South Dakota Deer Population and Management Archive - South Dakota
View the archive by scrolling through the window below or load the archive document. Historic deer hunt data is below the Archive window on the left column with links to sources. A list of all articles in the Archive is below the window.
Annual Deer Kill, Estimated from Survey
1975 35,000
1976 29,500
1977 23,000
1978 19,500
1979 19,800
1980 32,000
1981 20,500
1982 35,000
1983 48,000
1984 56,000
1985 49,000
1986 49,000
1987 39,500
1988 44,000
1989 55,000
1990 53,000
1991 56,500
1992 62,000
1993 65,000
1994 65,718
1995 59,000
1996 52,000
1997 50,000
1998 46,000
1999 48,500
2000 51,000
2001 59,000
2002 61,500
2003 69,954
2004 74,000
2005 84,500
2006: 88,000
2007: 88,500
2008: 91,500
2009: 87,350
2010: 94,726
2011: 85,160
2012: 71,500
2013: 55,483
2014: 46,526
2015: 52,589
2016: 53,027
2017: 51,932
2018: 51,926
2019: 50,736
2020: 59,071
2021: 55,142
Deer Information from 2017 plan
Most data for 1975 to 2005 estimated from graph, so approximate.
In 2015, 30,687 whitetail bucks, 15,997 whitetail does, 4,888 mule bucks and 1,017 mule does
In 2013: 25,199 whitetail bucks, 23,275 whitetail does, 4,251 mule bucks. 2,758 mule does.
In 2012: 62,900 were whitetails (30,800 bucks, 32,100 does) and 8,600 were mule deer (4,900 bucks, 3,700 does.)
In 2011: 33,285 whitetail bucks, 40,772 whitetail does, 5,675 mule bucks and 5,428 mule does. Hunting stats
Hard winter of 2010-2011 reduced herd.
A Food Habits Study of Deer in the Southern Black Hills, 1970
A List of Articles in the Archive
2021
The Hunt For Habitat Super Tag is Back! March 3, 2021 South Dakota
South Dakota legislative committee will vote on deer hunting bill Thursday February 3, 2021
Mule deer, salmon and social media January 6, 2021 South Dakota
South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks: Number of deer tags for 2021 reduced to increase East River Population May 17, 2021
The Hunt For Habitat Super Tag is Back! March 3, 2021 South Dakota
2020
Rapid City gets ready to cut down on the deer population December 8, 2020 South Dakota
SD mule-deer numbers haven't really returned October 6, 2020 South Dakota
South Dakota Elk Population Status Update April, 2020 SDGFP Report
Survival and Cause-Specific Mortality of Neonate Elk in a Unique Predator Environment in the Black Hills of South Dakota and Wyoming, USA - The American Midland Naturalist, 2020
Committee advances bill to provide deer, antelope licenses to absentee SD landowners March 3, 2020 South Dakota
GFP Commission Proposes Elk Seasons January 23, 2020 South Dakota
Moose here, moose there, moose in South Dakota! November 6, 2020 South Dakota
Rapid City gets ready to cut down on the deer population December 8, 2020 South Dakota
SD mule-deer numbers haven't really returned October 6, 2020 South Dakota
2019
Condensed Tannins as a Deterrent to Crop Depredation by White‐tailed Deer: Effects of Concentration and Learning KB Monteith, KL Monteith, JA Jenks - Wildlife Society Bulletin, 2019 South Dakota
Changes made to state's deer draw program September 29, 2019 South Dakota
Public Asked to Report Dead Deer April 18, 2019 South Dakota
SD deer hunting seasons proposed April 8, 2019 South Dakota
GFP Commission proposes new way to look at hunting opportunities April 5, 2019 South Dakota
GFP Commission Unanimously Passes Deer License Allocation Proposal March 1, 2019 South Dakota
5 things to watch during this week's GFP Commission meeting February 27, 2019 South Dakota
With food sources covered by snow, deer take to livestock feed supplies February 23, 2019 South Dakota
Changes sought after CWD found in Rapid City deer February 17, 2019 South Dakota
New Proposal Addresses Deer Firearm Regulations February 14, 2019 South Dakota
GFP Commission to vote on deer hunting changes in 3 weeks February 11, 2019 South Dakota
GFP Commission Proposes a Compromised Approach to the Deer Drawing Structure January 11, 2019 South Dakota
GFP Commission Proposes a Compromised Approach to the Deer Drawing Structure January 11, 2019 South Dakota
Commission adopts plan to manage SD mountain lions October 6, 2019 South Dakota
GFP Commission Proposes a Compromised Approach to the Deer Drawing Structure January 11, 2019 South Dakota
GFP Commission Unanimously Passes Deer License Allocation Proposal March 1, 2019 South Dakota
Public Asked to Report Dead Deer April 18, 2019 South Dakota
2018
Hepler talks about year that was and year that will be at Game, Fish and Parks December 26, 2018 South Dakota
Hepler talks about year that was and year that will be at Game, Fish and Parks December 26, 2018 South Dakota.
