Conservation

Photo © Keith Anderson

Wildlife/Fisheries Management Plans

Plans Up for Revision

Elk

During the January South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks (GFP) Commission meeting, the department provided information on updating the Elk Management Plan through the drafting of an Elk Management Action Plan.

In those discussions the Commission posed the question whether more opportunity could be provided to those desiring to draw an elk license by adjusting the elk population objective within the Black Hills. The current population objective for the Black Hills is between 6,000-8,000.

Per that dialogue, the department will be seeking input from stakeholders and interested parties to obtain opinions of increasing the upper end of the population objective to 9,000 when habitat and range conditions allow.

The draft Elk Management Action Plan can be found online here.

Individuals may provide suggestions and comments to be considered in the Elk Management Action Plan by February 17. Written comments must include your full name and city of residence. Comments can be sent to 523 E. Capitol Ave., Pierre, S.D. 57501, or submitted here.

Wildlife Damage Management

The South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks (GFP) is reviewing and revising the 2026 Wildlife Damage Management (WDM) Action Plan.

The draft WDM Action Plan can be found online here.

Individuals interested in the WDM Action Plan for South Dakota may provide suggestions and comments on the revised action plan by Februrary 20, 2026. Written comments must be received by the deadline and include your full name and city of residence. Comments can be sent to 523 E. Capitol Ave., Pierre, S.D. 57501, or submitted at gfp.sd.gov/forms/positions.

Giant Canada Goose

The South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks (GFP) is reviewing and revising the 2026 Giant Canada Goose Action Plan.

The draft Giant Canada Goose Action Plan can be found online here.

Individuals interested in the Giant Canada Goose Action Plan for South Dakota may provide suggestions and comments on the revised action plan by Februrary 20, 2026. Written comments must be received by the deadline and include your full name and city of residence. Comments can be sent to 523 E. Capitol Ave., Pierre, S.D. 57501, or submitted at gfp.sd.gov/forms/positions.

Current Fisheries Management Plans

Fisheries Reports and Management Documents

Current Wildlife Action Plans

Wildlife Reports and Management Documents