·        GFP Commission Decides Against Longer Pheasant Season

·        Spring Creek Marina and Resort Prepares for 2008 Season Under New Management

GFP Commission Decides Against Longer Pheasant Season

BROOKINGS, S.D.—Heeding the concerns of landowners and sportsmen’s groups, the S.D. Game, Fish and Parks Commission decided against a proposal that would have lengthened the pheasant season to the end of January.

The commission took the action at its April meeting in Brookings. The 2008 season will adhere to traditional dates, starting on the third Saturday of October—Oct. 18—and ending on the first Sunday of January—Jan. 4.

The commission heard testimony both for and against the proposal at a public hearing in Brookings. The department also received more than 200 e-mail and telephone comments about the proposal. Commissioners said they also received numerous phone calls and comments about the proposed change.

Wildlife Division Assistant Director George Vandel explained to the commission that with South Dakota enjoying a near record pheasant population, the state has the rooster pheasant population for a longer season. “We see our job as maximizing the recreational opportunity when the resource can handle it,” Vandel said. “The nesting habitat benefits of the Conservation Reserve Program or CRP acres are responsible for our strong pheasant populations.”

On a 6-1 vote, commissioners agreed with the concerns of landowners and sportsmen’s groups who said that the pheasant hunting season was already long enough. It was evident from the outpouring of comments, Vandel said, that the people of South Dakota care deeply about the pheasant resource.

To keep the upland game bird seasons uniform, proposals had been offered to lengthen the grouse, partridge and quail seasons. Like the pheasant season, those seasons will end on Jan. 4. The grouse and partridge seasons will start on Sept. 20 and the quail season will start on Oct. 18. The sage grouse season will be held on Sept. 24 and Sept. 25.

The commission also expanded the youth pheasant season to five days. It will run Oct. 4 through Oct. 8. The commission also modified the youth season to begin at 10 a.m. each day instead of the traditional noon opener to give youngsters the ability to hunt when it is cooler. The resident-only pheasant season has been set for Oct. 11 through Oct. 13. More information about South Dakota’s pheasant hunting seasons is available at the GFP Web site at http://www.sdgfp.info/Wildlife/hunting/Pheasant/Index.htm.

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Spring Creek Marina and Resort Prepares

for 2008 Season Under New Management

PIERRE, S.D.--The marina and resort at Spring Creek Recreation Area is under new management, and preparations are under way for the 2008 season. In February, the Department of Game, Fish and Parks and Spring Creek Ventures, LLC executed a new concession lease agreement.

“This concession agreement is the basis for a cooperative public-private relationship that will guide the operation, maintenance, and improvement of facilities and services at this popular destination for decades to come,” said Doug Hofer, Director of the Division of Parks and Recreation. The business will continue to operate under the name “Spring Creek Resort,” and Bill Sutter has been named as the on-site representative.

Renovation work on the property has already begun in anticipation of the 2008 boating, fishing and hunting seasons. The target date for opening Spring Creek Resort under the new management is May 15, 2008. Ten cabins, plus four hotel units are in the process of being cleaned, painted, updated and modernized. The restaurant building will be painted and have new modern restrooms and a "three-season" deck area for those wishing to watch the sunset over the lake. A new chef, management and wait staff ensure top quality food and service for not only the marina users, but also residents of the Pierre/Fort Pierre area. The state of South Dakota will soon be working to improve the landscaping, roads, and infrastructure.  

Further improvements slated for the 2009 season include a new deep-water marina located in Spring Creek bay. “We are excited about the changes at Spring Creek and we are looking forward to the positive impact it will have on visitors,” said Hofer. This marina will include the relocation of the existing Spring Creek slips, and the addition of another 40 slips to be relocated from the existing Lighthouse Point marina. The marina will be protected by a floating breakwater. A new parking area, comfort station, and improved electrical power, access, water and waste disposal services on the docks will all contribute to a first-class facility that will provide full services at all lake levels.   

Other plans for the area include the construction of a 70-100 room resort hotel on property located to the north of the marina and west of the existing golf course.  Architectural proposals have been solicited and a selection will be made on a design team within the next 30 days. Construction on the hotel will hopefully start in the fall of 2008 with a targeted opening the spring of 2009. The hotel will be designed to be family friendly.

Reservations for cabin rentals and slip leases are being taken at (605) 224-8336. Spring Creek Recreation Area is located approximately 20 miles north of Pierre, just off Highway 1804.

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