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West River Deer

South Dakota's West River deer region covers the area of the state west of the Missouri River (excluding the Black Hills) and is characterized by rolling hills cut west-to-east by flowing rivers.  The deer herd consists of both whitetails and mule deer.

2007 SEASON DATES

  • Gregory County, Unit 30A, and Mellette County, Unit 50A: Nov. 3-6 and Nov. 19-25

  • Corson County, Dewey County Ziebach County Units: Nov. 3-25

  • All other units: Nov. 10-25
     

  • Antlerless West River deer tags only:

  1. During the firearms antelope season, which is finalized in July. In 2006, the season ran from Sept. 30 - Oct. 15.

  2. Nov. 26 - Dec. 2

  3. Jan. 1 - 9, 2008

  • The 2007 West River deer season will be extended from Nov. 26-Dec. 2, 2007 and from Jan. 1-9, 2008. Each unfilled and unsold West River deer tag will convert to its respective antlerless tag and be valid on both public and private lands. Hunters are reminded that permission is needed to legally access private land.

Resident Fees
  1-tag (any deer) = $35

Nonresident Fees 
  1-tag (any deer) = $195,  2-tag (any deer + any antlerless deer) = $245

Shooting hours: All firearms and archery big game shooting hours (except turkey) are one-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset. Shooting hours for turkey season are one-half hour before sunrise to sunset.

West River deer hunters must apply for and successfully draw a tag by lottery drawing. This is done by acquiring a paper application, completing it and submitting it with payment by the indicated deadline. Applicants can also apply online with a credit card (first three drawings only).  Applications are usually available in July with a first deadline in early August. See links above.

The West River deer region is divided into units with each unit having set licenses available.  Depending on the unit, both one-tag and two-tag licenses may be available. A unit mapping is available on the West River deer application.  Click on the "print applications" link above..

Residents and nonresidents are eligible for all units, except those who received a West River Special Buck license are not eligible to apply until the third drawing. The area is open to nonresident hunters on a limited lottery basis (about 1,600 licenses). Most deer hunting is done on private land--permission is required.

The season is set in June, with applications becoming available soon thereafter. The first deadline is in late July/early August.

Special Buck License:  The West River special buck license is another option for hunting deer (any buck) in the West River areas.  It is the first application drawing for deer (May) and is valid only on private land in any West River deer season unit.  The West River special buck license is open to residents and nonresidents. Successful special buck applicants cannot apply for a regular West River deer license until the third drawing. See application for further details.

Fluorescent Orange: Big game licensees hunting with a firearm in SD must wear at least one exterior garment of fluorescent orange while hunting. Garments include hat, shirt, vest, jacket, coat or sweater. Turkey hunters do not need to wear fluorescent orange.