Public Prairie Dog Hunting in South Dakota

Prairie dogs are small rodents that inhabit grassy plains areas. They live in large colonies (towns) and can take over hundreds of acres of land. In South Dakota, prairie dogs are classified as varmints because they eat fruit and vegetable crops planted by farmers.

  1. Management

    • Large predators such as coyotes, wolves and mountain lions have not kept the prairie dog population down enough to satisfy farmers. South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks (SDGFP) takes responsibility for managing their numbers to protect the agricultural industry.

    Regulations

    • On private land, open season for hunting prairie dogs is year-round. It closes from March until June on public land. There are no bag limits or restrictions on shooting hours or caliber of rifles and guns. Hunters must have a license.

    Private Land

    • Hunting prairie dogs on private land is an option if a hunter is willing to pay for the experience. Hunters can stay in well-equipped lodges or accommodation where numerous prairie dog towns exist. There is no restriction on how many rounds a hunter can shoot in a day.