Muzzleloader-Only Deer

Though South Dakota's muzzleloader-only "any antlerless" deer licenses are unlimited in number, hunters must still submit an application for a license. This is done by acquiring the current muzzleloader application, completing it and submitting it with payment by the indicated deadline. Applicants can also apply online with a credit card. See links above.

Changes for 2008 include:

• Increase the number of "any deer" licenses from 400 to 1,000

License Eligibility: Nonresidents may apply for either a 1-or-2-tag "any antlerless" muzzleloader license in the first or subsequent drawings (used to have to wait till the third drawing). See application for details.

Individual License Quota: Either residents or nonresidents may have no more than five SD muzzleloader deer license. 

Special Requirements: Hunters must wear fluorescent orange and use only legal muzzleloaders with open or peep sights.

Smokeless powder is not allowed during muzzleloading seasons. Prohibiting smokeless powder is intended to keep muzzleloading equipment and ammunition somewhat primitive as intended, and from developing to the level where there is little or no difference in ballistics between these firearms and high-powered rifles used for regular seasons. Basically all current black powder types and the newer black powder "equalivent" powders or pellitized powders will remain legal. Only a few of the more recent muzzleloading firearms use smokeless powder, so existing muzzleloading hunters shouldn't experience any change.

Hunters who want to use smokeless powders in a muzzleloader can still use these firearms during the regular rifle seasons.

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.