· Eight Stranded on Sandbar Rescued by Conservation Officer, Deputy
· Lake Sharpe Smallmouth Bass Study Update Available on GFP Web site
· Fire, Grazing Help Restore Native Grasses
· The Controversial Life of a Cormorant
· Slide Show Updates Hatchery Renovation Project
· GFP Commission to Meet in Pierre
· Bowhunter Education Now Available Online
· S.D. State Parks Host Family Activities on Father’s Day Weekend
· A Day in the Life of Paul Beckwith
Eight Stranded on Sandbar Rescued by Conservation Officer, Deputy
WAGNER, S.D.—Low water on the Missouri River led to the high drama of a rescue mission on Saturday.
A S.D. Game, Fish and Parks Department conservation officer and a Charles Mix County deputy were able to rescue eight people—three adults and five children—from rushing water that had them trapped on a sandbar below Fort Randall Dam.
GFP Conservation Officer Nick Fleury, who’s stationed in Wagner, was 10 miles north of Lake Andes when he and Deputy Ryan Rucktaeschel got the call about 2:30 p.m. concerning six people stranded on the sandbar. They quickly made their way to a boat launch.
According to Fleury, the water below the dam was uncharacteristically low that day, causing many campers staying at Randall Creek State Recreation Area to wander out into the low water to go exploring. “It’s not very often that the water’s as low as it was,” Fleury said.
One group of explorers consisted of six campers from Brandon, an adult and five children ranging in age from 3 to 11. They waded out to the sandbar which was about half a mile from the shore at the recreation area.
When the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers releases water, a horn sounds as a warning. “They heard the first horn and didn’t know what it meant,” Fleury said. After a second horn sounded they figured out what the warning was for and got about halfway to shore before the current got too strong.
With the water rising, they gathered on a small area that was the highest point of the sandbar. Two adults on shore--one from Viborg and the other from Coleridge, Neb.--saw what was happening, grabbed five youth lifejackets and they were able to make their way to the sandbar.
The drama in the river began to attract attention on shore with some in the crowd of more than 50 people wanting to mount a rescue attempt. Fleury said park manager Jon Corey wisely dissuaded the would-be rescuers. “That current was really whipping,” Fleury said.
When the CO and the deputy arrived at the sandbar, the water was just up over the waists of the adults who were trying their best to keep children out of the flowing water. “The adults were having a hard time standing up against the current,” Fleury said.
Once they were loaded in the boat and safely back to shore, the wet folks gathered in Fleury’s pickup while he cranked the heater on high. “When the releases come through like that, the water’s cold,” Fleury said. “It comes right off the bottom of the dam.”
There were no injuries in the incident. “Everybody was fine,” Fleury said, “just a little shaken up.”
“Those folks were lucky Nick and the deputy were nearby and that the park manager had the presence of mind to keep folks on shore,” said Curt Robertson, boating safety coordinator for GFP. “This story had a happy ending, but it could very well have resulted in tragedy. The moral is that even low water can be dangerous and that anyone out on the water—boaters and swimmers—should always be aware of their surroundings.”
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Lake Sharpe Smallmouth Bass Study Update Available on GFP Web site
PIERRE, S.D.--Smallmouth bass regulations for Lake Sharpe were changed in 2003 as part of a new management objective and progress toward that objective is being annually monitored. A preliminary report on changes in the Lake Sharpe fishery during the first four years of those regulations is currently available on the S.D. Game, Fish and Parks Department Web site at http://www.sdgfp.info/Wildlife/fishing/LakeSharpe/Sharpebass.pdf.
Length limits for smallmouth bass on Sharpe have been in effect since 2003 and require all bass equal to or longer than 12 inches and less than 18 inches to be immediately released. Smallmouth bass shorter than 12 inches may be kept and at most one bass 18 inches or longer may be kept as part of the five fish daily limit.
