Mountain Lion

2013 season closed within Black Hills Fire Protection District.

South Dakota has had a residents-only mountain lion season since 2005.

A statewide season offers an unlimited number of licenses. Custer State Park is included in the statewide license, however, hunters who have received a statewide mountain lion license must apply for limited-issue time slots to hunt in Custer State Park. Apply for free Custer State Park Access Permits >

The statewide license is sold throughout the season.

  • Season Dates:
    - Statewide:     Year-round on land that is located outside of the Black Hills Fire Protection District.
    - Black Hills (Within Black Hills Fire Protection District):
    Dec. 26, 2012 - Mar. 31, 2013, or ends with quota
    2013 Harvest Limit: A maximum harvest of 100 mountain lions (or 70 female mountain lions) has been established for the Black Hills Fire Protection District. Mountain lion hunting in the Black Hills will close immediately when either the total harvest limit or the female harvest limit is met. Please check the Mountain Lion Season Harvest Status to view the current status of the quota, or call TOLL-FREE 1.866.895.9067.

    Reporting a Mountain Lion Kill: All harvested mountain lions must be presented to a GFP representative for inspection within 24 hours of harvest.
    - Call 605.394.2391 during weekday office hours (8am-5pm), or State Radio at 605.393.8121 during nights and weekends to make arrangements to meet a GFP representative.
    - Check in at the Rapid City GFP Regional Office (4130 Adventure Trail at the site of the Outdoor Campus West) or at the park headquarters at Custer State Park.

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