2021 SPRING WILD TURKEY REGULATIONS TURN IN POACHERS - TIPS Hotline 1.888.OVERBAG (1.888.683.7224) It is important that you read and understand all regulations NONLICENSEES/ACCOMPANIMENT before your hunt. The following regulations apply to taking, (General Turkey Licensee): possessing, transporting and storing big game during No person possessing a firearm, including a muzzleloading established seasons. Questions on specific regulations should firearm, or a bow and arrow may accompany a big game be directed to the Game, Fish and Parks. hunter in the field or cooperate as part of a big game hunting THE LICENSE group unless the accompanying person possesses a big game The big game license is an “all-in-one” form. The lower license that is valid for the same geographic area and time portion is the tag and the upper portion is the license with of year as the licensee. The provisions of this section do not general information about the licensee. A licensee must carry apply to any person who is allowed to carry a concealed pistol both portions while hunting the specified season. A licensee pursuant to state law. The provisions of this section do not may not take more big game than is allowed by the license or apply to a person who is legally licensed to hunt small game or kill a big game animal not specifically authorized by the license. exempt from license requirements as provided by SDCL 41-6-2 The license and tag may not be transferred. and hunting only with a shotgun using shotshells. No person hunting small game and accompanying a licensed firearm big You may retain the upper portion of the big game license and game hunter in the field may use dogs while accompanying the use it through Jan. 31, 2022, to hunt prairie dogs, coyotes, red big game hunter. fox, gray fox, skunks, gophers, jackrabbits, crow (in season), wolves, ground squirrels, chipmunks, opossums, porcupines, (Archery-only Turkey Licensee): raccoons, badgers, and marmots. Big game licensees who No person who is licensed in a season restricted to archery have filled their tags may continue to carry a legal weapon only may possess a firearm in the field while hunting with bow with their group for the purpose of hunting these other allowed and arrow except a person who possesses a firearms big game species. license that is valid for the same geographic area and time of year as the archery license OR a person who is allowed to DEFINITIONS: legally carry a pistol pursuant to state law. - Any Wild Turkey: a dark turkey that bears the characteristics of a Merriam’s, Rio Grande or Eastern turkey. JUVENILES: Juveniles under age 16 must be accompanied by - Male turkey: a wild turkey with a visible beard or spurs. The a parent, guardian or other responsible adult while hunting. The beard is a feathered appendage protruding from the breast. adult must be unarmed except if the adult possesses a firearm - Hen turkey: a wild turkey without a visible beard or spurs. big game license that is valid for the same geographic area and - Firearm big game license: defined as any license time of year as the youth hunter or the adult is allowed to carry that authorizes the licensee to use a firearm, including a a concealed pistol pursuant to state law. Adults supervising muzzleloading firearm, in the taking of big game animals. a mentored hunt may not carry a firearm except a concealed pistol pursuant to state law. TAGGING AND TRANSPORTATION: The tag you receive with your license must be signed, dated and securely attached to LEGAL FIREARMS the leg of the big game animal at the time it is brought to a road A person may not use a rimfire, centerfire, or muzzleloading or into any hunting camp, farmyard, or residence, or before it is rifle during the spring turkey season. No self-loading or auto- placed in or on a vehicle. loading firearm that holds more than six cartridges may be - The locking seal issued with each big game license is an used to hunt, pursue, shoot at, shoot, kill, or wound a wild adhesive tag. You must sign your tag, and date it by cutting turkey. No firearm that is capable of being operated as a full out completely the month and date of kill only. Attach the tag automatic may be used to hunt, pursue, shoot at, shoot, kill, securely around one leg of a turkey. or wound a wild turkey. No buckshot may be used, and no - Tagging allows a big game animal to be transported and single ball or rifled slug weighing less than one-half ounce may stored by the hunter or another person for the hunter. be used in hunting wild turkey. Handguns using ammunition - Wild turkeys, unless processed at a wildlife processing facility which is factory-rated to produce at least 500 foot-pounds of and accompanied by the receipt, or at the domicile of the energy at the muzzle may be used in the hunting of wild turkey. possessor, shall include the attached leg and foot bearing the Muzzleloading handguns that discharge a projectile of at least tag issued with the license. Any person who lawfully takes a .50 caliber and muzzleloading shotguns may also be used in wild turkey may remove edible portions from the turkey while the hunting of wild turkey. Any person who holds a license in the field and transport providing the person also has in their to take a wild turkey during the firearm season may take the possession the beard, leg and foot with the attached tag until animal by using a crossbow in lieu of a firearm. Crossbow the bird has arrived at the domicile of the processor. Any person means a device for propelling a bolt by means of traverse limbs licensed to take “any turkey” is exempt from transporting the mounted on a stock and a string. The crossbow may be drawn, beard. held, and released by a mechanical device and shall have at - Big game taken in another state or on a tribal license must be least 125 pounds pull and have a working mechanical safety. properly tagged when transported within South Dakota. If no Note: Hunters filling big game tags that are not restricted to tag was issued, the person in possession of the animal must archery may use any of the weapons described under “Legal provide proof the animal was lawfully taken. Firearms” or “Archery Equipment Restrictions” or any combination of weapons.