“The objective of the new regulations is to increase the number of smallmouth bass longer than 16 inches in Lake Sharpe but not increase the actual number of fish,” said John Lott, a GFP fisheries biologist in Pierre. “The idea was to protect larger fish and encourage harvest of smaller fish, to accomplish the new objective.”
“A lot of anglers have questions about how the regulations are working and if Game, Fish and Parks has documented an increase in the average size or number of bass in Lake Sharpe or any negative impacts on other species,” said Lott. “That’s why we’ve placed an update of this project on the Game, Fish and Parks Web site under the Lake Sharpe fishing forecast.”
Lott said reaction to the new regulations has been mixed. About 60 percent of anglers interviewed last year had no opinion on the smallmouth bass regulations while the rest of anglers interviewed were equally split between those opposing and favoring the regulations.
“Some anglers think protecting larger bass is the best thing Game, Fish, and Parks has ever done for fisheries, while other anglers think we are ruining the walleye fishing by protecting bass,” Lott said. “Other anglers would just like to keep a few of the fish that are protected during periods of the year when walleyes or other species may be hard to catch.”
Data collected so far does not support the idea some anglers have that smallmouth bass are hurting the walleye fishing on Lake Sharpe. “Changes in the walleye fishing from year to year, in terms of the number and sizes of walleyes anglers catch, is more tied to how production of young walleye was three to four years previous than the influence of smallmouth bass or any other fish species on walleyes,” Lott said. The highest production of young walleyes since the mid 1990s occurred in 2005 and 2006 in Lake Sharpe, at a time when some anglers believed smallmouth bass numbers were increasing.
“Some anglers believe smallmouth bass must be eating a lot of young walleyes each year and competing with walleyes for food,” said Lott.
The eating habits of fish are a topic of research with South Dakota State University in the second year of conducting an intensive study of the diets of predator fish in Lake Sharpe. While shad are certainly the main food fish eaten by both smallmouth bass and walleyes, there are generally enough shad produced each year to meet the needs of all predator fish. However, young shad become large enough for predators to eat by July and the majority of young shad die during the winter because they do not do well at cold water temperatures.
“This means walleyes and smallmouth bass will both be on the bite during May and June, as will white bass, another species that feeds on shad,” Lott said.
Initial plans were to leave the regulations in place for at least five years and 2007 is the fifth year.
“We are considering a few different management options for the smallmouth fishery in Lake Sharpe,” Lott said. “The decision-making process will include information gathered from anglers at boat ramps, information from the SDSU diet study and fish population surveys,” said Lott.
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Fire, Grazing Help Restore Native Grasses
CANTON, S.D.—Anyone watching the Game Production Areas in South Dakota this spring might wonder about the kind of management practices being employed.
Some of the GPAs were intentionally set on fire. On other GPAs, cattle are grazing. It may all leave the casual observer wondering, is this any way to help wildlife?
The answer: yes.
“Prescribed burns and grazing are used to establish and improve the vitality of native grasses,” according to Tom Petry, a conservation officer for the S.D. Game, Fish and Parks Department who is stationed in Lincoln County. “Because they provide a thicker overhead canopy of cover, native grasses are more desirable to nesting birds than introduced grasses such as brome.”
Tall native prairie grasses—big bluestem, Indian grass and switchgrass—thrived on the open plains. Nature managed the grasses using two forces, fires started by lightning strikes and grazing buffalo herds.
“Today we can imitate those natural forces with controlled prescribed burns and intensive grazing by cattle,” Petry said.
Of the two management techniques, fire is the trickiest to control and the most dangerous. Prescribed burns are conducted by qualified GFP personnel or contracted to local fire departments. Properly run prescribed burns operate off a strict protocol of guidelines to ensure that the fire does not escape from the designated area. According to Petry, GPAs in his area have had four prescribed burns already this spring.
“The fire inhibits the growth of brome, a cool season grass that grows mainly in April and early May,” Petry said. “At the same time, it promotes the growth of warm season native grasses that begin to grow in May and early June.”
Prescribed burns may also inhibit the growth of cedar trees which, if left unchecked, can spread quickly and choke out grasses.
