{"data":{"id":"us-sd/sdcl-41-8-17.1","jurisdiction":"us-sd","citation":"SDCL § 41-8-17.1","heading":"Spotlighting and artificial lighting--Prohibitions--Exceptions--Violation as misdemeanor.","body":"Except as otherwise provided in § 41-8-17, between 10 p.m. and sunrise, from September first to January thirty-first, inclusive, no person may cast the rays of a spotlight, or any artificial light other than a motor vehicle headlight, into any field, pasture, woodland, forest, or prairie, for the purpose of spotting or locating any wild animal.\nNotwithstanding the prohibitions of this section:\n(1) A person owning or occupying land and up to two guests may use night-vision equipment, a spotlight, or other artificial light, on the person's land; and\n(2) An employee of the Department of Game, Fish and Parks may, while performing the person's duty, use night vision equipment and artificial lights.\nFor purposes of this section, \"artificial light\" means a man-made light or lighting device that projects lumination for an unaided eye.\nFor purposes of this section, \"night-vision equipment\" means an electronic or battery-powered device that enhances a person's ability to see in the dark.\nA violation of this section is a Class 2 misdemeanor.","path":["TITLE 41. GAME, FISH, PARKS AND FORESTRY","CHAPTER 41-8. HUNTING AND TRAPPING SEASONS AND METHODS"],"source_url":"https://sdlegislature.gov/Statutes/41-8-17.1","current_through":"2026-08-31","vintage":"","retrieved_at":"2026-09-03T15:18:57Z","sha256":"6e53fb68be1dd1f05e90341953fb886208757829ca8792246f5003672455d9e9","source_id":"us-sd","stale":true,"prev":"us-sd/sdcl-41-8-17","next":"us-sd/sdcl-41-8-18"},"notice":"GroundRules: Original legal text. Not legal advice."}