· South Dakota Boasts Abundant Pheasant Population
· Feed Winter Birds and Be a Citizen Scientist
· Whooping Cranes Are Migrating
· 2008 Lodge and Group Camping Reservations in S.D. State Parks Open Nov. 1
· Fall Celebration Planned for Fort Sisseton
· Custer State Park Employee Named National Award Recipient
South Dakota Boasts Abundant Pheasant Population
PIERRE, S.D.—Hunters should get ready to step back in time as they prepare to share the fields with a pheasant population the likes of which hasn’t been seen in South Dakota since the Soil Bank years of the 1950s and ’60s.
Brood count surveys by the S.D. Game, Fish and Parks Department estimated that statewide this year’s pheasant population was 23 percent higher than last year’s and 18 percent greater than the 2005 pheasant population that was at a 40-year high.
“South Dakota’s pheasant population is booming this year because of optimum weather conditions coupled with a wealth of acres in the Conservation Reserve Program that provide excellent habitat,” said GFP Secretary Jeff Vonk. “This kind of pheasant abundance could be short-lived if there isn’t a healthy conservation component like CRP in the next Farm Bill.”
According GFP, approximately 300,000 acres of CRP could be lost this year, making it unavailable for nesting cover in 2008. “Hunters may see the signs of the change,” said acting Wildlife Division Director George Vandel, “as some of the CRP fields will likely be burned, plowed or hayed by the time of the pheasant opener.”
Public lands open to hunting can be found throughout South Dakota. However, private landowners who open their lands to hunting are still one of the keys to a successful pheasant season. “Our department works diligently to secure land for public hunting,” Vonk said, “but we’ll always be grateful for private landowners who graciously allow hunting on their property.” Vonk noted that hunters must always ask permission from the landowner when considering hunting on private land.
Safety is another key to a successful season. “Hunters can’t let the excitement of the day cloud their judgment,” said Vandel. “Safety has to be on the minds of all hunters.”
Vandel offers a few important safety reminders for hunters:
· Though it’s not required by South Dakota law, upland bird hunters should wear fluorescent orange clothing.
· Keep track of hunting companions in the field. “Too often an accident occurs when one hunter swings on a bird and shoots without noticing other hunters in the line of fire,” Vandel said.
· Road hunters must keep in mind the 660-foot safety zone around a schools, churches, occupied dwellings and livestock.
“If hunters remain aware of safety precautions and the state’s hunting regulations, this should be a great hunting season for everyone,” Vandel said.
Some of those regulations include:
Season dates: In most of South Dakota the season runs from Oct. 20 through Jan. 6, 2008. At the Sand Lake National Wildlife Refuge in Brown County and at Renziehausen Game Production Area and Game Bird Refuge in Brown and Marshall counties, the season is open from Dec. 10 through Dec. 31.
Shooting hours: From Oct. 20 through Oct. 26 the shooting hours are noon Central Daylight Time to sunset. For the rest of the season, shooting hours are 10 a.m. Central Standard Time to sunset.
Daily/possession limits: The daily limit is three cock pheasants. The possession limit is 15 pheasants taken according to the daily limit. An individual hunter can possess no more than three pheasants on the Saturday of opening weekend and up to six on Sunday. To possess another hunter’s birds, a free transportation permit must be obtained from a GFP conservation officer. Arranging for this permit should be handled well in advance of opening day. Transportation permits are not issued as a means of allowing the daily/possession limits to be exceeded.
License/I.D.: Hunters must possess, while hunting, a valid S.D. hunting license and the proper form of identification. That I.D. may be a valid state-issued driver’s license or a state-issued and expiration-dated identification card. Hunters under the age of 16 can carry their HuntSAFE card.
Transporting birds: Pheasants and grouse must have either the head, fully feathered wing or foot attached while being transported. All other game birds must have either the head or a fully feathered wing attached.
Nontoxic shot: Most public lands in South Dakota require the use of nontoxic shot while hunting for pheasants except on U.S. Forest Service National Grasslands, areas administered by the Office of School and Public Lands or on GFP-leased property designated as Walk-In Areas.