The next step in imitating the forces of nature is intensive grazing which starts in May and can extend into June.
Cattle strip off the grass right down to the ground, helping to create the firm seed bed that native grasses require. “Broadcast seeding of natural grasses during the graze allows the natural hoof action of the cattle to work the seed into the ground,” Petry said.
Grazing, like all things in nature, takes time to make its changes on the land. “The best results come from using grazing two or three years in succession to push back the brome until the native grasses are established,” Petry said.
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The Controversial Life of a Cormorant
PIERRE, S.D.--The double-crested cormorant is not an attractive bird by human standards. Its face lacks feathers, the body is a uniform black color, and the cormorant is not the most graceful flier.
Some consider the cormorant’s almost exclusively fish diet to be its most unattractive trait, causing some anglers to be concerned about the impact of the species on South Dakota’s fisheries.
“We are starting to hear from anglers who see cormorants congregating and feeding on lakes in southeastern South Dakota during the spring,” said Todd St. Sauver, regional fisheries manager for the S.D. Game, Fish and Parks Department who is stationed in Sioux Falls. “They are concerned the birds are hurting fish populations. Cormorants eat the fish that are abundant and easy to catch. They do not specifically target game fish. They prefer small, slow-moving fish found in shallow water near shore.”
Cormorant populations are increasing in North America. GFP is funding an inventory to learn more about colonial nesting birds in the state. The three-year study, conducted in coordination the Rocky Mountain Bird Observatory, will conclude at the end of 2007. The project is funded with State Wildlife Grants, a federal match opportunity for state wildlife agencies to learn more about rare and nongame fish and wildlife species and their habitats.
The project is providing baseline information about waterbird species that nest in colonies, such as herons, egrets, gulls, terns and cormorants. An additional product will be a monitoring system to allow GFP and cooperators to detect future population changes.
According to Nancy Drilling, project coordinator, “What we’ve learned from the colonial waterbird survey is that cormorants in southeastern South Dakota are usually migrating birds on their way to nesting colonies in other parts of the state. We have documented that nearly 60 percent of cormorants breeding in South Dakota nest in northeastern South Dakota, where they find abundant nesting and foraging habitat. It’s very difficult to show that cormorants are reducing game fish populations in South Dakota. We can’t apply what is happening in Minnesota or Wisconsin to South Dakota, since these birds are so opportunistic depending on local conditions. South Dakota’s colonial waterbird inventory will help SDGFP compare future populations of cormorants and other species against the baseline condition to allow better conclusions about which species are increasing and which are decreasing.”
In the meantime, the cormorant will undoubtedly continue to generate its share of controversy, whether warranted or not.
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Slide Show Updates Hatchery Renovation Project
PIERRE, S.D.—A slide show on the S.D. Game, Fish and Parks Department Web site will allow all South Dakotans to keep tabs on the renovation project at Cleghorn Springs State Fish Hatchery.
Work on renovating the fish hatchery on the west side of Rapid City began in September of 2006. The $6 million dollar project is aimed at increasing the efficiency of the hatchery and renovating rearing facilities that have deteriorated from normal wear and tear over the last 34 years.
“Now anyone with access to an Internet connection can keep up on the progress of the renovation,” said William Sayler, hatchery manager. “This is a major project for the department and we want to make sure citizens are able to keep up on its progress. As the renovation project continues, we’ll be able to update the slide show.”
The hatchery, which raises trout and salmon for distribution into South Dakota waters, was originally dedicated in 1930. The facility had major renovations in the 1940s and again in the 1970s after the Rapid City flood.
The renovation project includes:
· The replacement of the current raceways with 32, 20-foot diameter circular tanks which will be covered by a building.
· A new more efficient water pumping and delivery system.
· Modification of the existing hatchery building will include updates to the early fish rearing systems and the addition of a laboratory.
· A storage, shop and office building will also be constructed.
Sayler noted that the slide show is a welcome addition to the Web site because public access at the site is limited during construction. GFP is manning a hatchery office during the renovation project.
