South Dakota Unit 35A:elk draw odds & harvest
2 hunt codes for elk. 2026: 10 to 30 tags, 43 to 1,081 applicants per hunt.
Hardest draw in Unit 35A2026 draw
35A2110 tags, 1,081 applied, under 1% drew.
One of South Dakota's hardest elk draws: 4th hardest of 59 in 2026.
At a glance
Elk hunt codes
2
Prairie firearms elk
Tags · 2026
40
across 2 hunts
Applicants · 2026
62
1.6 per tag
Harvest success 3-yr
16–88%
Hunt codes
Elk huntsin Unit 35A
Whole-hunt draw results: applicants, tags and the share that drew.
| Hunt code | What it is | Draw result · 2026 | Tags | Success 3-yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 35A21 | prairie firearms elk · Sep 1–Dec 31 | 5 of 19 drew | 10 | 50–88% |
| 35A23 | prairie firearms elk · Sep 1–Dec 31 | 30 of 43 drew | 30 | 16–88% |
Some hunt codes cover several units; the hunt page lists them all.
Harvest
How hunters didin Unit 35A.
Harvest success by hunt, 2019–2025
% success35A2150–100%
86%
100%
100%
88%
88%
50%
86%
2019202020212022202320242025
35A2316–88%
60%
88%
16%
37%
2020202120242025
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
- 35A21Prairie Firearms ElkSep 1–Dec 31
- 35A23Prairie 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