· Longer Pheasant Hunting Season Proposed
· Fewer Black Hills Elk Hunting Licenses Proposed
· Snow Geese Return to South Dakota
· New Members Join South Dakota’s Teaming with Wildlife Coalition
· Teachers ... Get Ready to Learn in the Southern Black Hills
Longer Pheasant Hunting Season Proposed
PIERRE, S.D.—South Dakota’s pheasant hunting season might get longer under a proposal being considered by the Game, Fish and Parks Commission. The proposal lengthens the season through January. In the past, the season has ended on the first Sunday in January.
“We have a lot of birds on the landscape, thus bringing many requests and questions as to why our department doesn’t adjust the pheasant season to provide more hunting opportunities. Those comments and suggestions led to many discussions amongst field staff, ultimately bringing the recommendation to lengthen the season,” said GFP Game Program Administrator Tom Kirschenmann. “There are more social issues related to the proposal than biological, as our pheasant winter sex ratio counts indicate a sufficient number of roosters available after the hunting season for spring breeding.”
According to GFP Senior Upland Game Biologist Chad Switzer, any uneasiness about flushing birds during harsh winter conditions and the undo stress applied to the birds is not a great concern as most hunting pressure occurs during favorable weather conditions, and in most cases, little hunting pressure will occur during extreme winter conditions.
“Landowners monitor weather conditions more closely than anyone, and if they feel hunting pressure will cause undo harm to wildlife, access will be limited,” Switzer said. “Similar to private land, public lands support adequate cover for birds to find refuge, whether flushed by hunters or predators.”
As proposed, the 2008 season would start on Oct. 18 and go through Jan. 31, 2009.
Assistant Wildlife Division Director George Vandel told commissioners that the change would bring the pheasant season in line with other hunting seasons that end on Jan. 31. He also noted that many of South Dakota’s hunting licenses run through Jan. 31.
In an attempt to bring uniformity to the hunting seasons, GFP staff also proposed lengthening the grouse, quail and partridge seasons to end on Jan. 31. The proposals for those seasons call for the grouse and partridge seasons to run from Sept. 20 through Jan. 31, 2009, and for the quail season to run from Oct. 18 through Jan. 31.
Another change in the pheasant season would add Gerken State Game Bird Refuge in Faulk County and the White Lake State Game Bird Refuge in Marshall County to the Unit 2 areas that have a later pheasant season starting date. Vandel noted that those refuges were closed to hunting in the past.
A longer season is also in the proposal for the youth pheasant season. The 2008 season is proposed with two additional days, running from Oct. 4 through Oct. 8. The longer season would necessitate a change in the possession limit from nine to 15 cock pheasants. The proposal also seeks to adjust the age eligibility for the season from hunters “no older than 15” to hunters “no older than 17.”
Kirschenmann said the proposed longer season was part of a trend that offers more opportunities for young hunters. He said the additional days would still allow ample time for birds to settle down before the resident only hunt the next weekend.
A proposal for the resident pheasant season to be held on public land on Oct. 11 through Oct. 13 was approved without changes from last year and is considered finalized by the commission.
The game bird hunting seasons are scheduled to be the topic of a public hearing at the commission’s April meeting in Brookings. Citizens who would like to provide written comments on the changes in the pheasant seasons may do so up until 5 p.m. Wednesday, April 2. Those comments may be mailed to Game, Fish and Parks Commission, 523 E. Capitol Ave., Pierre, SD 57501 or e-mailed to wildinfo@state.sd.us. All comments must include the sender’s full name and address in order to become part of the official record.
Comments may also be presented in person at the GFP Commission meeting at the public hearing which will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday, April 3, at the Days Inn in Brookings.
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Fewer Black Hills Elk Hunting Licenses Proposed
PIERRE, S.D.—A reduction in the elk population in the Black Hills has resulted in hunting season proposals that offer fewer licenses.
The S.D. Game, Fish and Parks Commission approved the proposed Black Hills elk, Black Hills archery elk and prairie elk hunting seasons at its March meeting in Pierre. The seasons are scheduled to be finalized at the commission’s April 3-4 meeting in Brookings.
According to GFP Senior Big Game Biologist Ted Benzon, the combination of dry conditions and high elk numbers resulted in depredation concerns that reached a level at which it was necessary to reduce the elk population. “Since 2003, we have reduced the elk population by approximately 30 percent through an aggressive cow harvest management strategy,” Benzon said. “Hunter harvest played a significant role in reducing elk numbers, and now we are switching to a maintenance harvest strategy. Since a reduction is no longer necessary, license numbers for 2008 have been reduced and will likely stabilize over the next few years.”
As proposed, the Black Hills elk season would offer 755 “any elk” licenses and 920 “antlerless elk” licenses. In 2007, the season offered 855 “any elk” licenses and 1,200 “antlerless elk” licenses, a total reduction of 400 licenses for the 2008 season.
