Leif Will Lead GFP Wildlife Division

PIERRE, S.D.—A 20-year veteran of the S.D. Game, Fish and Parks Department has been appointed as the new director of the Wildlife Division.

GFP Secretary Jeff Vonk announced Monday that Tony Leif would lead the Wildlife Division. Leif, the division’s wildlife program administrator, replaces Doug Hansen who recently retired.

“Tony has a talent for taking on difficult situations and finding a resolution by communicating with stakeholders to create common-sense solutions,” Vonk said. “I look forward to working with Tony on the challenges that face the department.”

Leif began his career with the department in 1987 as a conservation officer based in Freeman. He worked as a wildlife biologist and senior wildlife biologist in Huron for 16 years where he was the department’s lead upland game biologist with the main focus of his work on pheasant management and research.

Leif moved to Pierre in 2004 where, in his role as wildlife program administrator, he directed statewide management and research of game animal populations and helped steer the department’s first mountain lion hunting season into place.

“The Wildlife Division has a national reputation for the quality of its work with the state’s natural resources and it’s humbling to be chosen to lead that effort,” Leif said. “The division staff and the people of South Dakota are passionate about our wildlife resources and I’m excited about the opportunity to work with all of them.”

A graduate of Huron High School, Leif earned a degree in wildlife and fisheries sciences from South Dakota State University in Brookings and a master’s degree in wildlife science from Texas Tech University. Leif and his wife, Kandee, have four children.

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