Details below from SDGFP Website
About South Dakota Antelope Hunting
Antelope are found primarily on the arid short grass prairies of the western United States. South Dakota hosts one of the highest antelope populations in the nation, ranging across the west and central regions.
Antelope are found primarily on the arid short grass prairies of the western United States. South Dakota hosts one of the highest antelope populations in the nation, ranging across the west and central regions.
The main color of adults is brown or tan, with a white rump and belly and two white stripes on the throat. A short dark mane grows along the neck, and males also sport a black mask and black patches on the sides of the neck.
Pronghorns have a distinct, musky odor. Males mark territory with a scent gland located on the sides of the head. Antelopes have excellent sight with large eyes and a 320 degree field of vision that makes the prairies of South Dakota an excellent habitat for these animals and a challenging hunt.
The pronghorn is extremely fast reaching top speeds of up to 54 mph. making it the second-fastest land animal, second only to the cheetah.
SD Archery Antelope Hunting
The archery antelope season is set in May and is open to residents and nonresidents. The application process opens in July . There is no deadline for submitting an application and licenses are sold throughout the season.
- Licenses must be purchased by application through the GFP License Office.
The primary archery antelope season traditionally runs from mid August through the end of October except when and where a state firearm antelope season is open.
- All first time archery antelope hunters, resident or nonresident, are required to pass the National Bowhunter Education course.
Season Dates:
- Archery Antelope - Aug. 20 - Sept. 30 - Oct. 17 - Oct. 31, 2011
SD Firearm Antelope Hunting
The Firearm Antelope season is set in July and is open to residents and nonresidents. The application process opens in July . The first application deadline for the limited license drawing is Aug. 12 . Licenses must be purchased by application through the GFP License Office.
- The season typically opens on the Saturday closest to Oct. 1.
Season Dates:
- Firearms Antelope - Oct. 1 - Oct. 16, 2011
Custer Park Antelope Hunting
At 71,000 acres, Custer State Park is one of the largest state parks in the United States. A vast array of wildlife inhabits the Park, and special hunting seasons are established to help meet management objectives of the state GF&P department. The Custer State Park Antelope season began in 2009 and has produced some of the best antelope hunting in North America.
Season Dates:
SD Landowner Antelope Hunting
A resident farmer or rancher
must own or lease for agricultural purposes a minimum of 160 acres of privately-owned farm or ranch land and actually reside on the land, or be an owner- operator of the land, to qualify. This license restricts the holder to the taking of the big game animals as designated on the license only from the privately-owned farm or ranch lands owned or leased by the resident farmer or rancher.
The applicant may not already have a license for the regular season. Either the owner or operator/lessee of the land may qualify for this preference. Immediate family members are eligible, and include spouse, children living at home, and children who reside on land owned and operated by the resident farmer or rancher.
Corporate landowner/operators who reside on and actively participate in and direct the daily workings on the farm or ranch may also purchase these licenses. Absentee corporate landowners do not qualify.
Season Dates:
- Landowner Antelope - Oct. 1 - Oct. 16, 2011
SD Mentored Antelope Hunting
South Dakota residents have the opportunity to pass the wonderful tradition of antelope hunting on to a new generation through the Mentored Hunt program.
- A mentored hunting license is available for youth age 10 through 16.
- Separate application process from the normal antelope application
- One-to-one mentorship between an adult and the youth
- Youth hunter is not required to have hunter safety certification for this hunt, but certification is required of the mentor
- Other requirements are listed in the application form.
The Mentored Antelope licenses are valid during the established Archery and Firearms Antelope seasons, however, firearms
may NOT be used during the Archery Antelope season.
Season Dates:
- Mentored Antelope - Oct. 1 - Oct. 16, 2011
- Firearms may not be used during Archery Antelope season