Hunting Dates and Fees
Yankton Sioux Tribe Game, Fish & Parks administers all hunting and fishing on tribal and allotted lands near Wagner, South Dakota. The program is open to tribal members, affiliated tribal members from other tribes, and non-Indian hunters—though non-Indians must hunt with a licensed tribal guide. Tri...
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Yankton Sioux Tribe Game, Fish & Parks administers all hunting and fishing on tribal and allotted lands near Wagner, South Dakota. The program is open to tribal members, affiliated tribal members from other tribes, and non-Indian hunters—though non-Indians must hunt with a licensed tribal guide.
- •Tribal Members need an enrollment card and hunting license to legally hunt on the reservation. Authorized hunters are not permitted—members must hunt themselves or hire a guide.
- •Non-Indian hunters must have a Tribal Guide. The tribe maintains a roster of licensed guides including Preston Neal, Jason Dion, Aydan Bruguier, and Anthony Bruguier Jr. Any tribal member guiding non-Indians must purchase a Guide License for $100.
- •Affiliated Tribal Members from other tribes with proof of enrollment can purchase licenses at tribal rates.
- •Youth Hunters ages 12-18 must complete a hunter safety course. Ages 12-14 receive FREE licenses with a safety card; ages 15-18 pay standard rates.
| License Type | Cost |
|---|---|
| Sportsman (YST members) | $5 |
| Sportsman - Elderly/Youth | $2 |
| Rabbit & Squirrel (Non-Indian) | $25 |
| Coyote (Non-Indian) | $100 |
| Upland Game 1-Day | $50 |
| Upland Game 2-Day | $100 |
| Upland Game Annual | $150 |
| Waterfowl & Upland Combo | $300 |
| Affiliated Member Big Game (resident) | $150 |
| Affiliated Member Big Game (non-resident) | $300 |
Federal Migratory Bird Stamp required for all migratory bird hunters: $25 at any post office.
Deer is the primary big game. Three seasons available: - Archery: Bows 40 lbs and above. Tribal members Aug. 31 - Nov. 9; Affiliated members Sept. 7 - Nov. 9 - Rifle: Center-fire rifles only (minimum .223 caliber). Tribal members Nov. 9 - Dec. 7 - Muzzle-Loader: .39 to .54 caliber only. Tribal members Dec. 8 - Dec. 31
Both Mule Deer and White Tail Bucks must be 4x4 or better. Mule Deer does are CLOSED. Limit is 2 tags for rifle season (1 buck, 1 any deer).
- •Turkey is reserved for Tribal Members only:
- •Fall Season: Oct. 26 - Dec. 31
- •Spring Season: Apr. 1 - June 1
- •Limit: 2 Adult Tom turkeys per season
- •Weapons: Center-fire rifles/handguns (700 foot-pounds muzzle energy), muzzle-loaders (.39+), bow and arrow (40 lbs+), or shotgun (20 gauge, 3 1/2")
- •No electronic calls, bait, or dogs permitted
Pheasant (Oct. 12 - Jan. 31): 3 cock pheasants daily, 15 possession. Shooting noon to sunset (10 a.m. after Oct. 19).
- •Gray Partridge, Chukar: Oct. 12 - Dec. 31. Daily limit 5, possession 15. Noon to sunset.
- •Grouse (Sharptail, Prairie Chicken): Oct. 12 - Dec. 31. Daily limit 2, possession 10. Noon to sunset.
- •Quail (Bobwhite): Oct. 12 - Dec. 31. Possession limit 15. Noon to sunset.
- •Dove (Morning Dove): Migratory bird—federal regulations apply. Aug. 24 - Dec. 31 (tribal members), Aug. 31 - Dec. 31 (non-Indian). Daily limit 10, possession 30. Sunrise to sunset. Doves must be shot on the wing only.
Rabbit & Squirrel: Sept. 1 - Feb. 23. Snares allowed for rabbits and squirrels only.
- •Ducks (including Mergansers and Coots):
- •Tribal: Oct. 5 - Jan. 4
- •Non-Indian: Oct. 12 - Jan. 4
- •Daily bag: 6 ducks (max 5 mallards, max 1 hooded Merganser). Coots: 15 daily. Possession limit is twice daily limit.
- •Dark Geese (includes Whitefront, Brant):
- •Tribal: Oct. 19 - Feb. 15
- •Non-Indian: Oct. 26 - Feb. 15
- •Daily bag: 4 geese (max 2 Whitefront or Brant). Possession limit is twice daily.
- •White Geese:
- •All hunters: Oct. 19 - Feb. 15
- •Daily bag: 20 light geese. Possession unlimited.
Steel shot required for all waterfowl. Federal migratory bird stamp mandatory. Shooting hours: 1/2 hour before sunrise to sunset.
Fox, Raccoon, Badger, Coyote, Skunk, Opossum, and Jackrabbit are open year-round to tribal members. Mink, Weasel, Muskrat, and Beaver open Nov. 1 - Apr. 30. Methods: firearms, box-live traps, and traps. Raccoons may be hunted with dogs and hand-held lights (on foot only).
- •Protected species (no hunting): Swift Fox, Elk, Wolf, Bobcat, Antelope, Mountain Lion, Buffalo.
Key restrictions apply to all hunters: - No electronic calls for turkey or deer - No bait stations - No dogs except for raccoon hunting - No flagging, shotguns, or handguns for deer - No artificial light spotting (except hand-held for treed raccoons) - No vehicle hunting - No tag transfers or sales (strictly prohibited) - Shooting hours: Deer 1/2 hour before sunrise to 1/2 hour after sunset
Wing Collection: Hunters must remove and turn in one wing from each upland game bird and waterfowl taken. Mark species and location—this helps Game, Fish & Parks determine age and sex of harvested birds.
Licenses purchased at YST Tribal Headquarters in Wagner, South Dakota. Harvest reports required—fill out online or on paper form at tribal hall with the game warden. Online license sales available.
Fishing remains open year-round for all licensed hunters and anglers on tribal waters.
Non-Indian hunters planning to hunt on Yankton Sioux lands must book through a licensed tribal guide. Available guides: Preston Neal, Jason Dion, Aydan Bruguier, and Anthony Bruguier Jr.