Apply Online Request Paper Application/Information Print/View/Download Hunting Applications Big Game Seasons Index Mountain Lion Information Hunting Index Map Showing 2005 and 2006 Lion Harvest Locations Harvest Status (click here to see # of lions harvested to date. The 2007 Mountain Lion season is closed)            Toll Free # for harvest status - (866) 895-9067 To report a harvested mountain lion, call: Rapid City Regional GFP Office, 3305 West South Street, 394-2391. Mon. through Fri. 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Rapid City State Radio at 393-8121 for after 5 p.m. and on weekends.

License Fee: $15 for statewide unit.

Season Dates: November 1 - December 31. The mountain lion season will end earlier if the limit of 35 total mountain lions (males plus females), or 15  females, is met at an earlier date. Females harvested will count toward the limit of 35 lions.

License Eligibility: Only South Dakota residents are eligible.

Individual License Quota: Residents are allowed one mountain lion permit valid for taking one mountain lion.

Season Harvest Limit:
NOTE: A maximum harvest of 35 mountain lions (or 15 female mountain lions) has been established for this season. The season will be closed immediately when the harvest limit is met. All permittees are required to maintain daily contact by phone or Web site to ensure that the season is still in progress and has not been closed due to reaching the limit. This information will also be updated on the GFP Web site. From the homepage, highlight "Wildlife, Hunting and Fishing," and then click on hunting. Click on "Mountain Lions," and then on the link to "Season Harvest Limit."

Reporting Mountain Lion Kill: It is mandatory that all harvested mountain lions be reported to GFP personnel within 24 hours of harvest. In the Black Hills, the harvested lions can be checked in at the Rapid City GFP Office (3305 West South Street). Hunters who are successful in taking a mountain lion must call (605) 394-2391 during weekday office hours (8 a.m. - 5 p.m.), or call State Radio at (605) 393-8121 during nights and weekends. Arrangements can then be made to have a GFP representative meet the hunter at the Rapid City GFP Regional Office.

• Mountain Lions with spotted coats (kittens) may not be harvested.

• Any mountain lion accompanying another mountain lion may not be harvested.

• All mountain lions taken in the Black Hills Unit, including carcass and pelt, must be presented to GFP staff at the Rapid City GFP Regional Office (3305 West South Street) within 24 hours of the kill for inspection and pelt tagging.

• Individuals who take mountain lions outside of the Black Hills must contact a Conservation Officer, State Trapper or other department representative within 24 hours of kill to arrange for inspection of the carcass and pelt.

• All firearms, muzzleloaders and archery equipment must meet the same minimum requirements established for deer hunting in South Dakota.

• Shooting hours are ½ hour before sunrise to ½ h our after sunset.

• Hunters may not hunt with the aid of dogs, bait or traps.

• Hunters may use electronic calls.

• All licenses are sold by application through the GFP License Office in Pierre. Applications may be submitted online or by paper application through the mail. Licenses will be available for sale through the end of the season. Please allow ample time for processing and return of the license before the hunt takes place.

Background Information:
Biological data collected from the past 20 years of general monitoring, and 7 ½ years of intense monitoring of mountain lions in South Dakota support the establishment of this hunting season. Results establish that the Black Hills of South Dakota can support a population of 145 mountain lions. Documented dispersal of mountain lions out of the Black Hills offers strong evidence that the mountain lion population is currently at or above the level that can be supported in that area.

A harvest limit has been established for this season based on losses and gains of mountain lions through death, births, moving into the area, moving out of the area, and so forth. The objective is to manage the mountain lion population as close to the carrying capacity of 145 as possible. Taking natural population changes into account with the harvest limit, it is expected that this management objective can be met. Future mountain lion hunts will be based on the outcome of this hunt. It is mandatory that all mountain lion hunters present their mountain lion to the Rapid City GFP office if one is taken.