Hunting season is upon us and that means it’s time to dust off the ol’ shotgun and head out into the woods in search of some game. If you’re lucky enough to live in a state like South Dakota, you have your pick of animals to hunt. In this blog post, we will be discussing squirrel hunting in South Dakota. We will go over what kind of squirrels are in the area, what equipment you need, and where to find them. So whether you’re a seasoned hunter or a novice, read on for everything you need to know about squirrel hunting in South Dakota.
Squirrel Hunting Laws in South Dakota
Squirrel hunting is regulated by South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks (GFP). The daily limit is eight squirrels and the possession limit is 24. There are no closed seasons for hunting squirrels with a firearm in South Dakota, but GFP advises hunters to check local regulations before hunting.
A small game license is required to hunt squirrels in South Dakota and can be purchased online or at any GFP office or license vendor.
Do you need a license to hunt Squirrel in South Dakota?
In South Dakota, you do not need a license to hunt squirrel. However, there are some restrictions on how many squirrels you can take per day. For example, you can only take up to 10 squirrels per day during the fall hunting season. If you want to hunt squirrel outside of the fall season, you need to get a special permit from the South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks Department.
Squirrel Hunting Seasons in South Dakota
The squirrel hunting season in South Dakota runs from September 1st through March 31st. There is no bag limit for squirrels in South Dakota, however hunters are only allowed to use firearms during the early season (September 1st-October 14th). During the late season (October 15th-March 31st), hunters may use either firearms or archery equipment.
Squirrels can be found throughout South Dakota, but they are most abundant in the eastern part of the state. The best time to hunt squirrels is early in the morning or late in the evening when they are actively feeding. When hunting squirrels, it is important to pay attention to wind direction so that you do not alert them to your presence.
Can you hunt Squirrel at night in South Dakota?
squirrels are nocturnal animals, so they are most active at night. However, you can still hunt them during the day if you know where to look. Here are some tips for squirrel hunting in South Dakota:
1. Look for areas with dense vegetation. Squirrels like to hide in thick brush during the day, so these are good places to start your search.
2. Listen for sounds of squirrels rustling in the leaves. This is a good way to locate them during the day.
3. Be patient and quiet while you’re hunting. Squirrels are skittish creatures, so it’s important to move slowly and quietly while you’re in their territory.
4. Use a small caliber rifle or shotgun when hunting squirrels. They are small animals, so you don’t need a lot of firepower to take them down.
Bag limits for hunting Squirrel in South Dakota
The bag limit for squirrel hunting in South Dakota is four per day. Only two of these may be taken from the Black Hills National Forest. A person hunting on public lands outside the Black Hills National forest may take only two squirrels per day. A person hunting on private land may take four squirrels per day.
Legal ways to hunt Squirrel in South Dakota
In South Dakota, there are a few ways you can legally hunt squirrel. You can either get a small game license, which allows you to hunt small game including squirrels, or you can purchase a furbearer license, which allows you to hunt animals with the intent to sell their fur. If you want to use a firearm to hunt squirrel, you must also get a hunting permit.
Can you use dogs to hunt Squirrel in South Dakota?
The short answer is yes, but there are a few things to keep in mind. First, squirrels are more difficult to take with dogs than many other animals, so you’ll need to be patient and have a good working relationship with your dog. Secondly, the type of dog you use makes a difference. Terriers and hounds are the most popular choices for squirrel hunting, but any type of dog that is trainable and has a good nose can be successful. Thirdly, South Dakota has a few unique regulations regarding the use of dogs for hunting, so make sure you’re familiar with them before heading out.
Now that you know the basics, let’s get into some more detail about using dogs for squirrel hunting in South Dakota. As we mentioned before, terriers and hounds are the most popular choices for this type of hunting. This is because they have been bred and trained specifically for this purpose. If you don’t have either of these types of dogs, don’t worry – any type of dog that is willing to work with you and has a good sense of smell can be successful at squirrel hunting. The key is to start training your dog early so that they learn how to track and find squirrels.
When it comes to equipment, there are a few things you’ll need in addition to your dog. A good quality shotgun is essential, as well as shells loaded with birdshot or buckshot. You’ll also need some sort of game bag or carrier
Can you hunt Squirrel from a vehicle in South Dakota?
It is legal to hunt squirrel from a vehicle in South Dakota. However, there are some restrictions that you need to be aware of. First, you can only hunt from a vehicle if the vehicle is on public land. Second, you can only shoot from the road if the shoulder of the road is wide enough to safely stop your vehicle. Finally, you cannot shoot across a roadway or from a moving vehicle.
Final Thoughts
The squirrel hunting season in South Dakota is coming to a close, and it has been a great year. I have had the opportunity to hunt with some great people and see some beautiful country. I am looking forward to next year, when I will be able to do it all over again.
I want to thank all of the landowners who have allowed me to hunt on their property. Without them, none of this would be possible. And, I also want to thank all of the hunters who have shared their knowledge and experience with me. I have learned a lot this year and I am looking forward to learning more in the future.
Finally, I want to say goodbye to all of the animals that I have taken this year. They have provided me with food and memories that will last a lifetime. Thank you for everything, and I hope to see you next season.
