SD GFP NEWS FOR 10-8-09

 

Thompson receives SDPRA Professional Service Award
PIERRE, S.D. – Pat Thompson of Pierre was honored with the South Dakota Parks and Recreation Association’s (SDPRA) Professional Service Award at their annual conference held recently in Rapid City.

A twenty-year member of SDPRA, Thompson has held several offices for the association including secretary/treasurer, President Elect, President and was South Dakota’s representative for the National Parks and Recreation Association.

Thompson began with the state Division of Parks and Recreation as a seasonal employee at Palisades State Park in 1988 and has since worked full-time at Lewis and Clark Recreation Area, Palisades State Park, and Angostura Recreation Area. He is currently employed as the Oahe/Sharpe regional park supervisor for South Dakota state parks stationed at Farm Island Recreation Area.

In presenting the award, South Dakota Division of Parks and Recreation assistant director Bob Schneider applauded Thompson’s dedication to the parks and recreation profession and to the people of South Dakota. “Pat is always willing to go the extra mile to improve park and recreation offerings and to protect our natural resources in South Dakota,” said Schneider. “He is a role model for our young park managers who wish to be leaders in the parks and recreation field.”    

-GFP-


Division of Parks and Recreation Honors Employees
PIERRE, S.D. - The South Dakota Division of Parks and Recreation recently recognized several individuals for their dedication and hard work in the State Parks system. The awards were part of the division’s fall meeting held recently in Rapid City.

“This year’s honorees were all very deserving,” said Doug Hofer, director of the Division of Parks and Recreation. "The dedication of these individuals can be seen in parks across the state and is enjoyed by the many visitors to South Dakota state parks and recreation areas each year."

Dallas Ingles of Lemmon received the 2009 South Dakota State Parks Distinguished Service Award. Ingles has been park manager at Shadehill Recreation Area for over thirty years. “When Dallas began at Shadehill, few improvements had been made to the park,” stated Hofer. Hofer credits Ingles for his ingenuity and hard work that has transformed Shadehill into a premier recreation area within South Dakota’s state park system.

Dennis Williams of Pierre received one of the two Awards of Appreciation. “Dennis has been employed with Game, Fish and Parks for 44 years,” said Hofer. “He has worked with many different aspects of facility development and resource protection within the department, which makes him a very valuable employee.”

The other Award of Appreciation went to Jason Bauman of Brandon. “Over the years that Jason has been with us, I have watched him grow immensely,” said Mark Steck, regional park supervisor. “He has vision and lots of confidence in himself. He doesn’t look for a lot of credit, he simply does a great job day in-day out.”

Two team awards were given out this year. One was presented to the park staff that helped integrate the new “Point of  Sale” computer system at parks statewide. The system incorporates real-time camping reservations and allows park visitors to use credit cards at the parks. Contributing to the effort were Vicki Kist, John Christensen, Justin Thede, Derek Dorr, Lance Catron, Travis Theilen, Jim Straight, Brad Nelson, Lynn Spomer, Michelle Delaney, and Steve Papendick.  “These individuals put in countless hours developing procedures, testing system components and providing input to programmers,” according to assistant director Bob Schneider. “Because of their efforts, the public has a user-friendly system that makes it more convenient to pay for park services.”    

The Spring Creek Marina breakwater development team received the second teamwork award. “Lake Oahe is a true treasure for South Dakota and the efforts of this team have ensured that reliable, quality marina services will be there for the enjoyment of South Dakotans and our guests,” said Assistant Division Director Al Nedved. “Assembling this marina and breakwater required a tremendous amount of planning, precision and cooperation. It simply could not have been done if it were not for this team of committed individuals.” Members of the team include Pat Buscher, Travis Theilen, Henry “Tuck” Durham, Ross Hatheway, Ryan Persoon, Joe Miklos, Levi Akerman, Pat Redden, Dennis Williams, Sean Blanchette, Stephanie Griese, Kelcey Abbott, and Marlin Fallon.

The 2009 Seasonal of the Year Award was given to Mark Mewshaw. Mewshaw has always been a problem solver and has played a major role in planning, organizing and implementing the annual Buffalo Roundup and Arts Festival. “Mark is team player who supports the big picture and is a pleasure to work with each and every day,” said Craig Pugsley, visitor services coordinator for Custer State Park.

Joan and Odean Deutsch were named the South Dakota State Park Volunteers of the Year. The couple have been campground hosts at Angostura Recreation Area for the last five years. “Joan and Odean go above and beyond their job description,” said Angostura park manager Willy Collingnon. “They clean bathrooms, pick up garbage, mow, clean fire pits – anything that needs to be done.” Joan and Odean have each put in over 3000 volunteer hours at Angostura. “These two have been a great asset to me over the years and will continue to be a friend to the park and me for many years to come,” added Collingnon.

-GFP-

 

GFP Proposal Would Simplify Fish Length Rules

 

PIERRE, S.D. – The South Dakota Game Fish and Parks Commission has proposed several regulation changes in an attempt to simplify size limits for walleyes and largemouth and smallmouth bass.