GFP Commission Modifies Deer Proposal December 7, 2018 South Dakota
Controversial South Dakota deer-hunting license system changes still a possibility November 30, 2018
Deer hunters steamed about pending changes to the way South Dakota draws seasonal licenses October 19, 2018
Preference system changes big part of latest GFP deer hunting proposal September 23, 2018 South Dakota
Elk raffle license proposed September 19, 2018 South Dakota
2018 South Dakota big game populations September 17, 2018
Deer hunters bring concerns about license plan to State Fair September 4, 2018 South Dakota
Deer hunting proposal may help retain hunters at a critical time July 15, 2018 South Dakota
Big changes proposed for deer hunting July 11, 2018 South Dakota
Deer farmers raise unusual livestock in Brown County April 18, 2018 South Dakota
Winter kill, excess predator kills March 1, 2018 South Dakota
Work with beaver, deer continues for GF&P January 29, 2018 South Dakota
2018 South Dakota big game populations September 17, 2018
Deer farmers raise unusual livestock in Brown County April 18, 2018 South Dakota,
GFP Commission Modifies Deer Proposal December 7, 2018 South Dakota,
GFP Commission Seeks Input on Options to Antlerless Hunting Season Dates March 8, 2018 South Dakota
Population data from 2017 Deer Management Plan, South Dakota
2017
Great Plains Deer Herd Update 2017 December 6, 2017 South Dakota
Drone Usage While Hunting November 16, 2017 South Dakota
2017 Great Plains Deer Forecast September 19, 2017 South Dakota
GF&P Commission taking another look at how deer hunting licenses are allocated July 17, 2017 South Dakota
Drought weighing on minds of South Dakota pheasant biologists July 12, 2017 South Dakota
The need-to-know on SD's deer seasons June 27, 2017 South Dakota
GFP Commission gets an earful on Gregory County deer change June 8, 2017 South Dakota
SDGFP Continues Monitoring Deer Numbers in Northeastern South Dakota June 8, 2017 South Dakota
Keeping South Dakota a place where the wildlife is plenty May 31, 2017
Fawn collaring and studying survival rates May 25, 2017 South Dakota,
Proposal to cut deer license to be finalized in June May 11, 2017 South Dakota
Deer population growing too slow, wildlife managers say May 10, 2017 South Dakota
Fewer deer hunting licenses likely for next two seasons May 7, 2017 South Dakota
A few tweaks for SD deer management May 2, 2017 South Dakota
Strong pregnancy rate, winter survival positive sign for deer numbers April 28, 2017 South Dakota
$1.33 Billion Spent on Outdoor Recreation in South Dakota April 12, 2017 South Dakota
South Dakota 2017 Elk Season Finalized April 7, 2017
Organization looking to improve mule deer numbers April 6, 2017 South Dakota
SDGFP seeking public comment on draft deer management plan March 24, 2017 South Dakota
Proposal for Deer Plan March 23, 2017 South Dakota
Plan calls for more mule deer March 23, 2017 South Dakota
Increased license costs to benefit wildlife damage repairs March 22, 2017 South Dakota
SD seeking more successful deer hunts March 17, 2017 South Dakota
GFP assembling deer management plan, proposes drop in elk licenses March 4, 2017 South Dakota
GFP Commission Proposes 2017 Elk and Mountain Goat Seasons March 3, 2017 South Dakota
South Dakota talks transferrable hunting licenses February 3, 2017
Bill allowing landowners to sell big game licenses moves to House floor February 1, 2017 South Dakota
Weather hits wildlife hard in northwest South Dakota January 23, 2017 South Dakota
From bucks to Bullwinkle, animals hungry this winter January 23, 2017 South Dakota
