Nonresident waterfowl information

A South Dakota nonresident waterfowl license is required for a nonresident to hunt migratory waterfowl in South Dakota. Fall licenses are limited in number and distributed by lottery drawing. Thus, one must submit an application with payment either by paper or computer on or before the indicated deadline. All nonresidents must complete the Migratory Bird Certification questions on the application. The license that is issued includes the Migratory Bird Certification privileges.

Hunters over age 15 must have the federal Waterfowl Stamp in possession to be legal.

Fall applications will be available in June with a first deadline in July. Scroll down for links to applications and to apply.

A separate nonresident small game license is required to hunt small game, such as pheasants and grouse.

UNIT	Cost	AREA DESCRIPTION
NRW-00A	$110	Valid in Charles Mix, Bon Homme, Yankton, Clay & Union counties. License is valid for entire seasons open in these counties.
NRW-00B	$110	Valid 10-days, statewide, except in Units 00A & 11A*
NRW-00C	$45	September Canada goose season. See Hunting Handbook for details.
NRW-11A	$110	Bennett County - Applicants must choose a 10-consecutive day period between Oct. 22 and Dec. 18 or Jan. 3-18, 2006 (see application)
NRW-00S	$45/$25	Statewide, spring goose valid Feb. 1 - May 15
NRW-00X (3-day)	$75	Valid on private land in Hughes, Sully, Stanley, Lyman & Potter counties
NRW-00Y (3-day)	$75	Valid on public & private lands in Brown, Marshall Roberts, Day, Grant, Clark, Codington, Deuel, & Hamlin counties

* A NRW-11A or a NRW-00B license is needed for nonresidents to hunt Unit 4 (Jan. 3-18, 2006) in Bennett County for January Canada goose.

Tundra Swan permits must now be applied for separately (use SD fall waterfowl application). Nonresidents are still required to have a regular nonresident waterfowl license to legally hunt with a tundra swan permit, but the two are no longer tied together. Tundra swan permits are valid only in the tundra swan hunting unit. Nonresidents must also have a valid NRW-00B, NRW-00X, or NRW-00Y license.

To hunt sandhill crane in South Dakota, nonresidents need a SD nonresident small game license and state migratory bird certification or a SD nonresident waterfowl license (limited in number).

South Dakota's sandhill crane hunting unit is west of U.S 281. Hunters may not use or possess lead shot when hunting sandhill crane.

Licensees should choose the hunting start date when applying, but the space can be left blank or the dates can be changed if done before the indicated license start date begins. If successful, licenses will be held until a start date is given to the License Office in Pierre. Call (605) 773-3393 to declare a start date. To change a start date, return the license to with a new start date to: Game, Fish and Parks License Office, 412 West Missouri, Pierre, SD 57501.

Nonresident youths who are at least 12 years of age or will turn 12 before Jan. 1 may apply for or buy licenses and may hunt in any open season beginning on or after Sept. 1. A copy of their hunter safety card is required with the application. Anyone younger cannot hunt in South Dakota.

A SD nonresident waterfowl license also allows nonresidents to shoot coyotes, fox, skunks, prairie dogs and other unprotected species through January 31 of the following year.