Hunting in South Dakota: 4 Animals to Hunt in the Fall

Rolling hills and wide-open expanses make a good backdrop for hunting in South Dakota. Although there is hunting during various seasons, one of the most beautiful seasons to hunt in South Dakota is the fall.

According to the South Dakota Game, Fish, and Parks Department, here are four animals that hunters can target in the fall:

1. Deer
When it comes to hunting big game, deer are one of the most sought-after animals to hunt in the fall. Hunters can take full enjoyment of events like the Black Hills deer hunting season, which starts on the first day of November and runs until the end of the month. Up to 75 percent of the deer population in the Black Hills area is made up of whitetails, while mule deer are more abundant in the north, in areas west of Custer State Park, and along the foothills that surround the Black Hills area. This season is open to residents and non-residents.

ALERT: Should Obama Have More Control Over Guns? Vote Now

West River deer, youth deer, and archery deer are other deer hunting seasons that open to residents and non-residents alike in the fall. It is necessary to gain the permission of landowners before hunting on private lands.

2. Pheasant
The fall pheasant hunt is a favorite time for those hunting in South Dakota, particularly if the hunter comes from a state where the ring-necked pheasant is elusive. Known as the state bird of South Dakota, the ring-necked pheasant thrives on the plains.

Hunting season begins in mid-October and ends during the first week of January. Legal hunting hours begin at noon for the first week of the season, and then begin two hours earlier for the remaining days. Legal hunting hours end at sunset each day. Hunters are allowed a three-rooster pheasant limit, with up to five times that amount as a total possession limit.

3. Bobtail Quail
Named for their unique call, the bobtail quail is found in various open locations such as farmland, edges of woodlands, and brushy areas where insects and seeds are easy to find. Hunting season begins mid-October and runs into the first week of January. The daily quail limit is five, with a total possession limit of three times that amount.

VOTE NOW: Is South Dakota Sen. Mike Rounds Doing a Good Job?

4. Turkey
Turkeys are considered to be a big game animal. Used as a population control method, the fall turkey hunting season runs from the first day of November through the last day of January. Most of South Dakota is included in the permitted hunting area, and the majority of tags are lawful for either hens or gobblers.

This article is for information only. Please check current regulations before hunting.

Related Stories:

• Hunting in Nebraska: 5 Animals Designated Nongame, Endangered, Threatened, and Protected Species
• Hunting in Montana: 3 Animals to Hunt Year-Round