GFP News - March 19, 2013
- 2013 Hunting Season Dates Set
- Snow Goose Migration Enters South Dakota
- Changes to Special Buck Licenses Made
- GFP Commission Proposes Several SD Elk Hunting Seasons
WALLEYE LIMITS WHEN FISHING OAHE AND OTHER WATERS
PIERRE, S.D. - The South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks Commission has finalized most big-game hunting season dates for 2013 with no changes from 2012.
The commission sets season dates in the early spring to give hunters a chance to plan their fall schedules. The season structure, including license numbers, will be set in coming months.
Season dates for this year include:
- Pheasant, Oct. 19-Jan. 5
- Youth Pheasant, Oct. 5-9
- Resident Only Pheasant, Oct. 12-14
- Grouse/Partridge, Sept. 21-Jan. 5
- Mourning Dove, Sept. 1-Nov. 9
- Fall Turkey, Oct. 1-Jan. 31
- Archery Antelope, Aug. 17-Sept. 27 and Oct. 14-31
- Firearms Antelope, Sept. 28-Oct. 13
- Black Hills Archery Elk, Sept. 1-30
- Black Hills Firearms Elk, Oct. 1-31 and December 1-15
- Archery Deer, Sept. 28-Jan. 15
- Youth Deer, Sept. 14-Jan. 15
- Black Hills Dee, Nov. 1-30
- West River Deer, Nov. 16-Dec. 1
- East River Deer, Nov. 23-Dec. 8
- Muzzleloader Deer, Dec. 1-Jan. 15
Deer and antelope tag allocations, waterfowl, sage grouse, and the mountain lion season, as well as new state laws will be addressed at upcoming commission meetings.
For information on the GFP Commission, visit the GFP website at www.gfp.sd.gov/agency/commission/default.aspx
The complete list of seasons and monthly meetings in which the commission will consider adjustments to administrative rules can be found online at "GFP link to 2013 commission schedule".
Snow Goose Migration Enters South Dakota
PIERRE, S.D. - People traveling in southeastern and south central South Dakota are seeing a familiar spring event - the annual migration of snow geese.
Geese have been arriving in growing numbers in areas along the southern South Dakota border and northward to Interstate 90.
The snow goose population has ballooned in the past several years. To help control them and prevent further habitat degradation that those nesting birds have caused to the Arctic tundra, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has issued a Conservation Order to states that allow hunting of snow geese in the spring.
In South Dakota, the Conservation Order runs from Feb. 16 through May 5. Hunting is allowed statewide with no limit on the number of snow geese that may be taken. Hunters are required to have a valid hunting license, but the federal waterfowl stamp is not required. Nontoxic shot is mandatory.
The Conservation Order is specific to snow and blue geese, and Ross' geese. Other waterfowl may not be shot.
For more information on the Spring Conservation Order, visit the South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks Department website at http://www.gfp.sd.gov/hunting/waterfowl/spring-light-goose.aspx
GFP has information on snow goose migration movement and hunting opportunity at http://gfp.sd.gov/hunting/waterfowl/migration/
Changes to Special Buck Licenses Made
PIERRE, S.D. - The South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks Commission has approved significant changes to a popular deer hunting license for 2013.
Hunters will only be able to possess either an East River or West River Special Buck License this year. Previously, a hunter could get both licenses.
The commission has set the level of resident licenses for East River Special Buck and the resident and nonresident West River Special Buck licenses at four percent of the total licenses allocated the previous year, which includes an "any deer" tag or a minimum of 500 licenses for that specific season, whichever is greater.
GFP Commission Proposes Several SD Elk Hunting Seasons
PIERRE, S.D. - The South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks Commission is proposing a slight reduction in the number of licenses available to elk hunters this year.
The 2013 Archery Elk Season is proposed to run from Sept. 1-30 with 77 "any elk" and 15 "antlerless elk" licenses available. That is a reduction of five licenses from 2012.
This year's Black Hills Elk Hunting Season is proposed to run from Oct. 1-31 for 380 "any elk" licenses and from Oct 16-31 and Dec. 1-15 for 165 "antlerless" licenses. Changes from 2012 include a reduction of 15 "any elk" licenses and 10 "antlerless elk" licenses.
The 2013 Prairie Elk Hunting Season will have a proposed total license allocation of 45 "any elk" and 51 "antlerless elk", a reduction of four licenses from last year. Several changes to hunting units and season dates are proposed for the Prairie Elk Season.
As proposed, Unit 30 (Gregory County) would no longer include Boyd County, Nebraska. Unit 30 season dates would be adjusted to Sept. 1 - Dec. 31.
Unit 11 (Bennett County and portions of Mellette County) has several proposed changes. Unit 11B is proposed to run from Sept. 1 through the Friday before the third Saturday in Oct. Unit 11D has proposed dates of Sept. 1 - Dec. 31.
To see the full proposals for those elk seasons, visit: http://www.gfp.sd.gov/agency/commission/default.aspx
Written comments on those proposals will be taken until 5 p.m. CDT on April 3. Comments can be emailed to wildinfo@state.sd.us . To be included in the public record, please include your full name and city of residence.
The South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks Commission will finalize elk hunting proposals at its April 4-5 meeting at the Winner Holiday Inn Express. The public hearing for those seasons will begin at 2 p.m. CDT on April 4.
-GFP-