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 South Dakota 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.