SOUTH DAKOTA GFP NEWS FOR 7-10-09
· Changes to Elk Depredation Permits Proposed
· Restrictions on Game Production Area Proposed
· Antelope Season Finalized
Teachers - Get WILD About Raptors
RAPID CITY, S.D. – Game, Fish & Parks and Wildlife Experiences, Inc. will be offering a teacher workshop, “WILD About Raptors,” on July 21-23 in Rapid City.
“This workshop will be a wonderful experience for teachers wanting to learn about South Dakota’s aerial predators,” said Chad Tussing, GFP education services coordinator. Workshop content includes educational activities for the classroom, field experiences and visits from live birds of prey.
College credit from the University of Sioux Falls is available for a nominal fee. There is no fee for the training itself. Project WILD is funded in South Dakota through the sale of hunting and fishing licenses.
“We’re really excited about this opportunity. The participants will be able to learn about these amazing birds and will have the opportunity to see several of them up close,” Tussing said.
The content of the workshop is targeted primarily at school teachers, but everyone is welcome. To sign up, contact Maggie Engler with Wildlife Experiences at (605) 341-2762 or info@wildlife-experiences.org
For more information about Project WILD, visit www.projectwildsd.info
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2009 South Dakota Waterfowl Seasons Proposed
PIERRE, S.D. – Proposed seasons and limits for the upcoming duck and goose seasons in South Dakota will be on the agenda for a public hearing at next month’s meeting of the state Game Fish and Parks Commission.
South Dakota has four duck-season zones, each with its own season dates.
The commission’s proposed season for the Low Plains North and Middle Zones is Sept. 26 – Dec. 8. The two zones comprise most of the eastern half of South Dakota.
The commission is proposing a season of Oct. 10 – Dec. 22 for the Low Plains South Zone, which consists of parts of Gregory, Charles Mix, Bon Homme, Yankton, Clay and Union Counties.
The High Plains Zone, which contains all South Dakota counties west of the Missouri River and parts of several counties bordering the river on the eastern shore, would have a split season. The duck season would run Oct. 3 – Nov. 30, close for 7 days, then re-open Dec. 8 – January 14, 2010.
“We are regulated by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service on the number of days we can have for any given duck season,” explains GFP Terrestrial Chief Tom Kirschenmann. “We try to have the seasons open when there are good opportunities to hunt ducks. The split season in the High Plains Zone is an attempt to maximize opportunities for waterfowl hunters along the Missouri River and western South Dakota, too.”
As proposed by the commission, the daily limit for all hunting zones would be five ducks. A daily limit could include no more than two scaup, three wood ducks or two redheads. In addition, hunters would be able to have one hen mallard, or one pintail, or one canvasback in their daily limits.
The five-duck limit is contingent on Central Flyway states being allowed to use Hunter's Choice regulations for the 2009-2010 hunting season. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service officials are expected to make that determination this month.
If Hunter’s Choice regulations are rejected, then Adaptive Harvest Management liberal harvest regulations would likely be used for the 74-day Low Plains and 97-day High Plains seasons. Under that regulatory setup, those seasons would have daily limits of 6 ducks.
The GFP Commission has proposed a statewide season of Sept. 26 - Dec. 20 for light and white-fronted geese.
The proposed 2009 Canada Goose Season may be similar to last year. Under the proposal, Unit 1 would have an Oct. 1 – Dec. 20 season. Unit 1 is comprised of most of South Dakota, excluding the central counties along the Missouri River, Perkins, Bennett and parts of Custer and Fall River counties.
Unit 2 would have a Canada Goose Season from Oct. 31, 2009 – Feb. 12, 2010. Unit 2 consists of the central counties bordering the Missouri River, Perkins, and parts of Custer and Fall River counties.
Unit 3, encompassing only Bennett County, would have a Canada Goose Season of Jan. 9-17, 2010.
Daily limits would be three Canada geese, 20 light geese and one white-front goose. Possession limits for Canada and white-fronted geese would be twice the daily limit. Light geese possession would be unlimited.
Those who would like to provide written comments on the proposal may do so until 5 p.m. on Wed., August 5. Comments may be mailed to: Game, Fish and Parks Commission, 523 E. Capitol Ave., Pierre, S.D., 57501, or e-mailed to wildinfo@state.sd.us
All comments must include senders’ full names and addresses in order to become part of the public record.
