Duck Hunting
Northeastern South Dakota is part of the major waterfowl breeding grounds known as the "Prairie Pothole" region. This country was scarred by glaciers many centuries ago and now is dotted with lakes, sloughs and streams where ducks abound.
This is part of what makes South Dakota a duck hunter's paradise. Not only do you have this rich setting for ducks, but also unique settings along major rivers like the Missouri, James and Big Sioux; jumping ducks on stock dams in western South Dakota; and the forested streams of the Black Hills.
Duck hunting seasons are set in early August after the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has issued South Dakota federally mandated guidelines for the hunting seasons.
Waterfowl License Information
Nonresident Waterfowl License Information
Hunting Regulations
DUCK HUNTING TOOLS
- Waterfowl population index / hunting opportunity thunderstorm map.
This map will be updated on a weekly basis by area GFP field staff and should provide an indicator of hunting opportunity. - Missouri River Fall Waterfowl Counts: Aerial surveys conducted throughout fall to estimate goose and duck numbers staging on Lake Oahe and Lake Sharpe.
- Mallard Migration Observation
- Public Hunting Areas
- Hunter Harvest Survey Reports
Season Information
Daily Limits
Duck: 6 and comprised of no more than:- 5 Mallards, which may include no more than 2 hens
- 4 Scaup
- 3 Wood Ducks
- 2 Redheads
- 2 Pintail
- 1 Canvasback
Mergansers: 5 (including no more than 2 hooded merganser) Coots: 15
Possession Limit
(Twice the daily limit for all species (not to exceed 12 ducks)
SHOOTING HOURS
(One-half hour before sunrise to sunset )Duck Hunting Zones
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High Plains Zone
- Season Dates: 2013 Season Dates Pending -
- Boundary = South Dakota west of a line beginning at the North Dakota state line and extending south along US 83 to US 14; east on US 14 to the town of Blunt; south on the Blunt-Canning Road to SD 34; east and south on SD 34 to SD 50 at Lee's Corner; south on SD 50 to I-90; east on I-90 to SD 50; south on SD 50 to SD 44; west on SD 44 across the Platte-Winner Bridge to SD 47; south on SD 47 to US 18; east on US 18 to SD 47; south on SD 47 to the Nebraska state line.
Low Plains - North Zone
- Season Dates: 2013 Season Dates Pending -
- Boundary = South Dakota east of the boundary definition for High Plains, and north of a line beginning at the junction of US 83 and US 212; then east on US 212 to the Minnesota state line.
Low Plains - Middle Zone
- Season Dates: 2013 Season Dates Pending -
- Boundary = South Dakota east of the boundary definition for High Plains, and south of a line beginning at the junction of US 83 and US 212; then east on US 212 to the Minnesota state line; and north of a line beginning at the junction of SD 47 and the Nebraska state line; then north on SD 47 to SD 44; then east on SD 44 to SD 50; then south on SD 50 to CFAS 6198 (Geddes Highway) at Geddes; then east on Geddes Hwy to US 281; then south on US 281 to SD 50; then east on SD 50 to I-29; then south on I-29 to the Iowa state line.
Low Plains - South Zone
- Season Dates: 2013 Season Dates Pending -
- Boundary = South Dakota within a line beginning at the junction of SD 47 and the Nebraska border; then north on SD 47 to SD 44; then east on SD 44 to SD 50; then south on SD 50 to CFAS 6198 (Geddes Highway) at Geddes; then east on Geddes Hwy to US 281; then south on US 281 to SD 50; then east on SD 50 to I-29; then south on I-29 to the Iowa state line.