SD GFP NEWS FOR 10-16-09

 

 

 

Safety First This Pheasant Hunting Season

 

Pierre S.D.- Shouts of “rooster, rooster!” spread through South Dakota fields as pheasant season shifts into high gear.  While that excitement is part of the thrill of the hunt, Game, Fish and Parks officials also remind hunters to exercise caution and restraint, especially when flushing low-flying roosters.

 

During 2008, many of South Dakota’s reported hunting accidents occurred during pheasant hunts, quite often when hunters fired at low-flying birds.

 

“Several accidents occurred last hunting season where hunters swung their shotguns at birds and inadvertently fired in the direction of people in the background,” said Hunter Safety Program Specialist Curt Robertson.  “It’s important to know what’s beyond your target before you pull the trigger because someone’s life may depend on it.”

 

Hunters using the “walkers and blockers” method need to be extra careful.  Last year, several walkers and blockers were injured.

 

Whether walking a cornfield, milo field or chest-high weeds, hunters in groups are at risk for injury from shots fired at low-flying roosters.  “The shot string from a shotgun at a low-flying bird is typically at the upper body level,” Robertson noted, “resulting in injuries to the head, neck, chest and arms.”

 

Robertson stated that hunters should always wear orange hats, vests and protective shooting glasses.

 

“The key to a safe hunt is to know where all hunters in your party are at all times,” he said. “If you don’t know where they are, don’t shoot.”

 

The annual brood count taken last summer indicates that there are plenty of birds out there, Robertson said.

 

“Let the grass skimmers go and wait for the next chance.  It’s not worth the risk of injuring one of your hunting companions.” 

 

                                                            -GFP-

 

 

Moose Investigation Continues

 

RAPID CITY, S.D.- As the investigation into the poaching of a young bull moose in the Black Hills continues, South Dakota’s citizens are expressing concern over the incident; not just in the blogs, but also putting their money where their mouths are.

 

Turn In Poachers Coordinator Charlie Wharton says donations and pledges of  several thousand dollars have been offered toward a reward for the identification and arrest of the violators.

 

The reward that began with a $1,000 pledge from the TIPs board of directors has more than doubled and continues to grow.  Individuals, businesses and conservation groups are teaming up to bring the criminals to justice.

 

While conservation officers are working the case, South Dakota’s citizens are doing their part by not only giving money but also expressing dismay at the act.  Wharton says people are vocally supporting the investigation with e-mail messages to law enforcement and scribbled notes on the memo lines of checks.

 

With the reward approaching several thousand dollars, there is hope that someone has evidence that can bring the violator to justice, says Mike Kintigh, Game Fish and Parks Regional Supervisor for western South Dakota.

 

“We can have thousands of dollars at our disposal, but until that person who has information about the crime comes forward we can’t take the next step in the case,” he says.  “It’s wonderful that people care enough about their natural resources to give money; but a reward without information won’t catch the criminals.”

Anyone with information in the case can contact South Dakota’s Game, Fish, and Parks’ Regional Office in Rapid City by calling 605-394-6837.  Those wishing to remain anonymous can submit information through the Turn In Poacher’s Hotline at 1-888-OVERBAG (1-888-683-7224) or through a Web-based TIPs line at https://www.sdgfp.info/Wildlife/TIPS/AnonRepo.htm

                                                            -GFP-


 

GFP Surveying Walk-In Areas

 

PIERRE, S.D. – The South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks Department is reaching out to the hunting public to explore the use of hunting opportunities on private land that is leased for public hunting – known as Walk-In Areas.

 

Hunters using Walk-In Areas are being surveyed in the first of what will likely be a three-year evaluation of those areas are being used and how hunters use them.

 

GFP will focus particular attention on the northwestern part of the state with a more in-depth evaluation of those Walk-in Areas. GFP staff will record the use of select Walk-In Areas, and they will conduct personal interviews with returning hunters in some cases; in other cases, survey cards will be left on vehicles parked there.