Comments may be presented in person at the Aug. 6 GFP Commission meeting, which will be held in Mobridge at the Wrangler Inn during the 2 p.m. CDT public hearing.
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Changes to Elk Depredation Permits Proposed
PIERRE, S.D. – Elk are majestic and prized animals in South Dakota, but they can also cause problems for farmers and ranchers whose crops and haystacks are raided by the big animals.
Each year, the state Game Fish and Parks Department receives reports of elk causing property damage. Among options GFP has available to deal with problem elk herds are depredation hunts.
The state GFP Commission proposed several changes to the elk depredation permit process at its July meeting in Pierre and will hold a public hearing on them next month.
Among proposed changes from last year:
1. Allow elk depredation hunts in areas not designated as elk units.
2. Allow elk depredation hunts before a regular season opens.
3. Base hunter selection for elk depredation hunts on unsuccessful hunters for that unit from the first elk-license drawing, then unsuccessful hunters for that unit from the second license drawing, followed by those who were not successful in getting elk licenses at all for that unit, and finally unsuccessful applicants for elk units closest to the depredation hunt area.
4. Base hunter selection for pre-season depredation hunts on successful elk-license applicants for that unit, then unsuccessful license applicants for that unit, followed by unsuccessful elk-license applicants for elk units closest to the depredation hunt area.
5. Collect fees only from elk depredation hunters who did not pay for licenses during the current season.
6. Unsuccessful applicants selected for depredation hunts who elect to participate would not lose their preference points.
People who would like to provide written comments on the proposal may do so until 5 p.m. Wed., Aug. 5. Comments may be mailed to: Game, Fish and Parks Commission, 523 E. Capitol Ave., Pierre, S.D., 57501, or e-mailed to wildinfo@state.sd.us
All comments must have senders’ full names and addresses in order to become part of the public record.
Comments may also be presented in person at the Aug. 6 GFP Commission meeting in Mobridge, at the Wrangler Inn, during the 2 p.m. CDT public hearing.
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Restrictions on Game Production Area Proposed
PIERRE, S.D. – Responding to public safety concerns about occupied dwellings that are close to a pair of Game Production Areas near Lake Andes, the South Dakota Game Fish and Parks Commission has proposed restricted firearms use in those areas.
“These are two heavily wooded areas, and they are not very large,” said Cliff Stone, GFP regional supervisor. “The buildings have been there for some time and are very close to our boundaries.”
The two areas are located on the south side of Lake Andes.
The proposed restriction would allow the use of shotguns loaded with shot shells, and bow and arrows. But hunters would be banned from using rifles in those Game Production Areas.
People who would like to provide written comments on the proposal may do so until 5 p.m. Wed., Aug. 5. Comments may be mailed to Game, Fish and Parks Commission, 523 E. Capitol Ave., Pierre, S.D., 57501 or e-mailed to wildinfo@state.sd.us
All comments must have senders’ full names and addresses in order to become part of the public record.
Comments may also be presented in person at the Aug. 6 GFP Commission meeting at the Wrangler Inn in Mobridge during the 2 p.m. CDT public hearing.
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Antelope Season Finalized
PIERRE, S.D. – The South Dakota Game Fish and Parks Commission finalized the 2009 antelope hunting season at its July meeting.
“Our antelope counts for western South Dakota were down 20% from last year, but our antelope population is still in very good shape and will offer plenty of opportunity for hunters,” said GFP Regional Game Manager John Kanta.
Harding, Perkins, Butte (including a portion of Lawrence County), Meade, Ziebach, and Fall River (including a portion of Custer County) will have split seasons. The first season will run from Oct. 3-11, with the second season running from Oct. 10-18. All other units will run from Oct. 3-18.
Several changes were adopted for the upcoming season. Resident hunters will have 130 fewer two-tag licenses than last year, and nonresident hunters will have 11 fewer two-tag licenses than 2008.
Corson and Dewey Counties will no longer have split seasons, and the boundaries of the Butte County hunting units were adjusted.
There will be 110 one-tag licenses for resident hunters, 4,645 two-tag licenses, and 9,150 three-tag licenses available for residents. Nonresidents will have 10 one-tag licenses, 379 two-tag licenses, and 732 three-tag licenses available.
