·        Resident Big Game Depredation Pool Hunt Open

·        2008 Fishing, Hunting Licenses Available Dec. 15

Resident Big Game Depredation Pool Hunt Open

PIERRE, S.D. – Applications for South Dakota’s 2007-08 resident big game depredation pool are now available. This is a no-cost program which only accepts online applications.

“Depredation hunts allow us to promptly respond to landowners who have large numbers of animals congregating on crops and forage, when other methods of reducing or eliminating damage have proven ineffective,” said the S.D. Game, Fish and Parks Department’s Wildlife Damage Management Administrator Art Smith of Pierre. “It is an especially valuable tool in cases of severe damage that cannot be controlled by any other method, as the hunt targets the specific animals causing damage.”

The depredation drawing is used to establish pools of hunters who can be called upon for special hunts intended to minimize damage to private crops or forage. The need for the hunter pools is usually closely related to winter weather - a mild winter has meant few calls for a depredation hunt, and during extremely harsh winters, entire lists have been contacted.

Features for this year’s depredation hunt application include allowing hunters to choose the county or counties where they would be called on to hunt, in addition to choosing which species they are interested in hunting.  The species are deer, turkey and antelope. There is no fee associated with applying for the depredation pool which is available only through online applications.

 “Hunters who are called must be immediately available to participate in a depredation hunt,” Smith said. “Because of this, it is recommended that applicants only apply for those counties in which they reside or live closest to in order to minimize travel time and other difficulties associated with getting to a hunting area. If depredation hunts are necessary, they will be authorized between Dec. 1 and March 31.”

To apply, interested hunters need to enter the Game, Fish and Parks Web site at www.sdgfp.info and then navigate to the “What’s New” section or go to http://www.sdgfp.info/Wildlife/hunting/Applications/Index.htm.  Paper applications will not be available for this season. Hunters without Internet access who wish to apply for the depredation pool can get assistance from their local Game, Fish and Parks office.

-GFP-

2008 Fishing, Hunting Licenses Available Dec. 15

PIERRE, S.D.—The S.D. Game, Fish and Parks Department will get an early start to the new year when its 2008 hunting and fishing licenses go on sale Dec. 15.

The 2008 licenses are good through Jan. 31, 2009. The 2007 licenses are valid through Jan. 31, 2008, but they will no longer be sold after Dec. 14.

The licenses can be purchased through the GFP Web site at www.sdgfp.info or from license agents across the state. A list of license agent locations is also available on the Web site.

For the online purchase of a license, hold the cursor over “Licenses and Reservations” on the home page and then click the link to “Buy General Hunting and Fishing Licenses.” Online purchases can be made using Visa or MasterCard.

Waterfowl hunters are reminded that, besides the 2008 license, a new state migratory bird certificate will be needed after Jan. 31, 2008, if they plan to take part in the final days of the goose hunting season in Unit 2 which lasts through Feb. 8, 2008. The migratory bird certificate is sold separately from other licenses. The current federal waterfowl stamp is valid through June 30, 2008.

--GFP--