GFP Offers Programs and Assistance to Landowners Experiencing Deer Damage January 18, 2017 South Dakota
Cold and hungry deer crowding Butte County ranchers January 17, 2017 South Dakota
A few tweaks for SD deer management May 2, 2017 South Dakota
Deer population growing too slow, wildlife managers say May 10, 2017 South Dakota
Drone Usage While Hunting November 16, 2017 South Dakota
Drought weighing on minds of South Dakota pheasant biologists July 12, 2017 South Dakota,
Fewer deer hunting licenses likely for next two seasons May 7, 2017 South Dakota
GFP exploring options to improve deer hunting license system December 21, 2017 South Dakota
South Dakota 2017 Elk Season Finalized April 7, 2017
South Dakota Proposed 2017 and 2018 deer regulations
South Dakota’s Deer Management Plan Available for Review until May 5 April 13, 2017
2016
Effect of Oil and Natural Gas Development on Survival and Health of White-tailed Deer in the Western Dakotas [PDF] KL Moratz - 2016 South Dakota
GFP Commission Proposal Would Allow For Shed Hunting on State-Owned Lands October 11, 2016 South Dakota
Deer Hunting Rules Reminder September 22, 2016 South Dakota
No Elk Contingency Licenses Recommended for 2016 July 28, 2016 South DakotaLicenses Remain July 25, 2016 South Dakota
South Dakota offers more tags as deer population rebounds July 7, 2016
GFP continuing deer research in northeast region June 24, 2016 South Dakot
Study checks survivability on youngest deer June 13, 2016 South Dakota
Archery Deer Season Allows for More Antlerless Deer Harvest June 6, 2016 South Dakota
Capturing, collaring deer helps GF&P collect needed data January 28, 2016 South Dakota,
Deer herds rebounding, more tags available June 9, 2016 South Dakota,
Deer Hunting Rules Reminder September 22, 2016 South Dakota
GFP Removes Left-over Licenses and Offers Refunds Due to Deer Disease October 14, 2016 South Dakota
South Dakota spends $238,434 to curb deer depredation in 2015 Febraury 3, 2016
South Dakota's Deer Population is on the Rise May 13, 2016
2015
South Dakota 2015 Deer Harvest
2015 Trophy Deer Forecast: Great Plains October 21, 2015 South Dakota
Antler auction brings out businessmen May 3, 2015 South Dakota
Big Game and Baiting September 24, 2015 South Dakota
Deer hunters get added chance at licenses June 4, 2015 South Dakota,
Disease Influencing Deer Numbers in Sully County November 16, 2015 South Dakota
Draft Elk Management Plan Remains Open for Final Review March 10, 2015 South Dakota
East River deer season opens Saturday November 19, 2015 South Dakota
Elk and Mountain Goat Seasons Set April 2, 2015 South Dakota
Elk Season Meeting March 24, 2015 South Dakota
For better or worse, technology has changed deer hunting October 13, 2015 South Dakota
GFP Commission Proposes Elk Seasons March 6, 2015 South Dakota
GFP Commission Proposes More Black Hills Deer Hunting Licenses May 11, 2015 South Dakota
GFP eliminates post-Christmas hunt for antlerless deer in west June 6, 2015 South Dakota
More Black Hills Deer Hunting Licenses Available in 2015 June 5, 2015 South Dakota
On The Rebound March 29, 2015 South Dakota,
Registration open for 'last resort' for depredation December 3, 2015 South Dakota,
SDSU researches which cover crops are likely to attract deer February 13, 2015 South Dakota
South Dakota Moves to a Multi-Year Schedule for Setting Hunting Seasons January 5, 2015
We’re letting another predator go down June 22, 2015 New Mexico,
Whitetail deer study taking place in Brown County February 27, 2015 South Dakota
2014
2014 Antelope and Early Fall Goose Hunting Seasons Finalized July 10, 2014 South Dakota
