South Dakota turkey hunting gives you access to premier Merriam turkey habitat in the Black Hills and across the western prairie. The state offers both draw and over-the-counter license options for nonresidents, with spring seasons running from April through May. South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks (GFP) manages turkey hunting statewide, with nonresident licenses available for prairie units and a limited draw for the Black Hills. This guide covers everything you need to plan a South Dakota turkey hunt: season dates, tag costs, where to find Merriam turkeys, what to expect, and how to choose an outfitter.
South Dakota spring turkey season runs from early April through May 31. Prairie shotgun season opens April 11 and closes May 31. Black Hills season opens April 25 and closes May 31. Archery season runs April 11 through May 31 statewide, but archery hunters cannot start hunting in the Black Hills unit until April 25. There is also a fall turkey season that runs from November 1 through January 31, but most hunters target the spring season when gobblers are active and calling is effective.
The best hunting window depends on what kind of experience you want:
South Dakota turkey tags are sold through GFP’s online licensing system. Nonresident spring turkey licenses cost $121 for one male wild turkey or $151 for two male wild turkeys on prairie units. The nonresident Black Hills turkey license also costs $121 for one male wild turkey, but it requires a draw application. You also need a $25 nonresident habitat stamp, which is a one-time annual purchase.
Here is the full fee breakdown for nonresident spring turkey hunters:
| License Type | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Prairie one-bird (male turkey) | $121 | Over-the-counter after draw |
| Prairie two-bird (male turkeys) | $151 | Over-the-counter after draw |
| Black Hills one-bird (male turkey) | $121 | Draw required, application deadline February 11 |
| Mentored turkey | $10 | For youth hunters |
| Habitat stamp | $25 | One-time annual purchase |
Prairie unit applications open January 14 and the first draw closes February 11. A second draw runs February 18 through March 4, and a third draw runs March 10 through March 24. Leftover licenses are sold first-come, first-served from March 26 through May 31. Nonresidents can apply for all units west of the Missouri River, plus any units east of the river that have leftover licenses after the second draw.
Black Hills nonresident licenses are limited to 2,225 tags with a draw deadline of February 11. Draw results are posted February 13. If you do not draw, you can apply for leftover prairie unit licenses.
For a step-by-step walkthrough of buying your Nebraska turkey tag (which you will also need for a two-state hunt), see our Nebraska Turkey Hunting License and Tag Guide.
Merriam turkeys live in the Black Hills and across the western prairie of South Dakota. The Black Hills region in western South Dakota holds the densest Merriam population in the state. This area features ponderosa pine forests, open meadows, and creek bottoms that Merriam turkeys prefer for roosting and strutting. The Black Hills unit (BH1) covers Lawrence, Pennington, Custer, and Meade counties.
East of the Missouri River, most turkey habitat holds Eastern wild turkeys. West of the Missouri River, most habitat holds Merriam turkeys. The prairie units west of the river include some of the best Merriam hunting in the country, with units in Butte, Lawrence, Harding, Perkins, Meade, Pennington, Custer, Fall River, Shannon, Jackson, Mellette, Todd, Tripp, Lyman, Jones, Stanley, Haakon, and Dewey counties.
South Dakota GFP manages turkey hunting on public land, but the best hunting is on private ranches where hunting pressure is controlled. Public land in the Black Hills gets heavy pressure during the spring season, and birds become call-shy quickly. Private ranches with managed access hold more birds and offer a better hunting experience.
Double D Trophy Outfitters hunts private ranches in both South Dakota and Nebraska. The South Dakota ranches sit in prime Merriam habitat with low hunting pressure and healthy bird populations. For details on what the hunt looks like day by day, see our What to Expect on a Nebraska Merriam Turkey Hunt guide.
South Dakota ranks among the top turkey hunting states in the country for several reasons. GFP reports healthy turkey populations across the Black Hills and western prairie, with stable trends in most regions. The state offers nonresident spring turkey licenses through a draw system with multiple draw periods and leftover sales. The spring season runs for nearly two months, giving hunters flexibility to plan around weather, work, and travel.
Here is what sets South Dakota apart from other turkey hunting states:
Black Hills turkey hunting is the crown jewel of South Dakota turkey hunting. The Black Hills unit covers the ponderosa pine forests of western South Dakota, including Custer State Park and the surrounding national forest. The terrain is rugged, with steep ravines, open meadows, and dense pine stands where Merriam turkeys roost and strut.
