Below is a news release from South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks. 

The South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks (GFP) Commission approved the release of 54 antlerless elk licenses for the Black Hills Elk firearms season. These licenses were made available in a lottery drawing, with the application period beginning Sept. 11. 

Applicants must not currently hold an elk license for the 2025 season. 

Applicants will not be able to use preference points and no landowner preference will be accepted. If successful in this drawing, the nine-year waiting period does not apply and hunters will still retain their elk preference points for future drawings. 

There is a $10 nonrefundable application fee and if successful, the license cost is $127. 

Applications are only available online and must be submitted by 8 a.m. CDT Sept. 25. 

Licenses are available in the following units: 

  • H2E: 6 licenses 
  • H2F: 6 licenses 
  • H2G: 7 licenses 
  • H2H: 3 licenses 
  • H2I: 2 licenses 
  • H3B: 2 licenses 
  • H3C: 2 licenses 
  • H3D: 3 licenses 
  • H3E: 6 licenses 
  • H3F: 6 licenses 
  • H3G: 6 licenses 
  • H4B: 5 licenses 

Click here to apply. 

(Photo credit: South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks)