Below is a news release from South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks.
The South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks Commission finalized the elk and bighorn sheep hunting seasons for 2022.
Black Hills Elk -The Commission voted to adjust the total number of available licenses from 450 “any elk” and 490 “antlerless elk” licenses (total of 940 licenses) to no more than 535 “any elk” and 730 “antlerless elk” licenses (total of 1,265 licenses).
The Commission also modified the boundaries of BHE-H9A and BHE-H9B to correct the unit boundary.
Prairie Elk – The Commission increased the number of licenses available from 78 “any elk” and 178 “antlerless elk” licenses (total of 256 licenses) to 102 “any elk” and 175 “antlerless elk” licenses (total of 277 licenses).
The Commission also modified Unit PRE-9A. This will split the current unit and establish a new unit to include the portion of Meade County. They also corrected season dates for units PRE – 11D, PRE-35A and PRE-35B.
The commission also modified prairie elk units 35A (Harding County west of US Hwy. 85) and 35B (Harding County east of US Hwy. 85) to the following:
- Units 35A, 35C, and 35D: Harding County west of US Hwy. 85
- Units 35B, 35E, and 35F: Harding County east of US Hwy. 85, and to establish season dates for prairie elk units 35A, 35B, 35C, and 35D as follows:
- Units 35A and 35B: September 15-October 31 AND December 1-31 (any elk licenses)
- Units 35C and 35E: October 1 – November 15 (antlerless elk licenses)
- Units 35D and 35F: November 16 – December 31 (antlerless elk licenses)
Archery Elk – The Commission increased the number of licenses available from 147 “any elk” and 70 “antlerless elk” licenses (total of 217 licenses) to 182 “any elk” and 90 “antlerless” (total of 272 licenses).
Custer State Park Elk – The Commission increased the total number of available licenses from 9 “any elk” licenses to no more than 12 “any elk” licenses.
Custer State Park Early Archery Elk – The Commission increased the total number of available licenses from 3 “any elk” to 4 “any elk” licenses.
(Photo credit: South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks)