Construction or use of permanent tree stands, permanent blinds, and climbing devices is prohibited on public lands owned, leased, managed, or controlled by the department and on all private lands leased for public hunting access by the department. Portable tree stands, portable blinds, and climbing devices that do not utilize nails, wire, or bolts for attachment are allowed from August first through March thirty-first. Portable blinds may be used during the spring turkey seasons established in chapters 41:06:13 and 41:06:15, by licensed spring turkey hunters. One screw-in "T" may be used to stabilize a tree stand. Removable screw-in steps may be used to access a tree stand. The name and address, or customer identification number of the owner or user must be on the exterior of an unoccupied portable blind or tree stand and legible from the ground on a tree stand. Other elevated platform devices that are not attached to a tree must meet the requirements of this rule for permitted dates and for labeling if left overnight or unattended.

Source: 8 SDR 162, effective June 10, 1982; 10 SDR 76, 10 SDR 102, effective July 1, 1984; 15 SDR 193, effective June 20, 1989; 17 SDR 12, effective July 31, 1990; 27 SDR 126, effective June 6, 2001; 28 SDR 44, effective October 3, 2001; 29 SDR 160, effective June 3, 2003; 33 SDR 43, effective September 18, 2006; 42 SDR 146, effective May 5, 2016 ; 45 SDR 155, effective June 24, 2019; 46 SDR 74, effective December 2, 2019 ; 50 SDR 129, effective May 15, 2024 .

General Authority: SDCL 41-2-18 (4)(14), 41-17-1.1 (1)(3).

Law Implemented: SDCL 41-2-18 (14), 41-17-1.1 (3).

Prior versions effective: 2019-12-02, 2019-06-24, 2016-05-05, 2006-09-18.