2014 Deer Hunting Seasons Finalized June 17, 2014 South Dakota
2014 Hunting Applications Available June 27, 2014 South Dakota
Bad weather, habitat loss hard on deer, pheasants March 29, 2014 South Dakota
Bowhunters seeking earlier deer season March 7, 2014 South Dakota
Butte County, Deer numbers down, but not long-term danger July 16, 2014 South Dakota
Commission expects drop in South Dakota deer tags April 29, 2014
Counting deer: SD Biologists taking new look at fawn survival July 8, 2014 South Dakota
Deer hunters show little interest in licensing changes December 14, 2014 South Dakota
Deer license cuts in South Dakota slice revenue July 9, 2014
Deer-mortality study enters second year May 9, 2014 South Dakota,
Depredation hunts may be coming up November 28, 2014 South Dakota
East River deer season starts Saturday November 21, 2014 South Dakota,
Elk Application Fees Under Review September 28, 2014
GF&P responds to deer crisis May 8, 2014 South Dakota
GFP Commission Proposes South Dakota Deer Hunting Seasons, Harvest Data May 15, 214
GFP Commission proposes state’s deer hunting seasons May 20, 2014 South Dakota,
GFP Commission to finalize deer hunting May 28, 2014 South Dakota
GFP might reconsider deer license distribution June 5, 2014 South Dakota
GFP wants to rebuild deer herds by allowing hunters fewer does April 30, 2014 South Dakota
Helicopter helps with doe and fawn survival study March 24, 2014 South Dakota
Help GF&P find deer solution July 16, 2014 South Dakota
Mountain lion hunt becoming big business in South Dakota January 30, 2014
Movement patterns, survival, and sightability of mule deer in central and western South Dakota [PDF] KA Robling, SL Griffin, S Stolz, SD Pierre - 2014
Nonrefundable Big Game Application Fee Increase and Bait Station Rules Adopted November 6, 2014 South Dakota
Number Of Deer Hunting Licenses Could Be Reduced April 24, 2014 South Dakota,
Six simple steps to promote your local deer herd January 16, 2014 South Dakota
South Dakota To Cut Number Of Deer Tags May 16, 2014
South Dakota wildlife management taking new tack after outside review April 7, 2014
State feels pocketbook pinch from reducing deer permits July 10, 2014 South Dakota,
State proposes huge reductions in antlerless-only deer licenses May 2, 2014 South Dakota
Survey underway on changes to SD deer licensing October 9, 2014 South Dakota,
This time, antelope permits may fall June 11, 2014 South Dakota
West River deer permits could be cut drastically in 2015 June 5, 2014 South Dakota
White-tailed deer survival study April 3, 2014 South Dakota
Whitetails Unlimited helps with area studies February 7, 2014 South Dakota
2013
Black Hills Elk Herd Survey April 20, 2013 South Dakota
Deer draw (rude) awakening, population decline August 4, 2013 South Dakota,
Deer Tag Numbers To Drop? May 14, 2013 South Dakota
G&F Forecast: Best Bets for Great Plains Deer Hunting in 2013 October, 2013 South Dakota
GF&P seeks smaller deer harvests May 3, 2013 South Dakota
Harsh winters and drought have reduced the deer herd but help may be on the way November 14, 2013 South Dakota
Hunters Reminded About Prohibitions Against Use of Salt and Bait Stations October 1, 2013
Hunting/Fishing License Fee Changes Proposed October 9, 2013 South Dakota
Listening session jabs state on elk, mountain lion management May 16, 2013 South Dakota
Public may feel left out of SD big game management May 15, 2013 South Dakota
SD big game policy group to hold 3 public meetings May 13, 2013 South Dakota,
South Dakota in midst of exciting deer management experiment December 5, 2013
