Owls in South Dakota in October
Yes, October is a good month to see owls in South Dakota. It is the 4th busiest month of the year, with 111 of the 923 sightings logged across the year (12%), based on verified iNaturalist records.
By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated June 28, 2026.
Good month for owls in South Dakota
12%
of yearly sightings
111
records in October
#4
busiest month of 12
923
verified records a year
September 4.7%, October 12%, November 6.6%. Busiest month is June at 18.1%.
923 verified observations of owls in South Dakota, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When owls are recorded in South Dakota
Peak month
June
167 records (18.1% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 37 | 4% |
| February | 31 | 3.4% |
| March | 34 | 3.7% |
| April | 78 | 8.5% |
| Maypeak | 142 | 15.4% |
| Junepeak | 167 | 18.1% |
| Julypeak | 130 | 14.1% |
| August | 59 | 6.4% |
| September | 43 | 4.7% |
| October | 111 | 12% |
| November | 61 | 6.6% |
| December | 30 | 3.3% |
Owls you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Burrowing Owl | 383 |
| Great Horned Owl | 196 |
| Northern Saw-whet Owl | 150 |
| Short-eared Owl | 67 |
| Eastern Screech-Owl | 45 |
| Snowy Owl | 42 |
| Long-eared Owl | 20 |
| Barred Owl | 6 |
In South Dakota, October carries 12% of the year's owls sightings, about 3.7 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 4th busiest of the twelve months, out of 12 months with recorded activity.
Activity is rising from September (4.7%) into October, and it heads toward November (6.6%) after. The busiest month is June (18.1%), so if timing is flexible, that window is the safer bet.
The owls most often recorded in South Dakota are Burrowing Owl, Great Horned Owl and Northern Saw-whet Owl. Those counts are annual totals rather than a October split, so treat them as which species you are likely to encounter, while the month figures above show how many sightings fall in October itself.
Which owls you are most likely to see
- Burrowing Owl383 records
- Great Horned Owl196 records
- Northern Saw-whet Owl150 records
- Short-eared Owl67 records
- Eastern Screech-Owl45 records
- Snowy Owl42 records
Plan your owl trip in South Dakota
Start with live tours near Badlands National Park, then compare a nearby stay and a broader wildlife backup before you lock in the trip.
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Live tours nearbySee live tours near Badlands National Park
Use the live GetYourGuide widget to compare local departures and activity styles close to the main owl viewing area.
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Gear to see them
Frequently asked questions
Can you see owls in South Dakota in October?+
Yes. October accounts for 111 of the 923 verified owls sightings logged in South Dakota across the year, which is 12% of the annual total.
Is October a good time to see owls in South Dakota?+
October is the 4th busiest month. It is workable, though June and May is the stronger window for a reliable sighting.
What month is best for owls in South Dakota?+
June is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through June, May and July, based on 923 verified observations.
Which owls are you most likely to see in South Dakota?+
The most-recorded species in South Dakota are Burrowing Owl, Great Horned Owl and Northern Saw-whet Owl, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.
See owls in South Dakota in other months
More places to see owls
More wildlife in South Dakota