The Black Hills archery elk season also would see a reduction of 35 licenses with five fewer “any elk” licenses and 30 fewer “antlerless elk” licenses.
“The Black Hills elk herd is still in great shape,” said Wildlife Division Assistant Director George Vandel, “and we’re learning more about it every year.”
The proposed prairie elk hunting season did not call for an adjustment in the number of licenses offered. One change in that season, and in the archery season, is an adjustment in the season dates in Unit 30A in Gregory County so that it will coincide with the dates for the Boyd County, Neb., archery elk season. As proposed, the season dates in that unit would be Aug. 15 to Nov. 14 and Nov. 24 to Dec. 31.
In the Black Hills units, the archery season dates would be Sept. 1 through Sept. 30. Season dates for the Black Hills elk season are proposed as Oct. 1 through Oct. 31 for “any elk,” Oct. 1 through Oct. 15 and Dec. 1 through Dec. 15 for first “antlerless elk” and Oct. 16 through Oct. 31 and Dec. 1 through Dec. 15 for second “antlerless elk.”
The three seasons are scheduled to be the topic of a public hearing at the commission’s April meeting in Brookings. Citizens who would like to provide written comments on the changes in the elk season may do so up until 5 p.m. Wednesday, April 2. Those comments may be mailed to Game, Fish and Parks Commission, 523 E. Capitol Ave., Pierre, SD 57501 or e-mailed to wildinfo@state.sd.us. All comments must include the sender’s full name and address in order to become part of the official record.
Comments may also be presented in person at the GFP Commission meeting at the public hearing which will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday, April 3, at the Days Inn in Brookings.
After the commission acts on the finalizations, the elk season application process will begin later in April. The application deadline will be May 25.
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Snow Geese Return to South Dakota
PIERRE, S.D.—March has brought warmer weather to South Dakota and, with it, the return of the snow geese.
The return of those flocks also means another opportunity for waterfowl hunters with the opening of the Spring Light Goose Conservation Order. The S.D. Game, Fish and Parks Department Web site offers information about the bird’s progress through the state at http://www.sdgfp.info/Wildlife/hunting/waterfowl/Springmigration.htm.
Hunters can keep also track of the birds’ progress through South Dakota by calling the Snow Goose Hotline administered by Sand Lake National Wildlife Refuge. The number is (605) 885-6401.
Most of the rules and regulations for South Dakota’s other waterfowl seasons remain in effect for the conservation order. They include:
· Non-toxic shot is required.
· Obtaining permission before hunting or driving on private lands.
· Respecting the land by not littering, particularly if cleaning birds in the field. All feathers and remains should be bagged and taken home for proper disposal.
· Only light geese—snows, blues and Ross’ geese--may be taken. Hunters must be sure to identify their target before shooting.
· Keep a sufficient amount of plumage—either the head or one fully feathered wing--attached to birds while they are being transported so that they may be identified. This means that light geese cannot be breasted and subsequently transported.
In a deviation from other South Dakota waterfowl hunting seasons, the conservation allows hunters to use shotguns with a shell capacity of more than three shells. Taped migratory bird calls or sounds may also be used as well as electrically-amplified imitations of bird calls.
The conservation order is in effect statewide through May 8 with a daily limit of 20 and an unlimited possession limit. Shooting hours are one-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset.
Except for the Wall Lake Game Bird Refuge in Hand County, Silver Lake in Hutchinson County, and the waterfowl refuges on the Missouri River that include Oahe Dam, Big Bend Dam and Fort Randall Dam, the taking of light geese is allowed on state game, game bird and waterfowl refuges. Some refuges include private land and hunters must get landowner permission to hunt in those areas. Some federal refuges may allow light goose hunting in a portion of the refuge. Hunters should check with the specific refuges for details.
To take part in the conservation order, hunters need to make sure that they have a valid 2008 hunting license. A Federal Waterfowl Stamp is not required for the conservation order, but hunters do need to obtain a 2008 Migratory Bird Certification. The Migratory Bird Certification is included with the nonresident license. Licenses are available from license agents around the state. To see a listing for those agents or to purchase a license online, go to the department’s Web site at www.sdgfp.info.
The conservation order is part of an ongoing effort in the United States and Canada to reduce the mid-continent population of light geese that is causing degradation to the birds’ arctic Canadian breeding grounds.
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New Members Join South Dakota’s Teaming with Wildlife Coalition
PIERRE, S.D.--More than 5,700 organizations in the United States have endorsed Teaming with Wildlife, showing a commitment to address the need for increased state and tribal funding for wildlife recreation, education and conservation. South Dakota’s coalition recently gained 13 new members and now totals 159 members.
