·        Habitat at Risk as Pheasant Population Soars

·        Dove Hunting Season Starts Sept. 1

·        Hunters No Longer Need Federal Sandhill Crane Permit

·        History Comes to Life at Beaver Creek Nature Area

·        Trail Trek Riders Heading for the Hills

·        Campsites Still Available for Buffalo Roundup

 

Habitat at Risk as Pheasant Population Soars

 

PIERRE, S.D.—Hunters who take to the fields in 2007 will be greeted by one of the largest pheasant populations in South Dakota history. However, they had better enjoy it while they can.

 

Brood count surveys by the S.D. Game, Fish and Parks Department show an estimated pheasant population that handily surpasses the 40-year high mark set in 2005. The stunning population growth is due to a variety of factors, most notably favorable weather conditions for the pheasant hatch and brood-rearing and a wealth of habitat where pheasants can thrive.

 

“Unfortunately, that habitat--and consequently the pheasant population it shelters--is in danger of fading from the landscape,” according to GFP Secretary Jeff Vonk.

 

Currently there are almost 1.55 million acres of land in South Dakota enrolled in the Conservation Reserve Program which is administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. CRP provides cost-share and annual rental payments to producers who place environmentally sensitive croplands into long-term conservation cover. Economics and recent developments have put CRP in jeopardy.

 

In February of this year, USDA Secretary Mike Johanns announced that USDA had no plans to hold general sign-ups for CRP in 2007 and 2008.

 

“Not holding general sign-ups limits new and re-enrollments to continuous sign-up CRP practices that usually involve much smaller acreages,” Vonk said. “This decision will mean that landowners can’t enroll new or re-enroll larger tracts of land that have expiring CRP contracts in 2007.”

 

As of Oct. 1, 2007, South Dakota will lose a minimum of 296,000 acres of land enrolled in CRP. “That means 462.5 square miles of habitat—a land mass equivalent to all of Davison County—won’t be available to nesting pheasants in 2008,” Vonk said. “If the losses continue as predicted, by 2009 South Dakota will have fewer than 1 million acres of CRP land for the first time since the 1980s.”

 

Hunters and outdoor enthusiasts won’t be the only ones who notice the change in South Dakota’s landscape. “If the CRP acres decrease and the pheasant population suffers because of it, there will be significant economic impacts all across South Dakota,” Vonk said. “Dozens of communities in this state depend on the pheasant hunting season to boost their local economy. That opportunity is going to disappear if CRP is allowed to wither away.”

 

As CRP diminishes, farmers will also miss an opportunity. “Without an opportunity to sign up for CRP, farmers have little choice than to put marginal land into production,” Vonk said. “Landowners need to be provided with options that let them make reasonable decisions about what would be best for their land.”

 

South Dakota’s pheasant season starts on Saturday, Oct. 20. “I call on all hunters—residents and nonresident—to take a good look around when they’re out in the field. Pheasants are plentiful because of good habitat and much of that habitat is a result of CRP that could become only a fond memory,” Vonk said. “Anyone interested in South Dakota maintaining its world-class pheasant population needs to work to convince the Agriculture Secretary to hold a CRP sign-up in 2008 and also get involved in the process of convincing Congress that conservation programs like CRP are critically important for the conservation of all kinds of wildlife, soil and water resources.”

 

--GFP--

 

Dove Hunting Season Starts Sept. 1

 

PIERRE, S.D.—Hunters ready for the Sept. 1 start of the dove hunting season are reminded of the special regulations that govern the season.

 

Those regulations include:

·        Hunters may not hunt doves within 50 yards of a public road.

·        A dove may not be shot unless it is flying.

·        Shotguns capable of holding more than three shells may not be used.

·        Doves may not be hunted in a state park or recreation area with the exception of that portion of Angostura State Recreation Area located west of the dam.

 

To be properly licensed to hunt doves, hunters do not need the Federal Waterfowl Stamp. They do, however, need to have in their possession a S.D. Migratory Bird Certification that can be purchased for $5.

 

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service encourages hunters who bag banded doves to call the toll-free number—(800) 327-BAND--to report the band number and other information.

 

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Hunters No Longer Need Federal Sandhill Crane Permit

 

PIERRE, S.D.—Hunters getting ready for the sandhill crane hunting season will find that they no longer need to obtain a free federal permit.

 

A change in requirements allows properly licensed hunters to take part in the season without the federal permit. Resident hunters can use the same license they use for pheasant hunting plus the S.D. Migratory Bird Certificate. Nonresident are properly licensed if they have a nonresident small game or a nonresident waterfowl license. Those who use the nonresident small game license will also need the S.D. Migratory Bird Certificate.

 

The sandhill crane hunting season is open in South Dakota in that portion of the state west of U.S. Highway 281 from Sept. 22 to Nov. 18. The daily limit is three sandhill cranes with a possession limit of six.

 

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History Comes to Life at Beaver Creek Nature Area

 

BRANDON, S.D. - Fiddlers, pioneer farming, Civil War soldiering, homestead living, pioneer crafts and outdoor cooking will greet visitors to Beaver Creek Nature Area near Brandon on Sunday, Sept. 9.

 

From 1 to 4 p.m., the park is hosting the 29th Annual Homesteader Day Harvest Festival. Each year, the event attracts thousands of visitors of all ages who want a taste of homestead life and pioneer living history. 