1 ARCHERY EQUIPMENT REQUIREMENTS Additionally, leashed dogs may be used to track and retrieve A person hunting wild turkey with bow and arrow may not use wounded big game animals. or possess any of the following: (1) Explosive, poisonous, - During the time from sunset and sunrise, no person may use hydraulic, or pneumatic points; (2) Crossbows and draw- or possess night-vision equipment or throw or cast the rays lock devices that hold the bow at partial or full draw except of a spotlight, motor vehicle headlight, or other artificial light for persons with qualifying disabilities; (3) Electronic devices onto a highway, or into any field, pasture, woodland, forest, or mounted to the bow that aid in the taking of game. However, prairie, for the purpose of spotting, locating, taking, attempting cameras, video cameras, cell phones used exclusively for to take, or hunting any animal, if the person is in possession photographic purposes, lighted sight pins, and illuminated or control of a firearm, bow, or other implement by which an arrow nocks may be used; (4) Electronic arrow or electronic animal could be killed. However a person may use a handheld string releases; (5) Telescopic sights; (6) An arrow without a light, while the person is on foot, to take raccoons after the broadhead (fixed or mechanical) that has at least two metal raccoons have been treed by dogs, or to engage in trapping cutting edges when hunting a wild turkey. However, an arrow activity and to take trapped fur-bearing animals; a landowner tipped with any point may be possessed when used for and up to two guests accompanying the person may use an practice; or (7) A bow that measures less than 30 pounds pull artificial light and night vision equipment on the person’s land, when hunting wild turkey. to take jackrabbits, coyotes, beaver during its hunting season, foxes, raccoons, opossums, badgers, skunks, and rodents, GENERAL RESTRICTIONS provided they use shotgun and shotshells; or a firearm and a - No one may hunt big game on interstate highways or cartridge having a bullet diameter of less than .225 inches; a controlled access facilities. landowner who is at least 18 may grant permission for up to - No one may discharge a firearm, muzzleloader, crossbow or two guests to hunt unaccompanied on that person’s land for bow and arrow at any big game animal (except turkey) from jackrabbits, coyotes, beaver during its hunting season, foxes, within the right-of-way of an improved public highway. Turkeys raccoons, opossums, badgers, skunks, and rodents, and such can be taken within the right-of-way with a shotgun using shot guests may use night vision equipment, provided they use a shells or with bow and arrow. shotgun and shot shell or a firearm and a cartridge having a - No one may hunt big game, except turkey as described bullet diameter of less than .225 inches. above, on a section line or other highway if the right-of-way - No one may possess a loaded firearm while intoxicated. has been commonly used by the public for vehicular travel - No one may wantonly waste game, destroy a big game animal as demonstrated by the existence of a well-worn trail or if an not in season or destroy a big game animal in season and not intentional alteration has been made to the right-of-way to tag and claim the animal. enhance the natural terrain’s utility for vehicular travel or to - No one may sell or barter big game, except the head, hide permit vehicular travel where it was not previously possible. and antlers. - No one may establish, utilize, or maintain a bait station - No one may recklessly discharge a firearm or bow. from Aug 1 - Feb 1, inclusive, and from March 15 - May 31, - No one may hunt within any federal refuge, national park or inclusive, to attract any big game animal (including turkey). monument or state game refuge unless specific seasons have A bait station is a location where grains, fruits, vegetables, been established for these areas. (See also Land Restrictions nuts, hay, minerals (including salt) or any other natural section below.) food materials, commercial products containing natural - No one may use or possess firearms in the Fort Meade food materials or by-products of such materials are placed Recreation Area, South Unit, and the signed portion of the or maintained as an attractant to big game animals for North Unit. the purpose of hunting. The use of scents alone does not constitute a bait station. The bait station restriction does not MOTOR VEHICLE RESTRICTIONS A motor vehicle is any self-propelled vehicle or any vehicle apply to foods that have not been placed or gathered by an propelled or drawn by a self-propelled vehicle. This includes individual and result from normal environmental