Hanson HuntingBath, South Dakota Call 605-715-7770

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Brown County, South Dakota

South Dakota Whitetail Deer Hunting in Brown County

Hunt whitetails on private family farmland from stands we build ourselves. Rifle and archery, guided or self-guided.

Hunter kneeling behind a heavy-racked whitetail buck in snowy corn stubble at dusk
The short answer

Residents and nonresidents both hunt here

Hunt whitetail deer on private family farmland near Bath, South Dakota, from stands we build ourselves. We host rifle and archery hunters, guided or self-guided. South Dakota residents and nonresidents both hunt here, but the path to a tag is different, so start with the table below.

How to get a tag

You areYour path to a tagTiming
SD resident, rifleApply in the East River deer drawingSpring and summer draws (first deadline was June 23 in 2026)
Nonresident, rifleEast River draws are for residents. Nonresidents can buy leftover licenses after the draws.Late summer
Nonresident, archeryApply in the nonresident archery deer drawingSpring (deadline was June 9 in 2026)
SD resident, archeryResident archery deer licenseCheck GFP for the current season

Nonresident deer licenses cost $375 plus a $25 habitat stamp. Source: South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks.

2026 season notes

What changed this year

  • East River rifle season: November 21 to December 6, 2026.
  • Archery is buck-only statewide in 2026.
  • GFP cut 700 East River licenses in southeast units for 2026. Our area is in the northeast.

The ground and the stands

Carl is the third generation to farm this land, and he knows where the deer move. The farm mixes CRP, shelterbelts, food plots, sloughs, river bottom, and a pond. We build our own stands, and you will hunt from them. See our custom stands.

Two hunters with two whitetail bucks on a rock outside the farm shop
Two bucks from November 2024.
Questions

Common questions

Can a nonresident hunt deer here with a rifle?

Yes, with a leftover East River license. Residents get the first draws, and nonresidents can buy what is left after.

Can a nonresident bowhunt here?

Yes. Apply in the nonresident archery deer drawing in the spring.

When is rifle season?

November 21 to December 6, 2026, for East River deer.

Do you offer guided hunts?

Yes. Hunts are guided or self-guided.

Where do I stay?

Our campground when a site is open, or a hotel in Aberdeen.

What about meat processing?

Aberdeen has deer processors close by. Carl can point you to one when you book.

Book with Carl

Talk to Carl about a deer hunt

Tell Carl whether you have a tag yet, rifle or bow, and your dates.

605-715-7770

Call or text. Email carlhanson1671@gmail.com

Goes straight to Carl's inbox. No spam, no list.