South Dakota Unit 09A:elk draw odds & harvest
2 hunt codes for elk. 2026: 10 to 30 tags, 245 to 371 applicants per hunt.
Hardest draw in Unit 09A2026 draw
09A2110 tags, 245 applied, 4% drew.
15th hardest of 59 South Dakota elk draws in 2026.
At a glance
Elk hunt codes
2
Prairie firearms elk
Tags · 2026
40
across 2 hunts
Applicants · 2026
361
9.0 per tag
Harvest success 3-yr
25–100%
Hunt codes
Elk huntsin Unit 09A
Whole-hunt draw results: applicants, tags and the share that drew.
| Hunt code | What it is | Draw result · 2026 | Tags | Success 3-yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 09A21 | prairie firearms elk · Sep 1–Dec 31 | 5 of 11 drew | 10 | 83–100% |
| 09A23 | prairie firearms elk · Sep 1–Dec 31 | 9 of 350 drew | 30 | 8–50% |
Some hunt codes cover several units; the hunt page lists them all.
Harvest
How hunters didin Unit 09A.
Harvest success by hunt, 2019–2025
% success09A2133–100%
60%
63%
33%
100%
100%
100%
83%
2019202020212022202320242025
09A238–100%
100%
8%
50%
25%
2019202020212025
45%+28–45%Under 28%
Before you apply
- Tag fee
- “21 - one any elk $195”
- Points
- “One point may be purchased each year the applicant is unsuccessful.”
- Application fee
- “A non-refundable $10 application fee is charged for each season applied for.”
Rules for 2026.
Season dates · 2026
- 09A21Prairie Firearms ElkSep 1–Dec 31
- 09A23Prairie Firearms ElkSep 1–Dec 31
Confirm in the regulations before you go.
Public land & access
Each program opens on the state's site. Check on-the-ground signage.
Ask FarWide
Answers use the same figures as this page.
Source: SDGFP