conditions or snowmobiles, motorcycles and off-road vehicles (ATV/UTV). accepted farming, forest management, wildlife food plantings, - No one may use a motor vehicle to chase, harass, intercept, orchard management or similar land management activities. pursue or disturb big game. Individuals are exempt from the bait station requirements while - No one may send or receive a message by cellular telephone or participating in depredation management activities directed by other electronic form of communications while in or on a motor GFP. vehicle for the purpose of hunting big game. - No person may establish, utilize, or maintain a bait station, - No one who is in or on a motor vehicle, except hunters with as defined above, on lands owned by the department and Disabled Hunter permits, may discharge a firearm or bow at on properties managed and classified by the department as any wild animal, except coyotes, jackrabbits, rodents, skunks, Game Production Areas, State Parks, State Recreation Areas, badgers, raccoons and foxes. State Lakeside Use Areas, State Nature Areas and State - No one may allow a firearm to protrude from a motor vehicle Water Access Areas. or a conveyance attached to it while the vehicle is on a public - No one may use a dog or electronic call when hunting big highway. However, a firearm may protrude from a stationary game (including turkey); however electronic calls are allowed vehicle when shooting at coyotes, jackrabbits, rodents, for mountain lion hunting. The use of dogs to hunt mountain skunks, badgers, raccoons and foxes. lions is only allowed by permit during those specified hunting - No person may chase, drive, harass, kill, or attempt to kill intervals in that allow the use of dogs and any game animal or game bird with or from a snowmobile, year-round outside of the Black Hills Fire Protection District except coyotes may be taken by a landowner or lessee on the on private land with permission of the landowner or lessee. landowner’s property by shooting from stationary snowmobiles 2 through the use of firearms if the operator of the snowmobile evidence of activity while the user is absent from the location. is at least 18 years of age. Not more than one person may TREE STANDS/GROUND BLINDS/ELEVATED PLATFORMS: be aboard the snowmobile while coyotes are being hunted or Permanent tree stands and climbing devices are prohibited on taken pursuant to this provision. lands owned, leased or controlled by GFP as well as the Fort - No one may operate motorized vehicles on lands owned, Meade Recreation Area. Portable tree stands, portable blinds, leased or controlled by GFP, except on designated motor and climbing devices that do not utilize nails, wire, or bolts for vehicle roads and parking areas; federal Waterfowl Production attachment are allowed from August 1 to March 31, inclusive. Areas, except designated parking areas; or private land One screw-in “T” may be used to stabilize a tree stand. without permission from the owner or lessee of the land. Removable screw-in steps may be used to access a tree stand. - Hunters planning to use U.S. Forest Service or National The name and address or the year and current applicable big Grassland public lands should contact the Forest Service or game license number of the owner or user must be on the Grasslands office for details on travel restrictions. exterior of an unoccupied portable blind and legible from the - No person may kill or attempt to kill any wild bird or animal ground on a tree stand. Other elevated platform devices that from an aircraft, except those who are lawfully permitted. No are not attached to a tree must meet the requirements of this person may use an aircraft for the purpose of hunting, taking, rule for permitted dates and for labeling if left overnight or concentrating, driving, rallying, stirring up, locating, or spotting unattended. The use of nails, wires, screws, bolts, or screw- any wild bird or animal, except a person who uses a drone in type steps is prohibited on National Wildlife Refuges and for the purpose of locating or spotting a predator or varmint, Waterfowl Production Areas, both managed by the U.S. Fish & provided: (1) The activity occurs only on or over land that is Wildlife Service. privately owned; (2) The person operating the drone is the landowner or has permission from the landowner or a lessee; TRIBAL LAND: State licenses are valid on private, deeded and (3) The activity does not occur during the months of lands within the exterior boundaries of an Indian reservation. September, October, or November. Persons planning to hunt on tribal lands should contact the - No person may make use of, hunt, or shoot from any appropriate tribal office. motorized boat, except when it is beached, resting at anchor, WEAPONS RESTRICTIONS IN STATE PARK SYSTEM: or fastened/tied immediately alongside any type of fixed Uncased firearms, air guns, crossbows, and bows are hunting blind or natural cover, or is used solely as a means of prohibited in the state park system with the following picking up downed game. exceptions: - No person may use a motor vehicle for the purposes of (1) Uncased firearms, air guns, crossbows, and bows are hunting, fishing or trapping on any land under the control of permitted on designated rifle and archery ranges year-round the Commissioner of School and Public Lands, except for and may be transported or carried uncased to and from ranges roads, trails or parking areas designated and signed by the and boat ramps from designated parking areas; GFP. (2) A firearm, air gun, crossbow, or bow legally transported in a LAND RESTRICTIONS motor vehicle, trailer camper, or boat pursuant to state law, is TRESPASS: You may not hunt on private land or retrieve considered cased for purposes of this section; big game animals from private land without permission from (3) Hunters licensed for the special Custer State Park hunting the owner or lessee except in the Black Hills Fire Protection seasons may have uncased firearms, crossbows, and bows District. In that area you may not enter private land to hunt if the in Custer State Park during the season for which they are land is posted or if the owner or lessee has denied you entry. licensed; - The Black Hills Forest Fire Protection District is within (4) From September 1 through May 31, uncased firearms, air the following boundary: beginning at a point on the WY-SD guns, crossbows and bows are authorized for licensed hunters state line at the junction of I-90 at the state line; then east in all lakeside use areas and Shadehill Recreation Area; and southeast along I-90 via Rapid City to the intersection (5) From October 1 through April 30, uncased firearms, air of U.S. Highway 16B; then south and southwest along U.S. guns, crossbows, and bows are authorized for licensed 16B to the intersection of SD 79; then south along SD 79 to hunters in the state park system during established hunting the intersection of U.S. 18; then south along U.S. 18 to the seasons with the following restrictions: (a) Uncased firearms, Cheyenne River; then west and northwest along the Cheyenne air guns, crossbows, and bows are prohibited year-round River to the WY-SD state line; then north along state line to the in all established campgrounds, designated day-use areas, place of beginning. and at Beaver Creek Nature Area, Lake Herman State - If a person is convicted of knowingly trespassing, that Park, Spring Creek Recreation Area, Spirit Mound Historic person’s hunting privilege shall be revoked for one year. A Prairie, State Park east of State Highway 79, person’s hunting privileges shall be revoked for two years Oahe Downstream Recreation Area except for a hunter who following a second or subsequent conviction within ten years. possesses a valid deer license for Unit WRD-58D as described TRAIL CAMERAS: Any trail camera placed on public lands in chapter 41:06:20 or a valid turkey license for Unit PST-58B owned, leased, or controlled by the department may be as described in chapter 41:06:13, and Adams Homestead attached to a tree, post, or other structure by utilizing no more and Nature Preserve and except for a than one nail, bolt, or screw. The name and address of the resident hunter who possesses a valid archery deer license and owner or user or the year and current applicable big game an access permit as described in chapter 41:06:22 or except license number of the owner or user must be on the exterior for a resident hunter who possesses a valid archery spring of an unattended trail camera. A trail camera is a remotely turkey license and an access permit as described in chapter activated device set to capture photos, video, sound, or other 41:06:13; (b) Only bows and crossbows are permitted in Big

3 Sioux Recreation Area, the Forest Drive Unit of Richmond Lake GUIDING ON PUBLIC LANDS: No person acting as a Recreation Area, , LaFramboise Island hunting guide may guide any hunting activity on state-owned Nature Area, Chief White Crane Recreation Area, Clay County or managed Game Production Areas, state parks, recreation Recreation Area, and the mouth of Spearfish Canyon; (c) Only areas, lakeside use areas, federal land leased or under shotguns using shot shells, crossbows, and bows are permitted agreement to SD and posted as a Game Production Area in West Whitlock Recreation Area, West Pickerel Recreation and managed for wildlife purposes, private land leased or Area, Mina Recreation Area, Okobojo