The 2023 river otter season harvest limit of 20 was reached on November 18, at 11 a.m. CT, and the season is now closed. It is illegal to harvest river otters by hunting now that the harvest limit has been reached.
Furbearer license holders had until November 19, 11 a.m. central time (24 hours since the season closed) to report any trapped river otters to GFP by calling 605.353.7319. After that time, any harvested river otter is considered incidental take and will be surrendered to GFP.
- If the incidentally trapped river otter is alive, the trapper must immediately release the river otter and should notify a GFP representative.
- If the incidentally captured river otter is found dead in a trap, the trapper is required to leave the river otter undisturbed and contact a GFP representative within 12 hours.
All river otter pelts are required to be tagged through the eyeholes with a CITES tag provided by GFP within five days of harvest, and the carcass must be surrendered to GFP.
A person may only possess, purchase, or sell raw river otter pelts that are tagged by GFP or if taken from another jurisdiction, properly and securely tagged with a tag supplied by the governmental entity issuing the license. If the governmental entity issuing the license does not issue a tag, other proof that the river otter has been lawfully taken is required.
South Dakota’s river otter trapping season began at sunrise on November 1 and marked the fourth season in the state. This trapping season was initiated in 2020 to create a new and exciting opportunity for trappers during the fall. For more information about the river otter trapping season, please visit the GFP website at: https://gfp.sd.gov/river-
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