SD Game, Fish and Parks

Mentored Hunting Program

The mentored hunting program is designed so parents can make the decision on when their child is ready to go hunting for the first time. By emphasizing one on one interaction between the beginning hunter and the experienced hunter, safety, respect for wildlife and solid conservation ethics are passed to the conservation leaders of tomorrow.

Whether you are a parent or a mentor participating in this program, thank you for taking the time to hunt with a child. By sharing a safe, ethical and fun hunt with a young person, the hunting tradition is sure to be passed on to future generations.

Definitions:

Mentored Hunter: Any resident youth, at least 10 years of age but less than 16 years of age, that is not required to posses a hunting license as long as accompanied by a hunting mentor while in the field hunting

Mentor: Any resident parent/guardian or assigned competent adult that accompanies a youth under the provisions of SDCL 41-6-81 is a hunting mentor.

Regulations of the Mentored Hunting Program:

Mentored Hunter

Residents only

At least 10 years of age and less than 16 years of age

No license required for the mentored hunter

No hunter education class required

Must be accompanied by unarmed mentor

Parent/Guardian

Residents only

If the parent/guardian is serving as the mentor, they shall possess a valid hunting license for the game being hunted

If mentoring a hunter, must be hunter education certified

Must purchase the mentored big game licenses for the mentored hunter

If not the mentor, must provide written permission to the mentor to hunt with the child

Mentor

Residents only

Must be unarmed except for permitted concealed handgun

Must be at least 18 years of age

Must be hunter education certified and carry certification in the field during the mentored hunt

Shall possess a valid hunting license for the game being hunted

Must be in immediate contact and direct supervision of the mentored hunter

If not the parent, must possess written permission from the parent

Small Game Hunting

May hunt any open small game season

For every mentored hunter, there must be a designated mentor

Must be unarmed except for permitted concealed handgun

Hunting party may not exceed six people (including mentors and mentored hunters)

Mentored hunts involving migratory game birds will require the mentor to possess all required licenses and certifications for that specific season or species (may include Federal Waterfowl Stamp and/or Migratory Bird Certification)

The combined number of animals taken or possessed by the mentored hunter and the hunting mentor may not exceed the number of animals authorized under licenses held by the adult mentor

Game taken by a mentored hunter counts towards the mentors daily limit

Big Game Hunting

For every mentored hunter, there must be a designated mentor

Hunting party may not exceed six people (including mentors and mentored hunters)

Must be unarmed except for permitted concealed handgun

Mentor deer, antelope, and turkey licenses can only be purchased by the parent and/or guardian

Big game licenses for mentored hunts include antlerless deer, doe/fawn antelope and spring and fall turkey

The mentor must have in their possession the mentored hunting license and the mentor must sign the license when the animal is harvested

If a mentored deer, antelope, or turkey license is purchased for a mentored hunter, that mentored hunter is ineligible to purchase a license for the respective regular youth deer, antelope and archery antelope, fall and spring turkey season

The purchase of a big game mentored hunting license does not effect the eligibility of the parent/guardian for any other hunting license

Mentored Deer licensees must follow the unit, date and equipment restrictions for the Youth Deer season

Mentored Antelope licensees must follow the unit, date and equipment restrictions for the Archery Antelope and Firearms Antelope seasons

Mentored Fall Turkey licensees must follow the unit, date and equipment restrictions for the Fall Turkey season