 

According to district park supervisor Marty DeWitt, the afternoon’s activities showcase what life was like settling on the prairies of Dakota Territory. “For many people, especially younger folks, all they know about life over 100 years ago is what they read in books or see in the movies,” DeWitt said. “At the Homesteader Day Harvest Festival, we give them a chance to experience first-hand the sights, sounds and smells of that bygone era.”

 

Visitors can sit on straw bales and listen to the music of the South Dakota Old Time Fiddlers and take part in homestead crafts like candle and rope making, Dutch oven cooking, corn shelling and butter making. Other demonstrations will include spinning and weaving, natural wool dyeing, chair caning, pysanky (Ukranian egg painting), blacksmithing and pioneer games. The 13th Infantry will also be on-hand to give visitors a glimpse of what it was like to be a soldier during the Civil War, and the Silver Creek Mavericks, a cowboy reenactment group will share the stories of the early cowboys on the prairie.

 

As a special note, this year’s festival is being dedicated to the memory of Burton Burkman, a long-time Brandon resident who passed away this past spring. Burton was one of the founders of the Dakota Heritage Association in the late 1970s, and his family has been long-time supporters of the Homesteader Day Festival and many other national and regional hand corn-picking and plowing events. In recent years, his son John has continued to operate the family’s original 1929 Nicholas & Shephard “Red River Special” threshing machine for festival participants to see. Although its belts and pulleys will be silent this year, the machine will still be on display as a reminder of what some call the “good old days.”

 

“We are very grateful to the Burkman family, and many other friends, family members and organizations that have helped over the years to bring this old-time farming heritage back to life,” said DeWitt.  “To commemorate the occasion, we will be having a special ceremony at 2:30 p.m. to recognize a number of folks who have made this event possible, some since the very first festival in 1979. And as a special treat, included will be the performance of an original song written just for the occasion.”

 

The historic 1870s Samuelson homestead cabin will also be open for viewing, and visitors will be able to visit with descendants of the families who called the cabin home. And, to round out the program, a group of volunteers will be offering food and refreshments on site as a fund-raiser for ongoing restoration of the historic Samuelson Log Cabin.

 

Admission to the Homesteader Day Harvest Festival is free. The event is made possible by the generous support of the Siouxland Heritage Museums, the Mary Chilton DAR Foundation, the Department of Game, Fish and Parks and the many dedicated volunteers who work hard to keep the pioneer spirit alive.

 

Beaver Creek Nature Area is located southeast of Brandon, just one half mile west of the intersection of 484th Avenue and 264th Street. For additional information, contact Palisades State Park at (605) 594-3824. For additional information on South Dakota State Parks, visit www.SDparks.info or call (605) 773-3391.

 

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Trail Trek Riders Heading for the Hills

 

LEAD, S.D. – Soon bicyclists from across the country will ascend on the Black Hills of South Dakota in record numbers for the 10th Annual Mickelson Trail Trek.  This year’s Trail Trek is Friday, Sept. 14 through Sunday, Sept. 16.

 

The deadline is fast approaching for people who want to ride. Registration will close on Wednesday, Sept. 5. “This is going to be a record-breaking year,” said Harley Noem, supervisor for the Northern Hills Region of the Division of Parks and Recreation. “We are very excited to already have over 500 riders signed up and there is still time for bikers to register.”

 

Registration can be completed online by visiting www.MickelsonTrail.com and by following the "Trail Trek" link. Materials for registering through the mail can also be downloaded from the trail website or by calling the Black Hills Trails office at (605) 584-3896. Registration is available on a first-come, first-served basis.

 

Spectators are also an important part of the Trail Trek as they watch and encourage the bikers as they ride the 109-mile long trail. Spectators can join the riders as they stop in Rochford on Saturday between 2:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. for a free concert by DD and The Fayroh's.

 

The Trail Trek highlights the George S. Mickelson Trail as it winds through the heart of the Black Hills from Edgemont to Lead/Deadwood. The ride began as a celebration of the completion of the rails-to-trails project. It continues today to introduce new bicyclists to the trail and thank supporters for their long-standing enthusiasm for the Black Hills trail.

 

For more information on the Mickelson Trail or the Trail Trek, visit www.MickelsonTrail.com or contact the Black Hills Trail office at (605) 584-3896.

 

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Campsites Still Available for Buffalo Roundup

 

CUSTER STATE PARK, S.D. – People in search of a place to camp for Custer State Park’s 43rd Annual Buffalo Roundup and Arts Festival are in luck. According to park officials, a few campsites are still available for reservation. This year’s Buffalo Roundup and Arts Festival runs Sept. 29 through Oct. 1.

 

“The Buffalo Roundup brings over 10,000 visitors to the park,” said Craig Pugsley, visitor services coordinator. “The campgrounds fill up fast, so we recommend those wanting to stay close to the action make reservations soon.”  In addition to campsites that can be reserved there is a limited number of first-come, first-served campsites at Center Lake in the lower loop.

 

A current list of available sites can be found online at www.CampSD.com. Reservations can be made online at www.CampSD.com or by calling 1-800-710-CAMP (2267). Park visitors looking to stay at one of Custer State Park’s four resorts can call 1-888-875-0001 to check availability.

 

The Black Hills also offers numerous camping and lodging opportunities. To learn about these visit www.CampSD.org or www.blackhillsbadlands.com.

 

For more information on the Custer State Park and the 43rd Annual Buffalo Roundup and Arts Festival, visit www.CusterStatePark.info or call (605) 255-4515.

 

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