South Dakota Unit 15A:elk draw odds & harvest
2 hunt codes for elk. 2026: 5 to 8 tags, 5 to 125 applicants per hunt.
Hardest draw in Unit 15A2026 draw
15A218 tags, 125 applied, 6% drew.
21st hardest of 59 South Dakota elk draws in 2026.
At a glance
Elk hunt codes
2
Prairie firearms elk
Tags · 2026
13
across 2 hunts
Applicants · 2026
11
0.8 per tag
Harvest success 3-yr
33–88%
Hunt codes
Elk huntsin Unit 15A
Whole-hunt draw results: applicants, tags and the share that drew.
| Hunt code | What it is | Draw result · 2026 | Tags | Success 3-yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15A21 | prairie firearms elk · Sep 1–Dec 31 | 4 of 6 drew | 8 | 67–88% |
| 15A23 | prairie firearms elk · Sep 1–Dec 31 | 5 of 5 drew | 5 | 0–33% |
Some hunt codes cover several units; the hunt page lists them all.
Harvest
How hunters didin Unit 15A.
Harvest success by hunt, 2019–2025
% success15A210–88%
0%
29%
33%
43%
67%
75%
88%
2019202020212022202320242025
15A230–33%
0%
0%
0%
33%
33%
20192020202120242025
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
- 15A21Prairie Firearms ElkSep 1–Dec 31
- 15A23Prairie 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