· Hunters Must Remain Watchful for Fire Danger
· Goose Bag Limit Changes Sept. 29
· Paddlefish Snagging Opens Oct. 1
Hunters Must Remain Watchful for Fire Danger
PIERRE, S.D.—While recent years were noted for drought, this summer much of South Dakota has enjoyed timely rains. However, hunters still need to be watchful for fire danger when they take to the fields this fall.
With the start of the antelope hunting season on Saturday, many hunters will be in the fields. Much of the antelope range is in the West River portion of South Dakota and not all of that terrain has benefited from rain this summer.
“There are still some dry areas out there,” said Emmett Keyser, assistant director of the Wildlife Division of the S.D. Game, Fish and Parks Department. “Hunters need to take precautions to avoid starting a wildland fire.”
Hunters can guard against starting a wildland fire by following some simple precautions:
· Equip vehicles with the tools and water needed to fight a fire.
· Extinguish cigarettes with water or dirt or use an ashtray.
· Limit vehicle traffic to designated areas.
· Never park a vehicle over dry grass.
GFP Conservation Officers will be in the field this weekend watching for signs of fire as well as hunting violations. Hunters are also a valuable resource when it comes to spotting and reporting fires.
“Hunters need to remain watchful,” Keyser said, “and quickly report any sign of fire.”
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Goose Bag Limit Changes Sept. 29
PIERRE, S.D.—Hunters who have been taking advantage of South Dakota’s early fall goose season are probably well aware that the regular goose season starts on Saturday, Sept. 29. However, those hunters should also keep in mind that on Saturday the bag limit for geese lowers from five to three.
“The way the seasons were arranged this year, hunters will go right from the early fall season to the regular goose season without any lag time,” said Dave Wicks, a regional law enforcement specialist for the S.D. Game, Fish and Parks Department who is based in Watertown. “However, hunters have to keep in mind that the bag limit changes from five to three with the start of the regular season.”
While much of the state is open to goose hunting, two areas remain closed. The season in Unit 2, consisting of most counties on either side of the Missouri River, runs from Oct. 27 to Feb. 8, 2008. The season in Unit 3, Bennett County, is open by special permit from Oct. 20 through Dec. 16 and is open to all licensed goose hunters from Jan. 12 through Jan. 20, 2008.
Sept. 29 also marks the start of the white-fronted goose and light goose hunting seasons as well as the start of duck season in much of the state. Complete information about South Dakota’s waterfowl hunting seasons is available on pages 21 through 28 of GFP’s 2007 Hunting and Trapping Handbook.
The handbook is available from regional GFP offices and from local license agents. The handbook may also be accessed at the GFP Web site at www.sdgfp.info.
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Paddlefish Snagging Opens Oct. 1
CHAMBERLAIN, S.D.--Anglers possessing a tag for paddlefish snagging are reminded that the season opens Oct. 1 and runs through Oct. 30. Snagging hours are 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily. Anglers may snag for paddlefish in the Missouri River from Gavins Point Dam downstream to the mouth of the Big Sioux River at mile marker 734.
“Paddlefish license-holders must have a current South Dakota fishing license in their possession while snagging paddlefish,” according to Jason Sorenson, a Chamberlain-based fisheries biologist with the S.D. Game, Fish and Parks Department. Snaggers must also cast for, hook and retrieve their own fish. Gaffs and other penetrating devices may not be used as an aid while landing snagged paddlefish.
Sorensen also reminds anglers that “The spillway area below Gavins Point Dam will be open to paddlefish snagging, however, snagging is prohibited off of the wall on the north side of the spillway.” The discharge channel (tailrace) remains closed to paddlefish snagging.
“Paddlefish appear numerous in the tailwater area again this year and snaggers should experience success similar to last year. Paddlefish snagging is a unique experience that can be fun for an individual or the whole family,” Sorensen said.
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