Dogs: A hunter who brings a dog into the state must have the animal’s health certificate from their local veterinarian indicating that all shots are up to date and that the dog is disease-free. Hunters should also remember to bring along enough water for their dogs.
These details and more can be found on the GFP Web site at www.sdgfp.info and in the 2007 S.D. Hunting and Trapping Handbook which is available online in PDF format.
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Feed Winter Birds and Be a Citizen Scientist
PIERRE, S.D.--Feeding wild birds is one of the most popular outdoor activities in the United States, with widespread and evenly-distributed fans among all age groups. According to preliminary information from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, more than 71 million people watched, fed, or photographed wildlife in 2006, spending $45 billion in 2006 alone.
From 2001 to 2006, the number of wildlife watchers increased by 8 percent in the U.S. The most popular activity was feeding wildlife close to home. You don’t need a license or any special skills – just an interest and a commitment to doing it right.
If you choose to partake in this fun and fulfilling activity, keep a few things in mind. Place feeders where you can watch, enjoy and photograph feeding visitors. If bothered by squirrels at feeders, place your feeder on a pole away from trees. Place feeders near cover to protect feeding birds from weather and predators, such as free-roaming cats.
Move feeders if you notice birds striking windows. Some birds, such as sparrows, juncos, doves and pheasants feed on the ground or on a flat platform. Offer several feeding sites to avoid overcrowding and disease transmission.
If you’re only offering one menu item, black oil sunflower seed appeals to many birds. Ground-feeding birds may prefer corn, milo or millet to sunflower seed. Pine siskins, goldfinches and redpolls prefer niger seed (also called finch or thistle seed), which you can offer in feeders designed for this seed. Suet or peanut butter may attract woodpeckers, chickadees, nuthatches and brown creepers. Offer year-round water by adding a bird bath heater. Avoid offering human “table scraps,” which may attract rodents or raccoons.
Remember to keep feeders and feeding areas clean by regularly raking up seed hulls and cleaning feeders by scrubbing them with soapy water and rinsing in water diluted with a small amount of bleach. Store seed in tight, waterproof containers to prevent mold and to discourage rodents that may be attracted to accessible seed.
Once you begin feeding, try to continue through the winter, but don’t worry about missing a few days, since feeding birds typically visit other feeding stations besides yours. If you notice sick or diseased birds, disinfect your feeders and stop feeding for 10 to 14 days to avoid further spreading diseases.
If you’re just beginning to learn to identify birds at your feeders, the S.D. Game, Fish and Parks Department has a publication that can help. Request “The Fledgling Birder,” a free publication, by sending an e-mail to: eileen.dowdstukel@state.sd.us.
Project FeederWatch is a citizen science project led by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. The project helps to track wintering bird patterns and has provided extremely valuable information about diseases that affect wild birds. To become a FeederWatch citizen scientist, visit this Web site to join in this winter’s count: http://www.birds.cornell.edu/pfw/ .
Based on results from last winter’s South Dakota FeederWatch participants, the dark-eyed junco was the most common bird feeder visitor in the state. Rounding out the top five were the black-capped chickadee, downy woodpecker, house finch and American goldfinch.
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Whooping Cranes Are Migrating
PIERRE, S.D.--Approximately 275 whooping cranes, including 40 young, will migrate through South Dakota during the next few weeks as the endangered birds migrate to their Texas wintering grounds, according to S.D. Game, Fish and Parks Department officials.
GFP Wildlife Diversity Coordinator Eileen Dowd Stukel said whooping cranes migrate 2,500 miles to Aransas National Wildlife Refuge and surrounding areas on the Gulf Coast of Texas.
The whooping crane is one of North America’s rarest birds, and its recovery has been slow but steady. “Whooping cranes are a victim of wetland drainage and destruction,” she said. “Only 16 whoopers remained 50 years ago. Legal protection and public cooperation have helped this impressive species recover from near extinction. This year, Canadian biologists found a record-setting 65 nests and 84 chicks during nesting season surveys, although drought conditions resulted in a much smaller number of fledglings, with 40 chicks expected to migrate south.”
