South Dakota Unit 49A:elk draw odds & harvest
2 hunt codes for elk. 2026: 10 to 15 tags, 123 to 199 applicants per hunt.
Hardest draw in Unit 49A2026 draw
49A2315 tags, 199 applied, 8% drew.
24th hardest of 59 South Dakota elk draws in 2026.
At a glance
Elk hunt codes
2
Prairie firearms elk
Tags · 2026
25
across 2 hunts
Applicants · 2026
197
7.9 per tag
Harvest success 3-yr
0–100%
Hunt codes
Elk huntsin Unit 49A
Whole-hunt draw results: applicants, tags and the share that drew.
| Hunt code | What it is | Draw result · 2026 | Tags | Success 3-yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 49A21 | prairie firearms elk · Sep 1–Dec 31 | 5 of 6 drew | 10 | 0–100% |
| 49A23 | prairie firearms elk · Sep 1–Dec 31 | 7 of 191 drew | 15 | 11–38% |
Some hunt codes cover several units; the hunt page lists them all.
Harvest
How hunters didin Unit 49A.
Harvest success by hunt, 2022–2025
% success49A210–100%
14%
50%
100%
0%
2022202320242025
49A230–38%
0%
38%
11%
17%
2022202320242025
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
- 49A21Prairie Firearms ElkSep 1–Dec 31
- 49A23Prairie 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