SD Non-resident prairie tag

[Vale Gobbler]

I've put in for a non-resident SD prairie tag this year and was wondering what any of y'alls experiences with that were.  Did you have the opportunity to pick up leftover resident licenses at some point if not drawn initially?  How long after the submittal deadline did they end up releasing the initial draw results?  Any real over-the-counter non-resident prospects for either prairie or Black Hills after the season has started?

- This is my first year applying, so no preference points.
- Applying for unit 49A35.

Thanks and looking forward to chasing Merriams for the first time!

[simpzenith]

The first drawing is tomorrow and you will know immediately if you drew because they will debit your bank account or login to check results. You can apply again for Rounds 2 & 3 and if there are any leftover tags after Round 3, then they go on sale to the general public. There are a few leftover tags here and there but not many. Best odds of hunting the Prairie unit is to either build up preference points (2 points is basically a guarantee for a non-resident in most units) or get an archery tag (good statewide).

[Vale Gobbler]

Excellent breakdown, thank you!

[simpzenith]

You're welcome! I forgot to mention. BH tags are OTC.

[simpzenith]

Apparently I was wrong and the 1st round drawing is today. Just received a notification that my card was debited by the SDGFP. 

[Vale Gobbler]

Ha, congrats!  I just checked, unsuccessful for me, so on the next round!

Sounds like BH OTC tag will be the backup plan!

[paintbrush]

Drew my tag for an area I have never hunted before. I usually hunt in zone 24 which is the Cheyanne Indian res., but with them closing their borders off to anybody not living there, I decided to try a new area. Should be fun. I'm ready to go now!

[Chad Gus715]

Looks like i drew a tag, first prairie tag, I've hunted the black hills a number of times.

[birdman24]

Non-residents can only apply in 2nd draw if there are NR tags still available. Which is almost none and definitely not unit 49. 3rd draw open to everyone. Then leftovers. I've always bought leftovers but available tag numbers seem a lot lower than years past. Guess everyone is making up for last spring. I always get a BH tag too and buy WY otc when I tag out. BH tag is unlimited but you have to buy online or go to Pierre office. My private land used to be a two bird tag but no longer.  4 bird trip was always great.

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[Vale Gobbler]

Thanks everyone for the explanations!  Looking forward to seeing the folks on this thread post some white-tipped tom pics later this spring!!

[Vale Gobbler]

Prairie draw #3 was the ticket, ready to go!  Will have to be content in MS/LA until then.


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