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East River Deer and Refuge Deer Seasons Finalized
PIERRE, S.D. – The South Dakota Game Fish and Parks Commission made several changes to the 2009 East River Deer Season at its July meeting.
One of the biggest changes allows the season to begin the Saturday before Thanksgiving.
Others changes eliminate the seven-day antlerless extension after the 16-day regular season and also adjust the nine-day antlerless extension to begin the Saturday after Christmas.
“We had several people contact the department regarding these changes,” said GFP Wildlife Division Director Tony Leif (LYF). “People want to be able to hunt with their families over the holidays. We also heard from landowners who believe the deer season has been too long. Our harvest surveys indicate that most antlerless deer taken in the season extensions occurred during the later extension, so we believe these changes are good for hunters and landowners alike.”
Hunters in McPherson, Edmunds, Faulk and Spink counties will no longer be able to hunt across county lines during the antlerless extension.
Hunters will see 600 fewer one-tag licenses and 3,640 fewer two-tag licenses, but will have 2,700 more three-tag licenses than 2008.
The GFP Commission also set seasons for the National Wildlife Refuges.
Sand Lake National Wildlife Refuge’s deer seasons will run Nov. 14-18, Nov. 19-23, Nov. 24-29, Nov. 30-Dec. 6 and Dec. 7-13. Sand Lake will offer 200 (75 fewer than 2008) two-tag “any deer + any antlerless deer” tags, and 50 (150 fewer than 2008) two-tag “antlerless deer” licenses. Non-resident hunters will have 20 (5 fewer than 2008) two-tag “any deer + any antlerless deer” tags and 5 (15 fewer than 2008) two-tag “any antlerless deer” tags.
Lacreek National Wildlife Refuge’s deer seasons will be from Oct. 21-27 and Nov. 25-Dec. 1. Lacreek will offer resident hunters 30 “any whitetail” and 10 “any antlerless whitetail” licenses, and nonresident hunters will be offered four “any whitetail” and two “any antlerless whitetail” tags.
Waubay National Wildlife Refuge’s deer seasons will run Nov. 13-17, Nov. 18-22, and Nov. 23-Dec. 6. Residents will be offered 60 “any deer” licenses, and nonresidents will be offered six “any whitetail” licenses.
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Early Fall Canada Goose Hunting Season Set
PIERRE, S.D. – The South Dakota Game Fish and Parks Commission finalized the 2009 Early
Fall Canada Goose hunting season at its July meeting, ensuring that South Dakotans will be able to take to the fields in early September.
The season will allow hunters to shoot five Canada geese a day in most areas of the state. Counties closed to hunting are Perkins, Bennett, Bon Homme, Gregory, Charles Mix, Brule, Lyman, Buffalo, Stanley, Hughes, Sully and parts of Fall River, Custer, Potter and Hyde.
Nonresidents may not hunt in the counties of Beadle, Brookings, Hanson, Kingsbury, Lake, Lincoln, McCook, Miner, Minnehaha, Moody, Sanborn, Turner and Union during the Early Fall Canada Goose season.
The season will run from Sept. 5-30, with daily bag limit of five geese and a possession limit of 10.
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No-Wake Zones At McCook Lake
PIERRE, S.D. – The South Dakota Game Fish and Parks Commission has passed a regulation that provides new “No Wake Zones” on McCook Lake in Union County.
The public water safety zones on the lake will be as follows:
“This really is a unique situation on McCook Lake,” said Division of Wildlife Assistant Director Emmett Keyser. “It is a very small and narrow lake, and it gets heavy boat use. We want to try and keep everyone safe and happy.”
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Mountain Lion Season Set
PIERRE, S.D. – After three months of public comments and testimony, the South Dakota Game Fish and Parks Commission has finalized the 2010 Mountain Lion Season.
The season will run from Jan. 1-Mar. 31, 2010 or until the mountain lion harvest limit of 40, or the female harvest limit of 25, is reached. The statewide season will be open to residents only.
Landowners who purchase a mountain lion license can harvest a lion year-round on private land they own or lease outside the Black Hills Fire Protection District.
Hunters may not use traps, dogs or bait while hunting lions, but can use electronic game calls.
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