South Dakota’s Teaming with Wildlife coalition represents hunters, anglers, archers, scouts, businesses, agricultural, economic development and tourism interests, and more. These new members have expressed their commitment to wildlife and the natural places that contribute to the state’s quality of life.
· Beadle County Sportsmen’s Club, Huron
· Boy Scouts – Black Hills Area Council, Rapid City
· Dakota Outdoor Radio, Lake Byron
· Lewis and Clark Rifle and Pistol Club and Jr. Club, Pierre
· O’Hara Masonry, Renner
· Paha Sapa Grotto, Hill City
· Sioux Falls Bird Club, Sioux Falls
· Sertoma Butterfly House, Sioux Falls
· South Dakota Parks and Recreation Association, Sioux Falls
· Vermillion Pistol Club, Vermillion
· The Outdoorsmen Magazine, Flandreau
· Whetstone Sportsmen Club, Milbank
· Wickiup Cabins LLC, Lead
· Dakota Heartland Chapter of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, Winner
· Newell Community Club, Newell
There is no charge to join the coalition. Members simply go on record to show support for the need to ensure that we responsibly manage wildlife and natural habitats in South Dakota and throughout the United States.
Visit South Dakota’s Teaming with Wildlife Web site at: http://www.sdgfp.info/Wildlife/Diversity/teaming.htm. There you can view South Dakota’s complete coalition list and learn how your organization or business can join the coalition and keep South Dakota a place where people and wildlife find the clean water and air and healthy landscapes we all need to thrive.
For more information on South Dakota’s Teaming with Wildlife Coalition, contact Eileen Dowd Stukel at eileen.dowdstukel@state.sd.us or (605) 773-4229.
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SEQ CHAPTER \h \r 1Teachers ... Get Ready to Learn in the Southern Black Hills
CUSTER, S.D. - Custer State Park and Angostura Recreation Area are gearing up for two educational workshops for teachers and educators interested in the outdoors. As the spring season approaches and outdoor field trips demand attention, the S.D. Game, Fish and Parks Department is promoting the learning experiences.
Angostura Recreation Area, located near Hot Springs in the southern Black Hills, is hosting a WOW! For Educators workshop on April 19 and 20. WOW stands for the Wonders of Wetlands and introduces participants to basic wetland ecology principles. Using interactive lesson plans, the workshop highlights various wetland features and exposes teachers to ideas on how to share this unique habitat with their students. This curriculum resource is recommended by the National Science Teachers Association.
WOW! For Educators contains two course times. On Saturday, April 19, the workshop offers front-line training for educators, naturalists, nature center managers and park interpreters. Sunday, April 20, is geared for interested participants who wish to be certified trainers for the curriculum. The registration fee for the first day is $45, with the second day costing $40. The fees cover the cost of the training and materials, as well as lunch on both days. Reservations are required.
Jamie Schofield, wetland educator, states, “Wetland education is a fascinating topic, and the southern Black Hills region offers some of the best outdoor sites to study and learn about these natural features. Participating teachers will surely discover new ways to bring the environment into their classroom.”
Lodging is available on-site using Camper Cabins, and reservations can be made by calling Angostura Recreation Area at (605) 745-6996. Space is limited and will be filled on a first come first served basis. Schofield further states, “WOW! For Educators has been called the most comprehensive introduction to wetland issues and definitions by the North American Association for Environmental Education. Area teachers can receive the field training at the beautiful Angostura Recreation Area.”
Custer State Park is hosting its annual Project WILD and Project Learning Tree workshop during the weekend of April 25-27. The cost of the weekend workshop is $65, which includes two nights of lodging within the park and associated meals during the event. Chad Tussing, education services coordinator for the Division of Wildlife, states, “Both Project WILD and Project Learning Tree are full of fun, hands-on activities. The activities are designed by teachers for teachers and complement most any classroom curriculum.”
The content of the WILD and PLT workshop is targeted primarily at elementary and middle school teachers; however, all grade level educators are welcome to attend. The curricula are built on the foundation of teaching students how to think, not what to think, about resource conservation. The guides are written for grades kindergarten through 12, and they include more than 270 different activities. Most impressive, every activity is strongly connected to state content standards. Registration is limited to 18 participants.
Both workshops offer credit through the University of Sioux Falls for an additional $40 per credit hour. For more information or to make a reservation for either workshop, contact Bradley Block, chief of interpretation, at (605) 255-4828 or brad.block@state.sd.us.
WOW workshop information is available at www.wetland.org or by e-mail at wow@wetland.org. For more information related to Project WILD, visit www.projectwildsd.info. Project Learning Tree information is found at www.sdplt.org. For additional interpretive and educational services related to Angostura Recreation Area or Custer State Park, check online at www.sdgfp.info/parks and click on Park Locator for the Southern Black Hills Region.
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