· Lott New Leader of S.D. Fisheries
· Time Running Out for Hunter Safety Classes
· Young S.D. Artists Honored at Expo
· Learn Trapping Skills at Hartford Beach State Park
Lott New Leader of S.D. Fisheries
PIERRE, S.D.—Like many other South Dakotans, John Lott spends his leisure time trying to land a big walleye. But while other anglers have to grudgingly leave the water when it’s time for work, fishing stays on Lott’s mind as he strives to make sure that there are plenty of big walleyes in South Dakota’s waters.
Lott, 40, of Pierre, is the new fisheries program administrator for the S.D. Game, Fish and Parks Department. As administrator, he supervises the employees of the state’s three fish hatcheries along with technical support staff throughout South Dakota.
“My job is really to help the highly qualified and motivated fishery staff we have in Game, Fish, and Parks, get done what they need to get done and provide them with some direction along the way,” Lott said. “Our job is to manage fisheries by protecting and improving habitat, supplementing fish populations when necessary and regulating harvest when needed. We do all of that to ensure quality fishing opportunities for South Dakota residents and our visitors.”
Lott, who has a bachelor’s degree is fisheries and wildlife from Michigan State and a master’s degree in fisheries management from South Dakota State University, has been with GFP since 1992, spending the last nine years as senior fisheries biologist for the Missouri River system.
The river is near the top of the list of challenges facing the fisheries administrator. “The Missouri River really needs water management that’s more favorable to recreational fishing,” Lott said.
Lott also cites other challenges facing the state’s fisheries:
· Retention and recruitment of anglers.
· Lack of new stock dams.
· Large-scale habitat degradation and nutrient loading in watersheds that impact the ability to produce a quality fishery.
· Non-permitted habitat alterations that reduce habitat quality.
· Keeping regulations simple and allowing reasonable harvest at a time when anglers are becoming more mobile and more efficient at harvesting fish.
· Slowing or preventing the introduction of aquatic nuisance species into South Dakota waters.
Another challenge is one that Lott has no control over—the state’s continuing lack of precipitation. “Even though water levels may be low or stream flows may be low because of drought conditions, excellent fisheries exist in many of our waters because South Dakota fishery managers have worked hard to ensure quality fisheries throughout the state,” Lott said. “Excellent fisheries should continue, but an increase in precipitation may be necessary to keep the quality high for the long term.”
If Lott is anything like his predecessors, he too, will be leading the state’s fisheries operations for the long term. Recently retired fisheries administrator Dennis Unkenholz, and Unkenholz’s predecessor Robert Hanten come in for high praise from Lott. “I hope I can follow their example because they really set the bar high for fisheries management,” Lott said. “Anyone who enjoys fishing in South Dakota has Denny and Bob to thank for safeguarding this resource.”
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Time Running Out for Hunter Safety Classes
PIERRE, S.D.—The approach of fall not only means the beginning of a new school year, it also heralds the first chance that some young people will have to go hunting.
“Hunting is a sport with many traditions,” said Curt Robertson, hunting safety coordinator for the S.D. Game, Fish and Parks Department. “One of the most revered of those traditions is passing the love of hunting from one generation to the next.”
In South Dakota, that next generation of hunters is eligible to take to the fields at age 12, provided that they have fulfilled the requirements for earning a HuntSAFE card.
“All young people between the ages of 12 and 16, as well as those who will turn 12 by Dec. 31 of this year and who will hunt during this year after Sept. 1 are required to successfully complete a HuntSAFE class and possess a HuntSAFE card while hunting,” Robertson said.
This year there will be more than 150 hunter safety classes held throughout South Dakota. More classes are scheduled in September for young people who would still like to earn their hunting privileges.
As of late August, these are the HuntSAFE courses that have been scheduled. They are listed with community, class dates and contact phone number:
· Belle Fourche; Aug. 28, 30, Sept. 1; 892-4968.
· Blunt; Sept. 10, 11, 17, 18; 962-6320 or 224-4000.
· Brandon; Sept. 10, 11, 13; 362-2700.
· Dell Rapids; Sept. 8, 8, 9; 428-3522 or 332-3387.
· Huron; Sept. 7, 8; 353-7145.
· Mitchell; Sept. 6, 7, 8; 995-8148.
