Best Time to See Hawks in South Dakota
April, May and March is the best time to see hawks in South Dakota. Based on 2,022 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when hawks are most active across the year in South Dakota.
By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated June 28, 2026.
Ferruginous Hawk · Anne C Lewis CC BY
Red-tailed Hawk · Matt Muir CC BY
Bald Eagle · Curtis Meyers CC BY-SA
2,022 verified observations of hawks in South Dakota, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When hawks are recorded in South Dakota
Peak month
April
264 records (13.1% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 187 | 9.2% |
| February | 136 | 6.7% |
| Marchpeak | 195 | 9.6% |
| Aprilpeak | 264 | 13.1% |
| Maypeak | 199 | 9.8% |
| June | 122 | 6% |
| July | 127 | 6.3% |
| August | 189 | 9.3% |
| September | 172 | 8.5% |
| October | 130 | 6.4% |
| November | 142 | 7% |
| December | 159 | 7.9% |
Hawks you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Bald Eagle | 601 |
| Red-tailed Hawk | 526 |
| Northern Harrier | 169 |
| Rough-legged Hawk | 149 |
| Swainson's Hawk | 126 |
| Cooper's Hawk | 115 |
| Golden Eagle | 111 |
| Sharp-shinned Hawk | 73 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in South Dakota
Recent typical conditions by month, so you can plan a trip around both when hawks are active and what the weather is doing. The best months to look for hawks sit around 25 to 68 degrees Fahrenheit, so pack for that.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 31°F | 16°F | 0.5" |
| Feb | 31°F | 11°F | 0.7" |
| Marbest time | 44°F | 25°F | 1.6" |
| Aprbest time | 54°F | 34°F | 2.4" |
| Maybest time | 68°F | 49°F | 3.7" |
| Jun | 84°F | 63°F | 2.2" |
| Jul | 87°F | 67°F | 2.5" |
| Aug | 86°F | 66°F | 1.6" |
| Sep | 78°F | 58°F | 2.1" |
| Oct | 58°F | 40°F | 2" |
| Nov | 46°F | 29°F | 0.8" |
| Dec | 35°F | 19°F | 1.3" |
Typical recent conditions (5-year means) from the Open-Meteo archive, averaged for South Dakota. Weather varies year to year, so treat these as a guide.
More on hawks in South Dakota:
Sightings of hawks in South Dakota peak in April, when 264 of the year's 2,022 verified observations are logged — about 13.1% of the annual total. Activity stays high through April, May and March.
The quietest stretch is June, July and October, when hawks are hardest to find — June sees just 122 records. If a reliable sighting matters, plan around the peak window rather than the off-season.
The hawks you are most likely to encounter in South Dakota are Bald Eagle, Red-tailed Hawk and Northern Harrier — the most-recorded species in the state. Each keeps its own seasonal rhythm, but the month-by-month pattern above reflects every reported sighting together.
Where to go
Best places to see hawks in South Dakota
- Badlands National Park — National Park
- Jewel Cave National Monument — National Monument
- Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail — National Historic Trail
- Missouri National Recreational River — National Recreational River
- Wind Cave National Park — National Park
- Minuteman Missile National Historic Site — National Historic Site
Gear to see them
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to see hawks in South Dakota?+
April is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through April, May and March, based on 2,022 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are hawks hardest to see in South Dakota?+
June is the quietest month for hawks in South Dakota, with only 122 verified records.
Are hawks active year-round in South Dakota?+
Hawks are recorded in 12 of 12 months in South Dakota, so they can be seen year-round, with a clear peak in April.
More places to see hawks
More wildlife in South Dakota