41-6-81. Hunter mentoring program--Application for mentoring nonresidents--Requirements--Promulgation of rules.
Notwithstanding any provisions of Title 41 to the contrary, a child less than sixteen years of age is not required to possess a hunting license in order to hunt, if the child is accompanied by a hunting mentor. A hunting mentor may be the child's parent or guardian or any other competent adult who has the written consent of the child's parent or guardian.
The hunting mentor shall be unarmed, except as otherwise provided in this section, shall have successfully completed a hunter safety or hunter education course that meets the requirements of chapter 41-7, and shall possess a valid small game or waterfowl hunting license for the game being hunted. To serve as a hunting mentor for big game, the mentor shall possess the mentor big game license obtained by the child's parent or guardian.
A child who hunts pursuant to this section shall be under the immediate physical control, direct supervision, and responsibility of a hunting mentor, at the time the child discharges a firearm or operates a bow and arrow in the act of hunting.
A hunting mentor may accompany no more than one mentored child at any one time.
No hunting party that includes a mentored child may include more than six persons, regardless of whether or not members of the hunting party are hunting or possess or operate firearms.
A child who hunts pursuant to this section is subject to all requirements, restrictions, and penalties specified in this title and in rules promulgated pursuant to this title, with respect to the species being hunted, except that the combined number of animals taken or possessed by the child and the hunting mentor may not exceed the number of animals authorized under licenses held by the hunting mentor.
A mentored child may not take big game under the provisions of this section except antlerless deer, turkey, and doe-fawn antelope. No big game may be taken by a mentored child unless the child's parent or legal guardian has been issued a license that designates the child as a mentored child who is authorized to exercise the privileges granted by the license. A nonresident big game application must include the name, address, and phone number of a resident sponsoring the application. The license is valid only for the mentored child and is not transferable to another person. Application for or issuance of such licenses does not affect the eligibility of the parent or legal guardian for any other big game license.
Nothing in this section prohibits the hunting mentor from carrying a concealed pistol or other legally possessed handgun.
The Game, Fish and Parks Commission shall promulgate rules, pursuant to chapter 1-26, to establish criteria and conditions governing the hunter mentoring program established in this section.
Source: SL 2008, ch 217, §1; SL 2018, ch 252, §1; SL 2020, ch 184, § 1; SL 2021, ch 184, § 8.
Structure South Dakota Codified Laws
Title 41 - Game, Fish, Parks and Forestry
Chapter 06 - Game And Fish Licenses And Permits
Section 41-6-1 - Exempt persons--Conditions and rules.
Section 41-6-3 - License not required to hunt fur-bearing animals on own land during open season.
Section 41-6-4 - Fur-bearing license not required--Resident under eighteen.
Section 41-6-5 - License not required to kill raccoons, skunks, fox, and badger doing damage.
Section 41-6-6 - Fishing license not required--Individuals under eighteen.
Section 41-6-10 - Licenses, stamps, and permits enumerated--Fees set by commission.
Section 41-6-10.1 - Combination licenses--Issuance.
Section 41-6-12 - Resident and nonresident licenses and preference points--Minimum age.
Section 41-6-14 - Safety instruction required for licensing of child under sixteen--Fee waived.
Section 41-6-18.2 - Limitation of number of nonresident waterfowl licenses--Lottery selection.
Section 41-6-19 - Resident big game license--Privileges and fee--Violation as misdemeanor.
Section 41-6-19.1 - Resident elk license--Privileges and fee--Violation as misdemeanor.
Section 41-6-19.3 - Resident landowner--Limited deer or antelope license--Promulgation of rules.
Section 41-6-19.4 - Nonresident landowner--Limited deer or antelope license--Promulgation of rules.
Section 41-6-19.7 - License issued to national guard member called to active duty.
Section 41-6-19.8 - Antlerless deer licenses--Restrictions--Residents and nonresidents.
Section 41-6-20 - Nonresident big game license--Privileges--Violation as misdemeanor.
Section 41-6-23.1 - Reciprocal nonresident license to take fur-bearing animals.
Section 41-6-26 - Revocation of fur dealer's license--New license prohibited for two years.
Section 41-6-27 - Resident wild turkey license--Privileges--Violation as misdemeanor.
Section 41-6-28 - Nonresident wild turkey license--Privileges--Violation as misdemeanor.
Section 41-6-32 - Scientific collector's license--Privileges--Approval.
Section 41-6-33 - Taxidermist's license--Privileges--Records--Inspections--Violation as misdemeanor.
Section 41-6-35 - Resident fishing license--Privileges--Exemption from fee.
Section 41-6-36 - Nonresident fishing license--Privileges.
Section 41-6-37 - Temporary fishing license--Privileges.
Section 41-6-39 - Private fish hatchery license--Privileges granted--Violation as misdemeanor.
Section 41-6-40 - Fishing allowed to purchaser from private fish hatchery--Removal of fish caught.
Section 41-6-41 - Fishing license not required to fish in private hatchery.
Section 41-6-43 - Records and reports required of private fish hatchery.
Section 41-6-45.1 - Export bait dealer license--Privileges granted--Rules--Violation as misdemeanor.
Section 41-6-53 - Nonresident or visitor's license--Eligibility.
Section 41-6-59 - Bond or security requirements for agents.
Section 41-6-59.1 - Regulation of fee remittance by agents to county treasurers.
Section 41-6-60 - Big game transportation permits issued by conservation officers.
Section 41-6-61 - Licenses to be issued by secretary--Discretionary licenses.
Section 41-6-62 - Form and content of applications--Oath of applicant.
Section 41-6-63 - Exhibition of license on request--Violation as misdemeanor.
Section 41-6-66 - Commission or department to direct form of licenses.
Section 41-6-66.1 - Maximum amounts for issuing license--Violation as misdemeanor.
Section 41-6-68 - Prompt transmittal of county reports and fees.
Section 41-6-70.1 - License fees--Portion for designated purposes.
Section 41-6-71 - License not transferable--Violation as misdemeanor.
Section 41-6-72 - Expiration of licenses.
Section 41-6-74.3 - Revocation to be noted on face of license--Violation as misdemeanor.
Section 41-6-75 - Penalty for hunting, fishing or trapping while under license revocation.
Section 41-6-78 - Training of dogs on wild game birds restricted--Rules--Violation as misdemeanor.
Section 41-6-82 - Forfeiture of preference points for killing or possessing trophy animals.
Section 41-6-83 - Restriction on hunting wolves.
Section 41-6-84 - Special license to hunt game animals--Proceeds used for habitat programs.
Section 41-6-85 - Habitat stamp--Fee--Requirements--Promulgation of rules--Violation as misdemeanor.
Section 41-6-86 - Habitat stamp revenue--Use and purpose--Annual report