Resources for hunting public lands in South Dakota
Planning a pheasant hunt in South Dakota? Make sure you're using the South Dakota Public Hunting Atlas AND the OnX Hunt app to maximize your success! Read below to learn more!
Using today's resources, it's easier than ever to find and hunt public land.
When it comes to hunting pheasants, it's no secret that access to private land is getting harder to come by each year. However, it's also no secret that the quality and quantity of South Dakota's public hunting options are two of the state's greatest assets, whether you're after pheasants or any of the state’s other world-class opportunities such as big game or waterfowl.
According to South Dakota Game, Fish, and Parks Department (GFP), there are more than 5 million acres open to public hunting across the state, with well over 1 million located in the prime pheasant range.
To help you get started off on the right foot for your public land forays, keep these resources in mind.
Dakota Pheasant Hunt Heat Map
Our proprietary Dakota Pheasant Hunt Heat Map is color-coded to provide hunters a glimpse of where solid bird numbers overlap public hunting opportunities. It’s a great starting point if you don’t already have plans. And guess what?! We just released the 2024 Dakota Pheasant Hunt Heat map.
As an added bonus, if you sign up you’ll also get access to our “2024 Pheasant Season Deep Dive,” an AI-generated podcast that provides a snapshot of what hunters can expect this fall, region by region.
Each fall I compile the heat map after I talk to regional wildlife biologists from the state and Pheasants Forever, as well as collect local intel from farmers, agronomists, rural delivery drivers, fellow hunters and my own two eyes while driving across the state each year. I use that information to write the annual Pheasants Forever online pheasant forecast, something I’ve been blessed to do for the last several years. Head on over to Pheasants Forever to read the full report!!
South Dakota Public Hunting Atlas
To help hunters discover public land opportunities and navigate places to hunt, GFP has printed hard copies of the South Dakota Public Hunting Atlas for decades. This invaluable resource contains maps and information on the state's Walk-In Areas (WIAs), Game Production Areas (GPAs), Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) lands, Waterfowl Production Areas (WPAs), school lands, national forests and grasslands, select Bureau of Land Management (BLM) lands and more.
The Public Hunting Atlas is available in three forms — printed, online or via the GoOutdoorsSD app for mobile devices. All three versions are free to use, and they’re easily some of the best tools out there. I use them all the time to plan my public land hunts.
The printed version can be picked up wherever licenses are sold. It is ideal for hunters who like having a physical map to reference, and I love it for a number of reasons. First, I’m old school and like holding a “paper” anything, be it a newspaper, magazine or map. It just feels right. Plus, I regularly write notes in the printed version, whether I’m driving by a public area or immediately after I hunt it, marking adjacent crop fields, such as corn or wheat, and noting habitat conditions, bird numbers, success rates and more. In other words, by the end of the season it’s a well-worn quick reference guide full of info. I then use that tattered, annotated version as a starting point for next year’s hunt.
While I do love the printed version and literally never leave home without it, it does have its limitations. Sometimes things change, and that’s why the online version is also an awesome tool public land hunters should use to plan their hunts. The online version is updated in real time and can be accessed here: South Dakota Public Hunting Atlas.
For more map options, you can also visit gfp.sd.gov/hunting-areas.
Another huge benefit of the online version is it incorporates satellite imagery and even a separate topo map layer you can use to scout public lands. While nothing can beat boots-on-the-ground intel, getting a sneak peek at the lay of the land is always a bonus.
South Dakota Public Hunting Atlas — Online Version
Here’s a screenshot of what the South Dakota Public Hunting Atlas looks like on a computer screen. Note that public areas overlay satellite imagery, giving you a sneak peek at what a chunk of public ground looks like.
For hunters in the field, the GoOutdoorsSD app is a must-have. It puts the atlas right at your fingertips, allowing you to use location services to pinpoint exactly where you are on the map, ensuring you're on the right side of the fence. The app also includes season and regulation information for hunting, fishing and trapping seasons. I literally use it every time I’m on a hunt. The app is free for download for both Androids or iPhones.
OnX Hunt App
OnX Mobile Screenshot
Another popular hunting tool is OnX, which can be used on a computer (desktop/laptop) or mobile device. There are a number of membership levels available, and you just have to play around with it a bit to understand how the app can best meet your needs. For example, the app allows hunters to view detailed land ownership maps, identify hunting access points, and even mark and save locations for future reference. OnX lets you virtually scout before you head into the field, helping you identify prime areas like grasslands, shelterbelts, and food sources where pheasants are likely to be found. There’s even a weather widget that provides GPS-enabled weather reports right at your finger tips.
By combining tools like the South Dakota Public Hunting Atlas and OnX, you can maximize your chances of success in the field, knowing you're well-prepared and hunting the best areas. Also, remember that nontoxic shot is required on certain public lands, so make sure you’re prepared before you enter the field.
Bottom line? Take advantage of the resources available to better plan your hunt so you can make the most of your time in the field, instead of wasting time due to a lack of planning.