The GFP Web site address is www.sdgfp.info. On the home page, choose the heading “Wildlife, Hunting and Fishing.” Then click on “Fishing” and on the main fishing page scroll down to the bottom of the page and click on “Cleghorn Springs State Fish Hatchery.”
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GFP Commission to Meet in Pierre
PIERRE, S.D.—A public hearing about South Dakota’s third consecutive mountain lion hunting season highlights the June meeting of the Game, Fish and Parks Commission at the Kings Inn, Pierre. The meeting is scheduled to be held from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Thursday, June 7, and from 8 a.m. to noon on Friday, June 8.
The public hearing will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday. Other topics during the hearing will be the West River and Black Hills deer seasons, the fall turkey season and rules governing nonresidents who wish to trap in South Dakota.
Citizens who wish to provide written comments on the items that are up for finalization can do so up until 5 p.m. Wednesday, June 6. Those comments may be mailed to Game, Fish and Parks Commission, 523 E. Capitol Ave., Pierre, SD 57501 or e-mailed to wildinfo@state.sd.us. All comments must include the sender’s full name and address in order to become part of the official record. Comments may also be presented in person during the public hearing portion of the meeting.
The commission will also consider proposals for these hunting seasons: antelope, East River deer, refuge deer, early fall Canada goose and youth waterfowl. The commission will consider shooting preserve rule modifications as well as get an update on shooting preserve applications.
There will be a time set aside during the meeting for the public to address the commission about items that are not on the commission agenda. A commission agenda and current proposals that are open for public comment can be accessed on the GFP Web site at http://www.sdgfp.info/Commission/Meetings.htm.
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Bowhunter Education Now Available Online
PIERRE, S.D.--Bowhunter education in South Dakota just became more accessible.
A pilot program for online bowhunter education is being tested for 2007 in South Dakota. Students may take approximately 75 percent of the certified bowhunter education course online from the National Bowhunter Education Foundation. The other 25 percent of the class (approximately four hours) is a field day in the presence of certified bowhunter education instructors.
Potential students may access the course through the S.D. Game, Fish and Parks Department Web site at www.sdgfp.info. On the home page, put the cursor over “Outdoor Education” and then click on “Bowhunter Education Classes.” The course site as well as chapter reviews and practice tests are available to users at no charge.
When the student feels ready to complete the online portion of the course, the cost is $20 payable at the time the test is given. A student who passes the online test will be issued a field day qualifier certificate that must be presented at a field day qualifier event. In 2007, three field days for online participants will be held. More information on times and locations for these field days can be found on the GFP Web site. Pre-registration is required for all field day participants.
Personal attendance and certification at a field day is required before the Bowhunter Education certification is complete.
Successfully completing a bowhunter education course is required for all first-time bowhunters and all archery elk hunters. Visit the GFP Web site for more information about bowhunting rules and regulations.
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S.D. State Parks Host Family Activities on Father’s Day Weekend
PIERRE, S.D. - The South Dakota state parks will offer visitors a number of free family activities on Father’s Day weekend.
Thank Dad and help him enjoy his weekend by joining in on the following events:
· Family Fun Day, West Bend Recreation Area near Pierre. Sat., June 16 at 1 p.m. Bring the whole family to the park for an afternoon of fun activities and games. Info: (605) 773-2885
· Prairies Gone By Walk In the Park, Big Sioux Recreation Area near Sioux Falls. Sat., June 16 at 8 a.m. Meet at the picnic shelter. Follow the Prairie Vista Trail as you explore native prairie with flowers and grasses. Participants will learn the differences between the flowers and grasses and how to identify them. Info: (605) 582-7243
· Bird Watching at Breakfast Walk In the Park, Lake Poinsett Recreation Area near Brookings. Sat., June 16 at 9 a.m. Learn the basics of bird watching while trying to spot different types of birds native to the area. Info: (605) 627-5441
· Family Fun Day, Indian Creek Recreation Area near Pierre. Sat., June 16 at 1 p.m. Families are invited to attend a fun-filled afternoon at the park. Info: (605) 773-2885
· The Big Mick – Century and Half Century Ride, George S. Mickelson Trail in the Black Hills. Sat., June 16 at 5 a.m. Start at the Lead Trailhead. Bike the entire 100+ miles of the Mickelson Trail in one day. The ride starts at the Deadwood Trailhead and ends in Edgemont. Info: (605) 745-3463 or www.TheBigMick.org
These programs are in addition to the regular programming hosted by individual parks throughout the summer.