 

“Leaving the card is a survey technique we hope the public will find convenient and easy to complete,” said Larry Gigliotti, GFP human dimension specialist.

 

“A very important part of the survey process will be to have all hunters complete the cards and mail them back to us as soon as possible,” he said.

  

Those who are surveyed will be asked what they were hunting, how often they hunt Walk-In Areas, and how they assessed their experience on a particular Walk-In Area.

 

Information will also be gathered from six other areas of the state, although personal interviews will not be conducted in those places.

 

The Walk-In Area program was started in 1987 as a way supplement public hunting opportunities by compensating private landowners who allow access to their land. Payments to landowners are based both on acreage and quality of habitat. There are 1.3 million acres enrolled in the Walk-In program, and GFP has budgeted $2.15 million for the 2009 Walk-In Area program.

 

                                                            -GFP-

 

 

 

13 Pheasant Season Reminders

 

Pheasant season brings family and friends together for exciting and fun memories, and the South Dakota Game Fish and Parks Department offers some reminders to make sure all hunters have safe and legal outings.

 

  1. The daily limit for pheasants is three, with a possession limit of 15; however a hunter cannot possess 15 pheasants until after the fifth day of the season.

 

  1. It is illegal to allow a firearm to protrude from a motor vehicle or conveyance attached to it while on a public highway during the hunting season.  This includes hunters riding to and from fields in the back of pickups.

 

  1. It is illegal to shoot from a motor vehicle, including an ATV while hunting pheasants.  This also includes hunters riding in the back of pickups to and from fields.

 

  1. When riding in an ATV, firearms must be completely enclosed in cases and unloaded. Landowners on their own land and those who have concealed pistol permits and carrying pistols are exempt from this provision.

 

 

  1.   It is illegal to shoot pheasants and other small game from ATVs, except for properly permitted disabled hunters.

 

  1. When small-game animals, such as pheasants, are lawfully shot from road rights-of-way and fall onto private land, those animals may be retrieved by unarmed hunters.  

 

  1. Don't forget your license. While hunting, you must be in possession of your hunting license; those 16 and older must also have a valid form of identification for the purpose of verifying identity.

 

  8.   The use of nontoxic shot for small game is required on most public lands, but not all.  Non-toxic shot is not required on U.S. Forest Service National Grasslands, state school lands or on most GFP-managed and leased properties designated at Walk-In Areas when hunting small game, such as pheasants or grouse.

 

     9.  Respect the land, landowners, and people in your hunting group.

 

     10.   Safety and enjoyment of friends and the outdoors leads to a successful hunt.

 

     11.   Leave your vehicle and your cares behind. Take the perfect walk in nature.

 

                                         -GFP-

 

 

     

Road Hunting Reminders

 

The South Dakota Game Fish and Parks Department reminds hunters about several road-hunting laws:

 

  1. No person may hunt a road right-of-way within 660 feet of schools, churches, occupied dwellings and livestock. Neither the person discharging the firearm nor the small-game animal being shot at may be within the 660-foot safety zone.

 

  1. While hunting a highway or public right-of-way, hunters may shoot small game (except doves) and waterfowl that take flight or originate from a public right-of-way or highway .  The hunter must be within the right-of-way and the game must have taken flight from within or be flying over the right-of-way.  The public right-of-way along a section line or other highway is open for hunting if:  the right-of-way has been commonly used by the public for vehicular travel, as demonstrated by the existence of a well worn trail or an intentional alteration or adaptation has been made to the right-of-way to enhance the natural terrain’s utility for vehicular travel or to permit vehicular travel where it was not possible before.  Remember that fences are not always on a right-of-way boundary or sometimes there is no fence.  Most section line rights-of-way are 66-feet wide.

 

  1. People must park or stop their vehicles as far to the right-hand side of the road as possible.

 

  1. If the person who discharges a firearm is more than 50 yards from the vehicle, the doors on the side of the vehicle nearest to the roadway must be closed, but the engine may remain running.

 

  1. If the person who discharges the firearm is less than 50 yards, all of the doors of the vehicle must be closed and the engine must be turned off.