South Dakota Mountain Lion Season Proposed August 9, 2013 South Dakota
State wildlife officials respond to big-game management review November 7, 2013 South Dakota
Survey Shows 67 percent Success Rate for Black Hills Deer Season February 14, 2013 South Dakota
The South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks Commission held its October meeting in Spearfish last week. October 17, 2013
Wildlife damage bill defeated February 18, 2013 South Dakota
2012
Deer hunting changes possible for East River June 8, 2012 South Dakota
Deer Licenses Reduced, Refunds Offered Due To Die-Offs December, 2012 South Dakota
Extended Antlerless Deer Season Begins Saturday December 24, 2012 South Dakota
Fawns use 'escape plan' to evade predators May 16, 2012 South Dakot
GF&P elk-season meeting expected to draw a crowd March 28, 2012 South Dakota
GF&P review should restore trust July 21, 2012 South Dakota
GF&P sides with science, mountain lion management October 9, 2012 South Dakota
GF&P using good data on lions March 9, 2012 South Dakota
Governor's office seeks independent review of GF&P July 6, 2012 South Dakota
Governor's office takes on direct role in hunt management October 12, 2012
Hunters say GF&P plan to increase lion kill comes after big-game damages done August 8, 2012 South Dakota
Hunters take aim at 100-lion quota as season begins in beneficial fresh snow December 26, 2012 South Dakota
Hunters, sportsmen blast GF&P over elk, lion management March 30, 2012 South Dakota
NDGF explores deaths of doe and her quadruplet fawns June 10, 2012 South Dakota
Past winters still taking toll on deer population May 4, 2012 South Dakota
Predator evasion by white-tailed deer fawns May 22, 2012, South Dakota
Prescribed Burning Manages Habitat The Way Mother Nature Intended October 25, 2012 South Dakota
Public to help set scope of state wildlife agency review July 9, 2012 South Dakota
SD man sentenced to a year in prison and $11750 restitution for illegally shooting wildlife (including deer) November 30, 2012 South Dakota
SD panel proposes boost in mountain lion hunting August 3, 2012 South Dakota
South Dakota Black Hills Deer & Firearms Antelope Harvest Report January 20, 2012
South Dakota Game, Fish, and Parks Takes to the Air to Monitor Deer Populations [link opens a PDF file] July 3, 2012
South Dakota hunters might trade less deer for more geese July 11, 2012
Study: Cougars again spreading across Midwest June 14, 2012 South Dakota
Thousands of deer licenses returned December 8, 2012 South Dakota
2011
Biologists recommend hunters kill more mountain lions in Black Hills August 5, 2011 South Dakota
Black Hills: GF&P experiments with deer season: Limited-access public hunting areas June 3, 2011
Deer harvest declines in South Dakota August 3, 2011
Evaluating the effect of predators on white‐tailed deer: Movement, not coyotes June 7, 2011 South Dakota
GFP cutting back on deer tags October 13, 2011 South Dakota
GFP sets East River deer season at levels similar to the 2010 hunt July 8, 2011 South Dakota
Hunters worry about lions' impact in Hills October 30, 2011 South Dakota
Lions Not the Problem - South Dakota Hunting October 8, 2011
Proposal to let hunters kill more SD mountain lions creates disagreement August 9, 2011 South Dakota
Public comments run strongly for killing more mountain lions October 7, 2011 South Dakota
Spatial ecology of white-tailed deer fawns in the northern Great Plains: Implications of loss of conservation reserve program grasslands December 19, 2011 South Dakota
South Dakota 1930s Deer Population