SD GFP NEWS FOR 3-10-09
Elk Season Proposals
PIERRE, S.D.- South Dakota elk hunters could see a reduction in tags available for the 2009 seasons.
A proposal from the Game Fish and Parks Commission is recommending a reduction in licenses for select Black Hills hunting units.
"We have heard from hunters and landowners in areas of the Black Hills that they would like to see elk numbers a little higher," said Chief of Terrestrial Resources, Tom Kirschenman. "There are still locations in the Hills that we hear from concerned landowners that there are too many elk, but they are fewer and fewer. In other areas, elk numbers are slightly lower than we would like to see them. To begin the process of slightly increasing elk numbers, we are recommending a reduction in licenses in several units."
The proposal includes a reduction in archery elk licenses from a total of 202 licenses in 2008 to a total of 185 licenses for 2009, or 17 fewer licenses.
The rifle elk season would see a reduction from 1,675 licenses in 2008 to 1,365 licenses in 2009, or 310 fewer licenses.
Another proposal would see an expansion of the Prairie Elk hunting season. Division of Wildlife staff recommended adding an additional unit in Bennett County and one including parts of Butte and Lawrence Counties. The addition of these units would increase the number of prairie elk licenses available from 76 in 2008 to 131 in 2009.
"We are recommending these units for a couple of reasons," said Regional Wildlife Manager John Kanta. "First and foremost, we are receiving depredation complaints from farmers and ranchers in these areas, and secondly data suggests that the elk herd is moving north into an area of Butte and Lawrence Counties where we previously did not have an established hunting unit."
The GFP Commission also finalized the Black Hills bighorn sheep season, which will have 5 "any bighorn sheep" licenses available. The Commission will keep the season closed on mountain goats in South Dakota.
The Commission will take final action on the elk season proposals at their April meeting, which will take place at the Sioux Falls Downtown Holiday Inn, April 1-2.
Information on season proposals is available at the GFP Web site at www.sdgfp.info under the headings “About Game, Fish and Parks” and “GFP Commission.”
Citizens who would like to provide written comments on the proposal may do so up until 5 p.m. Wednesday, April 1. 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 have the sender’s full name and address in order to become part of the public record.
Comments may also be presented in person at the GFP Commission meeting during the public hearing which is scheduled for 2 p.m. Thursday, April 2.
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Pheasant Season Proposed
PIERRE, S.D. – A proposal to lengthen the South Dakota pheasant season one week will be considered at the April Game, Fish and Parks Commission meeting in Sioux Falls.
The recommendation brought forward by the GFP Division of Wildlife would extend the season from the first Sunday in January to the second Sunday of the month.
"We heard from several hunters that they wished the season would have lasted a little longer this year," said Division Director Tony Leif. "By extending the season a week, we are hoping to provide hunters a little more opportunity during a time when opportunities are abundant."
Proposals to extend the grouse and quail seasons to the second Sunday in January will be taken under consideration as well.
Under a similar proposal the partridge season would be extended to the second Sunday in January and would close Lacreek National Wildlife Refuge to partridge hunting.
The Commission voted "no change" to the youth pheasant, resident only pheasant, snipe, cottontail rabbit, tree squirrel, crow, dove and sandhill crane seasons. A no change vote means the season structures will be the same as the 2008 seasons.
The Commission will take final action on the pheasant season proposals at their April meeting, which will take place at the Sioux Falls Downtown Holiday Inn, April 1-2.
Information on season proposals is available at the GFP Web site at www.sdgfp.info under the headings “About Game, Fish and Parks” and “GFP Commission.”
Citizens who would like to provide written comments on the proposal may do so up until 5 p.m. Wednesday, April 1. 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 have the sender’s full name and address in order to become part of the public record.
Comments may also be presented in person at the GFP Commission meeting during the public hearing which is scheduled for 2 p.m. Thursday, April 2.
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No Wake Zones Added to South Dakota Waters
PIERRE, S.D. – The Game Fish and Parks Commission voted to expand or create “No Wake Zones” for boaters and personal watercraft operators on several of South Dakota’s waters.
A “No Wake Zone” is an area in which boats or personal watercraft may not create a wake by their passage. At no time may the boat or PWC be operated at a speed greater than five miles per hour in these zones.
“No Wake Zones” that were established are:
Lake Francis Case adjacent to South Shore Lakeside Use Area in Gregory County,
Lake Francis Case within the waters of Cedar Shores Marina in Lyman County, and Pactola Lake Musecamp Draw and Boarding House Gulch in Pennington County.
“No Wake Zones” that were expanded or changed are:
Spring Creek Recreation Area in Hughes County will now include the new Spring Creek Marina and Long Lake in Lake County the zone will be lifted for the months of July and August.
The commission also created a “No Swimming Area” in and around the breakwater area at Spring Creek Marina in Hughes County.
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Refuge Changes Finalized
PIERRE, S.D. – The South Dakota Game Fish and Parks Commission voted to change the western border for the Sutton Bottom and Latin Draw State Waterfowl Refuges in Sully County from the water’s edge to the center of the reservoir.
The Commission also voted to change Antelope Lake State Game Bird Refuge in Clark County to a State Waterfowl Refuge. This move will allow the hunting of upland game at the refuge.
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