Elk Hunting


Elk are found in the Black Hills area of South Dakota and throughout a few additional areas in western South Dakota. Currently the herd is at a level of about 2,000 Rocky Mountain elk so the GFAP limits the number of tags it issues each year for elk.

Elk Season & Location

The South Dakota elk hunting season starts usually in mid-September and runs through the start of October.

Elk can be found all throughout the western region of the state only.

Applying for a License

Like all big game hunting in the state you must apply for a license. The licenses are issued in a lottery type system to help maintain the population. To learn more about the hunting dates and licensing information please check our South Dakota Hunting License page.


Hunting Lodges

Lodgepole Creek Outfitters
Lemmon, SD - Black Hills / Badlands Region
With over 32,000 acres of owned and leased land, Lodgepole Creek Outfitters has abundant habitat for all species of game, both large and small. […]
Shady Rest Motel & Cabins
Custer, SD - Black Hills / Badlands Region
With beautiful knotty-pine interiors, our clean, comfortable, air-conditioned cabins offer unique floor-plans, private bathrooms, kitchenettes, WI-FI, […]
High Prairie Inn and Outfitters
Whitewood, SD - Black Hills / Badlands Region
On this hunt you can expect to see between 1000-3000 wild pheasants per day. […]

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