It often takes experienced birders to identify whooping cranes in flight. Whoopers are all white with black wingtips that are visible only in flight. They fly with neck and long legs extended. White pelicans are also white with black wingtips, and a pelican’s short legs don’t extend beyond the tail, a feature sometimes difficult to see. Pelicans often migrate in flocks of 20 or more. Snow geese are also white with black wingtips, but they are smaller than whoopers, and their short legs don’t extend beyond their tail during flights. Snow geese usually travel in large flocks.
Whooping cranes migrate during the day, usually in small groups of three to seven birds, unlike the large flocks of gray sandhill cranes that also travel through South Dakota.
The 5-foot-tall whooping cranes are most likely to be seen in central South Dakota on shallow wetlands associated with cropland or pasture. A day’s flight may end in midafternoon or later, when whoopers feed and rest before roosting for the night.
Reliable sightings help state and federal agencies protect this endangered species from potentially hazardous situations. To provide sighting details or to obtain further information, contact the S.D. Game, Fish and Parks Department at (605) 773-4229 or (605) 773-4227, or the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service at (605) 224-8693.
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2008 Lodge and Group Camping Reservations in S.D. State Parks Open Nov. 1
PIERRE, S.D. – Beginning Nov. 1, visitors planning group outings to South Dakota state parks can begin making lodge and group camping reservations for 2008 arrivals.
"More and more visitors are making South Dakota state parks the site for their group get-togethers,” said Doug Hofer, state parks director. “Getting a big group together for a weekend of camping or at the lodge can be quite a task. The Nov. 1 opening date helps these groups make their plans earlier and in an easier manner.”
Lodge reservations for all arrival dates in 2008 will be accepted beginning Nov. 1. Lodges are found at Lake Thompson Recreation Area near Lake Preston, Shadehill Recreation Area near Lemmon, Mina Lake Recreation Area near Aberdeen, Newton Hills State Park near Canton and Oahe Downstream Recreation Area near Pierre. According to Hofer, work on a new group lodge in Palisades State Park near Sioux Falls is currently being completed. The lodge has four bedrooms and overlooks Split Rock Creek. It will accommodate at least 12 people. Hofer expects reservations for that facility to open after the first of the year.
Reservations for group campsites during the 2008 reservation season also open Nov. 1 and will be taken until Feb. 1, 2008. After that time, campsites are available on an individual basis within 90 days of arrival. To qualify as a group reservation, a minimum of 10 sites must be reserved. Reservations can only be made for those sites designated as group sites. A limited number of group sites are available in those parks accepting group reservations. Prime sites are not included. Cabins and picnic shelters may be included in some parks. Regular camping fees apply.
At Custer State Park, group camping takes place in separate group areas and a per person fee applies. Reservations for the Custer State Park group areas are accepted throughout the reservation season and do not close Feb. 1.
Group sites are reservable for arrival dates between May 16 and Sept. 1, 2008. A two-night minimum stay is required. Reservations can be made in parks accepting fall reservations through Oct. 6. Group sites are not available on the weekends of Memorial Day, Labor Day or June 27 through July 6. Some special event weekends are also unavailable. A two-night stay is not required and holiday weekends can be reserved at Custer State Park. Group campsites are available at 24 state parks and recreation areas across the state.
Lodge reservations can be made online at www.CampSD.com or by calling 1-800-710-CAMP (2267). Group camping reservations are only available through the call center. The call center is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily (CT) through December. From January to September, the hours are 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Online reservations can be made 24 hours a day. All camping fees must be paid at the time the reservation is made. There is a $5 per site non-refundable reservation fee, which is not applicable to South Dakota residents. A valid park entrance license is required in designated fee areas.
The first day to make individual campsite reservations for the 2008 reservation season is Feb. 16. Campsites are reservable within 90 days of arrival for arrivals between May 16 and Sept. 1, 2008, and until Oct. 6 for parks accepting autumn reservations.
For more information on reservations and for a complete listing of parks accepting group reservations, visit the Division of Parks and Recreation website at www.SDparks.info.
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Fall Celebration Planned for Fort Sisseton
LAKE CITY, S.D. – The leaves turning bright orange, red and yellow and falling to the ground as the days grow colder are sure signs that fall has arrived. What better way to spend a fall afternoon than at Fort Sisseton Historic State Park making crafts, going on a wagon ride and watching historical demonstrations on Oct. 27 from noon to 6 p.m.
