As publishedSept 1-Nov 9, 2026 (general); Youth-only Sept 12-13, 2026
Youth-only window Sept 12-13, 2026 (from the seasons calendar table) precedes the general season. Shooting hours one-half hour before sunrise to sunset. Only flying birds may be shot; shotguns limited to 3-shell capacity; not legal in most state parks/recreation areas (a few named exceptions) or road rights-of-way. Requires SD's own 'State Migratory Bird Certificate' ($5, valid July 1, 2026-June 30, 2027) in addition to a Small Game/Combination/Youth Small Game license (residents) or Nonresident Small Game equivalent (nonresidents) — this is SD's state-branded HIP-equivalent; the handbook never uses the term 'HIP.'
No SD-specific dove outlook exists; only the federal USFWS Mourning Dove Population Status report (Central Management Unit) applies, and its 2026 edition has not been published yet (confirmed via direct fetch of the USFWS report collection page, 2026-08-19).