BELLE FOURCHE, S.D. — The Bureau of Land Management is now accepting sealed bids for two cattle-grazing allotment leases in the Fort Meade Recreation Area for the 2026–28 grazing seasons.
Bids for Item 1 and/or Item 2 must be delivered to the BLM South Dakota Field Office, 309 Bonanza St., Belle Fourche, SD 57717, by 3 p.m. Jan. 12, 2026. A public bid opening will follow at 3:15 p.m. All bids are final.
A field tour of the allotments will begin at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2025, at the Alkali Creek Campground in the Fort Meade Recreation Area. To reach the campground, take Exit 34 off Interstate 90, drive east past the VA chapel and continue a half-mile northeast on Horse Soldier Road.
Weather-related updates will be posted on the BLM Eastern Montana Dakotas Facebook page. Interested parties may also contact the South Dakota Field Office.
Item 1 — Bear Butte Allotment:
• 2,990 acres located one mile east of Sturgis, north of Highway 34
• Provides 1,261 animal unit months of forage
• Authorizes 129–227 head of cattle, depending on weight
• Grazing season: May 15–Oct. 30
• Managed under a five-pasture deferred-rotation system
Item 2 — Fort Meade Allotment:
• 2,608 acres located one mile east of Sturgis, south of Highway 34
• Provides 562 animal unit months of forage
• Authorizes 80–140 head of cattle, depending on weight
• Grazing season: June 15–Oct. 15
• Managed under a four-pasture deferred-rotation system
Detailed land descriptions, bidding requirements and submission forms are available from the BLM at the address above. For more information, contact Carmen Drieling at 605-892-7011 or Carlie Grine at 605-892-7008.