The fort will have a variety of fun fall activities for visitors to participate in. Kids of all ages can stop by the north barracks to make pumpkin crafts, decorate pumpkin cookies and enjoy a cup of apple cider. Daring souls can stay around to go on a lantern lit tour of the fort a 6 p.m. and hear tales of how some believe the fort is haunted.
Visitors are encouraged to tour the fort buildings and hear legends and tales of years past from fort re-enactors. In addition, the fort's blacksmith, carpenter and flint knapper will be on-hand to provide demonstrations of their skills. “The cool fall air makes for a great walk around the fort, all while learning more about the area’s unique history,” said Katie Bogue, park naturalist.
There is no cost to participate in the activities. Regular camping, cabin rental and park entrance fees apply. Fort Sisseton Historic State Park is located 10 miles southwest of Lake City off US Hwy. 10. For more information on the event, contact the park office at (605) 448-5474. To learn more about Fort Sisseton and other South Dakota state parks, visit www.SDparks.info.
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Custer State Park Employee Named National Award Recipient
CUSTER, S.D. – Bradley Block, the chief of interpretation for Custer State Park, was recently named 2007 Master Interpretive Manager by the National Association of Interpretation (NAI). This award is presented annually to an NAI member who has worked for five or more years in the interpretation professional and who has demonstrated a mastery of interpretive technique, program and staff management.
“This award means a great deal to me, both personally and professionally,” said Block. “For many agencies, an interpreter is simply an educator. However, I have always stressed that interpreters do more than just programming, and I train my staff to tell the stories behind the scenery; interpretation creates awareness, awareness creates appreciation and appreciation creates stewardship and advocacy.”
As chief of interpretation at Custer State Park, Block serves many roles. He oversees the summer naturalist and educational programming efforts which include a full slate of daily interpretive presentations, such as the junior naturalist program, guided nature hikes, gold panning activities and living history demonstrations. Block oversees the management of two visitor centers, two historic sites, numerous special events and publications. In addition, he works on interpretive signage projects for Custer State Park and other locations across the state, organizes summer interpretive programs at two other state parks, manages a school outreach program and helps train naturalists for the state park system.
“Throughout Bradley’s tenure and in his various capacities at Custer State Park,
he has shown the ability to accomplish an inordinate amount of very professional
work,” said Craig Pugsley, visitor services coordinator at Custer State Park. “I
tell the naturalists every year that they have the opportunity to work with one
of the most respected professionals in the field today, Bradley Block, and they
should glean from all he has to offer.”
Block has taken on roles on a regional level in order to advance the interpretive profession. Currently, Block serves as the Director of Region V for the NAI. He has also served as volunteer coordinator, workshop chair and regional workshop presenter. “No one is more dedicated to the advancement of the interpretive profession,” said Amy Youkum, NAI Iowa Coordinator.
“To me, when an interpreter performs a program or activity that causes a visitor to step back and perhaps view their surroundings in a different way, this is the greatest accomplishment within my career field,” said Block. “I envision interpretation as a way to take technical language of the natural world and form it into terms, ideas and concepts that visitors can easily understand.”
The NAI will present Block with the 2007 Master Interpretive Manager on Nov. 10 in Wichita, Kan. at the NAI National Workshop.
Block has been in the interpretation field for around 20 years. He began his work in interpretation at the age of 16 for the Humboldt County Conservation Board in Iowa. From there, he attended the University of Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls where he majored in Natural History Interpretation. Before becoming the chief of interpretation for Custer State Park in 1997, Block worked as naturalist with the Pocahontas County Conservation Board in Iowa. Block lives in Custer, S.D., with his wife Cherri and their two children, Logan and Darian.
For additional information on the interpretive and educational services programs offered by Custer State Park, call the Peter Norbeck Visitor Center at (605) 255-4464. For additional information on Custer State Park, visit www.CusterStatePark.info. For additional information on South Dakota State Parks, call (605) 773-3391 or visit www.SDparks.info.
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