South Dakota duck season 2026-27: dates and free maps

Season dates

Youth waterfowl: Saturday, September 12 to Sunday, September 13, 2026
Source: South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks
Low Plains Middle: Saturday, September 26 to Tuesday, December 8, 2026
Source: South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks
Low Plains North: Saturday, September 26 to Tuesday, December 8, 2026
Source: South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks
High Plains: Saturday, October 10, 2026 to Thursday, January 14, 2027
Source: South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks
Low Plains South: Saturday, October 24, 2026 to Tuesday, January 5, 2027
Source: South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks

Checked on the agency's site November 6, 2026. Licenses, units, bag limits and shooting hours differ, and dates can vary by unit: the regulations are what count, so read them before you go.

Federal migratory bird rules apply on top of state rules: check what your state requires for the federal duck stamp and HIP registration, and your state's shooting hours and bag limits.

Marshes, river bottoms and refuge boundaries are hard to read in the dark, and public and closed areas sit side by side. Download the maps for your marsh ahead of time and Cartahaven shows your GPS position on them offline, so you can find your spot before shooting light and stay out of closed zones.

Open the map app

Free public land maps in South Dakota

South Dakota USGS topo maps (1,554)
South Dakota Forest Service FSTopo maps (48)
South Dakota historical topo maps (38)
South Dakota BLM maps (14)
South Dakota national forest maps (7)
South Dakota national park maps (4)
South Dakota wildlife refuge maps (1)

All free maps in South Dakota

Before you go

Cartahaven is not affiliated with or endorsed by South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks. Season dates come from the agency pages linked above.