Recreation Area, Farm under agreement to GFP for the purpose of providing public Island Recreation Area, Angostura Recreation Area, Cow access, or on highways or other public rights-of-way within Creek State Recreation Area, , and this state that otherwise meet the requirements except that a the portions of North Point State Recreation Area which are hunting guide or employees of a hunting guide may guide a situated to the west of 381st Street and north of 297th Avenue, hunting activity on the road right-of-way immediately adjacent and situated west of 382nd Avenue and north of 297th Street, to property owned or leased by the hunting guide. A hunting and situated south of 297th Street, and west of guide is defined as a person who holds himself or herself out (d) A person who possesses a valid turkey license for Unit to the public as a hunting guide and, for compensation or PST-48A as described in chapter 41:06:13 is permitted to have remuneration, directs or provides services to any person for the an uncased shotgun using shotshells, a crossbow, a bow, or purpose of hunting any wild animals. Contact the respective a muzzleloading shotgun within the boundary of Sica Hollow agency for information about possible restrictions pertaining to State Park from the first Saturday of April through May 31; and guiding/outfitting on federal lands. (6) A person who is allowed to legally carry a concealed pistol MISCELLANEOUS pursuant to state law may carry a concealed pistol at any time. SHOOTING HOURS: One-half hour before sunrise to sunset. RESTRICTIONS ON OTHER STATE-OWNED LANDS: INSPECTION: Any motor vehicle, camper or trailer may Uncased firearms are prohibited in the following areas: be stopped for such inspection and count at the request of (1) East Pelican Water Access Area in Codington County; any uniformed law enforcement officer. You may not refuse (2) That portion of the Beilage Game Production Area north of inspection and count of game. Christensen Drive located in sections 24 and 25, township 6 north, range 2 east, in Lawrence County; FEDERAL LACY ACT: No person may transport or ship to (3) Hazel’s Haven Water Access Area in Moody County; another state wildlife taken unlawfully in South Dakota. (4) That portion of the Marcotte Game Production Area in HARASSMENT: No one may intentionally interfere with other section 16, township 5 north, range 5 east in Meade County; persons lawfully engaged in taking or attempting to take game, (5) Kelley’s Cove Water Access Area in Yankton County; engage in an activity specifically intended to harass or prevent (6) Highway 38/James River Water Access Area in Davison the lawful taking of game, or engage in an activity to scare or County; disturb game with specific intent to prevent its lawful taking. (7) New Underwood Lake Access Area in Pennington County except any licensed hunter while lawfully engaged in hunting; PENALTIES: Violations of most big game regulations are Class (8) Rollings Game Production Area in Lincoln County except 1 misdemeanors, punishable by fine and/or imprisonment any licensed hunter, using a shotgun with shotshells only, while and mandatory loss of hunting privileges for one year. Loss of hunting small game or wild turkey during an open season and privileges may extend to all other Interstate Wildlife Violator any person using a firearm on the shooting range located on Compact states as well. In addition to criminal penalties, a the game production area when the range is open; and person taking or killing big game illegally may be assessed civil (9) Lake Henry Water Access Area in Bon Homme County damages in the amount of $200 for each turkey. If a person has except any licensed hunter, using a shotgun with shotshells taken or is in possession of more than two times the lawful daily only, while hunting small game or wild turkey during an open or possession limit of a regulated wild animal, such person may season. be liable for twice the civil damages. Only shotguns using shot shells, crossbows, and bows are permitted on lands owned by the Otter Tail Power Company and leased by the department as a game production area in Grant County and the Lake Andes Unit’s game production areas in Charles Mix County. HORSES ON STATE-OWNED LANDS: - You may not ride or allow horses on land owned, leased or controlled by GFP except on designated bridle trails or equestrian areas. Licensed hunters may use horses during deer season on Game Production Areas adjacent to the . - A person licensed to hunt deer or elk, or any person assisting in the removal of legally tagged deer and elk may use horses on the Battle Mountain/Friendshuh Game Production Area in Fall River and Custer counties during established deer and elk seasons.

4 SUNRISE - SUNSET SCHEDULE HOW TO TELL A GOBBLER FROM A HEN All times are daylight savings time. Large size, black body and long beard are marks of the gob- CENTRAL TIME MOUNTAIN TIME bler. Both gobblers and hens will respond to turkey calls so Sioux Falls Huron Pierre Philip Rapid City DATE Rise-Set Rise-Set Rise-Set Rise-Set Rise-Set identify your target. Hens sometimes have beards, but color, Apr 1 7:07-7:53 7:13-8:00 7:21-8:09 6:27-7:14 6:33-7:20 size and behavior distinguish them from gobblers. Hens are Apr 4 7:02-7:57 7:07-8:04 7:16-8:12 6:22-7:17 6:28-7:24 smaller, brown birds, with feathered heads. Apr 7 6:57-8:01 7:02-8:07 7:11-8:16 6:16-7:21 6:22-7:27 Apr 10 6:52-8:04 6:57-8:11 7:05-8:20 6:11-7:25 6:17-7:31 Apr 13 6:47-8:08 6:51-8:15 7:00-8:23 6:06-7:28 6:12-7:35 Apr 16 6:42-8:11 6:46-8:19 6:55-8:27 6:01-7:32 6:07-7:38 Apr 19 6:37-8:15 6:41-8:22 6:50-8:31 5:56-7:36 6:02-7:42 Apr 22 6:32-8:18 6:36-8:26 6:45-8:34 5:51-7:39 5:57-7:45 Apr 25 6:27-8:22 6:32-8:30 6:40-8:38 5:46-7:43 5:52-7:49 Apr 28 6:23-8:25 6:27-8:33 6:36-8:42 5:42-7:46 5:48-7:53 May 1 6:18-8:29 6:23-8:37 6:31-8:45 5:37-7:50 5:43-7:56 May 3 6:16-8:31 6:20-8:39 6:28-8:48 5:34-7:52 5:41-7:59 May 6 6:12-8:35 6:16-8:43 6:24-8:51 5:30-7:56 5:36-8:02 May 9 6:08-8:38 6:12-8:46 6:20-8:55 5:27-7:59 5:33-8:06 May 12 6:04-8:41 6:08-8:50 6:17-8:58 5:23-8:03 5:29-8:09 May 15 6:01-8:45 6:05-8:53 6:13-9:02 5:20-8:06 5:26-8:12 May 18 5:58-8:48 6:02-8:56 6:10-9:05 5:17-8:09 5:23-8:16 May 21 5:55-8:51 5:59-9:00 6:07-9:08 5:14-8:12 5:20-8:19 May 24 5:53-8:54 5:56-9:03 6:05-9:11 5:11-8:15 5:17-8:22 May 27 5:51-8:57 5:54-9:06 6:03-9:14 5:09-8:18 5:15-8:25 May 31 5:48-9:00 5:52-9:09 6:01-9:17 5:07-8:22 5:13-8:28

REPORTING VIOLATIONS: You can report violations by contacting the Turn In Poachers (TIPs) Hotline (1.888. OVERBAG) or your local Conservation Officer. If possible, record and report the following information: date and time of violation, nature of violation, location, name of violator (if known), description of subject(s), vehicle description, and license plate number. Through the TIPs program callers can remain anonymous and receive rewards when information provided leads to the arrest of those who violate our wildlife laws.

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