I have an up coming duck hunting trip, first ever to SD, and thought I was all set. That is until talking with another hunter about camping. In his view, SD doesn't allow ANY camping unless it's a campground with a reserved campsite. This is obviously impossible for a hunting trip. Prior to this, reading from the hunting regulations, it states that camping is generally allowed on most public land types unless posted prohibited. I sent an email, and quickly got a response that camping is NOT allowed on public lands, with no farther information. I then called the information phone number, and talking with the person there said just like the rule book that camping is allowed on most public land. In his words "there is no law prohibiting it".
So I'm at a crossroads. I planned motel stays in the budget just incase, but fully intended on camping all 6 nights near wherever I find the birds. Now, I am not going to show up to a slough and set up my huge 5th wheel and blare music. That isn't good anywhere. All I'm looking for is a place to sleep, either in the truck, or the tent/hammock. I can live without a fire, although I prefer it, I'm really just looking for a place to park overnight.
In MN we cannot camp in WMA, WPA, or WIA (maybe with permission from the owner?). The only other type of public land we really have is state forest, and there is a ton of it, you can camp as you please within reason. If nothing else there is always a trail head or parking area somewhere.
SD on the other hand has barely any state forest, but a million little bits of state land of many types. WPA, WIA, GPA, CREP, SPL, and quite a few other types. I'm betting I cannot camp in WIA, CREP, lands, and WPA is iffy. What about GPA, SPL, grasslands, or any other types?