central Regional Advisory panel
January 25, 2012
Wildlife Division Office, Ft. Pierre
| Panel Members Present | GF&P Staff Present |
|---|---|
| Jack Broome - Burke | Cliff Stone |
| Keith Krull - Harrold | Emmett Keyser |
| Herb McClellan - Mobridge | Mark Norton |
| Lyle Perman - Lowry | Mark Fincel |
| Leonard Spomer - Pierre | Sandi Knippling |
| Kevin Swenson - Chamberlain | |
| Kirk Yackley - Onida | |
| Bill Waeckerle - Akaska | |
| Cody Wilson - Pickstown |
Cliff Stone opened the meeting at 10:00 am, welcomed the panel members to the Ft. Pierre Wildlife Division Office, introduced Department Staff, welcomed new panel member Bill Waeckerle, and reviewed the agenda.
Panel Member Updates/Issues - All
Jack Broome - Overall, as ice conditions permitted December ice fishing was terrific. Ice conditions have just returned and some nice fish are again being caught on the area lakes and ponds. Water conditions remain good in most area lakes and ponds. Has received several comments from area folks expressing some concern over the number of bucks (that have dropped antlers) being harvested during the antlerless deer season extension this past January.
Kevin Swenson - Winter has been real hit and miss and the Chamberlain area hasn't seen much until about two weeks ago. Seems like we have been having weather more like what we should see in March and September. Geese and duck hunting was a struggle this year. Geese have been difficult to predict, just sitting on grasslands, eating and enjoying the fall. Boat fishing was real good until a few weeks ago when the river froze.
Lyle Perman - Overall a good fall as far as hunting is concern. While overall statewide pheasant numbers are down, they had good fall on his ranch. His overall habitat and land he as enrolled in CRP is a key to good bird numbers. Deer harvest was one of the best because of nice fall weather, lots of nice deer harvested.
Bill Waeckerle - Introduced himself to the group, Bill was born and raised in SD, has spent time in the military, was a facility manager for the Rapid City School system, and a training officer for Medivac. He has also been involved in boxing and now in his retirement resides in Akaska where he is involved in their community development and the SD Walleye Classic fishing event. Fishing in the Akaska area was great this year and the good fishing has continued into the fall/early winter. The new fishing cleaning station in the area needs some work. Pheasant numbers were definitely down in the area. The coyote and beaver populations seem to be expanding pretty good along the river.
Keith Krull - Recently returned from a trip to Europe (Got off Concordia a day before it sank), interesting trip. Like the other panel members, they really haven't had much winter. Still seeing good numbers of pheasants, game in general, eagles, and hawks. Haven't seen many deer but the tracks would suggest they are around somewhere. Overall, a good hunting season, both in terms of numbers of hunters, birds, and clients. Recently, lost a good friend - Bill Shattuck, former GFP employee (Huntsafe Coordinator) passed away.
Kirk Yackley - Deer hunters in Sully County had a goof fall hunt, but it seems that deer numbers are down. Also heard some concern about bucks (dropped antlers) being taken during the extended season. The pheasant season was pretty successful because of the good habitat in the area. Local reports indicate that the fishing on area small ponds has been pretty good.
Cody Wilson - Not a lot of pheasant hunters in the Charles Mix County area this fall (hunters must have all moved north), because of the low pheasant numbers. Habitat continues to decline with fence lines coming out and pasture ground being broken for crop production. Hasn't heard many reports regarding dead deer, do to the reported EHD outbreak. Still don't have a lot of snow to cover the ground. Fishing got better after September below the dam at one time in December we had over 150 boats in the tailrace area at Ft Randall Dam, limits of walleye were common. Hopefully not a big flash, bang and then gone thing. Waterfowl hunting wasn't real good, as the birds were gone before season started.
Herb McClellan - Mobridge area fishing has been fabulous. Anglers have harvested a lot of nice walleye this summer/fall, at times it has been hard to find the smaller ones. Pheasant numbers seem to be down quite a bit. Suggested that folks read John Cooper's article talking about land coming out of CRP. Herb mentioned several meetings held in the local area regarding the future of the CRP program, the Selby meeting only had 2 people in attendance. Deer hunting in the area was a struggle this fall, deer numbers seem to be down considerably. Most people I talked to did not do well. Herb updated the group on the Mobridge ice fishing tournament. No fishing this year due to concerns over the safety of the ice, but the banquets and prize give-a-ways ($150,000 worth of prizes) were held due to lack of ice but did. The 450 slots available in this year's tournament filled in 42 minutes, plans are to expand to 500 teams next year with a lottery drawing for entry. Tournament draws anglers from six to eight states and even Canada.