The programs are open to all ages. A park entrance license is required. Participants are encouraged to wear comfortable walking shoes and dress for the weather. There is no cost to participate in any of these programs except The Big Mick.
For more information on activities in the S.D. state parks, visit www.SDparks.info, contact the individual park office or call (605) 773-3391.
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A Day in the Life of Paul Beckwith
Think of your last visit to a state park. You had to drive on a road to get there, you probably enjoyed some of the amenities such as the comfort station, picnic shelter or boat dock and you may have noticed the landscaping around the park. If you did, Paul Beckwith, senior park planner for the Division of Parks and Recreation, had an impact on your visit.
In his 18 years with the Division of Parks and Recreation, Beckwith has seen many changes take place in parks across the state and has played a vital role in many of them. To name a few, the transfer of the Corps of Engineers Missouri River parks to the state, more accessible park facilities, new playgrounds and the addition of camping cabins and lodges to the parks. In addition, Beckwith has been involved in the design and development of numerous parks and campgrounds across the state, including the park system’s newest additions Roughlock Falls Nature Area and Rocky Point Recreation Area.
“Because of the wisdom of those who have built and managed the parks before us, many of my dreams for the parks are a reality,” said Beckwith. “The challenge now is to not respond to heavy public use with over development within established parks. I would like to see public demand met in part through additional state parks (where there are voids around the state), to complement community parks and private campgrounds.”
After graduating with a Bachelors of Science Degree in Landscape Design from South Dakota State University, Beckwith started his career with Game, Fish and Parks as a draftsman in 1989. He was promoted to his current position in 1999. He has also worked part time at Oahe Incorporate in Pierre as a Community Access Professional since 1997.
Beckwith’s time with the division is supported by his passion for providing outdoor recreation opportunities. “I believe in our product,” said Beckwith. “Public parks provide places of sanctuary, fellowship and re-creation for everyone who visits them. These outdoor recreation opportunities are vital to our physical, spiritual and emotional well being.”
The main aspects of Beckwith’s job include budgeting, designing and the construction of park facilities such as roads, campgrounds, trails, cabins and landscaping. This involves traveling throughout the state to gather the necessary information to plan, design and budget park improvements.
“I'll travel with coworkers to a park in order to meet with the park manager. We will choose the best location for new park facilities such as structures, roads, campgrounds and trails,” said Beckwith. “Depending on the size and duration of the project, we may travel back to the park several times throughout the project’s design and construction process.”
Coworkers play a key role in Beckwith’s work. “There are several people around here who remind me to not take myself too seriously,” said Beckwith. ”One time, many years ago while driving between parks I ran out of gas. This event has grown in legend and folklore providing many of the people I work with miles of laughs. Some still remind me to buy gas and watch the gage.”
There are many essential skills Beckwith thinks are important to his job including organizational and communication skills, a knowledge of South Dakota flora, topography, soil mechanics, architecture, engineering, graphic design, art, understanding human behavior and the ability to stay objective. “It is also important to have a firm foundation and belief in the purpose of the state park system,” said Beckwith.
For others interested in a similar career, Beckwith recommends acquiring a landscape architecture degree. “Either would be a helpful step toward a career in parks and natural resources,” said Beckwith.
Beckwith was raised in Wagner, S.D. where he spent many summer days fishing and swimming at North Point and Randall Creek Recreation Areas near Pickstown. Beckwith and his wife LuAnne have three daughters, Erica, Andrea and Cassie and one son DJ.
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