License Requirements & Pricing.
Every hunter needs a valid South Dakota hunting license. Here's what qualifies for hunting small game on a licensed shooting preserve.
Hunters must have one of the following.
Important
Your license must be purchased before your hunting trip. You can buy it online through the official South Dakota licensing portal below.
Purchase Your LicenseResidents
Any one of the following licenses qualifies a resident to hunt small game on shooting preserves for the calendar year:
- Resident Small Game License — $36.00 + the required $10.00 habitat stamp
- Resident Combination License (small game & fishing) — $60.00 + the required $10.00 habitat stamp
- Resident 1-Day Small Game License — $15.00
- Resident Youth Small Game License (under 18) — $5.00
- Resident Senior Combination License — fishing, small game & trapping, ages 65 and above — $43.00 + the required $10.00 habitat stamp
Nonresidents
Nonresident Shooting Preserve licenses:
- One Day Preserve License — $50.00
- Five Day Preserve License (five consecutive days) — $96.00
- Annual Preserve License — $146.00
- Nonresident Small Game License — $142.00 + the required $25.00 habitat stamp
- Nonresident Youth Small Game License — $10.00
The Nonresident Small Game and Youth Small Game licenses require the holder to select the 10 days when those licenses are valid off-preserve. Both licenses are valid for permitted birds on licensed shooting preserves during the entire license year (through Jan. 31).
License Validity
- 2026 licenses are valid Dec 15, 2025 – Jan 31, 2027
- 2027 licenses are valid Dec 15, 2026 – Jan 31, 2028
Nonresident Youth (under 18)
Nonresidents who are at least 12 years of age, or who will turn 12 by December 31, may obtain licenses and hunt in any open season beginning September 1st. Nonresidents who do not turn 12 by December 31 cannot hunt in South Dakota except under the mentored hunting law.
To buy a license, nonresidents under 18 need a copy of their hunter safety certificate or a copy of a previous hunting license.
Licenses can be purchased through the South Dakota Game, Fish & Parks licensing portal before you arrive. Prices are set by the state and subject to change.