41-8-17.1. Spotlighting and artificial lighting--Prohibitions--Exceptions--Violation as misdemeanor.
Except as otherwise provided in §41-8-17, between 10 p.m. and sunrise, from September first to January thirty-first, inclusive, no person may cast the rays of a spotlight, or any artificial light other than a motor vehicle headlight, into any field, pasture, woodland, forest, or prairie, for the purpose of spotting or locating any wild animal.
Notwithstanding the prohibitions of this section:
(1)A person owning or occupying land and up to two guests may use night-vision equipment, a spotlight, or other artificial light, on the person's land; and
(2)An employee of the Department of Game, Fish and Parks may, while performing the person's duty, use night vision equipment and artificial lights.
For purposes of this section, "artificial light" means a man-made light or lighting device that projects lumination for an unaided eye.
For purposes of this section, "night-vision equipment" means an electronic or battery-powered device that enhances a person's ability to see in the dark.
A violation of this section is a Class 2 misdemeanor.
Source: SL 2003, ch 223, §1; SL 2005, ch 225, §1; SL 2020, ch 186, § 2.
Structure South Dakota Codified Laws
Title 41 - Game, Fish, Parks and Forestry
Chapter 08 - Hunting And Trapping Seasons And Methods
Section 41-8-6 - License required to hunt big game--Violation.
Section 41-8-7 - Each violation of big game hunting restrictions as separate offense.
Section 41-8-10 - Minimum caliber of muzzle loading big game ammunition--Violation as misdemeanor.
Section 41-8-12 - Automatic weapon prohibited in hunting game--Violation as misdemeanor.
Section 41-8-15 - Dogs prohibited in hunting big game--Exceptions--Violation.
Section 41-8-16 - Use of salt to attract big game prohibited.
Section 41-8-19 - Trapping of fur-bearing animals prohibited--Exceptions--Violation as misdemeanor.
Section 41-8-20 - Open seasons on fur-bearing animals.
Section 41-8-23 - Killing of mink, muskrats, and beavers causing damage.
Section 41-8-24.1 - Shooting of muskrats under certain conditions.
Section 41-8-25 - Maximum number of traps--Disturbance of muskrat houses--Violation as misdemeanor.
Section 41-8-26 - Counties in which muskrat restrictions not applicable.
Section 41-8-28 - Trap robbing or injury as misdemeanor.
Section 41-8-31 - Hunting methods restricted--Violation as misdemeanor.
Section 41-8-31.1 - Use of crossbow for hunting big game during firearm season.
Section 41-8-36 - Use of motorboats in hunting prohibited--Exceptions--Violation as misdemeanor.
Section 41-8-39 - Use of aircraft in hunting prohibited--Exception--Violation as misdemeanor.
Section 41-8-39.2 - Contracts with aerial hunters of foxes and coyotes.
Section 41-8-41 - Wearing of fluorescent orange by certain hunters--Violation as misdemeanor.
Section 41-8-42 - Prairie dog shooting season open year-round.
Section 41-8-43 - Limit of small game taken by hunting party--Exceptions.