Big Game Hunters Must Leave Vehicle, Road

RAPID CITY, S.D.—Hunters who follow the rules do not shoot from the road right-of-way or from a motor vehicle when hunting big game in South Dakota.

“State law is very clear on this point,” said Bruce Nachtigall, a regional law enforcement specialist for the S.D. Game, Fish and Parks Department. “Shooting at big game from a vehicle or from a road right-of-way is generally unsafe and can result in a variety of penalties including the revocation of hunting privileges for one year.”

The big game road hunting laws apply to both rifle and archery hunters and they also apply on all public roads. “Hunters who will take part in the upcoming Black Hills deer season need to remember that the law also applies on National Forest Service roads,” Nachtigall said.

The law does make an exception for hunters who have valid disabled hunter permits. The permitted hunters are allowed to shoot from a stationary vehicle and hunt big game animals from a public road right-of-way. However, written permission from a landowner is needed if the animal is on private property and the hunter may not shoot across the road.

Shooting from a vehicle is unlawful for big game and small game. The only exception to the rule is for those who are hunting coyotes, jackrabbits, rodents, skunks, badgers, raccoons and foxes.

“The best advice for big game hunters is to leave their vehicles and get off the road,” Nachtigall said. “They’ll not only comply with the law, they’ll be safer hunters and that will likely make the hunt more enjoyable for everyone.”

For more details, consult the 2006 S.D. Hunting & Trapping Handbook available from license agents, GFP offices and online at www.sdgfp.info.

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