· Onida; Sept. 4, 6, 8; 258-2124.
· Pierre; Sept. 10, 11, 13, 15; 224-0269.
· Plankinton; Sept. 5, 6, 8; 942-7698.
· Rapid City; Sept., 4,5,6 and Sept. 25, 26, 27; 394-2391.
· Sioux Falls; Sept. 4,6,8, Sept. 11, 13, 15, Sept. 18, 20, 22 and Sept. 25, 27, 29; 362-2700.
· Yankton; Sept. 8, 9; 665-8340.
· Wessington Springs; Sept. 11, 13, 15; 942-7698.
“Time is running out for young people who want to hunt this year if they haven’t already attended a HuntSAFE class,” Robertson said. A check of the GFP Web site at http://www.sdgfp.info/Wildlife/hunting/Safety/HuntSAFEIndex.htm will let students know if there is a class coming to their community.
Parents are encouraged to attend with their children and people wishing to brush up on their safe hunting skills may also attend. HuntSAFE classes are sponsored by S.D. Game, Fish and Parks Department as well as local community sponsors.
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Young S.D. Artists Honored at Expo
BLOOMINGTON, MINN.—Three aspiring outdoor artists from South Dakota were honored for their work at the Ninth Annual Wildlife Forever State-Fish Art Expo held at the Mall of America in Minneapolis, Minn.
The South Dakota honorees were:
· Caleb Vukovich of Brookings, representing fourth through sixth graders.
· Makena Peet of Rapid City, representing seventh through ninth graders.
· Zachary Wenck of Wilmot, representing 10th through 12th graders.
The winning artwork offered by Peet and Vukovich depicted walleyes while Wenck’s artwork was of a northern pike.
“The State-Fish Art Expo is a celebration of America’s youth, art, conservation and our fishing heritage,” said Douglas H. Grann, president and CEO of Wildlife Forever.
Following the awards ceremony in Mall of America’s Central Rotunda, winners and their families attended the Minnesota National Wildlife Refuge where they enjoyed an educational fishing outing.
The achievements of the South Dakota artists were also celebrated during a special ceremony on the playing field of the Metrodome before the Minnesota Twins’ game on July 22 with the other 39 winning artists also attending. Their winning artwork was displayed on the “big screen” for the Sunday crowd. The winners and their families received free entry to the game compliments of the Twins.
The Wildlife Forever State-Fish Art Contest encourages young artists nationwide to create an illustration of their state-fish and a written composition on behavior, habitat and conservation efforts. Entries are categorized by grade level with up to three winners selected from each state and invited to Mall of America to be honored at the State-Fish Art Expo.
Wildlife Forever is a nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving America’s wildlife heritage through conservation education, preservation of habitat and management of fish and wildlife. For information about the Wildlife Forever State-Fish Art Contest, visit www.statefishart.com.
EDITORS TAKE NOTE: Photos of the winners and their artwork are available. You can make your request by responding to this e-mail.
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Learn Trapping Skills at Hartford Beach State Park
PIERRE, S.D. - The area of Hartford Beach State Park near Milbank has been known for well over a century as a plentiful trapping ground. On Saturday, Aug. 25, visitors to Hartford Beach State Park can learn about the sport of trapping.
During this trapping seminar, participants will learn the basic sets and equipment needed for raccoon, mink, muskrat and beaver. Sets will be made on precise locations that have produced fur the past few seasons.
“In 1819, Hazen Mooers set up a fur trading post in what is now Hartford Beach State Park. An invoice from 1852 shows the following furs were on hand: 11 packs of rats, 100 fox, 60 wolf, 100 mink, 6 fisher, 9 elk, 12 beaver and 30 badger,” said Jeff Nodsle, park manager. “Not all of these furbearers frequent this area now, but trapping is still alive and well.”
Participants should meet at the picnic shelter at 7 p.m. and are encouraged to wear comfortable hiking shoes or rubber boots, insect repellent and weather-appropriate clothing. There is no cost to take part in the seminar, but a park entrance license is required. For more information, call the park office at (605) 432-6374. Hartford Beach State Park is located 15 miles north of Milbank off SD Hwy 15.
For more information on the South Dakota State Parks, visit www.SDparks.info or call (605) 773-3391.
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