SD GFP NEWS FOR 10-22-09
South Dakota Hunting Atlas Updates
PIERRE, S.D. – People who have received the South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks Department’s Public Lands Hunting Atlas may want to check the GFP Web site for additional hunting-access opportunities.
It’s common to have additions and deletions to the Atlas after the initial product is printed. Since the printing, GFP has signed up an additional 5,000 acres of Walk-In Areas that are not in the printed version of the 2009 Hunting Atlas or previous versions of GPS maps.
The Walk-In additions can be found online.
The 2009 South Dakota Hunting Atlas is also available for download on handheld GPS units. The downloads are available at:
Maps are available for Garmin, Magellan Triton and Lowrance iFinder GPS units. Not all units are compatible with the GFP mapping system. The Web site lists all compatible units.
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Furbearer Season Corrections
PIERRE, S.D – South Dakota trappers anxious to begin the 2009-2010 furbearer season should be aware of misprints in the 2009 South Dakota Hunting and Trapping Handbook.
The Handbook states that several popular seasons begin on Nov. 1, but the following seasons do not begin until Nov. 7:
Non-residents may only trap raccoons, beaver and muskrats from Dec. 5-April 30, bobcats from Jan. 9-Feb 15, and mink and weasels from Dec. 5-Jan. 31.
For more information on the South Dakota Furbearer Season visit our website.
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Going to Bat for South Dakota Bats
PIERRE, S.D. - Want to learn more about South Dakota's bats and their conservation? Just in time for Halloween, a new electronic newsletter devoted exclusively to South Dakota's bats and their habitats has been published. The newsletter, entitled "Echoes From South Dakota", is published quarterly by the South Dakota Bat Working Group. This working group is part of a network of western states that work together to help bats, particularly those in need of special study or management.
The newsletter provides factual information about South Dakota's 12 bat species and matters related to their habitat needs. The premiere issue contains information for readers of all ages. Photos of bats, descriptions of conservation efforts, management tips for unwanted bat roosts, and a sound file of a real echolocation call are featured. There's a section just for kids and contests to win some "batty" prizes.
Subscriptions are free. The newsletter is only available electronically and is sent as an email attachment in PDF format (ADOBE ACROBAT required). If you would like to subscribe or just take a look at the first issue, visit the South Dakota Bat Working Group's website at www.sdbwg.org for more information.
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S.D. State Parks give away camping prizes
PIERRE, S.D. – Mark Larson of Huron, S.D., Pam Meyer of Sioux Falls, S.D. and Kevin Lukken of Salix, IA, were the 2009 winners of the South Dakota State Park’s Camping Give Away.
The Give Away, sponsored by the South Dakota Division of Parks and Recreation, gave state park visitors the opportunity to win one of three prizes. Larson received a three-night stay in a state park lodge, Meyer received a campsite for three nights, and Lukken will stay three nights in a state park camping cabin. The winners will get advanced reservations for the 2010 camping season.
The winners entered the contest by filling out a comment card while staying at South Dakota state parks during the 2009 summer camping season.
In 2010, South Dakota State Parks will be holding a similar drawing. Three winners will be selected. The first-prize winner will receive a choice of one of the following: a free three-night lodge rental at a state-owned lodge or a free three-night camping cabin rental in a state-owned cabin or a free three-night campsite stay at any state campground. The second-prize winner will have a choice of the remaining two prizes, and the third-prize winner will receive the remaining prize. Campers can again enter to win by filling out a comment card or by sending in a post card.
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2010 Lodge and Group Camping Reservations in S.D. State Parks Open Soon
PIERRE, S.D. – Beginning Nov. 1, visitors planning group outings to South Dakota state parks can begin making lodge and group camping reservations for 2010 arrivals.
"State parks are a popular destination for family reunions and other group get-togethers,” said Doug Hofer, state parks director. “Getting a big group together for a weekend of camping can be quite a task. The Nov. 1 opening date helps these groups make their plans earlier and in an easier manner.”
Lodge reservations for all arrival dates in 2010 will be accepted beginning Nov. 1. Lodges are found at Lake Thompson Recreation Area near Lake Preston, Shadehill Recreation Area near Lemmon, Mina Lake Recreation Area near Aberdeen, Newton Hills State Park near Canton, Oahe Downstream Recreation Area near Pierre and Palisades State Park near Sioux Falls.
Reservations for group campsites during the 2010 reservation season also open Nov. 1 and will be taken until Feb. 1, 2010. After that time, campsites are available on an individual basis within 90 days of arrival. To qualify as a group reservation, a minimum of 10 sites must be reserved with the exception of Lewis and Clark Recreation Area where “group loops” consisting of 8 sites are available. Reservations can only be made for those sites designated as group sites. A limited number of campsites are available in select parks for group reservations. Prime sites are not included. Cabins and picnic shelters may be included in the group reservation in some parks. Regular camping fees apply. Parks that offer group camping include: Custer State Park, Lake Cochrane Recreation Area, Lake Poinsett Recreation Area, Lewis and Clark Recreation Area, Newton Hills State Park, North Point Recreation Area, Oakwood Lake State Park, Platte Creek Recreation Area and Snake Creek Recreation Area.
At Custer State Park, group camping takes place in separate group areas and a per person fee applies. Reservations for the Custer State Park group areas are accepted throughout the reservation season and do not close Feb. 1.
Group sites are reservable for arrival dates between May 21 and Sept. 6, 2010, and can be made through Oct. 11 at select parks. A two-night minimum stay is required. Group sites are not available on the weekends of Memorial Day, Labor Day or July 4th. Some special event weekends are also unavailable at select parks. A two-night stay is not required and holiday weekends can be reserved at Custer State Park.
After a group reservation is made, a fee of one night’s stay will be charged for each campsite cancelled. A $25 fee will be charged for camping cabin and lodge cancellations. Cancellation fees are effective immediately upon making the reservations. This is a change from previous years when the fee was charged only for cancellations made less than 90 days prior to arrival.
Lodge reservations can be made online at www.CampSD.com or by calling 1-800-710-CAMP (2267). Group camping reservations are only available through the call center. The call center is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily (CT) through December. From January to September, the hours are 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Online reservations can be made 24 hours a day once the inventory becomes available. It is commonly understood that reservations become available at midnight 90 days before arrival. In fact, campers can begin making their online reservations when the call center opens at 7 a.m. (Jan. – Sept.) or 9 a.m. (Oct. – Dec.). All camping fees must be paid at the time the reservation is made. There is a $7.70 per site non-refundable reservation fee, which is not applicable to South Dakota residents. A valid park entrance license is required in designated fee areas.
The first day to make individual campsite reservations for the 2010 reservation season is Feb. 20. Campsites are reservable within 90 days of arrival for arrivals between May 21 and Sept. 6, 2010, and until Oct. 12 for parks accepting autumn reservations. Custer State Park accepts reservations for their entire camping season starting January 2, 2010.
Again this year, South Dakota State Parks is offering gift cards. The cards are available for purchase through the call center, on-line and at your local parks. For more information on reservations, visit the Division of Parks and Recreation website at www.SDparks.info or call (605)773-3391.
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