 

  1. It is NOT legal to shoot small game and waterfowl that take flight from a public right-of-way over a Federal Refuge or Indian Tribal Trust Land.  If a state-licensed hunter shoots at a bird across the fence of either of those lands, the hunter may be subject to arrest by a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service officer.

 

  1. No person may discharge a firearm, muzzleloader, crossbow, or bow and arrow at any big-game animal, except turkeys, from within the right-of-way of an improved public highway. Turkeys may be taken with a shotgun using shotshells or with a bow and arrow within the right-of way.

 

  1. A person may not discharge a firearm or other weapon across from any Black Hills National Forest system road.

 

  1. Any person while hunting a road right-of-way who negligently endangers another person or puts that person in fear of imminent serious bodily harm is guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor.

 

  1. When in doubt, don’t shoot.

 

 

                                                            -GFP-

 

 

 

Four S.D. State Parks to host Halloween weekend events

PIERRE, S.D. – Four South Dakota State Parks will provide venues for trick-or-treaters this Halloween season. Hikes at Big Sioux Recreation Area near Brandon, LaFramboise Island Nature Area in Pierre , Custer State Park near Custer, and a fall open house at Fort Sisseton Historic State Park near Lake City will show families that Halloween can be a fun and educational holiday.

 

“Fall is a beautiful time to take your family to the parks," said Lynn Spomer, visitor services coordinator with the Division of Parks and Recreation. "We have fun, educational opportunities going on in every corner of the state. These are great opportunities for families to spend time outdoors this fall.”

 

Make plans to attend one of the following events:

·         Spooktacular “Trick or Treat” Trails, Saturday, Oct. 24 at Big Sioux Recreation Area near Brandon. Big Sioux’s trails will provide lots of Halloween fun. Participants can follow reflective signs with their flashlights on a scavenger hunt and gather prizes and treats at stops along the trail. Hot chocolate, cider and coffee will be available at the park’s picnic shelter. Bring a flashlight. The activities run from 5 to 8 p.m. CDT. For information,  call 605-582-7243.

·         Fall Open House, Saturday, Oct. 24, from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. CDT at Fort Sisseton Historic State Park near Lake City. Get transported back to the 1860’s and experience living history demonstrations, wagon rides, crafts and old-fashioned games like jacks, pick-up sticks or checkers. Listen as storytellers share tales of Fort ghosts and legends. Tours of the Fort’s buildings will be offered at 1:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. For information, call 605-448-5474.

·         Trick or Treat Trails, Sunday, Oct. 25 at LaFramboise Island Nature Area in Pierre. A trick-or-treat trail marked by reflective signs will guide participants through the wooded nature area. Trick-or-treaters can gather prizes, informational material and treats by visiting event sponsors at stops along the trail. Bring a flashlight. The Halloween fun runs from 4:30 to 8 p.m. CDT. For information, call 605-773-2885.

·         Halloween Night Hike, Oct. 23 and 24 at Custer State Park near Custer. Little “ghouls” and boys will love this one-of-a-kind Halloween Night Hike. The two-mile guided hike takes place every 15 minutes between 5:30-8:30 p.m. MDT.  This year’s theme is “Celebrate a Century: 1909-2009” in honor of South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks’ 100th Anniversary. Participants travel down a paved bicycle path lit by Jack-o-Lanterns. Along the way, five costumed characters will act out humorous skits depicting some South Dakota state symbols, including the coyote and rose quartz. Participants will be educated as well as entertained! Reservations are required. For information or reservations, call 605-255-4464.

 

There is no cost to participate in any of those events, although a park entrance license is required at Custer, Big Sioux and Fort Sisseton. Participants are asked to wear comfortable hiking shoes and dress for the weather. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Costumes are encouraged for the hikes but not required.

 

Special events are held at South Dakota state parks year-round. For more information on state parks or to see a calendar of upcoming events, visit www.SDparks.info or call (605) 773-3391.

 

- GFP -