Custer State Park introduces archery hunting this season and expands the number of licenses available

RAPID CITY, S.D. (KEVN) - Before you know it, it’ll be rabbit season. Wait, no, it’ll be bison season at Custer State Park.

The park has more in store for those who are planning to partake in the sport this year.

Hunting has been a key aspect of human evolution throughout the years, and in Custer State Park, it is no different.

“That opportunity of hunting is integral to South Dakota; it’s what we do; it is part of our heritage,” explained Custer State Park superintendent Matt Snyder.

But hunting bison in the park wasn’t always the same; it has gone from primarily harvesting the bison to lodging aspects in the park.

“To more of a management tool to where we are today with the hunting season for people to draw a tag,” said Synder.

Managing those bison this year will be needed so much that the park has opened more opportunities for those who partake in the sport of hunting.

“On the non-trophy bison bull this year, we added five additional licenses for a total of 20, and then on the trophy bull bison this year, we increased that to ten licenses. We’re also allowing archery hunting to be a choice of weapon if that’s what the hunter who draws a tag so chooses to use,” explained Synder.

The hunt is a guided hunt to make sure the hunters who are participating in the sport know what they are shooting at.

The guided hunts are another way for the park to continue to bring people to the Black Hills toward the end of fall when tourism season in the area dies down—from October through the first part of January.

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