Best Time to See Mourning Doves in South Dakota
May, June and July is the best time to see mourning doves in South Dakota. Based on 406 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when mourning doves 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 July 20, 2026.
Mourning Dove · Marilynn Miller CC BY
Mourning Dove · Coryn Fox Corvus CC BY
Mourning Dove · Marilynn Miller CC BY
406 verified observations of mourning doves in South Dakota, recorded across 11 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When mourning doves are recorded in South Dakota
Peak month
May
94 records (23.2% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 2 | 0.5% |
| February | 1 | 0.2% |
| March | 6 | 1.5% |
| April | 54 | 13.3% |
| Maypeak | 94 | 23.2% |
| Junepeak | 81 | 20% |
| Julypeak | 71 | 17.5% |
| August | 56 | 13.8% |
| September | 35 | 8.6% |
| October | 5 | 1.2% |
| November | 1 | 0.2% |
| December | 0 | 0% |
Mourning Doves you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Mourning Dove | 406 |
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 mourning doves are active and what the weather is doing. The best months to look for mourning doves sit around 49 to 87 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" |
| Mar | 44°F | 25°F | 1.6" |
| Apr | 54°F | 34°F | 2.4" |
| Maybest time | 68°F | 49°F | 3.7" |
| Junbest time | 84°F | 63°F | 2.2" |
| Julbest time | 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.
Sightings of mourning doves in South Dakota peak in May, when 94 of the year's 406 verified observations are logged — about 23.2% of the annual total. Activity stays high through May, June and July.
The quietest stretch is December, February and November, when mourning doves are hardest to find — no verified records exist for December. If a reliable sighting matters, plan around the peak window rather than the off-season.
The mourning doves you are most likely to encounter in South Dakota are Mourning Dove — 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 mourning doves 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
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to see mourning doves in South Dakota?+
May is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through May, June and July, based on 406 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are mourning doves hardest to see in South Dakota?+
December is the quietest month for mourning doves in South Dakota, with no verified records on iNaturalist.
Are mourning doves active year-round in South Dakota?+
Mourning doves are recorded in 11 of 12 months in South Dakota, so they can be seen year-round, with a clear peak in May.
More wildlife in South Dakota