· Economic Impact of the 2007 Pheasant Hunting Season Hits Record Level
· Current Outdoor Enthusiasts Will Find Plenty to Do at S.D. Outdoor Expo
· Ethan Man, Sturgis Team Receive HuntSAFE Awards
Economic Impact of the 2007 Pheasant Hunting Season Hits Record Level
PIERRE, S.D.—The combination of 1.5 million acres of marginal cropland enrolled into the Conservation Reserve Program and favorable nesting and brood-rearing weather conditions set the stage for something special last fall in South Dakota.
With the highest pre-season pheasant population since 1945, approximately 78,000 resident and 103,000 nonresident pheasant hunters harvested just more than 2.1 million ringnecks during the 2007 pheasant season.
While pursuing South Dakota ringnecks, these hunters stayed in local motels, purchased gas and ammunition from local convenience stores and stopped in cafés and restaurants across the state. In 2007, resident and nonresident hunters spent an estimated $219 million dollars during the pheasant season.
Estimates of expenditures by resident and nonresident upland game hunters while hunting in South Dakota were based on formulas from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 2006 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting and Wildlife-Associated Recreation-South Dakota and were adjusted for an annual inflation rate of 3 percent. These county-specific spending estimates were generated by applying mean per-hunter spending estimates to the number and distribution of pheasant hunters as derived from the 2007 S.D. GFP upland game harvest surveys.
“We had great conditions and great success in 2007,” Wildlife Division Director Tony Leif said. “Now all South Dakotans must turn their attention to the continuing debate on a new Farm Bill. The loss of approximately 300,000 acres of Conservation Reserve Program land in 2007 and more on the horizon makes it a priority for us to work with our congressional delegates and speak out for the future of South Dakota wildlife.”
To view the statewide report containing county-specific information, please visit the GFP Web site at http://www.sdgfp.info/Wildlife/hunting/Pheasant/Economics.htm.
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Media Contact: State Fair – Candi Hettinger 605-353-7340
Game, Fish and Parks – Chuck Schlueter 605-773-3904
Current Outdoor Enthusiasts Will Find Plenty to Do at S.D. Outdoor Expo
HURON, S.D.— The S.D. Outdoor Expo is a perfect place for those looking to brush up on their hunting and fishing skills or develop new outdoor interests.
Archery experts from Scheels, 4-H Shooting Sports and K & B Archery will be on hand to give tips, tricks and pointers for those experienced and not-so-experienced archers.
Shooters can try their hand at the Cowboy Fast Draw put on by the Dakota Territory Rangers. They can also experience muzzleloading and period camps from the 1770s to the1840s. Another activity for hunters is tree stand safety by S.D. Bowhunters, Inc. All types of hunters will have the opportunity to climb into some tree stands to compare features and learn safety.
Hunters can have fun while honing their shooting skills with the LaserShot shooting simulators that Pheasants Forever and the S.D. Game, Fish and Parks Department will have on hand. Shooters can also head out to the Huron Gun Club for shotgun shooting.
Need a little help training your dog in the field? The North American Versatile Hunting Dog Association will provide versatile hunting dog demonstrations throughout the weekend. And for the retriever lovers, Luttrell Kennels will present both basic and advanced retriever training demos.
Outdoor enthusiasts more interested in water sports can try kayaking and canoeing in a man-made pond on the fairgrounds. Anglers can test the strength of different knots on a machine provided by the S.D. B.A.S.S. Federation.
Current hunters and anglers looking to learn a new skill or activity will have plenty to choose from such as Dutch oven cooking, geocaching, birding and outdoor games.
The S.D. Outdoor Expo is also the perfect opportunity to introduce a young person to the world of the outdoors. Bring along children, grandchildren or the neighbor youngsters and help the next generation develop a love of the outdoors that will last a lifetime.
Major sponsors of the Outdoor Expo are: Wildlife Protection Inc., The Weatherby Foundation, Spader’s RV Center, S.D. Parks and Wildlife Foundation, S.D. Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation, Scheels and S.D. B.A.S.S Federation.
The S.D. Outdoor Expo is FREE to all attendees. Anyone who is currently involved in the outdoors or would like to learn more is invited to attend the first S.D. Outdoor Expo, May 17-18. Hours of the event are: Saturday, May 17, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday, May 18, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
It is sure to be a great experience, no matter what your outdoor skill level may be. For more information, please call the S.D. State Fair office at (605) 353-7340 or log onto www.sdoutdoorexpo.com.
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Ethan Man, Sturgis Team Receive HuntSAFE Awards
PIERRE, SD—An individual from Ethan and a team from Sturgis have been chosen as the HuntSAFE instructors of the year for 2007.
Gary Stadlman of Ethan was selected as the HuntSAFE Instructor of the Year from a group of regional winners across the state. During his 20 years as an instructor, Stadlman has certified more than 1,000 students in the HuntSAFE program. Stadlman’s unique qualities as an instructor include overall knowledge of firearm safety and hunter responsibility as well as promoting and organizing outdoor activities for youth groups in the Davison County area.
“Gary is knowledgeable in all areas of the outdoors,” said Davison County Conservation Officer Andy Petersen who nominated Stadlman for the award. “Gary routinely brings in his own equipment to share with students and provides his class with details on hunting and the outdoors they would not find anywhere else.”
The combined experience of the Sturgis volunteer instructor team totals more than 100 years of teaching about hunting safety and ethics. The team consists of Dayle Hammock, Tom Adams, Ron White, Linn Hendrickson, Randy Brennick, Ward Dobler and John Tesnow.
“These guys go the extra mile in putting together a quality program,” said Scot Hawks, Conservation Officer for Meade County who submitted the nomination for the team. “There is no piece of hunting equipment, part of a firearm or visual aid that this team doesn’t supply to their students.”
“Without the dedication of hundreds of HuntSAFE volunteers across the state, the hunting heritage of South Dakota would be in jeopardy,” said Curt Robertson, HuntSAFE Coordinator for the S.D. Game, Fish and Parks Department. “Gary and the Sturgis team exemplify the passion for safe hunting and conservation that all HuntSAFE instructors have. Congratulations to all the recipients.”
Regional winners for the individual award included Arnie Goldade of Aberdeen and Randy Reed of Spearfish. The team regional winners included the Mobridge area team of Tim Pfitzer, Eugene Klug and James Curran and the Milbank team of David Cizaldo, Bernie Hermans, David Dockter, Rick Hentges and Dennis Skoog.
HuntSAFE courses are geared toward young people ages 12 through 15 and successful completion of the course is required in order for young hunters to be licensed. Volunteer instructors teach about the safe handling of firearms, hunter responsibility and the hunter’s relationship with wildlife and the land. To learn more about HuntSAFE or find a local course, check the GFP Web site at http://www.sdgfp.info/Wildlife/hunting/Safety/HuntSAFEIndex.htm.
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