Pennington County, South Dakota

Highly varied: granite ridges and ponderosa pine forest in the Black Hills core reaching over 7,000 feet; Badlands National Park edge with eroded buttes and open prairie in the southeast; open mixed-grass rangeland along the Cheyenne River in the south and west. Among the most topographically diverse counties in South Dakota.

Moderate overall. Black Hills elk and deer units draw non-resident hunters. The Black Hills National Forest sees concentrated pressure during firearm deer and archery elk seasons. Prairie pronghorn units see lighter pressure.

West River firearm deer licenses issued by drawing, competitive for Black Hills units. Archery over-the-counter. Elk licenses are highly competitive limited-draw permits among the most sought-after in South Dakota. Black bear by limited draw.

Black Hills elk herd is South Dakota premier big game resource. Black bear are present throughout the ponderosa pine forest. Merriam turkey are abundant in the Black Hills with over-the-counter spring and fall licenses. Mule deer and whitetails overlap in the Hills-to-prairie transition zone. Pronghorn roam the prairie portions.

South Dakota most species-diverse hunting county, offering the rare combination of Black Hills elk and black bear alongside prairie pronghorn; Merriam turkey hunting in ponderosa pine is a legitimate draw for turkey specialists nationwide.