 

The regulations are an attempt to eliminate unnecessary length and daily limit variations and combine them into fewer options.  An experimental regulation option will also be included to allow biologists to implement special regulations when necessary.  Water bodies with regulations for bass and walleyes not falling under the new regulation would have statewide regulations of five fish daily for largemouth and smallmouth bass, and four fish daily, with just one being over 20 inches for walleye/sauger/hybrid. 

 

For largemouth and smallmouth bass, lakes will fall into two regulations:  

 

1.   A 15-inch minimum length limit

2.   A 14-18 inch protected slot limit, with one fish over 18 inches

 

 

For walleye/sauger/hybrid, lakes will fall into four regulations:

 

1.   A 15-inch minimum length limit, two fish daily, with one over 20 inches

2.   A 15-inch minimum length limit, four fish daily, with one over 20 inches

3.   A 15-inch minimum length limit, four fish daily, with one over 20 inches,

      with a July-August minimum length exemption.

4.      A 28-inch minimum length limit, one fish daily

 

“We are attempting to standardize fish limits and make it easier for anglers to understand and comply with management regulations,” said GFP Fisheries Program  Administrator Geno Adams.  “All lakes are unique and need to be managed to maximize fishing opportunities, but we realized that limiting unnecessary regulations will minimize confusion for anglers.”

 

The GFP Commission also proposed extending the area without daily or possession limits for catfish on the Grand River to include the area from where the river crosses Highway 73 to Shadehill Reservoir; changing the northern pike daily limit on the Missouri River and Lake Pocasse to six; changing the daily limit of yellow perch on Reetz Lake to 10 with no length limit; and removing the catch-and-release restrictions for anglers 16 years and older and water specific harvest limits for all anglers from Snake Creek Pond.

 

 

For a list of waters affected in the proposed rule changes, visit:

http://www.sdgfp.info/Commission/Proposals/0910%20Fish%20Limits%20Proposal.pdf

 

People who would like to provide written comments on the proposal may do so until 5 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 4. Comments may be mailed to: Game, Fish and Parks Commission, 523 E. Capitol Ave., Pierre, S.D., 57501, or e-mailed to wildinfo@state.sd.us

 

All comments must have senders’ full names and addresses in order to become part of the public record.

 

Comments may also be presented in person at the Nov. 5 GFP Commission meeting in Pierre at the Ramkota Hotel, during the 2 p.m. CDT public hearing.

 

-GFP-

 

 

Changes to Paddlefish Snagging and Baitfish Regulations Proposed

 

PIERRE, S.D. – The South Dakota Game Fish and Parks Commission has proposed rules changes that would affect people participating in the paddlefish snagging season and fishing in the Black Hills Trout Management Area.

 

The proposal for the paddlefish snagging season would clarify that all snagging for paddlefish and rough fish must cease upon successfully tagging and harvesting a paddlefish. 

 

Anglers fishing in the Black Hills Trout Management area and other specified waters where use or possession of live baitfish are restricted would be able to use dead or frozen baitfish, if a second proposal is finalized.

 

People who would like to provide written comments on the proposals may do so until 5 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 4. Comments may be mailed to: Game, Fish and Parks Commission, 523 E. Capitol Ave., Pierre, S.D., 57501, or e-mailed to wildinfo@state.sd.us

 

All comments must have senders’ full names and addresses in order to become part of the public record.

 

Comments may also be presented in person at the Nov. 5 GFP Commission meeting in Pierre at the Ramkota Hotel, during the 2 p.m. CDT public hearing.

 

-GFP-

 

 

 

 

 

Boating Safety for Hunters

 

PIERRE, S.D. – With South Dakota’s waterfowl season in full swing, the Game, Fish and Parks Department has safety tips for hunters using boats.

 

Charlie Wharton, boating safety coordinator for GFP, says there are some basic steps to  help ensure the safety of those using boats:

 

1. Remember that South Dakota does not make a distinction between boats, duck boats and hunting boats. State law defines a boat as “every description of watercraft, other than a seaplane on the water, used or capable of being used as a means of transportation on water”. That means any boat used in hunting is subject to the same requirements as other recreational boats – life jackets, lighting, registration, and numbering.

 

2. State law also limits the use of boats in hunting. Unless you are using oars or paddles, you may not hunt or shoot from any propelled boat unless it is beached, anchored,  fastened to any type of fixed hunting blind or natural cover, or is being used only for picking up dead or injured birds.

 

3. Be cautious of hypothermia. Much of waterfowl hunting is done in cold air and water temperatures. According to research, body heat can be lost in water at a rate 25 times faster than in air. In 40-degree water, that means symptoms of hypothermia may occur in 15 minutes or less. When dressing for a day on the water; don’t just think about the air temperature: Make precautions for inadvertently falling into the water. Wear external clothing that can keep you afloat even in the coldest water. Whether it’s something as simple as an inflatable lifejacket or as advanced as modern float coats, easily staying afloat is the best chance you have of making it out of the water. Finally, don’t forget that drinking alcohol may seem to have a warming effect, but it will actually speed the onset of hypothermia, another reminder that hunting and drinking don’t mix.

 

“Make it a point to enjoy South Dakota’s great autumn weather and activities, but please do it legally and safely,” Wharton says.

 

--GFP--