South Dakota § 41-1-1 - Definitions.

Full text of South Dakota South Dakota Codified Laws § 41-1-1 — Definitions., with citation guidance and answers to common questions.

§ 41-1-1. Definitions.

Terms used in this title mean:

(1)    "Any part thereof" or "the parts thereof," includes the hide, horns, and hoofs of any animal so referred to, and the plumage and skin and every other part of any bird so referred to;

(2)    "Bait," baitfish, frogs, toads, salamanders, crayfish, freshwater shrimp, clams, snails and leeches;

(3)    "Baitfish," includes fish of the minnow family (cyprinidae) except carp (cyprinus spp.) and goldfish (carassius spp.), fish of the sucker family (castostomidae) except buffalofish (ictiobus spp.) and carpsucker (carpiodes spp.), and fish of the stickleback family (gasterosteidae);

(4)    "Big game," all cloven-hoofed wild animals, wild mountain lion, wild black bear, and wild turkey. The term includes facsimiles of big game used for law enforcement purposes, but does not include any captive nondomestic animal of the mammalia class and the products thereof regulated by the Animal Industry Board under Title 40;

(5)    "Big game seal," a locking seal which bears the same number as the license with which it is issued;

(6)    "Big game tag," a tag which is part of the regular big game license and bears the same number as the license proper;

(7)    "Biological specimens," wild nongame animals used for scientific study and collected for resale to biological supply companies;

(8)    "Carcass," the dead body of any wild animal to which it refers, including the head, hair, skin, plumage, skeleton, or any other part thereof;

(9)    "Domestic animal," any animal that through long association with man, has been bred to a degree which has resulted in genetic changes affecting the temperament, color, conformation, or other attributes of the species to an extent that makes it unique and different from wild individuals of its kind;

(10)    "Domicile," a person's established, fixed, and permanent home, in which the person physically lives, and, whenever absent, has the present intention of returning;

(11)    "Fishing," the taking, capturing, killing, or fishing for fish of any variety in any manner. If the word, fish, is used as a verb, it has the same meaning as the word, fishing;

(12)    "Fur-bearing animals," opossum, muskrat, beaver, mink, marten, river otter, fisher, blackfooted ferret, skunks (all species), raccoon, badger, red, grey and swift fox, coyote, bobcat, lynx, weasel, and jackrabbit;

(13)    "Game," all wild mammals or birds;

(14)    "Game fish," all species belonging to the paddlefish, sturgeon, salmon (trout), pike, catfish (including bullheads), sunfish (including black bass and crappies), perch (including walleye and sauger), and bass families. All species not included in the game fish families are rough fish;

(15)    "Hunt" or "hunting," shooting, shooting at, pursuing, taking, attempting to take, catching, or killing of any wild animal or animals;

(16)    "Migratory waterfowl," any wild geese, swans, brants, coot, merganser, or wild ducks;

(17)    "Migratory bird," all migratory waterfowl, sandhill crane, snipe, and dove;

(18)    "Motor vehicle," any self-propelled vehicle and any vehicle propelled or drawn by a self-propelled vehicle, whether operated upon a highway, railroad track, on the ground, in the water, or in the air;

(19)    "Nondomestic animal," any animal that is not domestic;

(20)    "Possession," both actual and constructive possession, as well as the control of the article referred to;

(21)    "Predator/varmint," coyote, wolf, gray fox, red fox, skunk, gopher, ground squirrel, chipmunk, jackrabbit, marmot, opossum, porcupine, crow, and prairie dog;

(22)    "Resident," a person having a domicile within this state for at least ninety consecutive days immediately preceding the date of application for, purchasing, or attempting to purchase any license required under the provisions of this title or rules of the commission, who makes no claim of residency in any other state or foreign country for any purpose, and other than for a person described in § 41-1-1.1, claims no resident hunting, fishing, or trapping privileges in any other state or foreign country, and prior to any application for any license, transfers to this state the person's driver's license and motor vehicle registrations. Documentation showing a mailing address, ownership of a property or a business, or employment in the state is not sufficient by itself to prove that a person has a domicile in or is a resident of this state;

(23)    "Sell" and "sale," any sale or offer to sell or have in possession with intent to sell, use, or dispose of;

(24)    "Small game," anatidae, commonly known as swans, geese, brants, merganser, and river and sea ducks; the rallidae, commonly known as rails, coots, and gallinule; the limicolae, referring specifically to shore birds, plover, snipe, and woodcock; the gruidae, commonly known as sandhill crane; the columbidae, commonly known as the mourning dove; the gallinae, commonly known as grouse, prairie chickens, pheasants, partridges, and quail but does not include wild turkeys; cottontail rabbit; and fox, grey and red squirrel. The term includes facsimiles of small game used for law enforcement purposes;

(25)    "Trapping," the taking or the attempting to take of any wild animals by means of setting or operating of any device, mechanism, or contraption that is designed, built, or made to close upon, hold fast, or otherwise capture a wild animal or animals. If the word, trap, is used as a verb, it has the same meaning as the word, trapping;

(26)    "Trout streams" or "trout waters," all waters and streams or portions of streams which contain trout;

(27)    "Waters of the state," all the boundary waters of the state, and the provisions of this title are deemed to extend to and be in force and effect over and upon and in all thereof, unless otherwise expressly provided; and

(28)    "Wild animal," any mammal, bird, fish, or other creature of a wild nature endowed with sensation and the power of voluntary motion.

Source: SDC 1939, § 25.0101; SL 1941, ch 102; SL 1961, ch 112; SL 1967, ch 80, §§ 1, 2; SL 1968, ch 97, §§ 1 to 3; SL 1976, ch 254, §§ 1, 2; SL 1976, ch 257, §§ 5, 6; SL 1978, ch 298, § 1; SL 1979, ch 274, § 1; SL 1983, ch 293, § 1; SL 1985, ch 324, § 1; SL 1986, ch 349, § 1; SL 1988, ch 334, § 1; SL 1993, ch 311, § 5; SL 1995, ch 235; SL 1998, ch 252, § 4; SL 2000, ch 203, § 1; SL 2001, ch 226, § 1; SL 2003, ch 220, § 1; SL 2006, ch 215, § 1; SL 2007, ch 236, § 1; SL 2007, ch 237, § 1; SL 2007, ch 238, § 1; SL 2008, ch 216, §§ 1, 2; SL 2013, ch 206, § 1; SL 2018, ch 248, § 1; SL 2019, ch 184, § 1, eff. Mar. 11, 2019; SL 2022, ch 60, § 2; SL 2024, ch 171, § 1.

Frequently Asked Questions About South Dakota § 41-1-1

What does South Dakota Codified Laws § 41-1-1 cover?

Section 41-1-1 ("Definitions.") is part of the South Dakota Codified Laws, the codified statutory law of South Dakota. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.

How do I cite South Dakota § 41-1-1?

A common citation format is "South Dakota Codified Laws § 41-1-1" (South Dakota). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.

Is this the official text of South Dakota law?

No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the South Dakota official source linked on this page or consult a licensed South Dakota attorney.

How does South Dakota § 41-1-1 apply to my situation?

Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in South Dakota can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.

Sources & Verification

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