Leonard Spomer - Pheasant season success varied a lot in the Pierre area, there was some good success on the Lower Oahe Access Area during the resident opener. Hughes and Stanley were down in some places and other areas were unbelievable. Good grouse numbers west river during the early part of the season. Deer numbers seemed to be down during the area, small game hunters reported seeing quite a few dead deer (EHD?). Observation from West River Deer season, are that the whitetail deer are overtaking the mule deer in some areas and that mule deer numbers are down considerably. Fishing has been phenomenal in the Pierre/Ft. Pierre area! Waterfowl has been spotty, some hunters have done well. Birds have gotten decoy shy. Legislature is on going with some "interesting" bills being introduced.
Cliff followed up the reports with further discussion on the falls pheasant season and bird numbers - good habitat, good birds. Some areas in the southern part of the region (southern Brule and northern Charles Mix) were undoubtedly affected by a June rain storms that dropped 8-9" rain over a 2-3 day period. The region did see a fairly significant outbreak of EHD in our whitetail deer herd, the disease is not uncommon and is often more prevalent in warm dry falls. The central and southern part of the Region had the highest out-break, however whitetail deer numbers still remained in good shape. We agree with earlier comments that our mule deer numbers have declined, with multiple factors (hard winters, disease, loss of habitat) probably playing a role. Cliff also informed the group that our ADC program received some good news recently with APHIS-WS returning to SD to with a plane/pilot to provide about 500 hours of aerial predator control.
It was also noted that folks have seen an unusual number of snowy owls this winter, their presence is apparently due to a rodent population decline in Canada so the owls have come down our way in search of food.
CRP in SD/Public Hunting Access Update - Mark Norton
Mark provided the group an update of our public access programs (WIA, CHAP's, etc.) and current status of CRP in the state. Panel members commented that they are still amazed and the number of folks who are not aware of our programs. Further discussion on the access programs centered on how the program is advertised and marketed, signage issues, and use of electronic media (GPS, website)
There is a general concern from most panel members about the long-term future of CRP and other conservation efforts. There is a lot of interest for landowners to put in easements programs, but funding is a main issue. There is also concern that the current method of taxing agricultural property (production potential) is not favorable for grass/rangeland.
Managing Three Billion Gallons of Water - Lyle Perman
Panel member Lyle Perman followed up a presentation that he provided the group at the August meeting. Using his own ranching/farming operation, grazing practices, and its landscape (slope, etc.) as an example, he provided an overview of how various land management practices would impact how much water would run off of his land during various rain events. He also provided examples, of various practices, that he has initiated in his operation to manage the water on his landscape. His presentation invoked a good discussion from the group on the water management issues, flooding issues, and the changes in our landscape as our producers try to maximize crop production. As with the previous CRP discussion, there is a concern over the future of wildlife populations as agricultural producers have to make future financial decision on their farming/ranching operations.
Legislative Update - Emmett Keyser
Emmett led a discussion and overview of the current South Dakota Legislative session and the bills that Game, Fish and Parks is tracking.
Missouri River Fisheries - Flood of 2011 - Mark Fincel
Mark Fincel updated the panel on their current and initial research/assessment findings of the impacts of the flood of 2011 on Missouri River fisheries, primarily Lake Oahe. Overall, their work showed that a large number of rainbow smelt were entrained through Oahe Dam, however the reservoir fisheries staff believe that the population of adult smelt remaining in the reservoir can provide a good spawn if spring conditions are favorable. They are also making plans to introduce adult gizzard shad a select location to add to the overall Lake Oahe fish forage base. Fall netting surveys show a good walleye population. Bottom line is that the long-term effects/impacts of the flood won’t be known for years. There was also discussion on general fish movement/passage with the 2011 flood, especially paddlefish and the impacts on our current (below Gavins Point Dam) and pending (Lake Francis Case) paddlefish seasons.
The next meeting is tentatively schedule for early June, panel has an interest in incorporating a field trip with that meeting.