Nonresident Black Hills turkey licenses are limited to 2,225 tags and require a draw application. The application deadline is February 11, and results are posted February 13. The season runs April 25 through May 31. You also need a $25 nonresident habitat stamp.
Black Hills hunting tactics differ from prairie hunting. The terrain is steep and wooded, so you will do more hiking and less driving. Birds roost in tall ponderosa pines along ridge tops and creek bottoms. Glass open meadows at dawn to locate gobblers strutting in the open, then move in on foot. The run-and-gun approach is effective here because the terrain allows you to get close without being seen.
Weather in the Black Hills can be unpredictable in April and May. Snow is possible at higher elevations through late April. Pack layers and be prepared for rapid weather changes. The late season (May 10 to 31) typically has the best weather and the most active gobblers.
Double D Trophy Outfitters offers guided Black Hills turkey hunts on private ranches bordering the Black Hills. These ranches hold less pressured birds and offer a better hunting experience than the public national forest. For details on the two-state Nebraska and South Dakota hunt package, see our Merriam Turkey Grand Slam Guide.
Hunting Merriam turkeys in South Dakota requires a different approach than hunting Eastern turkeys in the Midwest or South. Merriam turkeys roam wider country, use pine ridges and open prairie, and respond to calling differently than their Eastern cousins. Here are the tips that produce results on South Dakota Merriam hunts:
Yes. A two-state South Dakota and Nebraska turkey hunt is the fastest way to complete the turkey Grand Slam. South Dakota offers nonresident Black Hills spring turkey tags through a draw for $121, and Nebraska sells nonresident spring turkey permits over the counter for approximately $130. The two states have different tag systems and different turkey populations, so you need tags from both states.
Double D Trophy Outfitters offers a 5-day two-state Merriam turkey hunt for $3,499 that covers private ranches in both South Dakota and Nebraska. You hunt South Dakota ranches in the Black Hills region for the first portion, then move to Nebraska ranches for the second portion. Four birds in five days, with lodging, meals, and guide access included in both locations.
For the full breakdown of how the two-state hunt works and how it completes your Grand Slam, see our Merriam Turkey Grand Slam Guide. For Nebraska-specific season dates and tag info, see our Nebraska Turkey Hunting Guide.
South Dakota offers mentored turkey hunting for youth hunters. The mentored spring turkey license costs $10 for nonresidents. The mentored season runs April 11 through May 31, the same as the prairie season. Mentored hunters can hunt statewide except in Custer State Park.
Youth hunters in South Dakota must be accompanied by a licensed adult mentor. The mentor does not need a turkey license but must hold a valid hunting license. This is one of the most affordable ways to introduce a kid to turkey hunting.
Double D welcomes young hunters on all turkey hunts. A spring Merriam hunt is one of the best first hunts for a kid: the action is close, the birds are visible, and the season is short enough to hold a young hunter’s attention. For full details on youth turkey hunting, see our Nebraska Youth Turkey Hunting page.
Double D Trophy Outfitters has been running spring Merriam turkey hunts on private South Dakota and Nebraska ranches since 2000. Near 100 percent shot opportunity year after year, with all-inclusive lodging, meals, and guide access. Spring dates fill fast because these hunts book out on word of mouth.
Call (605) 877-2550, email doubledoutfitters@yahoo.com, or register and pay online to lock in your dates.
See a decade of Merriam turkey harvests in the photo gallery and talk to past hunters on the references page.
Yes. Nonresidents can apply for spring turkey licenses in all prairie units west of the Missouri River and in the Black Hills. The Black Hills requires a draw application with a deadline of February 11. Prairie unit licenses are available through three draw periods, with leftover licenses sold first-come, first-served.
A nonresident spring turkey license costs $121 for one male turkey on prairie units or in the Black Hills. A two-bird prairie license costs $151. You also need a $25 nonresident habitat stamp. Mentored youth licenses cost $10.
South Dakota spring prairie turkey season opens April 11 and runs through May 31. The Black Hills season opens April 25 and runs through May 31. Archery season opens April 11 statewide but cannot start in the Black Hills until April 25.
Yes. Double D Trophy Outfitters offers a 5-day two-state Merriam turkey hunt for $3,499. You hunt private ranches in both states with lodging, meals, and guide access included. Four birds in five days. You need tags from both states.
The best hunting window is May 10 through May 31. Hens are on nests and gobblers are lonely, making them responsive to calling. The weather is also more predictable in mid to late May compared to early April.
