South Dakota Unit 51A:deer draw odds & harvest
2 hunt codes for deer. 2026: 350 to 400 tags, 298 to 504 applicants per hunt.
Hardest draw in Unit 51A2026 draw
51A13350 tags, 298 applied, 71% drew.
161st hardest of 316 South Dakota deer draws in 2026.
At a glance
Deer hunt codes
2
East river deer
Tags · 2026
750
across 2 hunts
Applicants · 2026
293
0.4 per tag
Harvest success 3-yr
33–55%
Hunt codes
Deer huntsin Unit 51A
Whole-hunt draw results: applicants, tags and the share that drew.
| Hunt code | What it is | Draw result · 2026 | Tags | Success 3-yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 51A01 | east river deer · Nov 21–Dec 6Miner | 1 of 24 drew | 400 | 47–55% |
| 51A13 | east river deer · Nov 21–Dec 6Miner | 184 of 269 drew | 350 | 33–37% |
Some hunt codes cover several units; the hunt page lists them all.
Harvest
How hunters didin Unit 51A.
Harvest success by hunt, 2020–2025
% success51A0147–59%
53%
59%
57%
55%
52%
47%
202020212022202320242025
51A1333–45%
45%
44%
44%
37%
34%
33%
202020212022202320242025
45%+28–45%Under 28%
Before you apply
- Tag fee
- “03 - one any antlerless deer $5 $10”
- 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
- 51A01East River DeerNov 21–Dec 6
- 51A13East River DeerNov 21–Dec 6
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