SOUTH DAKOTA DEPT. OF GAME, FISH AND PARKS
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Wednesday, Oct. 05, 2005
CONTACT: Tony Leif, 773-4193

 

Antelope Season is Early Opportunity to Harvest West River Antlerless Deer

PIERRE, S.D. – West River deer hunters are reminded that all West River "antlerless deer" tags are valid during the Oct. 1 – 14 firearms antelope season. Hunters should also note that West River "any-deer" licenses do not "convert" and are not valid during this season.

Most simply put, this is an early, additional, two-week "antlerless deer" season for West River deer hunters, and this extra season is just a little different than the extra opportunities that come after the regular West River deer season.

"The key word to note is 'antlerless,' said Game, Fish and Parks Wildlife Program Administrator Tony Leif. "West River hunters should leave their West River 'any-deer' and 'any whitetail' tags at home, as they do not convert to antlerless during this opportunity and are not valid until the regular West River deer season opens in November. Essentially this additional season emphasizes West River ‘antlerless deer’ tags and will hopefully stimulate more harvest of antlerless deer while hunters are in the field antelope hunting."

Leif noted that one does not need an antelope license to take advantage of this opportunity.

"One doesn’t have to be hunting antelope or have an antelope license, and the antelope season doesn’t have to be open in the county for which a person’s antlerless deer license is valid," he said. "In the simplest terms, a deer hunter having a 2005 West River antlerless deer tag can hunt Oct. 1 through Oct. 14 in the West River deer unit for which their license was issued. And, if they do not fill their tag, they can still use it during the regular West River deer season, as well as for the extended seasons if they have still not harvested an antlerless deer."

South Dakota’s third West River deer drawing was just completed, and hundreds of leftover tags are still available.

"The majority of these West River leftovers are antlerless tags," said GFP License Office Supervisor Scott Simpson, "so there are plenty of chances for people to get a license and get an early chance at harvesting a deer this fall." He noted that each eligible hunter can acquire up to five West River deer licenses, and a two-tag license counts as one license.

Remaining West River deer licenses can be viewed on the Game, Fish and Parks website at www.sdgfp.info. Once there a person should hold their cursor over "Licenses and Reservations," then click on the link to "Leftover Hunting Licenses." One can also go directly to www.sdgfp.info/Wildlife/hunting/Leftovers/WRDeer.htm. Remaining West River deer tags are available first-come, first served by submitting a paper application or by applying online.

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