South Dakota § 41-9-8 - Unauthorized presence on private property--Retrieval of game--Penalty.

Full text of South Dakota South Dakota Codified Laws § 41-9-8 — Unauthorized presence on private property--Retrieval of game--Penalty., with citation guidance and answers to common questions.

§ 41-9-8. Unauthorized presence on private property--Retrieval of game--Penalty.

If a person violates § 41-9-1 or 41-9-2, a court may, upon a finding of guilt or upon a conviction, order the revocation of the person's hunting, fishing, or trapping privileges for one year.

If a person knowingly enters or remains on private property for the purpose of hunting, fishing, or trapping, in violation of § 41-9-1 or 41-9-2, the person shall be fined five hundred dollars, and shall lose hunting, trapping, or fishing privileges for one year following a finding of guilt or a conviction.

A person's hunting, fishing, or trapping privileges shall be revoked for two years following a second or subsequent finding of guilt or conviction under § 41-9-1 or 41-9-2, within ten years.

The court may order that any revocation of hunting, fishing, or trapping privileges, authorized by this section, be served consecutively with any other revocation of a person's hunting, fishing, or trapping privileges imposed for a violation for which the person is convicted and for which revocation of the privileges is authorized under this title.

If the person is the holder of a license to hunt, trap, or fish, the court shall require that the license holder surrender and deliver the license to the court, to be returned to the Department of Game, Fish and Parks.

Unarmed retrieval of lawfully taken small game from private land, land controlled by the Department of Game, Fish and Parks, or other public lands, is not a crime or petty offense, if the retrieval of the small game does not involve the use of a motor vehicle.

It is a Class 2 misdemeanor for any person, while engaged in the retrieval of small game from private land, without permission of the owner or lessee of the land, to intentionally drive or flush any small game located on the land toward other hunters of the retriever's same hunting group, located on other parcels of land or rights-of-way.

It is a Class 2 misdemeanor for any person, who is a member of the same hunting group as the person performing the retrieval without the permission of the owner or lessee of the land, to intentionally discharge a firearm at small game, except waterfowl, that originates from the private land during the retrieval.

This section does not limit any civil remedies available to a landowner.

Source: SL 1981, ch 300; SL 1991, ch 337, § 66; SL 2004, ch 266, § 1; SL 2009, ch 209, § 4; SL 2019, ch 188, § 1; SL 2020, ch 188, § 1; SL 2022, ch 158, § 1.

Source: official South Dakota text · Last verified 2026-08-27

Frequently Asked Questions About South Dakota § 41-9-8

What does South Dakota Codified Laws § 41-9-8 cover?

Section 41-9-8 ("Unauthorized presence on private property--Retrieval of game--Penalty.") 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 § 41-9-8?

A common citation format is "South Dakota Codified Laws § 41-9-8" (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 § 41-9-8 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

Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in South Dakota.