South Dakota

Last updated April 2023

Link to state website

Contacts

Casey Heimerl
Dept. of Game Fish and Parks
Natural Heritage Program
Foss Bldg. 523 E. Capitol
Pierre, SD 57501
Phone: 605-773-4345

Is a state permit needed for banding?

A Scientific Collector’s permit is not required for migratory bird banding if a researcher already has a Federal Bird Banding Permit.

However, please check with the South Dakota Department of Game, Fish, and Parks. They may require a permit if the project entails banding nestlings, attaching transmitters, or other methods beyond mist-netting and banding.  If there is any question about whether a permit is needed, the researchers should contact SD GFP.  If in doubt, it is best to obtain a permit, they are free and turnaround is generally fast.

Permit application forms

  • Application Form
  • Renewal – same form
  • Threatened and Endangered – to obtain authorization to sample or collect any species listed as a state threatened or endangered species, you must request a state endangered species authorization.
  • Salvage – use application form; specific that salvage authority is requested

State lands

A Scientific Collector’s permit is also required to collect wildlife or plant species from State Parks, Recreation Areas, and Game Production Areas.

Prior notice

Check permit conditions. Even if not expressly required to do so, you should always contact the manager of that particular state land unit or with the owner of private land before your arrival. You want to be aware of the hunting seasons, and, of course want to be sure that your activities will not interfere with the activities of that park, wildlife management area, or other state land unit, and that your activities will not adversely affect public use of the land or with the activities of private landowners.

Policies

Regulations: South Dakota Administrative Rules 41:09:16

South Dakota state endangered species law

South Dakota Administrative Rules 41:10:02

Endangered

Eskimo Curlew (Numenius borealis)
Interior Least Tern (Sterna antillarum athalassos)
Whooping Crane (Grus americana)

Threatened

American Dipper (Cinclus mexicanus)
Osprey (Pandion haliaetus)
Piping Plover (Charadrius melodus)

Peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus)