deer: Nov. 1-30
  • Custer State Park deer: Nov. 1-30
  • West River deer: Nov. 14-29
  • East River deer: Nov. 21-Dec. 6
  • East River antlerless-only: Dec. 12-20
  • Muzzleloader deer: Dec. 1-Jan. 1, 2027
  • National Wildlife Refuge deer: Dates vary by refuge and license

During the East River antlerless-only season, only tags specifically designated as antlerless are valid. Any Deer, Any Buck and Any Whitetail tags do not convert to antlerless tags for the Dec. 12-20 season.

Many firearm deer licenses are limited and distributed through the South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks drawing system. The fourth 2026 combined deer draw opened Aug. 18 and closes at 8 a.m. Central Time Sept. 1, with results scheduled for Sept. 4. Remaining licenses are scheduled to become available as leftovers beginning Sept. 9.

Hunters should check GFP’s Remaining Licenses page for current quotas and the 2026 Combined Deer application for license types, unit boundaries, eligibility requirements and draw information.

Archery hunters should also pay close attention to residency requirements. Nonresident archery deer licenses have separate application requirements, and hunters should verify whether their license is valid for the land they intend to hunt.

Season dates and regulations can vary by license and unit, so hunters should confirm the information printed on their license and review current South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks hunting information before heading into the field.

Other 2026 Hunting Dates

South Dakota hunters will have several additional opportunities for upland birds, migratory birds, antelope and turkey during the 2026 season.

  • Archery antelope: Aug. 15-Oct. 2 and Oct. 19-31. The season closes during the Oct. 3-18 firearms antelope season. A resident archery antelope license costs $45, while nonresident licenses cost $375. View the 2026 archery antelope application.
  • Mourning dove: Sept. 1-Nov. 9. The daily limit is 15 doves, with a possession limit of 45. Hunters must also purchase a South Dakota Migratory Bird Certification. View GFP mourning dove regulations.
  • Prairie grouse: Sept. 19-Jan. 31, 2027. The daily limit is three birds, including any combination of sharp-tailed grouse, greater prairie-chickens and ruffed grouse, with a possession limit of 15. View prairie grouse regulations.
  • Gray partridge: Sept. 19-Jan. 31, 2027. The daily limit is five, with a possession limit of 15. View partridge regulations.
  • Fall prairie turkey: Nov. 1-Jan. 31, 2027. License availability and the number of turkeys allowed vary by license and unit. Resident licenses cost $20 for one turkey or $25 for two, while nonresident licenses cost $106 for one or $131 for two. View GFP license costs.

Waterfowl opportunities include the youth waterfowl season Sept. 12-13, white-fronted goose season Sept. 26-Dec. 8, light goose season Sept. 26-Jan. 8 and tundra swan season Oct. 3-Jan. 8. Canada goose dates vary by hunting unit. GFP’s 2026 key dates list the complete schedule.

Duck hunters also choose between South Dakota’s traditional daily bag-limit framework and the three-duck option, which allows up to three ducks per day regardless of species or sex. Hunters make that selection when purchasing their Migratory Bird Certification. Learn more about the three-duck option.

Hunters should confirm applicable zones, bag limits and license requirements before hunting, particularly for waterfowl and other migratory birds.cations. More information is available through GFP’s waterfowl hunting page.

Before You Hunt

Season dates alone do not determine whether a hunt is legal. Hunters should verify the unit listed on their license, shooting hours, daily and possession limits, legal firearms or archery equipment, tagging and transportation requirements, and any restrictions that apply to the land they plan to hunt.

Hunters age 18 and older generally must also purchase a South Dakota Habitat Stamp when buying or applying for a hunting, fishing or trapping license, although some exemptions apply. View Habitat Stamp and license information.

Migratory bird hunters may need additional state and federal requirements, including South Dakota’s Migratory Bird Certification and, for qualifying waterfowl hunters, a Federal Duck Stamp. Hunters should review South Dakota GFP waterfowl regulations before heading into the field.

Youth hunters should also make sure they meet South Dakota’s hunter education or mentored hunting requirements. View hunter education information.

Hunters must obtain permission before entering private property that is not enrolled in a public-access program. They should also review any blaze-orange clothing requirements and special restrictions that apply to their season or hunting area.

Public hunting opportunities can be located through GFP’s hunting areas and public-access maps.

Complete 2026 season dates, applications, license information and hunting regulations are available through the South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks.