Buying a gun online in South Dakota and hunting rifles for South Dakota game

Short answer: you can pick a hunting rifle online, but it normally goes to a licensed dealer, not to your door. The dealer handles the transfer and the federal paperwork. For deer in South Dakota, the rifle must meet a minimum energy rule and use soft-point or expanding bullets. Read both parts below before you pick a rifle.

How buying a gun online works

An online order is a normal firearm sale with one extra step. You choose the rifle on the website. A licensed dealer then completes the transfer to you in person.

You pick the rifle and pay online through Secure Checkout.
The rifle is sent to a licensed dealer, and you finish the transfer with that dealer.
The dealer fills out the federal forms and runs the background check. Ask your dealer what ID and forms they need.
You take the rifle home only after the dealer approves the transfer.

Federal age rules

Under 27 CFR 478.99(b)(1), a licensed dealer may not sell a firearm to anyone under 18. For anything other than a shotgun or rifle (so, a handgun), the minimum is 21. Hunting rifles are long guns, so 18 is the federal minimum from a dealer.

Item	Minimum age from a licensed dealer
Rifle or shotgun	18
Handgun	21

South Dakota purchase rules

South Dakota law (SDCL 23-7-9) says a pistol that is delivered must be securely wrapped and unloaded. A violation is a Class 1 misdemeanor. That rule is about pistols, not hunting rifles.

Check current rules on waiting periods, permits and magazines with the state attorney general, state police or your dealer.

Hunting basics from South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks

The GFP hunting page lists these big game species: antelope, bighorn sheep, deer, elk, mountain goat, mountain lion, buffalo and turkey. The page also links to license information, hunter education and the big game regulations.

Hunter education (HuntSAFE)

Required for ages 12 through 15.
Under 16: an in-person field day is needed (part of the in-person class, or after the online course).
Age 16 and up: an online independent study course is enough for certification.
Under 16 buying a license: a parent or guardian shows the card to the license agent.

Check the GFP license pages for nonresident rules before you travel.

Juniors

Per the 2026 big game regulations, juveniles under 16 must be accompanied by a parent, guardian or other responsible adult aged 18 or older while hunting. The adult must be unarmed unless they are lawfully carrying a pistol or hold a valid firearm big game license for the same area and time.

Choosing a rifle for South Dakota game

These rules come from the 2026 GFP big game regulations. Rules can change each season, so read the current booklet.

Game	Firearm rule
Deer and antelope	Shoulder-held firearms need ammunition rated for at least 1,000 foot-pounds of energy at the muzzle. Handguns need at least 500. Only soft-point or expanding bullets.
Elk	It is illegal to use firearms that produce less than 1,700 foot-pounds at the muzzle and are smaller than .243 caliber. Only soft-point or expanding bullets.
Turkey	Shoulder-held firearms need ammunition factory-rated for at least 700 foot-pounds at the muzzle. Muzzleloaders of .44 caliber or larger are also allowed. No rimfire, centerfire or muzzleloading rifle in the spring season.
Muzzleloaders	No big game with a muzzleloading rifle that fires a projectile under .44 caliber. In seasons restricted to muzzleloaders, no telescopic sights.

Other firearm limits for big game

No self-loading or auto-loading firearm that holds more than six cartridges or shells may be used on big game.
No firearm that can be operated as a full automatic may be used on big game or small game.

What this means for your pick: check the energy figure on the ammunition box against the 1,000 foot-pound rule, and choose soft-point or expanding bullets for deer.

FAQ

Can I have a rifle shipped to my house in South Dakota?

Usually not. The rifle goes to a licensed dealer, and you complete the transfer there. Ask the dealer about their forms and fees first.

Can I hunt deer with any rifle?

No. Per the 2026 GFP regulations, shoulder-held firearms need ammunition rated for at least 1,000 foot-pounds at the muzzle, with soft-point or expanding bullets. A self-loader holding more than six rounds is also not allowed on big game.